Anyone change windscreen?

danielj · 11-07-2010, 23:12

Anyone changed a windscreen themselves? Is it a silly idea to try to change a windscreen myself. Got a nasty crack on the windscreen today and don't know if I have windscreen cover on my insurance policy.

briggie · 11-07-2010, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielj

Anyone changed a windscreen themselves? Is it a silly idea to try to change a windscreen myself. Got a nasty crack on the windscreen today and don't know if I have windscreen cover on my insurance policy.

i had a crack on my windscreen , i replaced the complete windscreen , through my insurance company ... all it cost me was my windscreen excess (£75) .... i understand mine is bonded ... not sure if you can do that yourself ?

(RIP) PLANK · 11-07-2010, 23:18

well i suppose the worst you can do is mess it up, then you will have to pay some one anyway so why not give it a go?

but i suspect the time effort and exspense of a DIY job would probably come close to a budget 'pro' job anyway.

macabethiel · 11-07-2010, 23:36

If you try yourself and break the new screen that an expensive lesson.

If its a bonded screen then its also part of the integrity of the bodyshell so I would use the experts.

At the Merc dealership where I work we often supply a second windscreen to firms who damage a new screen during fitment so it ain't always as easy as it looks even for firms like Autoglass.

I have fitted front and rear screens to the original Minis back in the 80's but they were toughened glass and would take a lot of abuse before they broke. Modern laminated screens are a lot easier to damage and a lot more expensive !

makeitfit · 11-07-2010, 23:46

Do it on the insurance, simples

Did mine that way and enjoyed a cup of tea while the auto glass guys got all dirty n sticky

and took all the crap away

danielj · 11-07-2010, 23:51

Thanks for replies. How would I know if the windscreen is bonded or not?

danielj · 11-07-2010, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by makeitfit

Do it on the insurance, simples

Did mine that way and enjoyed a cup of tea while the auto glass guys got all dirty n sticky

and took all the crap away

Will have a look at the details of my insurance policies and see if replacement is covered. Afraid I now have two trucks with two cracked windscreens.

makeitfit · 11-07-2010, 23:59

The terrano is defo bonded

solarman216 · 12-07-2010, 09:49

When we strip a car for a banger we regularly remove bonded glass and without the right tool it is a real pain of a job, we now have that tool but they are like rocking horse sh** to source, and as others have said when done it is part of the car structure, professional job only, Rick

rustic · 12-07-2010, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielj

Anyone changed a windscreen themselves? Is it a silly idea to try to change a windscreen myself. Got a nasty crack on the windscreen today and don't know if I have windscreen cover on my insurance policy.

Check your insurance policy, OR ring them with the policy number and they will tell you if you have cover and what the excess is.
Also they will have a list of preferred suppliers, if you use another, you may have a higher bill, you may have to pay and claim back. You don't want to do it that way......

If you only have third party and no cover, don't go to the main supplier first, get a quote from a local smaller supplier, My daughter had to have a new screen on her fiesta, it was less than half the price of "Au*****ss" But make sure they have the facilities to Bond them first.

Regards, Rustic

(RIP) PLANK · 12-07-2010, 13:22

thinking back i remember trying to do this once years ago on a BL car one of the firs tones with a bonded screen, an autin ambassador comes to mind, but i could be wrong. Anyway i remeber laying the replacment screen on an old foam caravan seat and thinking 'i'll just give it a wipe over befor i puit it in' as it was a bit oily (second hand screen) I sprayed it and wiped it and guess what?

It split right down the middle

danielj · 12-07-2010, 23:09

Thanks for replies. Enough said I think. Will have to give the professionals a call.

11-07-2010, 23:12	#1
danielj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ireland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI 03 LWB Posts: 695	Anyone change windscreen? Anyone changed a windscreen themselves? Is it a silly idea to try to change a windscreen myself. Got a nasty crack on the windscreen today and don't know if I have windscreen cover on my insurance policy.

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11-07-2010, 23:18	#3
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	well i suppose the worst you can do is mess it up, then you will have to pay some one anyway so why not give it a go? but i suspect the time effort and exspense of a DIY job would probably come close to a budget 'pro' job anyway.

11-07-2010, 23:36	#4
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	If you try yourself and break the new screen that an expensive lesson. If its a bonded screen then its also part of the integrity of the bodyshell so I would use the experts. At the Merc dealership where I work we often supply a second windscreen to firms who damage a new screen during fitment so it ain't always as easy as it looks even for firms like Autoglass. I have fitted front and rear screens to the original Minis back in the 80's but they were toughened glass and would take a lot of abuse before they broke. Modern laminated screens are a lot easier to damage and a lot more expensive !

11-07-2010, 23:46	#5
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	Do it on the insurance, simples Did mine that way and enjoyed a cup of tea while the auto glass guys got all dirty n sticky and took all the crap away

11-07-2010, 23:51	#6
danielj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ireland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI 03 LWB Posts: 695	Thanks for replies. How would I know if the windscreen is bonded or not?

11-07-2010, 23:59	#8
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	The terrano is defo bonded

12-07-2010, 09:49	#9
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	When we strip a car for a banger we regularly remove bonded glass and without the right tool it is a real pain of a job, we now have that tool but they are like rocking horse sh** to source, and as others have said when done it is part of the car structure, professional job only, Rick

12-07-2010, 13:22	#11
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	thinking back i remember trying to do this once years ago on a BL car one of the firs tones with a bonded screen, an autin ambassador comes to mind, but i could be wrong. Anyway i remeber laying the replacment screen on an old foam caravan seat and thinking 'i'll just give it a wipe over befor i puit it in' as it was a bit oily (second hand screen) I sprayed it and wiped it and guess what? It split right down the middle

12-07-2010, 23:09	#12
danielj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ireland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI 03 LWB Posts: 695	Thanks for replies. Enough said I think. Will have to give the professionals a call.