Custom Windscreen Advice

[Joe T]

Bit of a strange one but I am looking for a glass guru, I need to cut a section out the middle of a windscreen then get it bonded into a car (with a join up the middle), this is how it was done originally. Its an E Type Jag screen that gets cut and shut.

Anyone know of someone able to carry this out?

Cheers

Joe

[grahambell]

Have heard of windscreens being cut down for custom cars with chopped tops, but you can only do it with laminated screens and it's so tricky it's an 'at your risk' job.

You might have more luck at your local domestic glass suppliers than your local windscreen fitters as they'll be more used to cutting glass. Alternatively try asking on the National Street Rod Association forum as someone there might be able to recommend a company used to cutting car glass.

[Davi]

If you find anywhere, please post details. Everywhere I approached regarding this said they wouldn't even try it.

Apparently it's easier with brand new glass than an old screen in as much as the glass itself, BUT not if it's a screen that has any a black border around it - that's harder to cut through and causes big problems.

I've seen it done on a US hotrod program and they made it look oh so simple, obviously looks are very deceiving.

[Joe T]

Oh well, just the incentive I needed to have a go myself, I will be off the the scrappy to collect some damaged screens to practice on.

The one thats installed has a bead of mastic up the centre, so it made me wonder how it was cut.

I will report back,

[King Herald]

Joe T said:

Bit of a strange one but I am looking for a glass guru, I need to cut a section out the middle of a windscreen then get it bonded into a car (with a join up the middle), this is how it was done originally. Its an E Type Jag screen that gets cut and shut.

Anyone know of someone able to carry this out?

Cheers

Joe

Is it a flat screen? I'm guessing not, else it would be real easy to just replace with new laminated glass cut to size.

Cutting existing curved glass is possible, a friend of mine had one cut for his chopped Morris Minor, but it cracked the day AFTER it was installed. Just decided overnight to let go.

Edited to add: It was sorted by National Windscreens 'specials' department in Bristol, but apparently cut in Southampton.

Edited by King Herald on Wednesday 10th January 18:56

[Ozzie Dave]

Ok, I've spoken to Trevor and asked if when he is back he can post on this, it may take a few days but this is right up his alley and he has been doing this for specialists for many years.
www.taraglass.com

[steve_d]

Just a thought but the fire brigade uses a saw which from the videos I've seen cuts through windscreens like butter. The finish was not good but then speed was the important factor. Perhaps the same tool used with a little care would produce results.

Steve

[Joe T]

I did ponder on the cutting method, any advise would be good.

To explain what I need to achieve imagine an E Type Windscreen curved at the edges installed in a car, then draw a line from the top to the bottom edge where the int mirror is, then take an 8 inch wide strip out the centre to reduce the overall width of the screen.

I would be happy for someone to do the whole job, I still have the original glass here but most of my enquires have gone nowhere.

Thanks

Joe

[Davi]

Joe T said:

I did ponder on the cutting method, any advise would be good.

To explain what I need to achieve imagine an E Type Windscreen curved at the edges installed in a car, then draw a line from the top to the bottom edge where the int mirror is, then take an 8 inch wide strip out the centre to reduce the overall width of the screen.

I would be happy for someone to do the whole job, I still have the original glass here but most of my enquires have gone nowhere.

Thanks

Joe

The way it was done on the program I saw was....

Scribe type glass cutter.... make all cuts on outside, not stopping where cross over lines occured, but running completely to the end of the screen, and doing it with only a single pass.

Flip over and make all cuts on inside of screen - they stressed at this point the importance of making the cuts in absolutely the same place. In fact they stressed it numerous times.

Get a blowlamp, run all the way along the screen at cut point - this was to soften the plastic middle laminate.

place on surface and try and bend crack away from curvature of screen, once broken through pull a tiny bit to expose the softened plastic centre and trim with knife.

They then had their edge polished and sealed to avoid cracking after installation.

Be intereseting to hear if that is the same method as used by chap above!

[grahambell]

The method I'd read about was pretty much the same as Davi describes - particularly in respect of scribing both sides long the same line. Main difference was in dealing with the plastic, which was done by running lighter fluid along the break in the glass and setting light to it!

[andygtt]

grahambell said:

The method I'd read about was pretty much the same as Davi describes - particularly in respect of scribing both sides long the same line. Main difference was in dealing with the plastic, which was done by running lighter fluid along the break in the glass and setting light to it!

This is the method I intend to try... I have a scrap screen which I intend to have a go on first.

[stevebubs]

To avoid the cut and shut, I believe the guy behind www.heatedwindscreens.com will make custom windscreens if you provide a template...think it's a minimum order of 10, though - and they don't have to be heated if you don't want.

[Davi]

Ozzie Dave said:

Ok, I've spoken to Trevor and asked if when he is back he can post on this, it may take a few days but this is right up his alley and he has been doing this for specialists for many years.
www.taraglass.com

I finally got around to having a chat with Taraglass yesterday - oh how I wish I'd done it sooner!!!!

Going on initial emails, looks like I might be going for custom glass all round!!!

[Andy Barker]

Ricky Evans Motorsport Ltd are pretty good for glass, they had a lot of time for me when I was trying to make a hardtop for a mates cobra replica.

I'll try a find there details.

Just found there website, its www.heatedwindscreen.com so basically ignor my reply as stevebubs as already suggested them.

Edited by Andy Barker on Friday 12th January 11:46

[trevorc]

Davi said:

Ozzie Dave said:

Ok, I've spoken to Trevor and asked if when he is back he can post on this, it may take a few days but this is right up his alley and he has been doing this for specialists for many years.
www.taraglass.com

I finally got around to having a chat with Taraglass yesterday - oh how I wish I'd done it sooner!!!!

Going on initial emails, looks like I might be going for custom glass all round!!!

Doesn't a minimum order quantity make it prohibitive ?

[ozzie dave]

hi all

on the subject of cutting down curved glass it is possible to do but no one will guarantee the outcome, a risk you must be prepared to take if you want to go ahead, i have successfully done it many times but also have many years experience and still won't guarantee the result. there are some tricks of the trade involved and i don't recommend it being attempted by a novice.
the other alternative we offer is custom glass but there are small quantities involved which can make it less viable for the "one off".
hope this helps

trevor

[Davi]

trevorc said:

Davi said:

Ozzie Dave said:

Ok, I've spoken to Trevor and asked if when he is back he can post on this, it may take a few days but this is right up his alley and he has been doing this for specialists for many years.
www.taraglass.com

I finally got around to having a chat with Taraglass yesterday - oh how I wish I'd done it sooner!!!!

Going on initial emails, looks like I might be going for custom glass all round!!!

Doesn't a minimum order quantity make it prohibitive ?

From my email correspondence if I understand it correctly, if I make the moulds myself then there will be no minimum order as such, but at the prices I'd probably get a minimum of 2 of everything done.

[King Herald]

King Herald said:

Cutting existing curved glass is possible, a friend of mine had one cut for his chopped Morris Minor, but it cracked the day AFTER it was installed. Just decided overnight to let go.

Edited to add: It was sorted by National Windscreens 'specials' department in Bristol, but apparently cut in Southampton.

Joe T said:

I would be happy for someone to do the whole job, I still have the original glass here but most of my enquires have gone nowhere.

Thanks

Joe

So what did national Windscreens say?

[Joe T]

Hello,

I have not had a chance to contact Taraglass or National Windscreens yet but will be doing so, I also have another screen to be manufactured that I do have a mould for, so will wait and do it all in one go.

Thanks

[Joe T]

Taraglass are on the case now with the Roadster screen although it does look like this may take some time, but I have a template for that so a bit more straightforward etc, I will press on making up the support for it in the meantime etc.

But not much joy on the other screen I need, the E-Type cut and shut modded screen,
No glass bashers out ther feeling brave?

Did a have a go with a few bits myself......... not very successful,