DIY Car windscreen replacement?

[JOEPRO]

I find myself in a unique position re my 1989 Merc cossie. The front windscreen is badly cracked so I need to replace it before the car can be MOTd in spring.

I phoned several large auto windcreen places in NI and they all could not quote at all as they said none of their suppliers has the glass!!

I phoned my MB dealer and there is a screen I can buy from Germany supply only.

I asked the same glass companies could they fit it for me as I can supply the correct genuine glass. They refused.

So what to do. Would it be a bad idea for me to attempt the replacement myself? What tools would be best for that?

 

[minimutly]

You don't say how it's fixed? If rubber and infill I would be tempted to get the surround and filler, since the original will be quites stiff. If glued in I would crack ! On and diy, buy a 3m kit, some suction handles and do it.

 

[tom2207]

I find myself in a unique position re my 1989 Merc cossie. The front windscreen is badly cracked so I need to replace it before the car can be MOTd in spring.

I phoned several large auto windcreen places in NI and they all could not quote at all as they said none of their suppliers has the glass!!

I phoned my MB dealer and there is a screen I can buy from Germany supply only.

I asked the same glass companies could they fit it for me as I can supply the correct genuine glass. They refused.

So what to do. Would it be a bad idea for me to attempt the replacement myself? What tools would be best for that?

I take it its bonded ,,, plenty of guys will do that as a homer ,,, if your stuck I have a guy who will but hes in Belfast ,,, the bigger issue is the cutting out of the old one if you need the trim parts / clips etc

 

[JOEPRO]

You don't say how it's fixed? If rubber and infill I would be tempted to get the surround and filler, since the original will be quites stiff. If glued in I would crack ! On and diy, buy a 3m kit, some suction handles and do it.

Sorry forgot to mention its a modern bonded windscreen. The glue could be a nightmare on old MBs but ive removed them before PITA it was.

Its more the re-fitting I am curious about if I can attempt that myself. Apply the sealant on the body and 2 people set the screen in and tape until the adhesive sets. Under or overapplying the adhesive is likely where it could go wrong?

 

[JOEPRO]

It just takes a minute anyway

 

[mr haynes]

The screens i've removed from 80's/90's Mercs had the thinnest smear of glue imaginable, nearly impossible to remove in one piece.
You will be able to do yourself, screens are not massive.
Not rocket science, as long as you prep first.

 

[Robotstar5]

I worked in the area that glazed the cars and they were all decked by robots, but there was a rectification area where they could do it manually, they use a wire saw or multitool with a long blade to cut out the old glass, the most time consuming was cleaning the aperature ready to accept the new glass.
Most of the rectification was not for water leaks, but the front screen had to come out to change a damaged headliner!

 

[Farside]

I phoned several large auto windcreen places in NI and they all could not quote at all as they said none of their suppliers has the glass!!

I phoned my MB dealer and there is a screen I can buy from Germany supply only.

I asked the same glass companies could they fit it for me as I can supply the correct genuine glass. They refused.

I'd think the glass fitting companies would be reluctant to be on the hook in the case of breakage of a one-off.
Normally, they'd absorb the cost of that from stock of current and easily available screens at wholesale cost.

 

[JOEPRO]

I'd think the glass fitting companies would be reluctant to be on the hook in the case of breakage of a one-off.
Normally, they'd absorb the cost of that from stock of current and easily available screens at wholesale cost.

Yes I can see why they may not want to do it.

The screen itself costs £480. I have it on the way for fear of none left then id really be in trouble!

I think im happy to fit it myself just need to do research and get quality adhesive etc. Ill not be starting it until Feb or so. I will allow a full day to wrestle with the old screen to get it out. There may be some surface rust there too so at least ill take the time to fix that properly.

 

[colnerov]

The only two tips I've learnt is open all the door windows until the following day when the sealant is set so shutting the doors doesn't pop the glass off it's seating. The other is cutting the nozzle so the sealant has a tall pyramid profile, which the weight of the glass squeezes it down and out without going everywhere.

 

[sg66]

More than doable, clean properly, correct adhesive and unlike window installers another pair of hands

 

[tom2207]

clean well and use the primer ,,, if your stuck come feb ,,, give me a shout and Ill lend a hand ,,,

 

[MetalMonkey]

Invest in the proper windscreen adhesive, and a decent high leverage sealant gun, and make sure you have somebody reliable to assist you and that you've done a dry run and have everything ready before you even think of opening a tube.
Once you have your hands full of windscreen, that is not the time for a Charlie Croker moment!

Getting the old one out can be a trial but as long as you don’t need to save it, you can remove it one way or another.
Bung up the heater vents before you start smashing it out though – otherwise you’ll be picking bits of glass out for years.

 

[Rrobson]

I’ve done a screen in one of my cars, a second hand screen I cut out of a scrapper. It’s not a difficult process, as above just clean everything and correctly prepare the car body. You can get kits online that have all the adhesives and cleaners.

The bead profile and height is important, you want to make sure you’ve got enough to create a good bond and seal, but equally not too much is splurges out everywhere.

 

[tom2207]

I’ve done a screen in one of my cars, a second hand screen I cut out of a scrapper. It’s not a difficult process, as above just clean everything and correctly prepare the car body. You can get kits online that have all the adhesives and cleaners.

The bead profile and height is important, you want to make sure you’ve got enough to create a good bond and seal, but equally not too much is splurges out everywhere.

plenty of spirit wipe is always a good thing ,,, Ive done a fair few screens and a few solid glass side land rovers too

 

[qwakers]

ive done a few, its not hard. best advice is use plenty of glue, more than you think, you can always clean off the excess.

 

[bricol]

70's Lancias with bonded in screens had a wire in the glue - the ends exposed by sliding the stainless trim joiner to one side - connect to power supply, melt the glue, lift screen away.

Never heard of it on any other makes though.

 

[Cobbler]

70's Lancias with bonded in screens had a wire in the glue - the ends exposed by sliding the stainless trim joiner to one side - connect to power supply, melt the glue, lift screen away.

Never heard of it on any other makes though.

Volvos did this on the 240’s I never used it or saw it done, but it was shown in the manual.

 

[bricol]

Volvos did this on the 240’s I never used it or saw it done, but it was shown in the manual.

I only knew about it as I had a bust screen on a Beta HPE - windscreen guy said watch this . . .

At the time, I just assumed all cars with bonded in screens had them, as it was the first time I'd need a bonded in screen replacing.

 

[Turbo]

I find myself in a unique position re my 1989 Merc cossie. The front windscreen is badly cracked so I need to replace it before the car can be MOTd in spring.

I phoned several large auto windcreen places in NI and they all could not quote at all as they said none of their suppliers has the glass!!

I phoned my MB dealer and there is a screen I can buy from Germany supply only.

I asked the same glass companies could they fit it for me as I can supply the correct genuine glass. They refused.

So what to do. Would it be a bad idea for me to attempt the replacement myself? What tools would be best for that?

I'm guessing you contacted the outfits that work for autoglass or autoscreens?
They generally are not interested in non insurance work.

I suggest that you try Tempoglass in Enniskillen. They will do special one off jobs as well as insurance work. The owner is a rally competitor and if he's there he would probably be interested in the car.

If I need a repair done I use them if possible. They employ craftsmen, not just windscreen fitters. I was in a few weeks ago getting a chip repair and a guy was making replacement polycarbonate panes for a tractor door.
They also do motorsport work.

You may have to trailer your car there to get it fitted but they might fit you in if they are in the area. Your job is not time critical.
With something as expensive and rare as that screen I don't thing I would chance doing it myself or use an Autoglass monkey.