Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

BX Tech talk
Post Reply
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by MULLEY »

Righto, some maaaaasive stone/rock smashed into the bottom of my windsreen on the driver side right in line with me, sounded like a fucking gunshot going off it was that loud, i even ducked as i saw something hurtling towards me, i was doing approx 60mph at the time.

It's approx a fist sized amount of damage, right at the bottom of the screen (i'm guessing the strongest part?), its actually damaged the outer layer so much that you can see how deep it goes & its even punched the glass through to the inside of the cabin, so its mullered.

Typically its in the wiper blade sweep area so it will kill the wiper if i use it & i also don't want rain to get inside the damage. Has anyone got any suggestions for a temporary repair, i was thinking of either using paint laquer to seal the damage up or try using some clear builders caulk to the same effect. Will either of these work or is one a better temporary solution than the other or does anyone recommend something different?

Knowing my luck it'll be raining when i leave off work today :(

I'll put up a seperate post about trying to get hold of a replacement screen etc & whether its worth doing it via the insurance or not, so don't post anything about this rubbish on this posting please, i'll create a seperate one in a bit.

Cheers everyone.
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by mat_fenwick »

I'd look for a neutral cure sealant (better adhesion to glass) with a low modulus (more elastic). A specific glazing sealant would be what you're looking for if possible.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Dollywobbler
Over 2k
Posts: 3940
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:25 pm
Location: Wales
Contact:

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Dollywobbler »

I'd just call your insurance. They did the Green Tiger with the minimum of fuss, and it only had a small chip.
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by MULLEY »

Flippin eck, i said not to post anything other than advice on how to bodge the windscreen repair, the insurance stuff was going to be in another thread, come on dollywobbler, get with the program ;)

Mat, any ideas of brands etc...?
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Defender110 »

Stickyback plastic and a wire coat hanger!
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
User avatar
Vanny
Merseyside resident
Posts: 3581
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:48 pm
Location: BXProject
My Cars: BX 16v Ph2 - Jazz
BX 16v Ph2 - XPO
x 79
Contact:

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Vanny »

Defender110 wrote:Stickyback plastic and a wire coat hanger!
This is what the AA do these days, well the sticky back plastic bit at least. It is a really quite thick industrial plastic they use, not the sort that you would back books with.
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by citsncycles »

Sorry if you already know this, but I believe the screen contributes to the rigidity of the structure, so take it steady round those bends until it's fixed.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by mat_fenwick »

No real idea on brands - I get most of my stuff from Toolstation and Screwfix which seems fine.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Tinkley »

Try and get hold of some polyester membrane sheet, a bit specialist but clear and strong enough. Cadillac Plastics sell it but it may be a bit too industrial ie thay might want to sell 30 sheets. Clear acetate should be available in art shops and there are some pretty tough tapes out there 3M and Tesa brands, in particular. Another 'fix' would be to use a clear epoxy but you need to mask it and use thick polythene as a facing material. This will peel off after cure. Tensol which is aclear Acrylic glue/resin could be used too and you can definitely buy that. It's damn near as good as the windscreen when cured. Again you need to use polythene or polypropylene as these will not stick to it. Failing these release materials anything coated in Carnauba wax will release - Maguiars No8 especially.
kiwi
Over 2k
Posts: 2380
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:20 am
Location: Nouvelle Zealande
x 4

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by kiwi »

If the crack interferes with your line of sight the surely that would mean your car is illegal to drive safely?

No such thing as temporary repair
1991 BX19 TZS 04/01/91 (Deceased)
1990 BX19 TRS 27/10/89 (Reborn)
1992 BX19 TXD (Ex UK - K 744 SDF) 15/06/92
1990 BX19 TZS Auto 06/11/1989
1992 BX TZD Turbo Estate (Ex UK) 1/07/91
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7326
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 19

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by mat_fenwick »

It's just something to keep the water out for a few days, so personally I wouldn't go to town on the 'repair' - just whatever I could do quickly and cheaply. Yes, technically the car will be unroadworthy but if it's right at the bottom won't actually be obscuring vision (apart from the view of the bonnet!) so I wouldn't deem it dangerous to other road users.

It will contribute to the strength of the shell although I don't know how much (30% is a figure I've heard). Less critical on a BX than on an airbag equipped car, which can inflate against the screen so it's more important that it's OK.
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
User avatar
Vanny
Merseyside resident
Posts: 3581
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:48 pm
Location: BXProject
My Cars: BX 16v Ph2 - Jazz
BX 16v Ph2 - XPO
x 79
Contact:

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Vanny »

mat_fenwick wrote: which can inflate against the screen.
They inflate against your face (comedy if you've crossed you're arms over the wheel), and deflate against the screen. Contrary to the holy wood films, they don't stay inflated, they have a hole in them and start to slowly deflate before they are totally filled.

They might pop a broken window out, but a lack of window should not stop there effectiveness at making you punch your own elbow through your face!
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by MULLEY »

Right, this is what i've done so far, got some blue tack & pulled out all the loose pieces of glass that were loose to clean the area up. I then sprayed some clear paint laquer over the affected area to make it waterproof & then i filled the area with clear builders caulk to reduce damage to the wiper blade etc... I'll see how that holds up tomorrow if it starts raining.

The damage isn't in my line of vision, so its ok to drive, yes the windscreen is weakened & there is the potential that if something else whacked the screen then it could just destroy it, but i've got no choice until i get a replacement windscreen which should be on Monday. I did enquire about the cost, my excess is £75 or i could purchase windscreen (green tinted version) for £303, ouch!!! I said i'd pay the excess instead as that was more than the car cost me.

I'm not going to bother with the other thread that i mentioned at the beginning as i've made my decision, life's too short to be pissing about these day's, if it does affect my future insurance premiums, so be it....

Thank you to everyone's contributions good or rubbish ;)
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by Tinkley »

I have been quoted £145 by an independent glazing firm in Guildford which happens to do Auto glazing as well. That was about 2 years ago but I can't believe 'inflation' has doubled it. About 9 years ago when the oiks smashed the passenger side window these guys were 1/3rd the price of Autoglass. Try them for a quote - Addison's is the name I think on Walnut Tree Close. Oh you will need to add VAT but includes fitting if you can get the vehicle there.
The green/grey tint, tomorrow sir. My old passenger side window same day, whilst Autoglass was three days sir.....
Now I'm fully comp its not bad but when TPFT it pays to get quotes. Quarter light windows are cheaper than claiming on the excess if you know where to look.
kiwi
Over 2k
Posts: 2380
Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 10:20 am
Location: Nouvelle Zealande
x 4

Re: Advice on Temporary Windscreen Repair

Post by kiwi »

Vanny wrote:
mat_fenwick wrote: which can inflate against the screen.
They inflate against your face (comedy if you've crossed you're arms over the wheel), and deflate against the screen. Contrary to the holy wood films, they don't stay inflated, they have a hole in them and start to slowly deflate before they are totally filled.

They might pop a broken window out, but a lack of window should not stop there effectiveness at making you punch your own elbow through your face!
This is something I was made very aware of in my time as a firey, When you crash and the vehicles fitted with an airbag it wont save you from any secondary impacts common in muti vehicle incidents or off road. I went to one accident practically every airbag in the vehicle had deployed when this vehicle left the road and somersaulted into a field. Still had serious injuries involved because of the secondary impacts.

Saw demonstration of the power of an airbag and its one thing to rember if you go rushing in to help someone after an accident, that these things are potential time bombs undeployed. Always disconect the battery and stay clear of unexploded airbags for anything up to 5 minutes as they store an electrical charge.

Glad BXs were not fitted with them.
1991 BX19 TZS 04/01/91 (Deceased)
1990 BX19 TRS 27/10/89 (Reborn)
1992 BX19 TXD (Ex UK - K 744 SDF) 15/06/92
1990 BX19 TZS Auto 06/11/1989
1992 BX TZD Turbo Estate (Ex UK) 1/07/91
Post Reply