This is in light of Autoglass replacing my screen 4 years ago, and Auto Windscreens fitting another a few days ago.
(Caveat is this may be sucking eggs to many / all of you, however its not a job which occurs every day and so may help future owners avoid a few pitfalls.)
1. Don't try to reuse the rubber. This is common enough knowledge, however Autoglass
did and it unpeeled itself at 70mph a week later, slapping the side screens, the shock potentially causing a fatal accident.
2. There are two ways to skin a cat / fit a screen The first is the Autoglass way, turns out gobbo-ing glue inside the lower, horizontal rubber trim is not the way. If glued in this way when you remove it it has to be peeled, distorted and nearly ripped. This lower portion is left dry...
3. Rubber goes on first The plastic 'channels' fit to the glass, once on, so too do the rubber trims. These are not fitted once the screen is on, they won't fit right or stay on.
4. ...sortof Because mine removed itself on the A180, I sourced a good used one, removed with massive skill, and was fitted and clipped in right
nearly all the way. It
can be put in last, but wont ever sit
quite right.
5. The glass companies can get the rubber trims Yes, they can. Autoglass said they would. Then didn't. Auto Windscreens said they would. And did.
If its part of the job, then they
will should supply it, end of. Just ask and get them to confirm it, as I did.
6. It's a two man job because the screen dives under the front wing I have been told by Autoglass the standard is a 1-man job, the rain sensor is 2-man, because of the extra
weight (
) Auto Windscreens say - For a proper job, without fouled paint, 2-man.
7. Lazy vs Better Finally, expanding on point 1. the Autoglass version sounds like the rubber trim was left attached to the scuttle plastic, a squidge of glue pushed in, then the screen rested in there, then levered in place. The correct way is as above, all trims and rubber on first, 'hover' it nearly parallel with the car, bring in the lower edge first, tuck just under the wings, then seat the rest in with light fistbumping and pressure. Again the horizontal rubber
clips into the channel,
not glued...a la Autoglass.
8. Don't let them heat gun it The rubber trims will be a bit wobbly from storage. Don't let them or anyone else (eg: if you're doing the job yourself) think theyre doing a good job by getting a heat gun on the rubber to smooth it out. Just leave it once in the car, a length of masking tape and a warm day is enough to let it smooth out over a few hours. Heat gun + windscreen = cracked screen.
Very happy with the Auto Windscreen service, and would recommend them to anyone. At least one thing I had after all the faff and lies from Autoglass 4 years ago, was they at least fitted the screen right. Now it turns out they didn't!
