Windscreen woes

[70s man]

Hello everyone,
Wondering if anyone out there could give me some advce on buying and fitting / having a new windscreen fitted to a 2000 mk 2. My laminated one appears to be misting up a bit all round the edges and it has a big chip on the passenger side. I\'ve tried a repair kit, but nothing happened, and as the widscreen rubber has seen better days, I think a complete replacement is the best bet for practicality as well as looks.
I don\'t mind doing it myself as long as its not fraught with too many dangers, alternatively, does anyone know if one of the large widscreen fitting places would do it for me, also, has anyone got any tips on the best place to buy one.
Thanks,
Paul

[Allen Walker]

I had mine replaced under the insurance windscreen cover, so cost me £50.
<br>It was done by RAC Auto Windscreens in Chester and they did a fair job,
<br>readily sourcing a brand new Triplex Sundym Laminated screen. They didn\'t
<br>replace the windscreen rubber though, saying that they usually left well
<br>alone as long as there wasn\'t any perishing of the rubber. They had to have
<br>a couple of goes to seal it though. Make sure that they seal the screen to the
<br>rubber AND the rubber to the body. It is the rubber-to-body seal that is
<br>hardest to get right.

[sorbs]

I\'d always assumed the 2000 windscreen was the type where the screen rubber engages over a lip in the windscreen surround - maybe someone can tell me different?&nbsp; Can be pulled into place with a length of cord?&nbsp; I know most windscreen fitters are used to bonded glass nowadays but I\'d have thought they could handle the older stuff too.&nbsp;
All the same, if it could be done on the insurance for £50 including the screen thats the way I\'d go, especially as there would be a guarantee against leaks.
I\'d just want the opportunity to treat any rust in the screen frame before the new glass goes in.
Alan

[Allen Walker]

You are correct, and it can be done at home with two people. The process is
<br>well documented in the club service notes. It still needs to be sealed though,
<br>both glass to rubber and rubber to steel screen surround.
<br>RAC Autowindscreens were conscientious enough to let me know that there
<br>was some surface rust under the windscreen surround, and they even
<br>sanded it down and rust converted it for me at no charge.
<br>I don\'t know whether everybody else would be so fortunate though, and it
<br>relies on your local glass specialist having somebody willing to tackle it.

[John Weston]

gonna be doing this on&nbsp; both the MK12000 and MK2 2500S - when you say \'sealed to the windscreen\' etc... what&nbsp; do you use? You mean silicone sealant or something equivalent? Or you mean just ensure it sits right? - Don\'t want the footwells getting soaked again! <img><var>

[Allen Walker]

It does mention some kind of specific sealant in the workshop manual
<br>though without looking I can\'t remember what it was.

[David Withers]

A Windscreen Sealer cartridge is (was?) available from bodyshop factors.
I used this sealer with great success, not only on the windscreen but also for the various bits of stainless steel trim on the car body such as bootlid edging etc.&nbsp; I pumped the sealant into the trim, pressed it onto the clips that hold it to the body, then used white spirit to wipe off any surplus that squeezed out.&nbsp; Ten years on and it\'s still flexible with no cracking or shrinking.&nbsp;

[Biffo]

I\'ve done a couple of front and rear screens and have more to do imminently ! The main problem I have had is getting the windscreen trim fitted - anyoe managed that properly themselves ??
A&nbsp;tip on fitting screens&nbsp;yourself, applies to both&nbsp;front and rear screens.&nbsp;When you put the thin cord into the outer groove of the rubber seal, prior to fitment, make sure the ends of the cord cross over at the&nbsp;TOP of the screen. Why ? Well,&nbsp;if you pull each end equally as you fit the screen, the last bit will be at the bottom of the screen. If you do this the other way around, the last bit will be at the top and because it is tight&nbsp;it MAY damage or dislodge the headlining. I managed this on my first PI !
I\'ve only just bought Service Notes so all this may already be in there, apologies if I\'m just repeating others wisdom !&nbsp;
My other tip would be to only cut a small bit off the end of the windscreen sealant cartridge nozzle so you can apply a thin bead. As stated earlier, apply between the glass and the seal and between the seal and the screen surround, outside only, once the screen and rubber are fitted to the car. The \"advice\" I originally had was to apply the sealer prior to fitting the screen - what a dogs breakfast that turned out to be ! I got sealant EVERYWHERE and the screen still leaked in one corner !! Sealant is still available from most factors or body supplies specalists.
Good luck !
Biff

[70s man]

Thanks Biff,
I have taken heed of all this and all the other advice. I am going to bite the bullet and tackle this job in the next few weeks armed with yours and&nbsp;everyone elses&nbsp;good advice. I have resourced everything except the glass which I hope to have shortly.
The thought of a nice new windscreen will spur me on to get this done and hopefully , I will look back on the job and wonder what all the fuss was about, on the other hand ............
Paul
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