windshield install

[mossy]

Has anyone here installed there own windshield?  I'm thinking about giving it a crack myself but not sure whether to use sealant or not as some say you don't need it with a new rubber?

[Zedman240®]

Always use sealant... Just need some 6-8mm dia nylon rope and a bit of effort and you can install; also get one of those hook type tools to help seat the seal on the inside.

[mossy]

I think your right Dimitri, might as well use some, I have some butyl mastic left over I'll think I'll use that.  Is it best to use it in the channel that the glass sits only or where the rubber meets the body as well?

[handsandwhich]

I was thinking of doing my own but didn't want to risk getting sealant smeared all over the new interior etc if I made a mistake. Not to mention fitting the stainless trim around the border might be a bit tricky as well if you don't know what you are doing.

 

I don't know why you wouldn't use sealant just because it's a new rubber though? I mean it's not going to stay new forever so might as well seal it while it's out instead of patching it later if it starts to leak.

 

I ended up asking for the oldest guy that had experience installing the metal trims. After watching him, I think it's a doable thing but personally I'd rather just pay the $100 he charged just for the piece of mind and professional job.

[PB260Z]

I was thinking of doing my own but didn't want to risk getting sealant smeared all over the new interior etc if I made a mistake. Not to mention fitting the stainless trim around the border might be a bit tricky as well if you don't know what you are doing.

 

I don't know why you wouldn't use sealant just because it's a new rubber though? I mean it's not going to stay new forever so might as well seal it while it's out instead of patching it later if it starts to leak.

 

I ended up asking for the oldest guy that had experience installing the metal trims. After watching him, I think it's a doable thing but personally I'd rather just pay the $100 he charged just for the piece of mind and professional job.

I too contemplated doing the job myself on a Cooper S years back, but after watching a pro decided the cash outlay was the better option for me.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[Riceburner]

I did all mine recently. Like Dimitri says get some 6-8mm rope and lay in the back side of the seal, then once on the car trying to fit pull it to get the inner lip to roll over the apeture. I had a second person pushing on the window from the outside, otherwise it can to pop back out. Quite simple to do but you really need a second person. FSM describes it very well. Fitting the stainless trim takes most of the time (30mins per seal) but is easy, just make sure you fit it before trying to put it in the car.

 

I used a non hardening sealant as recommended, put it on the body and the seal. For cleaning use kerosene, just have plenty of rags handy.

[gilltech]

Exactly as Gareth.J says. Always use sealant, plenty of it, seal to body & seal to glass, non-hardening type, & allow for plenty of messy clean-up afterwards. And use a second person to push the glass in as you work the seal over the body lip from inside.

[nizm0zed]

FSM describes it very well

 

Random and off topic, but i read that as 'Flying Spaghetti Monster describes it very well'

All hail his noodly appendage!!! 

 

But back on topic, does anyone elses windscreen sit with gaps at the top corners?

im not sure if its because my windscreen is an aftermarket one?

Or maybe it just needs to be propped underneath the bottom of the seal a bit?

[Scoota G]

I did it by myself. Did a far better job than the installers did on my 2 seater. Slot it into the bottom dash are first after installing your nylon rope or speaker cable of a reasonable thickness works too. Apply the sealant to the body first then install the windscreen working slowly and never force it. After it's in apply sealant around where the windscreen meets the glass, do this from the outside. Installing the trim is a far harder job to do in my opinion.

[mossy]

I'm going to give it a try this weekend!

[YosemiteZed]

Hi

This windscreen installation has been written up well before by Sirpent/RBX30

follow his thread link

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,6312.msg56431.html#msg56431

 

Cheers

Phil

 

 

 

[1600dave]

I'm thinking about giving it a crack myself

 

I would have thought you'd need to concentrate more on not giving it a crack ?

[Johnboy]

I'm about to get one installed for free thanks to shannons, had enough chips to justify a new windscreen.

 

Using O'Brien and have ordered the windscreen with the black border all around, the same as 620Z's it looks nice and neat.

they also have the one with the tinted top in stock now if anyone needs one fast. (Brooklyn VIC)

 

I will let you know how well the job is done.

 

Johnboy

[gilltech]

I had my screen replaced under insurance (can't recall who by but it was an Australian made item apparently), but was disappointed in it not having the slight overall blue tint of the factory so it's typical glass slight greenish tinge I think clashes with all the rest of the car's glass.

Does anyone know if the factory blue tint is available?

[mossy]

Got the windscreen installed, didn't take that long to put it in, the part that took the longest was installing the stainless trim beforehand. Got to pop the rear one out though and do it again as the rubber is sitting in the wrong position on the bottom right corner and once the screen is in just try and move it!

[SS30RR]

best to pop the rear out sooner than later before the rubber shape is deformed then it won't seal.