Chipped heated screen - can I flip it?

[Rich Goddard]

I've a small chip in the driver's half of my heated windscreen. Not in my line of sight but I'd prefer to take the glass out and flip it so it's on the passenger side. (And move the centre mirror back inside of course)

Never changed a screen before, is there any reason why I can't flip it? (Eg are the heat-trace connections polarity-sensitive?)

Thanks, Rich

[Wrightpayne]

Rich,

I did this to mine after a stone chip repair was visible and in my line of sight!

I took the simple approach, slackened off the stanchions, disconnected the heating wires, 6 screws out of the edges and flipped it. The lower seal just needed turning around too. No frame dis assembly or glass removal from frame needed!

Edited to correct poor memory - the glass needs to come out so the poppers stay on the right side on the screen!! 

Ian

[Jonathan Kay]

I don't think that I've ever seen that asked before!

There shouldn't be a problem with the electrics, but you'll need to run cables to the other side.

And I don't think that there'll be a problem with the glass in the frame. If you need to replace rather than reuse the gasket NB there have been problems with getting the right thickness.

But... why do you want to do this, and how about having the chip filled with the screen in place?

Jonathan

[Rich Goddard]

Cheers Ian, I didnt think of that - but problem is I have studs for my half hood on the outside so they'd end up on inside. 
 

[JP]

I have a chip around 8mm on the drivers side that I'd like to get repaired.  I think it should be repairable?  Who are the best people to use?  Autoglass?  Halfords?

[Rich Goddard]

Jonathan, thanks for heads-up on the gasket.

I did think about seeing if it could be filled. Problem is the damage is in 2 parts, each about 6-8mm dia about 5mm apart.  One of them has a definite small indent/hole in the outer surface, so could possibly be filled/repaired. But the other one has no such indent/hole - it's almost like the impact has caused an internal circular 'chip' or delamination, which I'd be surprised if it was fillable.  I might be wrong. Maybe I should seek advice of windscreen repairer first. 

[Seabea23]

Optic clear car glass repairers did a very good job sorting a chip on my tintop this week. The have nation wide coverage.

[SM25T]

A proper glass weld repairer can make most chips invisible. Screen replacers tend to fill chips with a not so clear resin, which is not a proper repair. They want to sell complete screens.

[Wrightpayne]

My poor memory - I did in conjunction with getting the ally frame black packed so did swap the glass around. There are posts in the archives of how to do it. Main thing is lube on the rubber seals - I generally use a mix of car shampoo and water in a spray bottle.
 

The element is simply a resistor so the wires dont need extending / re routing and confirm mine works with the tails from the glass connected to the opposite sides of the loom

 

 

[JP]

#8 - thanks - I was thinking about getting a DIY kit and having a go, but I suspect that will be a poor repair..

[Amos91]

I've had good success with the DIY repairs on my old car (rain-x kit). Othwrwise I try and find a glass repairer that frequents supermarket car parks and ask them for a cash repair.