S3 Windscreen replacement

[cjacks]

Yes, the old 'windscreen' chestnut again - but perhaps with a twist this time....

The screen on my S3 is delaminating and the 'milky bits' are now creeping out behind the vinyl which was neatly added by its last owner - I know this 'fix' has been used on other cars too, and to be fair, it looks fine. Anyway, I'm now looking at getting the screen replaced. However.....

There are a few jobs I'd like to do the same time - the paintwork around the top and sides of the screen needs sorting, the trim above the dash on the drivers side needs attention and I'd like to rejuvenate the leather on the top of the dash without having to remove the car from the dashboard. (You know where this is going, don't you...?). It seems to me that one option would be to remove the screen myself, spend some time on these jobs and then have a new screen fitted.

Anyone out there removed a bonded screen successfully without trashing either the car or their hands? (Anyone refitted one?) I'm guessing that patience, ingenuity and some bits from eBay ("bended windscreen remove tool" and "square edged wire") would get me there in the end. However, If it really is one of those "don't even go there" jobs (like plastering a ceiling), then I'll revert to plan A and let someone with liability insurance tackle it. In the mean time, your experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.

[phillpot]

The screen company I used were okay with removing screen then coming back several days later to fit replacement.

[Glassman]

cjacks said:

bended windscreen remove tool

The Kent tool is good, but not on a TVR. Wiring is the best method but a lot of professionals struggle to wire through the tight gaps without damaging the trim or the dash.

Use protection...

[cjacks]

phillpot said:

The screen company I used were okay with removing screen then coming back several days later to fit replacement.

Good call and something I hadn't considered. Thanks. Was it one of the 'nationals'?

[cjacks]

Glassman said:

The Kent tool is good, but not on a TVR. Wiring is the best method but a lot of professionals struggle to wire through the tight gaps without damaging the trim or the dash.

Use protection...

Thanks Glassman - just found your website/blog - great. Shame you're a long ways off.......https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/12.gif

[Griffinr]

Chris, when I first had the car the windscreen leaked on the drivers side and I re-sealed it on the outside to keep the water out. I got the impression the bond had degraded quite a bit so it may come out quite easily.
Rob.

[cjacks]

Griffinr said:

Chris, when I first had the car the windscreen leaked on the drivers side and I re-sealed it on the outside to keep the water out. I got the impression the bond had degraded quite a bit so it may come out quite easily.
Rob.

Cheers Rob, that's useful - I'm happy to 'have a go' using square wire. Glassman's comments are noted as I'd hate to damage the dash! I was trying to find out if anyone else had been crazy enough to try this!

Car's running really well - I've just performed surgery on the boot to insert some storage for the targa. Photo's to follow when it's all neat and tidy!

[Griffinr]

cjacks said:

Griffinr said:

Chris, when I first had the car the windscreen leaked on the drivers side and I re-sealed it on the outside to keep the water out. I got the impression the bond had degraded quite a bit so it may come out quite easily.
Rob.

Cheers Rob, that's useful - I'm happy to 'have a go' using square wire. Glassman's comments are noted as I'd hate to damage the dash! I was trying to find out if anyone else had been crazy enough to try this!

Car's running really well - I've just performed surgery on the boot to insert some storage for the targa. Photo's to follow when it's all neat and tidy!

Sounds like your working down my never quite got around to it list!
I’d try starting at the drivers side to remove the screen, as I said before I don’t think it’s well stuck there particularly at the bottom. The trims pulled out of the rebate on that side as well.