Windscreen woes

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richard
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Windscreen woes

Post by richard »

Hi

I decided to remove some surface rust on whe panel which runs below the screen. To do this I needed to peel back the trim. Now, the screen has always had a white patch (furthest right) at the bottom corner ever since I got the car 12 years ago and never got any worse.....untill now! When peeling back the trim it worsened. Picture below. Should I worry? What causes this?
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Philip Chidlow
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

This is caused by delamination. A problem that afflicts many older cars' windscreens - both 10-year old Mercs that I've owned suffered from it. It is caused when water/moisture enters the edge of the laminated screen. There is nothing that can be done, as far as I'm aware.

I don't know what the implications are re: MOT. If the patch of white isn't still growing and it's not too big, you can always apply an opaque black screen film (external windscreen sun shade plastic from Halfords and the like) to the outside of the screen, neatly cut in a deliberate squared-off shape (as I did to a Toyota years back). Sounds daft, but it does look neater - if a a little odd. 99% of people wouldn't notice it anyway.
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tim leech

Post by tim leech »

My 16v is doing the same at both corners but its hardly visable, if it gets worse then I will get a new screen.
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Post by richard »

Ok so the window 'sandwich' is starting to come apart. I can live with this so long as the glass does not start to seperate from the frame.

I would get another screen, but this is the bit that terrifies me after hearing soooo many horror stories about windscreen fitters making a cock up!
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ken newbold
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Post by ken newbold »

richard wrote:
I would get another screen, but this is the bit that terrifies me after hearing soooo many horror stories about windscreen fitters making a cock up!
do it yourself then :D
tim leech

Post by tim leech »

Plus if you take the screen out sometimes there horrors lurking underneath!
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Post by richard »

Fitting a screen myself is an option. But I can get a screen fitted for £50 on my insurance :lol: Need to watch the guys like a hawk 8)
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rob-bx16v
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Post by rob-bx16v »

hi there,

when putting a new screen in make sure you dont scratch the paintwork because in years to come you will find corrosion starting round the windscreen that has spread from the area the paint was chipped
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Post by tim leech »

It was bit late for that on my 16v, theres rust appearing aruond the top of the screen. :shock:
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DLM
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Post by DLM »

I'm in a similar position, waiting for opportunities/donor/location to do a DIY screen replacement. There was web site liked to a geographical location within 15 miles of me that claimed to have access to a job let of NOS BX screens. If I do ever manage to track them down, and the screens still exist, I'll pass the word on.
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mnde
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Post by mnde »

Philip chidlow wrote:This is caused by delamination. A problem that afflicts many older cars' windscreens - both 10-year old Mercs that I've owned suffered from it. It is caused when water/moisture enters the edge of the laminated screen. There is nothing that can be done, as far as I'm aware.

I don't know what the implications are re: MOT. If the patch of white isn't still growing and it's not too big, you can always apply an opaque black screen film (external windscreen sun shade plastic from Halfords and the like) to the outside of the screen, neatly cut in a deliberate squared-off shape (as I did to a Toyota years back). Sounds daft, but it does look neater - if a a little odd. 99% of people wouldn't notice it anyway.
Mine had a similar patch of delamination in the o/s corner, accompanied by a 45 degree crack. Having been told by John Witty that it wouldn't pass the MOT, I then noticed that there was a milky line running round the entire circumference of the screen. He said soon enough anyway, if I slammed the door too hard etc., the crack would get worse...

I have a £50 windscreen replacement excess on my policy, so I organised for RAC AutoWindscreens to come out and replace it at work. I stood there just for the beginning bit: he took off the rubber surround, then used a tool to lever the top corner of the screen. A sizeable chunk snapped off and came away in his hand! He said "Ooh, I haven't seen that before!" So it must have been seriously weakened. I have to say he did a good job of fitting the new screen - which I was sure would be a 2 man job - but apparantly not! So no probs for me, and I have a nice shiny new screen :)

I reckon yours is fine MOT-wise Richard as there's no crack, but I'd say it might only be a matter of time before a crack appears.

Mark.
M

Post by M »

mnde wrote:I have a £50 windscreen replacement excess on my policy, so I organised for RAC AutoWindscreens to come out and replace it at work.
The downside of a liability only policy is that a broken window would efefctivly write off my car as the insurance would not replace it (it aint covered) and If i fibbed and told them it was damage whilst the car was attempted to be stolen, they would still write it off :evil:
It seems a lot more complex to replace than the windscreen on the Fiesta I did once (bucket of soapy water, long piece of sisal, washing up liquid and rubber gloves - 20 minutes to get the new one in).
Perhaps I should go F/C rather than TPO :idea:
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Post by richard »

Thanks for the replys guys. As rob says you have to be carefull not to scratch the paintwork. That is the bit of the process that worries me. Surte as hell if these guys scratch the paint, sure as hell the will do nothing about it as he prime concern for them is a quick job.

As mark says it is only a matter of time before it cracks. That thought had crossed my mind. If the screen is delaminating, surely the screen must be weaker?

My policy is a fully comp classic policy, so I need to pay only £50.

Cheers

Richard
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Ian_Fearn
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Post by Ian_Fearn »

I had my cavalier done by auto windscreens a couple of months back. The job they did was acceptable but one of the top corners of the seal no longer sat tight on the bodywork. I didnt actually give a sh1t as my insurance didnt have an excess and the car was my daily dog.

I suggest you take your car to auto windscreens and explain that this car is your pride and joy and please could they take extra care when fitting it to make sure its done right. Stand over them and make sure you are happy with the job before they leave the glue to set.
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richard
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Post by richard »

Ian, if I end up getting one of these outfits to do the screen I will do exactly as you say. Although, the guys may be a little pissed off by me asking that they thake extra care in doing the job properly!
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