C5 (X7) Windscreen Replacement

[GiveMeABreak]

I used to use RainX - but that doesn't fill in the pitted windscreen - these are like tiny holes, but there are thousands of them. It's probably down to all the road chippings we have to put with here in rural Wales. They don't know what tarmac is, bloody disgraceful condition of the roads where we are. Could also be the very 'soft' glass that they use on the modern cars - well, can't be any worse that the one Autoglass are going to 'hopefully' fit next week.

[Gibbo2286]

I used to use RainX - but that doesn't fill in the pitted windscreen - these are like tiny holes, but there are thousands of them. It's probably down to all the road chippings we have to put with here in rural Wales. They don't know what tarmac is, bloody disgraceful condition of the roads where we are. Could also be the very 'soft' glass that they use on the modern cars - well, can't be any worse that the one Autoglass are going to 'hopefully' fit next week.

Or too much tailgating.

[GiveMeABreak]

My boy racer days are over Gibbo, well, nearly

[jgra1]

no ones been angle grinding near it Marc? if so the paint work may show tiny pits too.

[momag46]

I agree - BUT, it only (usually) smears on the first wipe and is clear on the return and okay from then on.

I found that you need to build up a good layer - I usually apply it to one side in small circular motions then move over to the other side and do the same, then back again until 3 or 4 layers are applied then polish the whole lot with a clean micro cloth.

Maurice

[GiveMeABreak]

no ones been angle grinding near it Marc? if so the paint work may show tiny pits too.

No. I'll just put it down to the roads and the gritters! Although a few years ago on my Mk2, I got a call from a colleague at work to say - you better get over here (to the window) - there's a bloke washing your car down!
So I legged it over to the window and there were a couple of cowboys who had been painting the house next to our car park and couldn't be bothered to tell anyone. Very strong winds and they didn't even think that the paint has now splattered in small spots over 4 cars! Rather than tell anyone, the painter's mate has took it on himself to get an old rag and a bucket of water and start scrubbing all the cars! Not only that, but he's dragging the rag from the sill area into the dirt and grit then rubbing it into the paintwork!

Suffice it to say the I pulled the window up and yelled out a few carefully chosen expletives. Took it to the car wash as did everyone else before the paint dried in too much, but damage done thousands of scratch and swirl marks everywhere. The painters? did a runner before we got back, the top hats! Bought a car polisher and spent the weekend cutting the paintwork and restoring it as best I could, but I was cursing for weeks after that!

[GiveMeABreak]

Well windscreen all fitted by Autoglass - and a brilliant job!
A few issues / observations:
Make sure they remember how the wipers lie on the screen - maybe worth taking a photo before they start, to aid re-positioning.
The windscreen rubber trim at the bottom - the corners had lifted, so we both couldn't remember if these should be tucked under the side trim / pillar mouldings or on top of them. So he tucked them under and fitted the trim on top as he said most other cars were like this - and it looks much better to be honest. I'll need to find another X7 to compare!
The glass was solidly bonded at the bottom of the screen on the driver's side, so much so, that he had to swap the kit over to wire instead of the synthetic cord to remove the old glass, it as it was stuck solid and cracked when he eventually managed to lift it!
The fitter had all the side pillar trim clips with him and he replaced all of these.
The interior rear view mirror was a bit of a bu**er to unclip, and put back, but eventually went on without any undue force.
Interestingly, I thought you couldn't drive the car for 24 hours after having it fitted - but he said at least 15 minutes from the end of the job should be fine to use the car! He had just replaced his own van screen before coming to me.

So overall, very professional, cleaned everything up (although his inverter must of gone into 'Economy Mode' as the hoover only went for 2 minutes before shutting off). A very thorough job and I am glad I used them .

[jgra1]

good stuff Marc

[Sloppysod]

Very reassuring report Marc, Thankyou, thinking of possibly new screen on mine, I have it booked in for repair 6th May, 4 small chips.
One question is it as quiet as the original?

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

[GiveMeABreak]

Stu, yes went out yesterday evening and it was just as quiet. I already made sure it was accoustic when booking the job. There was only one screen coming up for my car and it was correct. It has the accoustic mark (the ear symbol) on and was a Pilkington screen. The green tint matched the other glass.

Best £75 I've spent in a while and has made such a difference to the visibility in direct sunlight now. Autoglass handled the insurance side directly - didn't need to do a thing with my insurance company. The vans they have now have extendable awnings on, so they can extend these over the work area in case of rain. The fitter had nothing but praise for the company and said he wouldn't work for any other windscreen replacement company. So that was quite reassuring too.

One thing Stu, if you have the pitted effect (more visible in the sun) where you can see all the microscopic chips) I would consider getting the whole thing replaced. I've only had a chip fixed once, years ago and it left a 'warped' effect on the screen that bugged me no end. Every time I moved my head the 'repaired' area seemed to have the goldfish bowl effect, and I found it really distracting and therefore dangerous. When I rang the company up about it, they came back out and replaced the entire screen without question.

[Sloppysod]

Cheers for the heads up, I have never had a chip repaired so do not know what to expect, the main chip is just off the steering wheel line and leaves a streak when wiping so the repair may do the same anyway. I have another week to decide completely.
Stu