Windscreen Seal

[Fat Bri]

Finally thinking I should sort my windscreen seal out as it's perished and whilst the car doesn't tend to go out in the rain, it does leak a little!

So any thoughts/comments on replacing the seal? Pitfalls, things to look out for etc?

Is it a straightforward job or a nightmare? And finally what about a new windscreen? Am I just better off trying to buy a new screen and getting it all fitted by a professiona?!

Post away !

[RobB]

Hi,

I bought a top quality seal from the US and whilst having a crash repair fixed, I had a professional installer re-fit the seal and a new windscreen. He was a classic car professional screen installer. He advised it was a nightmare, what he thought would take him half a day took him 2 days, he ending up cutting the seal, heat shrinking and re-sealing. Luckly I got an agreed price of £50 before he began. I can not confirm if it was a bad seal or the screen, but I would always get a professional to fit.

Robb

[PaulRevere]

BUY the German blocked seals from House of ghia in the states- Mike will sort out shipping for you and he is a genuine good guy- I installed my seal onto the screen and the trim into the seal one evening- It took me an hour or so and was quite fiddly but persevere and use a little surgincal spirit to lube the groove! Me and a friend then installed the screen into the car in about ten minutes- it was a perfect fit and I can't recommend these seals strongly enough- They are not the cheapest but they are well respected as being the best!

Hope this helps-

Seth
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[TC]

Hi,

I bought second hand front and rear window screens earlier this year. I got them for the chrome trim (the rare early "C" shaped stuff) but the widows were better than the ones I had in so I got the whole thing changed by a professional.

My experience was the complete opposite to robB. I used a local guy and it took him no time at all. He really was fantastic, the rubber and chrome was already fitted to the glass but I’d say start to finish including removing the old glass and cleaning all the new glass, was less than 2hours. He did say one of the biggest worries with old cars is when they take the old glass out there could be hidden rot issues where the window sits.

It cost me £80 for both front and rear and it was worth every penny because i was really nervous about doing it myself, but i think now i've seen it done i think i could do it myself.

TC

[Fat Bri]

TC,

Thanks for that. Can I ask where abouts you are located?
thanks
Jamie

[TC]

Hi,

I'm in Cheshire and the company was local to here. They are called Arena windscreens. here's there web page
http://www.arenawindscreens.co.uk/

TC

[Clive]

I have fitted front & rear screens several times. It needs care and preparation, ensuring the rubber and the surround are lubricated (dilute washing up liquid), and exactly lined up. Sometimes I get it in first time, others can take loads of tries to get it right. As you are going round pulling the cord / wire you can sense if it's right, and if not stop and start again. The rubber quality is a big thing, ensuring it is the correct size. Also on T14 there are different options depending on the trim. I've only done T34s with trim, which has to be put in (and kept in - I use masking tape) BEFORE the screen is fitted. I also use thin PVC covered wire rather than string or cord.
Overlap the wire accross the bottom of the screen, start with one, get round the first corner then while a friend holds the screen against the car work the other end of the wire round the other bottom corner, working like this to the top
Clive