Urgent need for windscreen top seal

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Swanny
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Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by Swanny » Mon Sep 19, 2016 7:28 am

Hello all, I have a huge crack runing right through driver's side of my windscreen (original) so I thought I 'd get it replaced at the weekend as the MOT has now expired and I'd like to put it through it again. The insurance company's selected screen replacement guy turned up and almost laughed that he'd been asked to replace it himself. He said it's a 2 man 'specialist' job and it's a real pig to get it right. He's coming back this Friday but they can't get hold of the top rubber strips anymore and that they usually during removal. I'm sure loads of you have been through this before so I would appreciate any advice you could offer, but mainly I'm after a replacement rubber top strip as I'm terrified he's gonna tear the original. Please help! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Thanks.

Swanny
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk

timrosser
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by timrosser » Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:16 pm

Im interested in this too as Id like to take my glass out and strip down the metal and then re-paint- hope someone has a plan!

suddy
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by suddy » Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:54 am

You can take it out before the windscreen fitter comes. No need to find another one if your existing one is not damaged.

From the front of the windscreen strip, ease out the rubber with your fingernail, then once you have it free, pull it upwards. It fits around the top of the glass. You will need to be careful, but it will come out.

I have removed these from several 480s in the past, they have never been bonded on an originally fitted windscreen, and I didn't need any tools to remove it, just my hands.

Kind Regards,
Stephen
1995 480 S 2.0 237,000 Miles

Swanny
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by Swanny » Tue Sep 20, 2016 11:25 am

Cheers Suddy,

I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart. I'm panicking that I'm going to be left with a windscreen with no seal. I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation. My God these cars are stressful! :roll: Thanks.

Swanny
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk

Alan 480
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by Alan 480 » Tue Sep 20, 2016 11:56 am

Swanny wrote:Cheers Suddy,

I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart. I'm panicking that I'm going to be left with a windscreen with no seal. I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation. My God these cars are stressful! :roll: Thanks.

Swanny
the top 'seal' isn't a seal ! it's only there to make it look tiddly, the screen is bonded in and that keeps the water out.

if you can attack the screen surround with an angle grinder in area where it is cracked and get it back to bare metal/ rust remover/ painted
normally screen will ONLY be cracked on outer layer due to a lump of rust under the glass THEN add the screen.

I know a tall order but I was lucky as they came to the house on Tuesday, removed out screen, I repaired Wed /Thursday and then they came back on the Friday to fit glass!

Double lucky it didn't rain NB car is under a car port so protected from vertical rain, but not horizontal :wink:

and they used the same 'seal' strip . . . .
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

eye of ra
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by eye of ra » Tue Sep 20, 2016 6:29 pm

Swanny wrote:I'm hoping the guy has no problems removing the strip, but he said he's done a few in the past and the seals usually fall apart.
Probably due to the fact he wants to do the job and get on to the next as fast as possible, in his line of work parts are normally freely available and insurace company or you are paying.
Swanny wrote:I might have a go at removing it myself on your recommendation.
Very good idea.
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timrosser
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by timrosser » Wed Oct 26, 2016 9:05 pm

Just wondered, there is a gap between the seal at the top of the windscreen and the actual roof, so some water must go down there, where does it drain out to?

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glasgowjim
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by glasgowjim » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:14 pm

typical I tossed a seal away 2 weeks ago :wall: otherwise you could have had it for free

Swanny
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by Swanny » Thu Oct 27, 2016 9:31 am

In conclusion to this thread, like Alan 480 said, the 'seal' isn't a seal and came out no problem. It's in one piece so no dramas... apart from the fact that the car is still sat in my garage needing primed and new screen fitted. I removed the rust, applied rust converter and filler and masked the bodywork up just as the heavens opened :angry: :angry: :angry: Fingers crossed for a sunny weekend, or it will be there till May! Auto windscreens have been very understanding though, they've been out twice now for this job and they're coming back to finish the job when I'm ready. Don't know what I've have done otherwise.
480 Turbo S/R 'Matilda' - '89 red - Norfolk

Alan 480
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Re: Urgent need for windscreen top seal

Post by Alan 480 » Thu Oct 27, 2016 11:46 am

Swanny wrote: Auto windscreens have been very understanding though, they've been out twice now for this job and they're coming back to finish the job when I'm ready. Don't know what I've have done otherwise.
Good stuff, at least glass will survive longer that way . . . .
I think it was auto-windscreens I used as well.

i guess they are paid by the insurance company so not too fussed about the costs as just claim / charge it all back :wink:
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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