S2 FHC Rear Window Chrome

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 12:24 pm

Hi Chaps

Had a call from the bodyshop today saying that the rear bootlid is all painted and glass re-installed with new rubber :-) BUT, the rear window chromes supplied by SNG just don't fit :-( Apparently they are a good 5 to 6 mm out and just pop out when trying to install. Anyone had any experience with these, or can offer any suggestions?

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:27 pm

When I had my screens fitted by a professional - he had a lot of trouble and he was using my original chrome strips. He said that modern replacements were usually even worse. We decided that it is actually the rubber that is wrong as the chrome was original... In the end he used a lot of glue on the rubber and the chrome and clamped it into place using suction clamps on the glass and left it for 2 days. The end result is not perfect but it is pretty darn good. If you use Sikaflex rubber sealer to glue it and clamp the chrome into the rubber - I guarantee the trim wont move...

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:38 pm

Thanks Chris

My chromes were missing when i bought the car. I'll pass your comments on to my windscreen guy. Thanks

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:37 pm

I've recently re-installed original chromes on the back of an FHC and front screen original chromes around the windscreen of my MkIX. It's just a fiddly job and the chromes almost invariably need to be tweaked a bit since the can get distorted just lying around or being removed. While I was sweating on the MkIX, it dawned on me that if I'd worked at Jaguar I would have enjoyed the machine shop and done OK, but the place where I'd have slowed down production most drastically would be if I had to work on the screen trim station of the assembly line... Jaguar used glue as well. The reverse side of my totally original MkIX chromes had a bead of hardened black mastic about three inches long every six inches or so.

Pete

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:20 pm

Well, i spent three hours with the window fitter today - and the result, the supplied window chromes are garbage!! The window fitter has 38 years experience and he's said that he's never seen a set of new window chromes that are so far out of spec. Not only are both the upper and lower chrome a long way out but the supplied joining clips will not even clip over the chromes as they are too small a diameter. The upper chrome is better than the lower and only about 6mm out bother sides when it meets the lower chrome after fitting into the upper screen radius. If you tweak it into position, the chrome around the radius doesn't fit correctly and looks terrible. The lower chrome is even worse and about 8mm out. Even if you use sikaflex or tiger seal to hold the chrome in position the corners lift slightly and it looks terrible. Obviously i'll be taking this up with the supplier and asking for a resupply. This won't naturally recompense me for 3 hours of the window fitters time at ?50 per hour.

T say i'm disappointed yet again in replacement parts - is an understatement!!!!!!

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 6:45 pm

As i'm in rant mode. I ordered the screws and cup washers from said supplier to re-affix the internal bootlid trim. I specifically asked for the correct amount of chrome plated screws and cup washers - what arrived? About 15 cup washers and two 1" screws!!!!! This combined with brake & clutch fluid reservoirs that leak, washer bottles that leak etc. Stop focusing on expanding your global distribution outlets and focus on the quality of your parts!!!! I would rather pay 50% more and receive a part that is of good quality & fits PLEASE!!! I am really starting to get very ****ed off with this. Never known it from ANY other marque, aftermarket parts supplier. After some searching on the internet, it seems the window chrome on an FHC is a relatively common issue to a larger or lesser extent. Why? We've put men on the moon. Surely it can't be that difficult to template this part correctly and chronium plate it? It beggars belief TBH

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:16 am

Why don't you give some measurements for yours and I'll check them against mine? Assuming yours are not now mangled?

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:59 pm

Apologies for my outburst yesterday. Just frustration. I'll speak with the supplier first Peter and see what their opinion is. Should any replacements be the same, i'll look to source an original part if i can.

Candellara · Post by **Candellara** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:13 am

Candellara wrote:Apologies for my outburst yesterday. Just frustration. I'll speak with the supplier first Peter and see what their opinion is. Should any replacements be the same, i'll look to source an original part if i can.

I've spoken with the supplier this morning and in fairness to them, they've been very good and understanding about it - so an apology from me for my outburst. Just a very frustrating day on Saturday

ChrisC · Post by **ChrisC** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:38 am

To be fair.... my original chromes didnt fit the new rubber either.... we had to trim off 2 or 3mm so that the upper and lower chromes didnt overlap. This is why I mentioned my fitter saying that modern rubbers are wrong.

Of course once fettled and glued into place you forget about them...

You can buy originals and have them re-chromed (which may also distort them) but I would recommend talking to a major Etype restorer and asking them what rubber seals *they* use... which might give you a better chance of success maybe..

Baines in Kent seem to be a recommended rubber extrusion company

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