31 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

A screen rubber with a locking strip as per Mini windscreens is designed to be put on the body first.  One without a locking strip is designed to be put on the glass first - such as the non-opening rear windows and commonly used on quarter lights etc of other cars. I think it is Doug on here that knows the proper terminology for each type.

 

It can be done 'wrong' but it is more likely to tear the seal as the rubber is so thick at the point where the string needs to pull out.

[ClassicAsh]

I had trouble fitting a screen to my mini the rubber just seemed to big, after cracking my windscreen I bit the bullet bought a new one and had a professional fit the thing, it still took him about four hours of sweating, sweating and telling me how much he hated minis lol, but it saved me cracking another screen, it was the only outside help I had with the mini but was well worth the £120.

[Spider]

I love fitting screens, front or rear. I recon it's about the easiest job to do.

 

So easy in fact, I can now do them with one finger. I call my Windscreen guy.

[SolarB]

I had trouble fitting a screen to my mini the rubber just seemed to big, after cracking my windscreen I bit the bullet bought a new one and had a professional fit the thing, it still took him about four hours of sweating, sweating and telling me how much he hated minis lol, but it saved me cracking another screen, it was the only outside help I had with the mini but was well worth the £120.

 

Professional?

4 hours??

[imack]

I had trouble fitting a screen to my mini the rubber just seemed to big, after cracking my windscreen I bit the bullet bought a new one and had a professional fit the thing, it still took him about four hours of sweating, sweating and telling me how much he hated minis lol, but it saved me cracking another screen, it was the only outside help I had with the mini but was well worth the £120.

 
Professional?
4 hours??

I read somewhere that a lot of windscreen companies will no longer fit non bonded screens to cars as they don't train their fitters on the installation of them.

[poohbah]

 

 

I had trouble fitting a screen to my mini the rubber just seemed to big, after cracking my windscreen I bit the bullet bought a new one and had a professional fit the thing, it still took him about four hours of sweating, sweating and telling me how much he hated minis lol, but it saved me cracking another screen, it was the only outside help I had with the mini but was well worth the £120.

 
Professional?
4 hours??

I read somewhere that a lot of windscreen companies will no longer fit non bonded screens to cars as they don't train their fitters on the installation of them.

 

I was told last month by National Windscreens in Oxford that they don't train their staff to replace these.  They said they could do it if I really wanted them to, but it would be best done by a specialist.  

[leewaa]

Cheers for the all the advice. The mini is still sitting in the garage with no windscreen. I did manage to fit the rubber to the body, just haven't had time to properly fit the windshield.

Is it really that hard getting it water/air tight if its not fitted properly ??

 

[leewaa]

Have you seen the video on this thread for some ideas?

 

http://www.theminifo...a-classic-mini/

Yep thanks that has given me a good idea how to approach it.

I have read however that it is better to use a spiritus glass cleaner since it evaporates much easy and does not leave any water residue that could cause rust issues ?

[bikewiz]

I used a Pedros plastic bicycle tire lever (wider and flatter than the Park ones), "personal water soluble lubricant" ie: KY Jelly, let the rubber sit in a bucket of warm water or warm it with a hair drier and a load of patience. It will take a while but you'll succeed, I did mine by myself. Buy or borrow the locking strip tool the pro style is better than inexpensive windscreen fillet tool from Minispares. I rarely drive my car in the rain but have been caught in down pours and the wind screen doesn't leak. 

[miniseven61]

Just a thought, I recently had a new rubber for my cooper, when I put it on the aperture it kept falling off, when I looked at it I realised that it was inside out, the glass recess of the rubber was on the outside so I turned it around so the glass recess was on the inside and everything was honky dory, the rubber should be put on the aperture then glass in to the rubber, drop the glass in to the rubber at the bottom, work up the sides then push the rubber on the inside of car over the glass at the top from the inside with a plastic pusher, gently pushing the glass from the outside until it falls in to place. That's how we always done this type of screen rubber when I was in the motor body repair trade for 30 odd years and never had a problem.

[leewaa]

So spent at least 3 hours on it tonight... Was all looking kinda ok... all except for the top, It just wouldn't move into the rubber, I was going leave it as is and then take another crack at it in the morning, but I had one last try and then...... CRACK   Time to order a new windshield.

I got somewhat further than this before I used to much force which caused it to crack:
 IMG_7983.jpg   70.85K   6 downloads

The rear windscreen was so much easier, even the filler strip was ok (tough, but not impossible):
 IMG_1583 copy.JPG   149.81K   7 downloads

Edited by leewaa, 04 October 2018 - 11:09 PM.

[Homersimpson]

A can of Mr Sheen house polish is whats required, it works wonders due to its silicone content.  Should take no more than 20mins to fit a front or rear screen any longer and either the rubber is wrong, the apparture is wrong or you need more practice!

 

I once put a screen in a Ferrari 246, at £1000 for a new one that was nerve racking, everything else is a piece of cake!

[cal844]

A can of Mr Sheen house polish is whats required, it works wonders due to its silicone content. Should take no more than 20mins to fit a front or rear screen any longer and either the rubber is wrong, the apparture is wrong or you need more practice!

I once put a screen in a Ferrari 246, at £1000 for a new one that was nerve racking, everything else is a piece of cake!

Silicone means the car will be a pita to repaint if necessary in the future ?

[Homersimpson]

 

A can of Mr Sheen house polish is whats required, it works wonders due to its silicone content. Should take no more than 20mins to fit a front or rear screen any longer and either the rubber is wrong, the apparture is wrong or you need more practice!

I once put a screen in a Ferrari 246, at £1000 for a new one that was nerve racking, everything else is a piece of cake!

Silicone means the car will be a pita to repaint if necessary in the future

 

The same can be said for any of the silicone based polishes. 

 

Personally I've never had a major problem with silicone contamination in paintwork, if you rub it down correctly and preclean it the silicone will be all gone, not to mention of course that the car will probably be used for several years before taking out the screen again which gives the silicone time to be washed off, disperse etc.

[leewaa]

 

 

A can of Mr Sheen house polish is whats required, it works wonders due to its silicone content. Should take no more than 20mins to fit a front or rear screen any longer and either the rubber is wrong, the apparture is wrong or you need more practice!

I once put a screen in a Ferrari 246, at £1000 for a new one that was nerve racking, everything else is a piece of cake!

Silicone means the car will be a pita to repaint if necessary in the future

 

The same can be said for any of the silicone based polishes. 

 

Personally I've never had a major problem with silicone contamination in paintwork, if you rub it down correctly and preclean it the silicone will be all gone, not to mention of course that the car will probably be used for several years before taking out the screen again which gives the silicone time to be washed off, disperse etc.

 

Seems legit, will give this a try when the new screen arrives, thanks!