Windscreen replacement

[gavingraysonr300]

Hi has anybody replaced there screen themselves how hard is it to do ? also was thinking of getting tuffened glass cut the same and having the film put on the inside to make it laminated like they do on rally cars or if possible getting a laminate cut.

 

[Jonathan Kay]

Do you mean replacing the screen in the frame? (You can buy the glass in the right size. There are some reports of doing that in the archives, doesn't sound too hard... )

Or the framed windscreen on the car? (Lots of us have done that and it's quick and not tricky.)

Nearly all car windscreens are now laminated glass... intriguingly that's the second time it's come up today. What do they do on rally cars?

Roughly speaking you have to cut glass before you toughen it.

Jonathan

[SM25T]

Sevens and Classics can supply glass only or glass in surround .... heated and laminated. Sensible prices.

[gavingraysonr300]

Just to replace the glass a mate of mine does a graphics clear film that you put on the toughened glass the graphics makes it in a sence laminated.

 

[Jonathan Kay]

But who is supplying or using toughened glass for car windscreens?

Jonathan

[paul richards]

Gavin. Is your windscreen damaged. Do you have cover on your insurance policy? If so you can claim and just pay the excess. No loss of no claims discount. 

[gavingraysonr300]

Its got a couple of chips in it but very small stone chips on it which make visibility a bit hard in the sun but with me having the car refreshed was thinking of doing the screen as well but the heated screen is quite expensive at sevens and classics. Ive looked on caterham and just the glass is £95 which is not bad might see if i can get that sent to them and fitted what do you think how hard is it to fit my self ?

[gavingraysonr300]

Nobody just a mate of mine fits the graphics to the rally cars so it was a suggestion really 

 

[gavingraysonr300]

Its got a couple of chips in it but very small stone chips on it which make visibility a bit hard in the sun but with me having the car refreshed was thinking of doing the screen as well but the heated screen is quite expensive at sevens and classics. Ive looked on caterham and just the glass is £95 which is not bad might see if i can get that sent to them and fitted what do you think how hard is it to fit my self ?

 

[LouisFeakes]

Gavin,

Coincidentally I spent yesterday afternoon changing the glass in my windscreen.

It's a pretty simple job as long as you are careful and take your time.

There are 2 small screws in each of the bottom corners which can be a bit tricky to get out, and you'll need plenty of silicone lubricant to get the seals back in the frame.

Louis

[Jonathan Kay]

Louis: Did you find the description in the archives? I can't remember if there was any more detail than that.

Jonathan

[Mark w]

Louis

Did you put the rubber in the frame first and push the glass into that or fit the rubber on the glass and push them both into the frame together ?

My screen was cracked top to bottom so i have ordered a new one , experimented with the reassembly using the old screen with mixed results , my gut feel is that you will get a better result putting the rubber 80% into the frame and then using the glass to push it the remaining 20% ? The issue seems to be getting the rubber into the corner properly so that the side rubber isnt too "long "when you have finished .

[gavingraysonr300]

Hi where did you get the glass from ive seen it on the caterham website for £95 but not for heated

 

[Jonathan Kay]

I'd try Tyneside Safety Glass.

Jonathan

[LouisFeakes]

I fitted the rubber around the glass then sprayed all 3 sides of the rubber with plenty of silicone lubricant. Then gently pushed the glass into the frame.  I found that even though I'd sprayed the rubber with lubricant, it would only push in about two-thirds. At this point I pushed the rubber into the frame (on both front and back) so it was in it's final position against the frame edge, and pushed the glass in the final third.

I was lucky enough to buy a screen from another member who was selling.

Sevens and Classics can supply heated screens and even fit them for you.

Louis

[Mark w]

I just went for the standard laminated screen without the heating element , I never connected my old screen element so couldnt see the benefit in paying for one with an element in it .

 

As for claiming on the insurance the cost of the screen and the excess is pretty much the same in my case  . I know insurers generally say that windscreen claims don't count but when you are staying with the same insurer i believe it does effect how they look at your claims record (in a specialist market when their are limited other options ) .

 

 

[Stridey]

I just replaced my screen today.

it was a rather chipped heated screen. As I've used it perhaps twice in two years fr a few mins I figured plain glass will be fine.

Glass was cut by Stevenage Glass. It's 4.5 mm toughened. They put a mark on it, not CE but says toughened I think and Stevenage Glass. It's small, right by where the mirror goes so hidden.

They did it for £30, a couple of local members also got spare screens 'just in case'.

Totally agree on getting a can of silicone spray. Use it !

Remove knee panels undo nuts, cut wire, take to table.

Remember how you removed screen. Especially orientation of the triangle wedges at the base.

i was lucky enough to get a new surround from a member recently who'd had his screen and frame replaced under insurance, it was the more modern matt Ali surround which I had metal polished to shiny shiny shiny finish. I found using a load of silicone spray meant the rubber went into the surround easily, after first wrapping around Glass.

I have fitted a new mirror, old one was slightly pitted. I used the glue in the tube fixing method. You put glue on the mirror base, put a bit of supplied gauze on that, then press on screen for a bit longer than a mi ute and leave overnight.

All done in an hour and a bit.

Taking bets on when my next chip will happen.

 

[SM25T]

Usually the first drive after fitting a new screen !

[Jonathan Kay]

I wouldn't choose to have a toughened rather than a laminated screen in front of my face.

Jonathan

[Stridey]

I

JK I thought that landrover flat plain screens were toughened? I may be wrong.

Stevenage Glass do have a web page explaining differences.

http://www.stevenage-glass.co.uk/news/toughened-and-laminated-glass-explained/

[Jonathan Kay]

I don't know about flat screens on LRs, but I'd guess that they moved to laminated glass when everyone else in the UK did. Or a bit later being LR. (Rover were one of the partners in a lot of the Triplex innovations, and my father's 3500s had some interesting glazing experiments.)

I was intrigued by your post and had a look at the Stevenage Glass website... they don't mention windscreens in the uses of toughened glass.

Jonathan

[Jonathan Kay]

http://www.stevenage-glass.co.uk/news/toughened-and-laminated-glass-explained/

Just checked that one. They mention "windscreens" for laminated and "car screen windows" for toughened. Toughened is the most common product for car glazing other than windscreens.

The same page says "Offers the ultimate in safety" for toughened glass. That isn't true for car windscreens if you're restrained so that your head doesn't hit the screen. Or bullet-resistance etc.

Jonathan

[Stridey]

Jk, it's in the benefits section.... Car Screen Windows.    ( I suspect cut a pasted from US site?)

[Jonathan Kay]

I think that crossed with #22?

That wording is unlikely to be from the USA... they call them windshields!

Jonathan

[Mark w]

Toughened glass is sometimes used in side windows on cars , not windscreens ( now ) 

I am with JK on this , £30 for toughened or £95 for laminated ?

My eyes are worth more than £65 !