Wish me luck...
Discussion
Poor old girl has the mother of all cracks in the windscreen so phoned Classicline to get it sorted. Turns out they don't/won't use a 'Specialist' so it goes to one of their approved repairers.
Guy from Auto Windscreens just phoned, and I explained my hesitancy which he fully understood but they have done them before but have said they are getting one in then bringing it over Monday to check measurements and discuss with me my concerns, fit, leather surround, damage etc. They want it a whole day in their workshop in Southampton (about 30 miles) even offered to drop me home and pick me up again, or I can have some space there to work and watch etc.
So not a specialist, but seem reasonable and fair. Guess I'll just have to see. Although of course I'll be watching like a hawk (discretely) and I guess they are insured of the knife slips!
Guy from Auto Windscreens just phoned, and I explained my hesitancy which he fully understood but they have done them before but have said they are getting one in then bringing it over Monday to check measurements and discuss with me my concerns, fit, leather surround, damage etc. They want it a whole day in their workshop in Southampton (about 30 miles) even offered to drop me home and pick me up again, or I can have some space there to work and watch etc.
So not a specialist, but seem reasonable and fair. Guess I'll just have to see. Although of course I'll be watching like a hawk (discretely) and I guess they are insured of the knife slips!
.Mark said:
Poor old girl has the mother of all cracks in the windscreen so phoned Classicline to get it sorted. Turns out they don't/won't use a 'Specialist' so it goes to one of their approved repairers.
Guy from Auto Windscreens just phoned, and I explained my hesitancy which he fully understood but they have done them before but have said they are getting one in then bringing it over Monday to check measurements and discuss with me my concerns, fit, leather surround, damage etc. They want it a whole day in their workshop in Southampton (about 30 miles) even offered to drop me home and pick me up again, or I can have some space there to work and watch etc.
So not a specialist, but seem reasonable and fair. Guess I'll just have to see. Although of course I'll be watching like a hawk (discretely) and I guess they are insured of the knife slips!
Make sure its a genuine TVR screen ,the first screen fitted by the above was a after market screen ,it looked a pigs ear.They also damaged the vinyl with a sharp knife..Thats not the end of it they fitted the wrong shape seal and it took months of complaining to get it changed making excuses saying the old seal was not available ...good luck.Guy from Auto Windscreens just phoned, and I explained my hesitancy which he fully understood but they have done them before but have said they are getting one in then bringing it over Monday to check measurements and discuss with me my concerns, fit, leather surround, damage etc. They want it a whole day in their workshop in Southampton (about 30 miles) even offered to drop me home and pick me up again, or I can have some space there to work and watch etc.
So not a specialist, but seem reasonable and fair. Guess I'll just have to see. Although of course I'll be watching like a hawk (discretely) and I guess they are insured of the knife slips!
MAKE SURE THE SCREEN HAS THE TVR LOGO ON IT !AND THE CORRECT WINDOW SEAL
Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Tuesday 13th September 18:19
A specialist did mine and di a fantastic job. Couple of points regarding your discussions with them . .
1 - Enquire as to whether any of their fitters have done a TVR before, ideally that model
2 - Ensure it is their most senior/experienced fitter doing the work, not a training session
3 - Don't let them fit a new top seal, unless the old one is damaged as it takes months/years for it to take shape properly and better they clean the old one and re-use, mine looked like new even with 75k on it after this.
4 - Ensure that in the corners they have glued/sealed it all down and there are no obvious issues, better to get it resolved thena nd there
5 - Make sure you look at the seal from the drivers seat down on to the dash, it's a really difficult area and it's somewhere you tend to look at later
6 - Make sure and photogrpah the dash top and pillars to evidence there is not cuts, slashes before the work
7 - After being such a pain in the ass for them, make sure you leave em a few quid for a beer if they do a great job. I do as the next time they'll remember and it'll be better again, whats a fiver etc etc
1 - Enquire as to whether any of their fitters have done a TVR before, ideally that model
2 - Ensure it is their most senior/experienced fitter doing the work, not a training session
3 - Don't let them fit a new top seal, unless the old one is damaged as it takes months/years for it to take shape properly and better they clean the old one and re-use, mine looked like new even with 75k on it after this.
4 - Ensure that in the corners they have glued/sealed it all down and there are no obvious issues, better to get it resolved thena nd there
5 - Make sure you look at the seal from the drivers seat down on to the dash, it's a really difficult area and it's somewhere you tend to look at later
6 - Make sure and photogrpah the dash top and pillars to evidence there is not cuts, slashes before the work
7 - After being such a pain in the ass for them, make sure you leave em a few quid for a beer if they do a great job. I do as the next time they'll remember and it'll be better again, whats a fiver etc etc
Johno said:
A specialist did mine and di a fantastic job. Couple of points regarding your discussions with them . .
1 - Enquire as to whether any of their fitters have done a TVR before, ideally that model
2 - Ensure it is their most senior/experienced fitter doing the work, not a training session
3 - Don't let them fit a new top seal, unless the old one is damaged as it takes months/years for it to take shape properly and better they clean the old one and re-use, mine looked like new even with 75k on it after this.
4 - Ensure that in the corners they have glued/sealed it all down and there are no obvious issues, better to get it resolved thena nd there
5 - Make sure you look at the seal from the drivers seat down on to the dash, it's a really difficult area and it's somewhere you tend to look at later
6 - Make sure and photogrpah the dash top and pillars to evidence there is not cuts, slashes before the work
7 - After being such a pain in the ass for them, make sure you leave em a few quid for a beer if they do a great job. I do as the next time they'll remember and it'll be better again, whats a fiver etc etc
This has been printed, I'll make sure it's all covered.1 - Enquire as to whether any of their fitters have done a TVR before, ideally that model
2 - Ensure it is their most senior/experienced fitter doing the work, not a training session
3 - Don't let them fit a new top seal, unless the old one is damaged as it takes months/years for it to take shape properly and better they clean the old one and re-use, mine looked like new even with 75k on it after this.
4 - Ensure that in the corners they have glued/sealed it all down and there are no obvious issues, better to get it resolved thena nd there
5 - Make sure you look at the seal from the drivers seat down on to the dash, it's a really difficult area and it's somewhere you tend to look at later
6 - Make sure and photogrpah the dash top and pillars to evidence there is not cuts, slashes before the work
7 - After being such a pain in the ass for them, make sure you leave em a few quid for a beer if they do a great job. I do as the next time they'll remember and it'll be better again, whats a fiver etc etc
Interestingly, the last time it was done by a specialist and it took them 3 attempts because the screens were poorly made.
Well she goes in next week. The fitter just came to my house with the new screen and offered it up for size etc. all seems to be in order. It's not actually TVR branded but there seems to be only one supplier now so I'll go with it.
I have a lot more confidence now, he is very experienced, done a few Griffs so knows the drill. Spent about an hour with me explaining everything.
Interestingly the screen is stickered Griffith/Chimaera so they are both the same, and he agreed with me that they are basically the same car but the Griff has an ugly body shell
I have a lot more confidence now, he is very experienced, done a few Griffs so knows the drill. Spent about an hour with me explaining everything.
Interestingly the screen is stickered Griffith/Chimaera so they are both the same, and he agreed with me that they are basically the same car but the Griff has an ugly body shell
Mark. said:
It's not actually TVR branded but there seems to be only one supplier now so I'll go with it.
I had a non TVR screen fitted by Auto Glass in Tonbridge a couple of years ago and they did a great job. No leaks/damage and I am still happy with the result. The fitter took his time to ensure that I too was happy that he knew what he was doing and he had clearly done numerous Chimaera screens before. For me the key is to get the right screen, ie not aftermarket. Ask where they got it as I think David Gerald ar the only authorised supplier to the TVR community so if they sourced it there I'd be happy. The other is to get the most experienced fitter who has worked on older (as in classic) cars.
I'll ignore the body comment. Make sure the roof fits properly when its done too as we had pne done and it looked OK excepet when we tried the roof when we got home and realised the screen was about an inch higher than the original!!
FFG
I'll ignore the body comment. Make sure the roof fits properly when its done too as we had pne done and it looked OK excepet when we tried the roof when we got home and realised the screen was about an inch higher than the original!!
FFG
FlipFlopGriff said:
For me the key is to get the right screen, ie not aftermarket. Ask where they got it as I think David Gerald ar the only authorised supplier to the TVR community so if they sourced it there I'd be happy. The other is to get the most experienced fitter who has worked on older (as in classic) cars.
I'll ignore the body comment. Make sure the roof fits properly when its done too as we had pne done and it looked OK excepet when we tried the roof when we got home and realised the screen was about an inch higher than the original!!
FFG
I'm happy with the glass, it is visually exactly the same as mine and we offered it up and looks good. Although I will ask where it came from.I'll ignore the body comment. Make sure the roof fits properly when its done too as we had pne done and it looked OK excepet when we tried the roof when we got home and realised the screen was about an inch higher than the original!!
FFG
You know I was kidding about the body shape
As for making sure the roof fits, well it's a Chimaera, so I don't think he roof comes off does it?
My windscreen was replaced by Autoglass in Luton a couple of years ago and I was very happy with the job. I initially had the same concerns as others here (e.g. damage to leather) - They only had 1 fitter who they would get to do it and he had done loads before so knew what he was doing.
Well, I have to say - fantastic job! Took her in Wednesday at 08:30, left at 17:15 and they were not happy with one of the seals so I dropped it back this morning for him to finish off.
The quality of workmanship is second to none, perfect. These guys are perfectionists. Took over 2 hours to get the old screen out, and they kept me informed all the way through, let me use a desk in their office to work from and supplied tea/coffee all day long.
They can't have made a single penny on the job, as one day 1 there were two of them working on it.
Hearty recommendation for Auto Windscreens Southampton, top job.
Several beer tokens left for chaps doing job too.
The quality of workmanship is second to none, perfect. These guys are perfectionists. Took over 2 hours to get the old screen out, and they kept me informed all the way through, let me use a desk in their office to work from and supplied tea/coffee all day long.
They can't have made a single penny on the job, as one day 1 there were two of them working on it.
Hearty recommendation for Auto Windscreens Southampton, top job.
Several beer tokens left for chaps doing job too.
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