Best option for screen replacement

[Sparkrite]

My shippers have agreed to replace or reimburse me for the front screen on my tc which they damaged. Should I
A. Take the money and do it myself
B. Let the shippers supply and fit it.
C. Transport my non runner 450 mile round trip to Banks europa for them to do.
D. Buy a screen and find a more local fitter to do the job

[MRN I J]

The guy who fitted mine said he never wanted to do another, its a Federal S2. It leaked a couple of months later which my wife & I used to think was funny when it poured in over your legs, being used to old cars, that was 25 years ago or so.
When it is rebuilt, hopefully later this year we wont see the funny side if it leaks being 25 years older.

[lotusfanatic]

I would have the shippers pay for it and then have the job undertaken by a Lotus specialist (or by a very good, reputable windscreen fitting company with experience of classic cars)

[EuropaTC]

I've fitted one and for the TC it's no big deal, just attention to detail. I had more trouble recently re-fitting the rear screen, that was a real "Lotus" job.

One thing to consider is if you're going to respray the car in the near future. If so, buy the screen and store it until the paintwork's done. If the paintwork is good and you're not confident about fitting then I would honestly expect any professional to be able to do the job. Bonded screens aren't a big deal now and they'll do the job much quicker because they'll be used to the process.

Brian

[jbcollier]

It's not just the windshield.  You'll need the trim and corners to match.

[Dilkris]

.....that was a real "Lotus" job.

Priceless !!!!   

[Sparkrite]

I have some concerns about how much time and care a fitter would put in to remove the cracked screen and also clean up the surround. In a conversation with Richard Banks he said it's a 2 day job as the trim has to be added after the screen  sets.

[Kendo]

It might still take 2 days for all I know. But this page of the manual http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/s2work/b/index.htm says the trim goes on the glass before bonding to the body. Search for "B.38 - DIRECT GLAZED WINDSCREEN" since it doesn't appear in the index.

Apologies if yours isn't a bonded windscreen.

[EuropaTC]

It's far too long ago for clear recollection but from what I can remember, mine went in fairly easily. In those days the "chrome" plastic trim went onto the screen, then the complete arrangement fitted into the body. Some things I can recall;

1. The manual says to use butyl rubber strips, which I assume are similar to those used on modern double glazed window panels in the UK. At the time I couldn't get this material so my screen went into both the trim & body using mastic. (the same mastic I'd been given by the windscreen supplier when I replaced the bonded screen on the Marcos I had around the same time)

2. After dry assembly to cut the new trim and make sure it would fit, everything went in at the same day. Screen stuck into trim, trim corners and the whole assembly into the body.  As I mentioned before, the rear screen certainly took me two days worth of sore fingers and swearing but the front screen was much easier.

The only way I can see it taking 2 days is if it takes a day to clean the aperture and you bond the trim to the screen first and let it all set overnight before fitting to the car.   

I must admit I'd be surprised if windscreen fitters do that. I've had a couple of bonded screens replaced and they seem to do the whole thing in a couple of hours, screen out/clean/new screen & final trim, all done very quickly by my standards. 

Brian

[Kendo]

I imagine today the pros would use some kind of high tech urethane or such in a caulk tube. Does anyone know what the current suggested goop is?

[Pfreen]

I used 3m 08609 which is a black urethane adhesive.  It works great and sticks like crazy.  No leaks.  It also glues my chrome trim and corners in place.