Glue bomb window removal help

[FLHCAHZ]

Hello all.  I picked up a 1/16 General Lee at a show for $5.  It’s mostly complete, and I am going through the “deconstruction” phase. I am having much trouble getting the glass out of it.  The back window look like it was welded in with orange tube glue and won’t budge.   I’ve managed to get the windshield loose, but there is a bead of glue on the passenger side A pillar. 

 

Anyone know now of any tricks to try to free the glass without breaking it or the body?  Please advise.

Edited February 5, 2022 by FLHCAHZ

[Mark]

You can try mineral spirits applied to the joint, or soak the body as though you were removing paint.  But in cases where the parts are fused together like that, the solution usually involves sacrificing one part (glass) to save the other part (body).

If that is the MPC kit, it is 1/16 scale.

[Bainford]

If the glue doesn't go right to the window edge, you may be able to save the glass by carefully grinding away at the heavily glued portion with a dremel to free the unglued bit. Between  grinding and using a hobby knife, you may be able to save enough of the glass to re-use. Of course, if the glue is heavy enough to have spilled out into the window opening, this won't work. 

[FLHCAHZ]

7 minutes ago, Mark said:

You can try mineral spirits applied to the joint, or soak the body as though you were removing paint.  But in cases where the parts are fused together like that, the solution usually involves sacrificing one part (glass) to save the other part (body).

If that is the MPC kit, it is 1/16 scale.

Thanks for the info. You are correct about the scale, darn typo

[FLHCAHZ]

1 minute ago, Bainford said:

If the glue doesn't go right to the window edge, you may be able to save the glass by carefully grinding away at the heavily glued portion with a dremel to free the unglued bit. Between  grinding and using a hobby knife, you may be able to save enough of the glass to re-use. Of course, if the glue is heavy enough to have spilled out into the window opening, this won't work. 

Thank you for the info.  The back window is glued to the edge all the way around.  It’s pretty flat, I think I can make new glass (or at least would like to try).  I’m mostly worried about cracking the body.  I guess it is breaks, I will have to add new skills in body repair!

[NOBLNG]

13 hours ago, FLHCAHZ said:

Thank you for the info.  The back window is glued to the edge all the way around.  It’s pretty flat, I think I can make new glass (or at least would like to try).  I’m mostly worried about cracking the body.  I guess it is breaks, I will have to add new skills in body repair!

If the window is not to be saved, You could use a dremel to carefully grind the clear plastic away. This would avoid the prying which could crack the body.

[Ace-Garageguy]

28 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

If the window is not to be saved, You could use a dremel to carefully grind the clear plastic away. This would avoid the prying which could crack the body.

Exactly.

In heavily-glooed situations, you have to choose which part to save, then proceed accordingly.

[FLHCAHZ]

Thanks for the info.

[Ace-Garageguy]

17 hours ago, FLHCAHZ said:

...I think I can make new glass (or at least would like to try)...

Just about any model-car "glass" can be made from clear sheet styrene, acetate, or PET (soda bottles), and if you do it right, it looks much better than the kit parts.