Windscreen replacement

[Stef]

Well, this morning I got hit with a stone that had chipped a starring chip on my windscreen.

I'm expecting a MOT failure.

What's the latest best advice on replacement, through windscreen insurance? I've just had my hood replaced with header and A post seals too.

I had a glass man say he could do it for around £500 IIRC last year, but whether he would know how to do a proper job, even though he claimed he knew what to do, I don't know.

Thanks in advance!

[Steve A]

There's a few "on here" that have had their screens replaced with mixed review's
Talking to my neighbour who has a screen company, he thinks most company's won't want the job
because it's too awkward and time consuming to be bothered with.
If Somebody has a good experience with one company it doesn't mean somebody else will, different day different bloke etc.
Basically it's a minefield out there, sorry I can't be of much help (if any at all ).

[inkitin]

Well, this morning I got hit with a stone that had chipped a starring chip on my windscreen.

I'm expecting a MOT failure.

What's the latest best advice on replacement, through windscreen insurance? I've just had my hood replaced with header and A post seals too.

I had a glass man say he could do it for around £500 IIRC last year, but whether he would know how to do a proper job, even though he claimed he knew what to do, I don't know.

Thanks in advance!

Hello Stef

I was at the Didsbury Car show last Sunday and a chap was walking around giving out cards for his Auto Glazing Services. I didn't speak to him specifically about our Elans but the guy next to me had a P1800 Volvo (Saint's car) and had quite a conversation with him and from what I overheard he seemed to really know his stuff. The Volvo owner was very interested and I think he was going to contact him after the show.

I kept his card, just in case I needed it in the future. He's Ray Bardashevski Auto Glazing Services (he does far more than just windscreens!). He is mobile and claims to cover all areas. He says he is experienced (35 years) in all makes of vehicles modern/classic/old/sport/prestige.

I'll PM his contact details to you.

Please note I'm not recommending him as I've never used him but he may be worth contacting and seeing what he has to say/offer.

Hope this helps
Roland

[Stef]

OK so minefield I shall have to enter, thanks so far.

What seals etc should be replaced and what key areas should I emphasise and be aware of?

[wayne]

Stef.

Depending on the size of the damage it may be repairable? ( I believe it is up to about 4" ie 100mm) I know it leaves a mark where they drill but When you consider what is involved in replacing the windscreen it may be worth it.

I believe that the seals are all available. I am currently looking into having the corner caps remade. I know that they have been unavailable for years....

[Peter_W]

...I am currently looking into having the corner caps remade...

[Stef]

Deffo going need replacement

[dapinky]

I had mine done this week - with my insurance company the excess varied between £75 if I used their approved repairer, and £125 if i went elsewhere.....

...for £50 i wanted it done right, but gave the local branch of National Windscreens (W-s-M) a ring anyway, to see what he thought....

...he had done one before, was fully aware that the trim pieces and A pillar seals needed renewing, and his only concern was the availlability of the parts (and time to do the job)..... last one he did was before A pillar seals were re-made, so he was happy when i said that they were easily findable now.

As the car isn't being used at the mo, he cheered up even more when I told him he could have it at the workshop for as long as it required.

He phoned me back an hour or so later and said alll the parts (glass, trim and seals) could be with him in a couple of days if i wanted it done there.

He wasn't upset when i presented him with a few pages from the workshop manual on the correct procedure "in case he wished to refer to it" (i.e. - "Do it THIS way!").

Basically, he gave me enough confidence to give them the job, and as windscreen specialists, have probably done far more "obscure" windscreens {NO< Geoff, NOT the glass!!!! } than many Lotus garages have done Elans.

I dropped it off at 0900 on Monday, he phoned me up at 1500 to say it was all done.

I was well pleased except for during the drive home when i kept thinking something 'didn't look right' but i couldn't work out what it was - then i realised they had put the windsceen wipers on the wrong sides - 3 minutes after arriving home, all sorted, cracking job (Pun intended!) - £75 paid to the company, never even had to phone the insurers at all!!!!!

Moral of the story - if you can't get a specific recomendation, talk to people and go with who you feel comforatble with, not just who you are told to use. (but i can recommend Peter - manager at National Windscreens W-s-M ).

[Stef]

So, will I need new A Pillar seals even though new ones have just been fitted?

And the top of screen trim I guess.

Just need to be 100% sure on what parts will be required and what to ensure awareness of before the job and check after!

Thanks again!

[dapinky]

Yep - new A pillar seals! the old ones need to be removed to do the job properly, and if they were fitted properly (with Sikaflex 221) then they will likely be destroyed whilst unglueing them - if they were 'just' fitted with silicone sealant, they may be re-usable.

Top and side trims need replacing.

Have a look at this extract from workshop manual/parts guide (which is what i provided to the repairers)

windscreen.pdf

[Stef]

Righty

So my insurance put me through to Autoglass £75 excess and a home fit appointment arranged.

I stressed the importance of getting it right and they said they have the full kit including seals and a bronze tinted screen.

Will produce the guidance notes and check everything thoroughly. I'm sure it will take longer than the hour they say it will take! Stressing it was tricky, they confirmed it rated on their difficulty 3 star scale as a 3 star.

Fingers crossed...

[dapinky]

It'll certainly take them longer than an hour!

The workshop manual states that it's a 4 hour job - mine took about 5 hours (or at least, I got the phone call 5 hours after i dropped it off) - and that was at their workshop (only 5 minutes away from my house) where they had a dry environment and as many tools as they needed.

The time is as much to allow the various adhesives and primers to 'go off' in the right order of work.

[wayne]

Stef.

I am sure that you are aware that there are 2 windscreen types. Bronze tint and green tint.
Make sure to confirm that it's the correct colour for your car.

[Stef]

Gone with bronze, guess I should check what already got but suspect bronze since I have a red car!

[MacII]

FWIW, when I had to have my Windscreen replaced I called the local Ferrari dealer and asked them who used. The outfit was Guardian Glass. A slight delay onthe bits, but Excellent results, and I am state side -