Windscreen fitting

[joel1275]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any experience of fitting windscreens and how easy / hard it is to do?

From what I've heard, it's something that should be possible at home and won't be too much hassle. Also, the people I've spoken to have done it (not on minis, but similar fitting parts), have done it without using specialist tools.

Has anyone got experience they can impart with me? Need a bit of advice. The car is nearing completion and this will make that MOT date one step closer...

Cheers,

Joel

[mk1]

It is not too bad a job. Guru is a windscreen fitting expert, I am sure he will be here in a minute to pass on his words of wisdom.

[rich@minispares.com]

screens are easy, ive done hundreds of them!

all you need is a can of WD40, a blunt flat bladed screwdriver (or a hard plastic wedge), and the correct tool to fit the insert.

1) fit the seal to the car - if its a new one it will look too long, but don't cut it, you may need to tape the top edge in a couple of places to hold it up.

2) spray a bit of WD40 into the seal, slide the glass into the bottom edge. then with a helper (or on your own if your brave/done a few) support the glass and from the inside slowly and equally poke the rubber lip through a little bit at a time, keep lubricating the seal with the WD40 and it will just slip past the glass easy.

3) once you get round the top, you may need to push the seal a little harder, but don't be tempted to prise on the glass, its just not required, add more WD40 as required.

4) once the whole screen is in, you may need to 'thump' the corners to settle the glass in the seal, don't push to hard or you may shove the whole screen into the car.

5) spray more WD40 into the seal, then start with the insert tool and work the insert in - this can be awkward, and you may need to have a couple of goes - slow is better.


the WD40 is a must as it helps every thing slide, and it doesn't damage the paint or the trim


don't waste your time trying to seal the screen with goo either, with a new seal its just not needed, if, in a couple of weeks time there are any dribbles, its easy to whip the insert out and use screen sealant, then refit the insert - this way you have no risk of covering everything in goo.


as long as the shell is ok, the screen will just pop in, ive done screens that have been utter, utter bastards that have taken an hour each, but ive never been beaten!!!!

[dklawson]

I have installed glass in several cars. The method used with the Mini is different. The common method for most cars is the string/rope method where you fit the rubber to the glass and then use a cord to roll the rubber seal into the car's body opening. That can work on a Mini but can easily damage any vinyl interior trim wrapped around the body openings.

With the Mini...
Fit the rubber seal to the body opening in the car and tape in a couple of places (temporarily) if needed to keep it in place.
Lower the bottom edge of the glass into the rubber (removing any tape applied).
Use a plastic spatula or putty knife to work the rubber over the glass.
Work up one side, then the other, finally going across the top.
If you need to use any lubricant on the rubber, use "personal lube" from the family planning area of your pharmacy. It is water based without salts that might damage paint or bodywork.

Once the glass is in the rubber seal and seated you must fit the lock strip. Make or buy the lock strip tool. You are likely to damage yourself or the car if you substitute a screwdriver or other pointy metal tool to install the lock-strip. Getting the lock strip installed is typically more work than getting the glass into the rubber seal. You are just about assured to need the lubricant to install the lock strip.

While you can easily do this yourself, DO put blankets in strategic places where you might drop the glass and DO have clean dry hand towels available (like in your pocket). Working with the lube and glass can be tricky if you don't have a way to quickly get the slippery stuff off your fingers.

With brand new rubber and sound bodywork you are not likely to need any sealant. If you do think you need sealant, look for "flowable silicone RTV". Permatex markets their brand of flowable silicone in the US specifically as a windshield sealant. Unlike normal RTV it is VERY thin and can wick into crevices between the seal and bodywork or seal and glass. Unlike normal RTV and the black butyl sealants commonly used on old cars the flowable RTV will not discolor paint and it is easily removed later. Never use the sealant/adhesive used to bond the windshield into a modern car.

EDIT: Sorry... Rich and I were apparently typing at the same time. Please excuse the redundancy.

[rich@minispares.com]

EDIT: Sorry... Rich and I were apparently typing at the same time.

doug


that thirty seconds you stopped to dream about your purchase of 'personal lube' caught you out.....................

[bmcman.ie]

personal lube? come again?

[rich@minispares.com]

personal lube? come again?

that's what doug said

[Pete]

..it's worth mentioning that lam screens are sharper on the edges and require a little more patience, and try not to use a metal implement with 'em! (no I haven't broke one before you ask Rich) (though did have delaminate in the corner!)

[dklawson]

personal lube? come again?

that's what doug said

Yep. I meant it too. Nothing wrong with WD-40 as Rich suggested but the water based personal lubes work very well and are easily cleaned off. It was first suggested to me a decade or so ago as a better choice than dish-washing soap and when I tried it I was pleased with the results. Regardless of which you choose, you will want something to ease this process.

[mk1]

Regardless of which you choose, you will want something to ease this process.

Funny, thats just what the wife said!

[joel1275]

Thanks all, for the advice on the windscreen and other situations! The girlfriend will be pleased...

It'll be a couple of weeks before I put your words of wisdom into practice and then I'll put some photos up of my handy work. Must put some current state pictures up soon as it's been a while.

Cheers,
Joel

[InimiaD]

I've done a couple of screens recently and found these (see link) to be very useful items. Well worth the small outlay in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WINDSCREEN-FI ... 41857f7370

[ianh1968]

..it's worth mentioning that lam screens are sharper
on the edges and require a little more patience<SNIP>

I always run a diamond file round the edges of any glass I fit.

Once you have a decent bevel on the edge it is much more
difficult to cause any damage.

... and I use washing up liquid instead of KY!
(When doing car windows).

Ian

[coop12g295]

Been watching this with interest I always seal glass side of mini and depending on paint or older rubber body side,never use fairy as lube its a detergent and prematurely ages rubber.
CV ex Autoglass for 13 years