Wind shield removal and re-installation - Would I be Mad?

[Robboboot]

Hello all. I'm looking for some guidance please. I am in the process of rust treating the inside of my 1969 S2 2+2, as I suppose is normal, I keep opening up areas I had hoped I wouldn't , being led on by rust. This has brought me to the wind shield.

I feel compelled to remove it too as there is rust lurking beneath the rubber gasket. My simple question is, would a mere mortal like me be absolutely out of his cotton picking mind to think he could successfully remove and re-install an e-type wind shield without breaking it?

I will be very grateful for any advice.

Many thanks in advance

[christopher storey]

Removing it is not difficult : remove the rubber filler strip, lubricate the seal/glass junction well with household detergent or soap in water and the screen should then be fairly easy to push out using gentle blows near the edges from inside with the flat of the hand, ensuring that there is someone outside to prevent it falling out . Getting it back in is less easy but , provided you are using the original seals , with plenty of lubricant and starting at one base corner it should not be too difficult to ease it back in. The most difficult bit is replacing the centre filling strip which locks it in place for which you are best buying the specialist tool

One tip : place plenty of duck tape round the paintwork at the edges before either removal or replacement, which minimises the chances of annoying paint chips

[ChrisC]

I concurr the removal is dead easy...

The replacement is verymuch harder to do. To be fair I used new seals which sadly are fatter and harder than the originals and the screen I was installing was a genuine 1960's (new) screen but it wasnt the one fitted to the car.

In the end I backed off and paid a professional (classic car) screen fitter to do it for me. Once the glass is in - it is also hard to get the Chrome to fit correctly.

So basically it is all do-able yes providing you use the original screen and rubber. If you are changing either of these - i recommend a professional fitter but dont use the high street companies!!

[osgii]

To be fair I used new seals which sadly are fatter and harder than the originals and the screen I was installing was a genuine 1960's (new) screen but it wasnt the one fitted to the car.

Very good to know! Mine is still on the car waiting for removal. I'll carefully do it, to prevent damage to the original seal.

[vee12eman]

Hi,

Despite the advice to preserve the original seal, this is going to be tired and old by now, may be hard in consistency and difficult to reseal. I removed my screen by cutting the outer layer off the old seal, which removes the possibility of breaking the glass when you remove it (you more or less just lift it off), then refitted the screen with a helper and a good quality new seal. Wasn't the most difficult screen I have ever fitted (and I haven't changed all that many) and by preserving the original glass from the car I was more confident of fit than the new (and very expensive) screen I would have required had I broken the old one removing it.........

Oh yes, my experience was with a Series 3 2+2, a comment I add as the cars differ dependent on model.

Regards,

Simon

[Robboboot]

Many thanks for all of your insight.