R19 - is DIY windscreen replacement possible?

[RussellF97]

My Neighbour over here in Brittany needs a new windscreen on his Renault 19. Unfortunately there's no manual for it so the big question is, is fitting a new screen a DIY job - or are they bonded? I've had a look and it *seems* to just be held in with a rubber seal. We can get a new screen, but it's pointless if DIY fitting is a no-no.

Spot the problem!

[sandybx]

Dear RussellF97,
The first is a question Russell, does your friends Renault 19 have a " removable " screen " infill " These are usually about 1cm wide either plastic of chrome-effect and they completely surround the whole windsceen.
I have one car which is bonded and the other is removable.
There are a few things you need to be aware of with fitting removable windscreens is that you have to be aware that the plastic type " infill " can become brittle with age and sun etc. The other thing you also need to be aware of is that removal of the plastic " infill " is really as simple as it looks ( just lubricate with fairy liquid and tease it out with a small electricians screwdriver ) But however to refit them requires a " special tool " They were 10 a penny years ago but not so much these days.
I have used one plenty of times renewing front screens in SAAB,s. I can describe the special tool if you wish, just let me now.
I hope this helps Russell,
Vince,

[RussellF97]

Hi Vince,
Many thanks for your reply. If you mean the chrome locking filler strip as found round the screens of Classic Minis and the like, no it hasn't. I'll take some pics tomorrow and put them up to show what there is.
The top strip of rubber is only about a centimetre and a bit wide and I can peel the (fairly soft) rubber back from the top where it goes over the roof which makes me think it's not rubber holding it in but bonding.
I think I know the tool you mean: essentially a diamond-shaped piece of wire attached to a handle? The diamond spreads the groove in the rubber and you feed the locking filler through the diamond and into the groove. Yeah, got one. I owned a series of proper Minis for over 30 years - it came in very handy!
Cheers,
Phil

[sandybx]

Dear RussellF97,
Firstly Russell thank-you for very kind reply
Secondly thanks for loading up some photo,s too, I fear looking at the photo of the windscreen rubber itself that your friends windscreen is unfortunately bonded in and they do need to be cut-out with a very long type of cheese wire cutter
I hope this helps,
Vince,

[RussellF97]

Thanks very much for the advice, Vince; much appreciated.
While I understand it *can* be a DIY job fitting a bonded screen, my neighbour will have to get it done at the local garage this time round. My ZX will need a new screen at some point and I would feel a tad happier about doing it if I'd practised on my own car first before playing with someone else's.
Thanks again,
Phil