Removing a windscreen.

The old Rover is showing some signs of corrosion round the windscreen. The panel this fits into is one of the few that can't be bought new.

I'd like to get it sorted before it gets bad - but the other snag is the screen itself which is a laminated bronze tint and again hard to source new.

It was replaced about 15 years ago and is still scratch and pitting free - unlike the previous one. It was fitted using the current adhesive then - rather than the original Solbit which was a nightmare.

What are the chances of a windscreen type getting it out intact, so it could be re-fitted after any body and paint etc repairs behind it?

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)
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It can be done, but I bet they won't guarantee that it will come out intact. There are several methods, watch them on youtube to decide the best for you, get the kit and remove it yourself.

This is the type that I thought looked favourite:

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Reply to
MrCheerful

Thanks - but not really something I could do at home in the street. It would have to be done at the body shop.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Then ask the bodyshop first if they have someone they know and use. Otherwise phone round a few windscreen places and ask their advice, they may put you on to a specialist.

Reply to
MrCheerful

Assuming it isn't bonded in (doubt it!) it's quite possible, especially for a pro. Gentle even pressure on the inside while levering the seal did it for me years ago on a Golf- a mate and I got the old screen out in one piece (it had a crack), and refitted the new-to-me one with nothing more than masking tape and string.

If you can get a new rubber, even better- you can cut the rubber off and then you should be able to lift the screen, pretty much. Getting it out is the riskier bit IME.

Reply to
Chris Bartram

The SD1 was one of the earliest cars that came with a bonded windscreen

Reply to
MrCheerful

MrCheerful explained on 26/09/2017 :

I seem to remember my Vauxhall Ventura had a bonded rear screen. Not very well bonded, it leaked like a sieve.

Reply to
Harry Bloomfield

That was just the metal around it rusting, it was common to leave an old vauxhall outside in the rain overnight and find that a wing was off the next morning.

Reply to
MrCheerful

It is - as was the original (The SD1 had a bonded screen long before most). Hence the comment about Solbit. Which was a heat melted adhesive. The heating element for it left in place after installation. But it was pretty unsatisfactory, and many leaked.

The replacement was bonded using whatever the later stuff was - after it became common.

The type with a separate rubber seal are easy. Did the rear screen which is like that myself.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Yes - mine did too, hence having it replaced. Never did know if it was faulty installation at the factory (dirty hand prints etc) or just an adhesive which didn't. You could clearly see where it had lost its grip through the glass.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Blimey. I didn't think they appeared until the eighties. ISTR the Maestro/Montego being mentioned for bonded glass increasing body rigidity.

Not heard of that before, either.

Ooh. It's possible then, but a whole lot harder, as you say.

Reply to
Chris Bartram

Some/many windscreen companies use an oscillating multitool with special cranked blades to go into the glue gap and cut it all around the screen, then the recess is cleaned before slapping the new screen in on a layer of fresh special glue. A few hours should go by before the vehicle is driven.

Now think of the cars with panoramic glass that goes into the roof, when they first came out they were being shipped abroad if they needed replacement, I heard a figure of 6000 for a replacement.

Reply to
MrCheerful

Yes - I'd heard that claimed for the SD1 too, with the original Triplex screen fitted to early cars. I can see that with toughened glass - but given how easily laminated cracks, was it still so after they became mandatory?

The good news is I've discovered I can still get the correct new screen. At about 300 quid.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Having found that, ring around some more, when I needed a screen for something obscure, the first place I found it wanted 250 or so, a few calls and I got it for less than a hundred fitted.

Reply to
MrCheerful

(assuming that you cannot get yours removed for re-installation.)

Reply to
MrCheerful

I had my 2002 Renault windscreen replaced recently by National Windscreens. To remove the old screen, the installer cut the old glue with a version of a stripping knife, properly shaped to go under the glass and shear through the glue. It had an extension on the handle so that he could hit it with a hammer to help it, but mostly he just pulled the tool towards him. As has been mentioned, I was not to drive the car for a few hours, to let the new glue set properly.

I was well pleased with the job that he did, for my insurance company.

Reply to
Davey

That type of tool is pretty cheap too, about 15 quid, its use may well depend on the original glue, some are set like rock.

Reply to
MrCheerful

You could always try the DIY air freshener removal method but there might be a need for a bit of touching up paintwork here and there afterwards.

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Reply to
Peter Parry

The problem is what damage it may do to the paint underneath. Of absolutely no concern to the average glass fitter as it will take a long time for any rust to show.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

On my Renault, there was no contact with any paintwork.

Reply to
Davey

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