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Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:53 am
by Edmundpwb2
I have quite a large crack across my windscreen. Looking out from the drivers seat it is over to the right so not exactly in drivers view but just falls within the wipers sweep. Not quite sure how it made it through the Mot last time unless it has enlarged since.
My question is about the best way to replace the windscreen. Should I source a spare windscreen and get someone to fit or just to claim through insurance?Bearing in mind I will need to rust treat the underside as there is a little bit of rust appearing in one corner behind the rubber seal.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:48 am
by Alan 480
Edmundpwb2 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:53 am
I have quite a large crack across my windscreen. Looking out from the drivers seat it is over to the right so not exactly in drivers view but just falls within the wipers sweep. Not quite sure how it made it through the Mot last time unless it has enlarged since.
My question is about the best way to replace the windscreen. Should I source a spare windscreen and get someone to fit or just to claim through insurance?Bearing in mind I will need to rust treat the underside as there is a little bit of rust appearing in one corner behind the rubber seal.
I did mine via insurance, the guys were very good, arrived one day to remove old screen, came back a few days later to fit new one!!!
in between attacke dthe rusty area (top edge) with angle grinder, wire brush, inhibitor, paint etc.
mine was from top edge though....
if in swept view then yes that is a fail, not sure if you could fit a shorter blade so it wasn't ?
but there is 300mm wide defined area centered on the steering wheel, so maybe still a fail...
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:35 pm
by Martin Mc
Done this a couple of times in recent years - it is worth checking out specialist local suppliers, who are more often than not willing to order one in and fit it carefully than the national chains.
From memory it was around a couple of hundred pounds, but well spent!
Good luck!
Martin
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:28 pm
by jifflemon
Just under £400 if you pay yourself.
Which ever route you choose, as they’ll probably have to order one in, it’s worth checking with the fitter if they can remove first, then order then refit once its arrived, giving you time to effect a repair.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:11 pm
by Murf
I had a local fitter replace mine, was £220 Inc vat.
Not worth the hassle of a 2nd hand one
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:45 pm
by Martin Mc
Murf wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:11 pm
I had a local fitter replace mine, was £220 Inc vat.
Not worth the hassle of a 2nd hand one
Yes, that was around what I paid, both times I think. It wouldn't have got done if it had been much north of that, and I'd have baulked at £400
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:43 pm
by edie_fox
I was recently getting screen quotes as mine has numerous minute chips.
I know one was about £300, maybe less and one was well over £400. The reasoning the expensive one gave me was not to be fooled by cheap imported screens with little or no warranty.
Just a thought to ask when enquiring.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 8:10 pm
by Alan 480
edie_fox wrote: ↑Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:43 pm
I was recently getting screen quotes as mine has numerous minute chips.
I know one was about £300, maybe less and one was well over £400. The reasoning the expensive one gave me was not to be fooled by cheap imported screens with little or no warranty.
Just a thought to ask when enquiring.
£60 excess seems a better option? pretty sure mine is 'made in UK'!
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:53 am
by Edmundpwb2
Thanks for replies all. I will try the insurance route then try get them to give me time between removal and the replacement so I can treet the rust spots. Will let you know how I get on.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:46 pm
by jifflemon
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 3:56 pm
by jamescarruthers
Spoke to these guys when I was replacing mine. They were perfectly decent to deal with. I didn’t choose them because I got one supplied from a fitter and time was of the essence.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 8:14 pm
by dragonflyjewels
Thanks for replies all. I will try the insurance route then try get them to give me time between removal and the replacement so I can treet the rust spots. Will let you know how I get on.
Insurance companies are keen to have rust sorted as they know 6 months down the line untreated rust will break the new screen and cost them more money. The fitter may be less amenable, don't let them tell you there isn't any rust, check it for yourself. If you have a problem with an awkward one, speak to their office. They'll be keen to keep in with the insurance co.
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:36 am
by Jay-Kay-Em
Hi Edmund
I have been sourcing quotes for a "two-visit" approach. I am outside of insurance.
Visit one:
• Remove windscreen (and rear quarter glasses)
• Deliver new windscreen
Visit two.. (after windscreen frame rust removal and subsequent paintshop... could be September!)
• Refit side quarter glasses
• Install the windscreen previously delivered
I contacted the big four for quotes, two havent replied despite multiple calls. One didn't want to do non-insurance work and one quoted £580
There was a one-man-band windscreen fitter local to me but he is in full covid lockdown mode.
Being boxed into a corner I have chosen Silver Shield of St. Ives.... £280 all in.
Word of warning.... this morning I have just witnessed a washer jet get snapped off! Another item for the unobtanium list!
The only positive from today is that I have in my possession a new, Pilkington front screen with blue top tint just like OE. I was told this was the only one left in all three warehouses that Silver Shield have access to.
I wish you all the best... and protect those washer jets!
JKM
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:06 pm
by Edmundpwb2
Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:36 am
Hi Edmund
I have been sourcing quotes for a "two-visit" approach. I am outside of insurance.
Visit one:
• Remove windscreen (and rear quarter glasses)
• Deliver new windscreen
Visit two.. (after windscreen frame rust removal and subsequent paintshop... could be September!)
• Refit side quarter glasses
• Install the windscreen previously delivered
I contacted the big four for quotes, two havent replied despite multiple calls. One didn't want to do non-insurance work and one quoted £580
There was a one-man-band windscreen fitter local to me but he is in full covid lockdown mode.
Being boxed into a corner I have chosen Silver Shield of St. Ives.... £280 all in.
Word of warning.... this morning I have just witnessed a washer jet get snapped off! Another item for the unobtanium list!
The only positive from today is that I have in my possession a new, Pilkington front screen with blue top tint just like OE. I was told this was the only one left in all three warehouses that Silver Shield have access to.
I wish you all the best... and protect those washer jets!
JKM
Cheers for the info JKM. I will look to use insurance when weather is warmer. But hopefully can get the two stage windscreen replacement. Did your have much rust? How did you deal with it? Or did you literally take it into body/paint shop?
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:03 pm
by Jay-Kay-Em
Edmundpwb2 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:06 pm
Cheers for the info JKM. I will look to use insurance when weather is warmer. But hopefully can get the two stage windscreen replacement. Did your have much rust? How did you deal with it? Or did you literally take it into body/paint shop?
As has been a recurring theme with this car, yes, a lot of rust. So much so, it was the reason for the cracking. It wasn't a stone chip or such like, it was the swelling under the glass. Most people blame it on a screen replacement where someone has been careless cleaning the aperture... but no... it was a 1994 Volvo branded screen removed from a 1994 car. This situation is by design.
To be brutally honest i'm sick of chasing rust on this car and it has been so cold of late, my motivation to go into the garage has been low. But this week, my remedial action i'm sure will involve wire wheels, flappy discs, angle grinders... hopefully
not the welder... and a selection of products from Bilt Hamber.
Ultimately yes, it is going to a paintshop for the respray - but all prep I do myself to keep the paintshop bill down.
It will be fully detailed in my next diary update hopefully in two weeks time (March 1st).
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:55 pm
by Alan 480
Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:03 pm
As has been a recurring theme with this car, yes, a lot of rust. So much so, it was the reason for the cracking. It wasn't a stone chip or such like, it was the swelling under the glass.
been there with TWO cars and on the first one (E reg) the screen cracked again a few months after I'd sold it, so on second car i made REALLY sure it was cleaned back to clean metal/fresh air.
I filled the fresh air with Isopon 'P40 chopped strand' variety and just filed it flat, reckoned that GRP cannot rust ?(also running Reliant) having liberally applied rust remover, not converter to the adjacent areas.
not saying I've fixed it but I have cleaned the area under the sealing strip very well and then carefully applied a continuous piece of black PVC tape from under the weather seal at one side all the way across to opposite side on top of the weather strip in the (vain?) hope that this will prevent the water getting under the seal. I know it is painted , but probably tiny areas where paint is thinner.....
can only try, time will tell
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:50 pm
by Jay-Kay-Em
Hi Alan,
I'm glad you mentioned the "P-word".
I have general rust all around the perimeter that will clean without drama, but there is one concentrated area up top that just encroaches into the roofline. There is no doubt when I clean it up this week, there will be a small hole, probably 7 - 10mm in diameter.
My roof panel is as straight as a die without even the slightest pin dent. Arguably the best panel on the car. I know what's going to happen when I introduce a welder anywhere near that... heat distortion that could easily generate an extra £500 in paintshop prep. That flat roof panel will never be flat again.
It's why I would favour a cold repair... and P40 is the top of my list... but it has a stigma about it and I didn't want to get ripped at the next update!
Considering the amount of fresh metal I have thrown at this car, perhaps I could get this 1x pass!
Re: Replacing cracked windscreen
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 10:20 pm
by jifflemon
Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:50 pm
It's why I would favour a cold repair... and P40 is the top of my list... but it has a stigma about it and I didn't want to get ripped at the next update!
Considering the amount of fresh metal I have thrown at this car, perhaps I could get this 1x pass!
we're watching........
What are you using for rust removal? I've got an Air powered MBX tool that's very effective at removing rust/filler/paint, whilst being gentle on the metal beneath.
