Has anyone ever removed the front glass on a Tiara 35 open? Mine is so etched nothing including BKF and Steel wool remove the water spots . Thinking of simply replacing the glass locally --- is it a simple matter of removing the phillips head screws on the frame and the glass pops right out?
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Joined: Dec 2010
Home Port: Kings Park, NY
Vessel Info: 2003 38' Open Cummin's 6CTA's (450 hp)
Posts: 694
Threads: 13
Likes Given: 1
Likes Received: 92 in 84 posts
Joined: Dec 2010
Home Port: Kings Park, NY
Vessel Info: 2003 38' Open Cummin's 6CTA's (450 hp)
I had a similar problem when I purchased my 2003 38 Open in 2007. The windshield was etched as you describe. Water spots and could never get the glass clean. I went to a glass replacement place that also installed bathroom glass showers and was told with a lot or elbow grease I could get it to look new... He sold me a cream (green color) that they use to clean the inside of glass shower doors etched from years uf soap drying on the glass... Wasn''t sure if it made sense but the investment was $20 in the cleaner and lots of effort/elbow grease... Took quite a while as the etching was very bad but it worked.... I used a scrub daddy that wouldn't scratch the glass and lots of rags. Mine came out looking like it was new and still looks great after 18 years... I'd go to a good glass place and ask before I'd remove/replace the windshield.. Mine is curved so I would guess it would be $$$$$. Luckly it all worked out. Good luck
If your 35 has the aluminum frame windows then after pulling the caps (outside pieces), the glass can be removed. I went through this with a 43 open with the same style windshield and the job was anything but easy. There was all kinds of sealant at the base of the frame that had to be removed, gaskets that sit between the caps and the glass and removing the screws requires patience and possibly heat on some of them which can ruin the paint. Also the caps can bend easily and Tiara no longer caries replacements. If you reach out to Tiara they will send you a service bulletin that describes what must be done and what is needed to put it all back together. Unless you need to refinish/paint your frame caps I would first follow Reel Magic’s suggestion before taking this on.