midman Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I am getting the 1931 96s Buick ready for painting and removed the door glass and roll up windshield. They look like they could be original glass. I'm guessing they are plate glass since there is no lamination that I can see. Does anyone know when "safety glass" became standard on Buicks?Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Not sure about year of change, but if it is original, it is plate glass, not safety, as '32 was plate. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Regardless of authenticity, you should replace the plate glass with safety glass. No club that I'm aware of takes points off for this "modification". You REALLY don't want to be riding around in a car with plate glass. Most everyone knows of the "nickel test" to see if it's safety glass, put a nickel coin against glass (perpendicular to glass surface) and see if there's a double image of the coin in the glass, that means safety.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midman Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Well, I'll be darned, learn something new every day. I tried the coin test and sure enough there is a double reflection on the glass. This car was "restored" in the early 60's so they must have done the glass then. Thanks for the tip. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 (edited) Like midman I have a 1931 Buick. The glass passes the nickel test as being safety but also like midman there is no lamination line like on the safety plate in my 39. Does anyone have an idea on why there is no lamination line ? I just want to be sure it is safety glass as there are no markings on the glass. The car has never been restored but that doesn't mean the glass wasn't swapped out. Thanks Dave The Buick glass measures about 1/16 less in thickness than the 39 Chevy safety plate, about .210. Edited August 6, 2017 by Dave39MD (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvbuicks Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 I have seen original dealer options list for 1931 and safety glass WAS available at additional cost. So either would be correct- But as mentioned in an earlier post, upgrade to safety glass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 Thanks for the reply. I suppose my question or point of concern is that there is no visible lamination on the edge of the glass but when you use the nickel test I see two reflections. I suppose it could be carefully finished old safety glass with some type of edge treatment that hides the laminations? Anybody have any ideas, is the nickel test definitive? Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midman Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 Dave, I hope the nickel test is definitive because I put everything back together assuming I had safety glass. But you know what they say when you assume. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Engle Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Old safety glass will almost always show bubbles and discoloration along the edges. Single pane glass will not show these age defects. Bob Engle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Thanks for the replies. If I figure it out I will let you know. Any other thoughts are welcome. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave39MD Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 It may be the way I am conducting the test or I do not understand how it is supposed to look , but I don't trust the nickel double image test. Every piece of glass I test shows two images. Plate glass from a 31 Cabriolet, the 31 Buick, the 39 Chevy, and even my 2006, 2500 with tempered glass. Any thoughts on how to determine plate vs. safety other than breaking it? There are no imperfections. The glass in the Buick measures .210, the safety plate in the 39 Chevy measures .280. Thanks for your ideas Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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