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Evening all any input welcome, coming up to installing the rear windscreen on my 1967 S and wondering the best way to do it, last time I put a windscreen in a Mini was late 70s could not afford fancy tools at the time so it was all a bit of a bodge with screwdrivers now all these years on and having purchased the appropriate tool my question is windscreen fitted in the rubber with para chord in the body recess of the rubber then offer the screen up and pull the chord out from the inside, or fit the rubber on the body then fit the screen in the rubber ?, I have never tried the first of these two methods but your opinions would be helpful thanks in advance.

Rubber to the body first taking care to ensure the C pillar trims tuck into seal.

I use a spray bottle with water and some dish washing liquid for lubrication. Give the entire seal a good spray, drop the glass into bottom edge of seal then start to work the outer lip over the glass. I use a square of thin plastic for this purpose. Something like a cooking spatula type thickness and density.

Make sure bottom of glass is fully seated in seal, then both bottom corners, then work up one side, then the other. The glass will sit out a ways until you get the edges in. I pat the glass pretty firmly with the palm of my had at this stage to ensure it's starting to seat into the rubber and window frame.

Lastly peel over th top edge of seal then firmly tap glass to seat squarely inside window frame. From there it's just a case of fitting the filler strip. No real trick there other that lots of spray lube used earlier and a decent beading tool.

Here in the US I visited an auto glass retail shop and they gave me a “bone” which is their standard tool for windshield installs.
It works great, is not expensive and has lots of other uses. Subsequently I found them at an auto paint outlet where they make up spray cans of Almond Green and OEW. Here it is on Amazon.

I use a variety of plastic tools to flip the seal over:
Nylon bicycle tyre levers and read somewhere that plastic reed hooks were useful so bought a couple from eBay.
I had these Ashford ones, but found them a bit to flexible to be really useful, but could see something less bendy would make the job a lot easier.
https://www.ashford.co.nz/warping-tools ... eddle-hook.

Cheers, Paul.

When refitting the chrome trim don't forget to give it about 1/8 overlap as it will settle in and sometimes leaves a gap.

Use the proper tool and I used Gel lubricant that is normally used for something far sexier

Here's the tool with the roller which I found helpful

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173867928768 ... WwQAvD_BwE

Probably one of the most important things to aid easy fitting is use a new seal. Don't bother with old one as they'll be too hard to fit.

I've used the basic MiniSpares filler insertion tool without the roller for years without too much trouble.

As said by the others, plenty of lube !!

All the above is excellent advice.

If you use the old (better quality rubber) seal, put it into an old pillow slip and into the washing machine. Add conditioner and wash at 60deg C.
This will make the rubber soft again.

Many thanks for all your reply's they confirm that I will go with the rubber mounted in frame first as I always used to do, thanks once again.

Thanks from me too as it's one of my Autumn jobs. Made a LOT easier after reading this.

Just in case its of any interest... The glazing gasket and locking strip system is to a patent by Howard Clayton-Wright Ltd of Stratford on Avon and later Wellesbourne. They were quite prolific suppliers of rubber with metal products for the duration of the British mass market vehicle assembly. Also sometimes known as 'Claytonrite'.
If you do not install the locking strip the glazing has the potential to jump out of the gasket.
I'd suppose the screen seals were presumably supplied by them (possibly one of a dual source?) What other mini parts were supplied by them? They produced their own metalastic type bushes and a unique alternative to the ball swivel joint....

Agree with what has been said ! but remember Washing up liquid has
a high salt content, not good for body work on any car .
fit rubber to body then window to rubber then Clayton write insert into
middle of rubber(jobs. a goodun )

Silicone Grease

Remember also a toughened glass front or rear screen will withstand a lot more pushing & shoving to get it into the rubber seal than a laminated glass screen which will crack suddenly if you put too much uneven pressure onto it. Even seen the professionals do that but they can just swear and then go get another one out the stores....maybe its an old skill that's dying out with the advent of bonded screens on modern cars?

You can also unscrew the rear window latches and open the rear windows right up to give yourself a bit more room

Norman suggests silicon grease......... Personally, I'm a big fan of KY Gel. Available at most chemists - or ladies sideboard drawers!