Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: John R on Saturday,July 24, 2021, 03:07:49 AM
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Well I'm now at the windscreen fitting stage. I would love to have an expert come round and do it but doesn't seem to be an option so i'm considering doing it myself.
Does anyone have a step by installation step guide?
Thanks
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Hi John, where are you located in the UK
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Tarporley near Chester
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Tarporley near Chester
just asking because we have a briiliant screen fitter south of Birmingham but that would too far
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i installed mine made some mistakes but was ok in the end
first when you get the molding it’s going to be two lengths of straight moldings you have to cut both to make top and side and bottom and side you have to cut an angle at the end i used a little bit of diswashing soap to put the molding on then marked and cut then removed and cleaned them
now all parts ready i cleaned the windshield then taped it all around with painters tape put the black primer all around and let it dry the primer the primer as two purpose one is to hide the contour of windshield for a better look and give good base for gluing then when primer is dry take your molding one by one put a bead of glue on the molding in the channel the part that sides on the windshield
make sure molding is tight against the windshield put aluminum corners while putting molding with glue around windshield use tape to keep it in place let dry
then clean the fibreglass where windshield fits the body put primer all around on fibreglass
now your windshield is ready to be put in place body ready to recieve it next step i put a little block of rubber at the bottom where the windshield will sit and measure center of windshield to center it
then i put the glue all around in the hole grabbed the windshield deposited it on the rubber block and used a piece of tape on rooftop and windshield to center it applied a little pressure and when it was in its place i taped it all around and let it dry
mistakes i made was hen i put the primer on the windshield i aplied a second coat before it was dry outside it looks nice but inside primer is a little rough other mistake i should have left the molding in the sun or heated it up it’s a straight molding with chrome on it bending it to follow the curve without heating it wrinkled the chrome here are some pictures i should have taken more that’s all i had
first picture is primer only second is molding glued to windshield third is from under to check my corner s and fit fourth is what it looks like on the car
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Prime windscreen
Prime fibreglass surround.
Fit plastic chrome trim with 4 corners to screen
Apply black gunge to primed fibreglass
Press glass in place
Use tape to hold glass firm against frame until dry
Do not move for 24 hours.
I have had 4 fitted this way by Anglian Windscreens
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Many thanks for the photos and instructions. It seems fairly straightforward
One question what does a block look like?
Cheers
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i used is a small piece of rubber i cut of a rubber that is used to apply putty on a car it was the right thickness to center top to bottom i put one on each side
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Sorry I have a question. Do you glue the trims to the windscreen before installation?
Cheers
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If it’s glued which glue should be used?
Cheers
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Sorry I have a question. Do you glue the trims to the windscreen before installation?
Cheers
Not glued, they clip in place.
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I'm in a similar dilema, will hopefully be fitting mine in the coming months (preferabley while its still warm!)
If you need some help I'm happy to come and give you a hand (not that I've done one either!) I'm only at Uttoxeter.
Graham
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it will clip but it will not hold the moldings have to follow a curve i used urethane made for windshield i laid a bead in the channel where the glass fits and taped it and let it dry overnight next morning just took the whole assembly and dropped it in the hole
by doing this you are sure the molding is tight against the glass and wont move or come out during installation it will be easier to install
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What primer did you use? Or is it part of a system with the urethane sealer?
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i went to a windshield installation shop they gave me the primer it’s a small bottle with a brush tied to the cap it’s specially made for this application and urethane tubes
another little thing the primer as two different purposes one is to give a good adherence and second is to hide a bit of the contour im not certain but i put 1 1/2 inch bottom and top and 1 inch wide on sides
look at the windshield of a modern car your going to see what i mean
here’s a picture of mine you can see the primer
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How do you know how much sealant to apply. You need enough to bond and seal yet not so much it gets pushed out where its not needed.
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Thanks to all for the instructions and practical tips. After the local windscreen fitter let me down for a secnd time I decided to go ahead and fit it together with my friend. Attached are a few photos we took, I meant to take a few more but concentration was high and we forgot!
We pretty much followed the instructions given although few things we did which might be useful i.e.
1. We used gel superglue to attach and hold the trims in place
2. We test fitted the screen several times to be sure...to be sure
3. We used a strap to hold everything in place whilst the sealant cured.
Here's the photos
Thanks again
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Because the roof is floppy, it’s a good idea to prop it up in the middle while the glue sets to ensure you get good adhesion.
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it will clip but it will not hold the moldings have to follow a curve i used urethane made for windshield i laid a bead in the channel where the glass fits and taped it and let it dry overnight next morning just took the whole assembly and dropped it in the hole
by doing this you are sure the molding is tight against the glass and wont move or come out during installation it will be easier to install
Could you share where you sourced your trim from? I am looking for black trim instead of the normal chrome.