windscreen leak, chrome finisher

[Polly-Red7]

Hi,
The storms of the past few days has taken its toll on poor Polly [:(!] and the windscreen has developed a leak. I see from the Haynes manual that full removal of the screen is a specialist job, so armed will a tube of silicone I'm preparing to repair as best I can. My question is before I break something vital! what is the best way to remove the chrome finisher? Obviously I remove the small clip at the top/centre of the screen, then is it just a case of moving the rest of the finisher in an upward direction or is they're more to it?

[nervousnewowner]

the windscreens are a 1970s version of bonded in not with a basic rubber seal and I think the chrome strip is attached at the same time and will more than likely get damaged if you try to remove it on its own, personally I would do a temporary seal with silicon without removing anything just to keep the water at bay til you can redo the screen properly.[:D]

project dhc being stripped sadly, but project fhc taking over... Dave...


the new project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...

[tr7sprint1]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by nervousnewowner</i>

the windscreens are a 1970s version of bonded in not with a basic rubber seal and I think the chrome strip is attached at the same time and will more than likely get damaged if you try to remove it on its own, personally I would do a temporary seal with silicon without removing anything just to keep the water at bay til you can redo the screen properly.[:D]

project dhc being stripped sadly, but project fhc taking over... Dave...

the new project at birth, watch it evolve...I hope...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">


Trying to remove the chrome will most likely end you up with a cracked windshield. As a DIYer, I have had a 50-50 chance in removing trim and windshield without cracking the windshield. Best to get it done by a professional properly.

<b>"GETTING SPEED OUT OF A LOW POWERED CAR IS OFTEN MORE REWARDING, THAN WITH TIRE-SMOKING BRUTES" </b>
<h4><center>http://cliffstr7sprintconversion.blogspot.com/</center></h4>

[Polly-Red7]

Thanks for the heads up guys, my car is an 82 reg FHC, but I guess there the same as the early models so better safe than sorry! [:D]

[jrich4411]

FWIW about 5 years ago I had a glass replacement company attempt to remove the windshield from one of my TR7s to be transplanted into the other. They failed - it cracked about half way through the process. I figure if a "professional" couldn't remove the glass in one piece there was no way I would ever attempt it. As others have posted the trim is bonded in with the adhesive for the windshield. They all come off together

'80 DHC
Chevy V8 up front
Ford rear end in back
Lucas wiring all over

[Hasbeen]

The removal technique in the manual, cutting the bonding agent with a wire, with 2 people, one inside & one out is the only safe way.

When I had a windscreen cracked by a rock the professional broke that one getting it out. THe replacement had a cloudiness in part of the glass when faced into the sun. THey replaced it, & broke it getting it out. It is not an easy job, & must be done slowly with lots of care.

If you decide to try to fix the leak, use a urethane such as Sikaflex, not silicone. Silicone is only suitable for a job where it is compressed in place by the components, it will not stick well when only laid on the outside of a leak, & rubbed in, where urethane will.

If either surfaces are dirty, any sealant will only stick to the dirt, & then still leak.

I'm not recommending it, but I have removed the trim from 2 parts cars by gently levering it out of the original sealant, starting from the center top join, taking many minutes a side. I have also destroyed one trying the same trick.

Hasbeen

[Polly-Red7]

Thanks Hasbeen, will check out the sealant you recommend. I think all things considered, discretion is the lesser part of valour in this instance. Knowing my luck it will shatter into a million pieces if I try!

[darrellw]

There are flowable sealants, meant to inject into leaking areas. This is one, though it is silicone:

http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-81730-Fl ... ld+sealant

Darrell Walker
66 TR4A IRS-SC CTC67956L
81 TR8 SATPZ458XBA406206
Vancouver, WA, USA

[Mals1960]

I too have a Windscreen leak, I noticed that Polly-RedTr7 posted a query some years ago about how to remove the chrome finisher but everyone seemed to think that they wanted to remove the windscreen where as I just want to remove the finisher add some sealant and refit the finisher. Is there a knack tool or clips required please?

[Hasbeen]

Just remember that windscreens are a dime a dozen, windscreen trim is made of unobtainium.

Hasbeen

[Beans]

Windscreen trim can be removed, but there is a good chance the windscreen will come loose in places.
Pictured below are the tools I usually use to remove the trims parts, using the plastic tool between screen and trim and the chisel between trim and screen surround
Beware though; the paint is likely to get damaged! And the old screen can and will crack easily

[FI Spyder]

With many jobs like this, it is better to do it yourself unless you know a particularly talented professional (with the resultant result of months wait times because they are far and few between). The biggest problems are that old technology requires old techniques which is not often found in today's workforce and it can be time consuming to be done properly, hence the job is rushed because of today's labour rates with the resulting breakage etc. I've seen so many bodged "professional" jobs in so many areas. I would take it out myself and let them (re)seal the (new/old) after any painting etc. is done. This is something they are familiar with and can do a good/better job than you. Of course this assumes you are handy (always a good trait) and have a lot of patience (a requirement).

[Mals1960]

Thanks Beans, I don't want to do it but I have to stop the leak. Hasbeens Unatainium is a difficult material to deal with.

[Beans]

The trim will survive as long as you work carefully.

[Hasbeen]

When my last windscreen was done, about 10 years ago, the latest thing was a synthetic mastic, which never fully hardens, on a roll, separated by waxed paper. This was rolled into place, & the windscreen placed on top. The stuff extended past the screen, & the trim was merely pushed into it.

This was fine for the screen, it is still there & watertight, however it was not fine for the trim. A couple of weeks after instillation I was driving home from town, 100Km/H road, & noticed a rather unpleasant fluttering of sunlight across the screen. I suddenly realised this was from my drivers side trim fluttering in the breeze. The top bit was up at about a 40 degree angle, only just held by the side part. The other side was about to go the same way.

Fortunately I captured my escapist trim before it took off. I then had to clean some spots back to paint, not easy, & attach my trim with dobs of Sikaflex.

Hasbeen