Windscreen replacement

[CTrickle]

Hi all,

I finally got round to trying to removing the screen from my chrome screen surround to transfer to the black surround which was kindly donated to me through this very forum.

I have managed to crack the glass... Joy! It's not a bad crack and assuming I finally get the glass out I think it'll be ok while I try and find another screen.

My question is, do the race cars or any other Caterhams run anything but a glass screen? Can you replace it with polycarbonate or something similar?

Cheers
Ed.

Ps I'm still trying to locate some back side stays for the screen if anyone has some knocking by around.

[anonymous-user]

Is a poly screen road legal?

[Gingerbread Man]

CTrickle said:

Ps I'm still trying to locate some back side stays for the screen if anyone has some knocking by around.

I had mine powdercoated.

[repsna]

I have changed from glas to Polycarbonate. Makrolon AR from Bayer 5mm thick. It is supposed to be the hardest coated Polycarbonate surface. I use it without wipers. Instead I apply an anti rain fluid like rain X rain repellent. Don't know if its legal though but it works for me.
Hope this helps
Rgds
HPK

[anonymous-user]

A quick Google throws up a plethora of websites and fora, some more credible than other, suggesting front facing windscreens have to be laminated glass to be legal (in the UK at least). The reason why appears to be up for debate.

[marshalla]

Crossflow Kid said:

A quick Google throws up a plethora of websites and fora, some more credible than other, suggesting front facing windscreens have to be laminated glass to be legal (in the UK at least). The reason why appears to be up for debate.

C&U regs. specify a "safety" glass as the only material for windscreens.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/part/...

[CTrickle]

repsna said:

I have changed from glas to Polycarbonate. Makrolon AR from Bayer 5mm thick. It is supposed to be the hardest coated Polycarbonate surface. I use it without wipers. Instead I apply an anti rain fluid like rain X rain repellent. Don't know if its legal though but it works for me.
Hope this helps
Rgds
HPK

Do you have any contacts for where you got the screen?

[CTrickle]

Hi all,

Following reading all the comments I made some good steps today.

I use this car mostly in the sun but you never know when you'll get stuck in some inclement weather! So on that basis a glass screen is the way for me to go. I called a couple of national windscreen people but they are of no use. I then called a local company - Car Glass & Trim Ltd, Windshield Repair Service, W End Rd, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DZ - fantastic company, really helpful. They are going to cut one from a Land Rover 90 screen as these are totally flat and have the correct stamps etc. £70 plus the VAT has to be a bargain. The only down side is its not heated but I can live with that!

The side brackets/stantions are being powder coated by Hi Spec Powder Coatings, 3 Maitland Rd, Needham Market, Ipswich - also good service.

Cheers for the help.

Ed

[downsman]

I'm glad you're getting it sorted

It was a timely warning for me, I have a heated new screen ready to fit to my Seven,but the supplied one has a polished alloy finish (the other alternative was black) and my old one was a silver anodised finish. My options were to 1. swap the screen between frames, 2. fit it as it is not matching the supports or 3. polish up the supports.

Now I know option 1. isn't a good idea, so I think I will wait until winter and polish the supports as I fit it.

[CTrickle]

downsman said:

I'm glad you're getting it sorted

It was a timely warning for me, I have a heated new screen ready to fit to my Seven,but the supplied one has a polished alloy finish (the other alternative was black) and my old one was a silver anodised finish. My options were to 1. swap the screen between frames, 2. fit it as it is not matching the supports or 3. polish up the supports.

Now I know option 1. isn't a good idea, so I think I will wait until winter and polish the supports as I fit it.

Well the one I had in the black frame quite literally fell out no problem, the old one from my car had been fitted I suspect since 1992 and I suspect had been glued in. It's worth undoing the four screws to see if yours falls out. If not then go back to plan A!

Good luck.

[downsman]

Thanks, I'll try that