Windshield Frame Reassembly

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:10 pm

I need some help with this one! I removed the wooden windshield frame from my 1964 Super Lancer and it kind of fell apart. Most all the dowels were in bad shape. All pieces are sanded and ready for stain & varnish. Should I stain and varnish before reassembly? What kind of dowels do I use? Do they need to be glued in?

LancerBoy · Post by **LancerBoy** » Sun Sep 19, 2010 5:05 am

Stain and varnish after it is all assembled. It need not be installed on the boat. But make sure it is the correct shape to fit the deck before final assembly. Assemble it and then do final sanding prior to finish coats.

Yes, glue the dowels. Original dowels were probably hardwood.

Screwing it together is OK with use of countersunk screws and bungs to cover up the screw head.

I have rebuilt several wooden framed windshields for Thompson of Peshtigo boats. I have had to make new wooden parts several times. Not a fun task!

Andreas

THE LAKE · Post by **THE LAKE** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 3:16 am

Just got a quote from a local wooden boat restoration specialist for a complete windshield assembly for my Cruiser's Inc project - - - - $3,500 unvarnished. 50 hrs of labor at $65/hr and $250 materials. When I think about it, 50 hrs sounds very reasonable and with overhead etc, a shop rate of $65/hr is certainly reasonable. However, That's 7 times what I paid for the entire boat/motor/trailer for just the windshield assembly. Damn, why couldn't I have been born rich instead of smart and handsome ? LOL !

Brian

Classicboats4me · Post by **Classicboats4me** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:50 am

www.lymanboat.com Check and see if they can help you out.

240sxguy · Post by **240sxguy** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:16 am

THE LAKE wrote:Just got a quote from a local wooden boat restoration specialist for a complete windshield assembly for my Cruiser's Inc project - - - - $3,500 unvarnished. 50 hrs of labor at $65/hr and $250 materials. When I think about it, 50 hrs sounds very reasonable and with overhead etc, a shop rate of $65/hr is certainly reasonable. However, That's 7 times what I paid for the entire boat/motor/trailer for just the windshield assembly. Damn, why couldn't I have been born rich instead of smart and handsome ? LOL !

Brian

There is a boat for sale local that has the windshield complete, not sure what kind of shape it is in though. Send me a direct message if you want me to investigate. Guy was selling the boat real cheap.

Evan

THE LAKE · Post by **THE LAKE** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:56 am

Evan
Sent you a member/member message. If you don't get it let me know. Sorry, I'm new to this particular forum and haven't gotten used to the differences between it and other forums I've been on. But YES, I'm interested !

Brian

john · Post by **john** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:07 am

THE LAKE wrote:Just got a quote from a local wooden boat restoration specialist for a complete windshield assembly for my Cruiser's Inc project - - - - $3,500 unvarnished. 50 hrs of labor at $65/hr and $250 materials. When I think about it, 50 hrs sounds very reasonable and with overhead etc, a shop rate of $65/hr is certainly reasonable. However, That's 7 times what I paid for the entire boat/motor/trailer for just the windshield assembly. Damn, why couldn't I have been born rich instead of smart and handsome ? LOL !

Brian

Sounds way to long to build a windshield frame, decent man should be able to easily do it in a day, very skilled guy 1/2 day, at most. Sounds like they are pushing your buttons, or at least trying. Material seems about 5 times to much also, unless it includes glass and rubber moldings!

240sxguy · Post by **240sxguy** » Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:53 am

THE LAKE wrote:Evan
Sent you a member/member message. If you don't get it let me know. Sorry, I'm new to this particular forum and haven't gotten used to the differences between it and other forums I've been on. But YES, I'm interested !

Brian

Brian, email sent.

Ken Butti · Post by **Ken Butti** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:01 am

The windshield frame on my "1970 Sea Lancer" (yet to be confirmed) was off the boat and in pieces when I bought it. It has rot on the ends of the side frames. I have seen rotted wood window frames in old houses repaired with hard filler material. Is that something Thompson owners do, or is replacing the entire piece advised?

Phill Blank · Post by **Phill Blank** » Fri Nov 05, 2010 7:27 pm

Ken,

Replace the pieces that are bad with new. Remember you will be staining and varnishing the frame.
"Git-Rot", the epoxy that is used to restore rotted or soft wood, can be used in small areas that are none structural and are painted.
I have used it on a small soft area on a spray rail on one of my boats. I used it mainly because I did not have the time to make a whole new spray rail prior to one of our Thompson rallys. I plan on making a new spray rail sometime after I retire, which will not be that far off.

I believe in replacing with good sound wood rather then trying to jury rig something using epoxy and fiberglass.

Good Luck,

Phill

THE LAKE · Post by **THE LAKE** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 5:09 pm

Got a call today from the cabinet shop that wanted to have a go at refurbishing my windshield assembly from my 62 Cruiser's Inc 302V Commander. He's waiting on the gasket material from the supplier I gave him off this site but the new glass frames are done, the outer framework rebuilt and everything varnished. He says he matched the orginal mahogany well. I will be excited to see it. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will. If this is a sweet as the cabinet maker is telling me, I'm sure it's gonna light a fire under my tail to get going on the rest of the boat. Hell at the price he charged for this windshield, I might get him involved some more. He's said he wanted to get his feet wet working on wooden boat restoration as a supplement to cabinet work. Can't wait to see the results !

Brian