Windscreen woes

[Demon James]

Had a new screen fitted Wednesday and it hasn't gone to plan so I've being doing some reading before they come back and wreak more havock

I just thought I'd see if anyone has any advice here too.

71 Demon with a rubber screen surround, not bonded. Despite me saying this and also having the screen guys out weeks ago to check if the rubber was suitable for using again, the guy preceded to run round the rubber with a sharp metal tool which resulted in the rubber being sliced into and cut in many places. He kept telling me it had been glued in (turns out it wasn't no surprise)

My main concern now (after stopping him from trying to put it all back in in bits) is that he says he can be back within a week with a new rubber. I can't get one in the UK so not sure how he's going to.

I then heard him say to his office to order a Clayton Wright screen rubber and I'm pretty sure this isn't right? I thought that was an old mini type of screen edge with a chromed plastic insert?

Yes my rubber does have a seperate rubber insert running all the way round but it doesn't look like the type he's rattling on about, any thoughts or advice guys?

Oh and I've noticed that the screen has also cracked overnight, could this be because the screen fitting was not completed and therefore not sitting correctly?

I'll try and get some pictures up soon.

Cheers guys, James

[Lance]

Mate, took front and back out of my 68 Dart myself and reinstalled using the original rubbers. Didn't have any problems leaving both refits part fitted over night.
Maybe others with far more experience would disagree, I may have been lucky.

[Charger]

what a palaver

I have no experience, suffice to say it sounds like the guy doesn’t know what he’s doing

if he doesn’t turn up with the correct part and a change in attitude to the job, I think I would be asking him to leave

red Charger owner Neil had a screen fitted last year, I can get the fitters details if you need them, actually met him at Didsbury show, what he doesn’t know about screens isn’t worth knowing, he knows his onions, Neil was more than happy with his work

[RobTwin]

Sorry to hear that James

Not sure about the specifics of your car tho? Our 69 b-bod has clips that need to go in under the rubber that retain the trim that goes on last. Do you know how your trim is retained? On ours, if you don't get the correct clips in first you've got no chance of getting the trim to sit properly.

We've had similar problems with so called experts not being quite up to the job when we needed to get the screen removed to replace the vinyl roof. Once we found someone to do the vinyl (JC’s recommendation), we entrusted JC and his guys to remove and refit the screen with the correct trim clips etc. Thankfully JC did a great job with the screen/rubber/trim.

I even had problems when I got the screen replaced on my Alfa but it wasn’t apparent until the trim around the screen/scuttle area was refitted that he hadn't got it sitting quite right. Makes you wonder who you can trust to do a good job?

And I think I'd be asking your guy for another new screen if this one has now got a crack in it

[70_charger]

A incorrectly fitted screen will crack in a few hours due to pressure point from body. Vauxhall corsa's were known to crack even if screen was fitted correctly but the plastic scuttle panel wasn't fitted correctly where the wipers are they would crack in the middle about 4-6" up the screen.

[Bilko]

Don't we have a couple of American car glass fitters on here?

I think Dean with the Vanishing Point Challenger does it?

[Charger]

red Charger owner Neil had a screen fitted last year, I can get the fitters details if you need them, actually met him at Didsbury show, what he doesn’t know about screens isn’t worth knowing, he knows his onions, Neil was more than happy with his work

this is the bloke Neil used …

http://raybardashevskiwindscreens.co.uk/

not sure how far he travels, but in the absence of anyone local to you might be worth a call at least

[Pete]

In my experience, the later "A" bodies have rubber gaskets that are "self contained" - i.e. they have a lip that keeps the screen locked in whereas earlier ones have a "filler" section pressed in to keep the screen in and the trim on.

Some "A" bodies have clips attached to the bodywork to retain the brightwork / stainless trim and these must be installed before the rubber surround / gasket is installed.

some pictures of your set up would be good.

If they have cut the rubber then is is probably scrap - Peter Jones of Luton is a great source of parts and installation.

Incidentally, if you think installing a new rubber gasket will make the car watertight, then think again.

We did that with the old Sox & Martin Barracuda and Blue got soaked coming back from the Nats!!

You have to put Silicon sealer between the gasket and the bodywork or it WILL leak.

All the best, sounds like you have trying times ahead and an idiot to get rid of.....

[Demon James]

Cheers guys I really appreciate your input I'm away for a bit so this will have to wait now until I get back. In the meantime I've canceled any return visits until it's clearer about the correct rubber.

I'll keep you posted

[shovelheadrob]

Pretty sure that the Demon has the one piece rubber as Pete said with the outer part lipping under the inner to lock it in place, Terry will know as he put a new screen in mine not long before I got it. The clips need to be good & fitted before the screen goes in. I've done them myself, as long as you are careful it's only slightly nerve racking!

[terryr]

correct part ,should have a lockstrip,there are one piece ones,but the lockstrip is a lot easier to fit ,id get one off of steele ,as they know there stuff and they do quality parts ,and are very helpfull ,,DONT let them use a bodge rubber as it wont be any good ,as there isn't a lip in the base of the opening,and also the original rubber has a filler section that goes up to the dash,and the rubber has to be the right size too or your trim wont sit right id get new retaining clips too for your trim ,as they are normally past there sell by,you will need a lockstrip tool too ,any mini supplys should have one ,go very slowly pulling the rubber in as its very soft when new and don't use a thin cord to get it in as it will be like a cheese cutter,maybe even get it in with a plastic lever rather than a cord with a locktsrip type rubber

thought id cheer you up

link to the part at steele rubber http://www.steelerubber.com/windshield- ... 70-2183-50

peter jones wouldn't charge too much to fit it ,think he is luton based

[Demon James]

Cheers Terry, I called a guy from American Screens (or or least I think I did) while the guy was fitting the new screen. It turns out the chap I spoke to imported the screen and he also recommended Steele rubber for a surround.

I wish I'd done it myself from the start as I was always sceptical about windscreen cover on these types of cars. I was assured they could do it all so I went through my insurance.

It was not about the costs, they just convinced me they could do it no problem start to finish so I went ahead after many conversations voicing my concerns. Hey ho, I guess it's gonna take a little longer now.

I'll use the info from you guys now to get the right parts together and chuck it back at the insurance company because ultimately the fitter actually cut the old rubber without a replacement.
Watch this space

[terryr]

if you need a hand ,im not far away got my rubbers off steele ,I forgot to order the lock strip ,and he put them in anyway and did not charge me for them .I phoned up and he said don't bother about payment ,they do everything seal related back to the 30s

[Steve]

good luck with this and stick at it. Hopefully the insurance will sort everything for you

I also recommend Steele and Peter Jones, both very good,

Cheers Steve

[Gareth]

I'm pretty sure that Peter Jones has now moved from Barton-le-Clay to Shropshire. He will more than likely have a replacement screen in stock should you need one. Presumably the muppet that broke yours will be supplying a new one though.