windshield replacement

[teigan]

i'm going to attempt replacing my own windshield due to lack of anyone willing to guarantee their work. apart from a removal knife, those suction cups for lifting the glass, and a tube of HV-350 adhesive, what will i need? i'm assuming somebody out there has taken this on successfully. i hear you need: rubber spacers, that black backing film, and trim pieces(chrome no longer available but black plastic ones are). i'm buying the new glass through JAE for $640 shipped. kind of pricey, so i want to install it right first go. many thanks.

[Autocross7]

I actually had to pull mine and re-install it after it "came free" in the upper left corner allowing wind and rain in. I used the same trim... (should have ordered new but did not). I managed to get the screen in no problem. I did not have those little suction cup thingies either - def will next time. I used a pair of gloves and my father...

Anyway, sounds like you have it under control, the only thing I would add is some weight. I put two spare wheels on the windscreen once it was laid in place. Made for a better seal.

Also, when removing - press outward from the inside and top once you get the old seal free at the top and sides. Have a buddie hold the glass outside so it does not flip out onto the front of your car.

The lower seal should break free. If not, be very very careful sliding a knife or sharp edge under the lower part of the screen. It appears to be the easiest to get at, but you can really muck up the dash!

Good luck,
Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[teigan]

a dad, or dad deluxe , definitely is a handy tool in the garage. mine is 3000 miles away, so i'll have to do with a beer powered buddy. i use a thin steel wire to remove window glass adhesive, which works well if you are careful, as i'm sure you had to be with the knife. what do the esprit spacers look like, and are they standard? i'll try your weighting trick if there is no convenient place to clamp. good job on the self repair. most people shy away from glass work.

[cnh1990]

Try Keen Young at the turbo list. He has done quite a few installs.

I think on his first one he broke it right after placing it and had to do it again. I would go to him if you needed some tips.

[teigan]

thanks calvin. i was able to contact keen young. he reassured me it is one of the easier jobs to do yourself. i'll post photos and instructions when i get things organised.

[greezmunky]

i did this on my car during the rebuild. I got the old one out with just a simple utility knife and alot of cursing. I didnt have the rubber spacers so I just used some small wood chips which worked out just fine. I used the lotus spec prep/glue and bought the glass from SJ for a very very reasonable price (200 pounds a couple of years ago). I did a thorough clean and pre and used alot of adhesive.. results pretty much as good as any glass shop could do.

[rancheros1]

If you can't locate glass spacer blocks from a local auto glass or body shop supplier you can substitute cut up sections of rubber or plastic "bondo" squeegees, available at most auto body and paint supply stores. The rubber ones are better because they are usually black. The plastic ones are tapered and allow variable shim thickness. However the plastic ones commonly are colored day-glow yellow or green.

[teigan]

thanks guys. i'll take that all into consideration. keen young didn't remove the old urethane adhesive, so i assume he left the old spacers in place. apparently, you can apply the new adhesive on top of the old.

[82s3]

As regard the annodised metal trims, SJ tell me that they have just had a whole loaded manufactured for them.

[teigan]

that's really fantastic news. i'll let JAE know, so they can stock it here for americans. i'm gonna try the black plastic for now, and i can swap it out later when comes time to repaint the whole car.