fitting windscreen... string technique>?

cant seem to find the details other than the fact it works well? lol

ive done the rear quarters and now struggling with the rear screen doing it by hand.


any suggestions
cheers

You need a length of strong string or cord that is about a metre longer than the circumference of the window.

Fit the rubber seal to your glass and then thread the cord into the groove of the seal that the bodywork will fit into.

Work your way around the whole seal threading the cord into the groove and cross each end of the cord at the top centre of the seal, leaving an equal length of cord hanging out at each side after it crosses.

Take your glass/seal/cord assembly and then place the bottom groove of the seal onto the bodywork lip, make sure the cord has stayed snug in the groove.

Then have someone apply pressure to the top edge of the screen/seal so that it is as close as possible to the bodywork whilst you pull the overhanging cords inwards from in the boot. Pulling the cord will cause the seal to open up and the pressure applied from outside will pop it onto the body.

Keep moving around the seal pulling the cord out with the person on the outside following you around the circumference applying pressure.

You should end up with the cord back out of of the seal and the window refitted.

Hope that helps and makes a bit of sense!?

Very good explanation!

AL.

Great info. i'll be needing this sooner or later…

Any clues on where i can get a heated windsheild from..??

Thanx Shaun

Little tip...to make putting the string in the rubber a bit easier put an empty bic biro case on it and run it all the way round the rubber.. :wink:

I know this post is old but I found it because I have recently struggled to fit my windscreen and wanted to add some detail.

Firstly, stupidstu's tip is great, brilliant in fact.

And to add to GAVB95's already good explanation….. Use cord, something around 4 or 5mm. This stops it from breaking, slipping and also holds the lip of the rubber open a bit and will aid seating it on the frame.

If you are having trouble with it popping out, try starting at the bottom middle, then do the top middle. After that, have someone push the whole window (use suckers if possible) towards the side you're pulling the cord from and have someone else put pressure on the rubber at the point where the cord is ( so you're inside pulling the cord then you have a person outside on each end of the screen). Then repeat for the opposite side.

I was trying for a about a day before giving up then got the pros round to do it. They still needed my help to put pressure on the screen!

Glad this thread has been of use @Adhards and great to have more info to add for anyone stuck in the future.  

I helped install a screen in a mates cabby recently and he had been advised by the windscreen supplier to fit opposite corners first so bottom left, then top right (or vice versa) to prevent the screen from shifting away from the body as you work your way around with the cord. It worked well and made it a lot easier, especially with the new seal we used.

The glass supplier was Yorkshire Trade Windscreens, I have used them for screens for my cars in the past and they've been really good and well priced:

https://www.yorkshiretradewindscreens.co.uk/

They list on ebay but I have found them to be much cheaper with quick phone call and paying cash on collection.

Nylon Masons Twine works well.  Only I used 2 wrappings around the windscreen, Being Careful not to overlap or get the cord twisted.

Using a Lube helps as well, Kiddies soap bubbles, or ky-jelly as that will be water soluble and won't stain.

Oh and here is a link to two Home videos, that Eastwood made (body tools, not Clint).
Installing MK1 Windshield Videos | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

I've always used speaker wire as it offers less resistant against the window rubber

About 15 years ago I decided to fit a set of tinted glass to my G40, immediately decided I didnt like them and removed the glass and refitted the clear ones.

Managed to do the whole lot in just over an hour single handedly using speaker wire

I used washing line on my tin top. I can assure you the misses was not happy when she come home but it was brilliant.

I wrapped it into the seal starting top centre and crosses them over about 6 inches bottom centre.

Went round with a flat head screw driver pushing it deep into the seal. Slotted the screen in bottom first and with my 10 year old lad following me with pressure from the outside I pulled the line.

Done bottom one side first then the other. Round a corner then opposite corner and so on.

To lubricate I had a mix of 50/50 fairy liquid and water. Literally soaked it. Tip do both the cable side and the glass side of the seal. Allows for a little more movement.

When I finished I went to b&q for a new length of washing line with my ears ringing a little.


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It is a pig of a job. Need to redo mine at some point when the rest of car is done.

Avoid washing up liquid as it has salt in it which is likely to cause corrosion where you can't see it.
You can buy silicone lubricant which is used for assembling push fit plumbing.

When fitting rear windows in cabs I use para cord.
This I coat with silicone liquid lube that used on push fit waste pipes.
I go round the seal and cross over at the bottom.
I start from bottom and work the seal in place. I have plastic tools for that. Then pull the string but in a circular motion.
When I’ve done so far I then press the glass seal down further and repeat till the glass and seal is done.


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haha Backinblack I did give the washing line a go and as far as strength and slipperiness goes it works great.

I'm glad this post has had some many methods and techniques added to it. I think it shows that it is indeed a pig of a job but there is always a way and finding the best way for your car/seal is a matter of trial and error but the more hands you have, the easier it will be

I'm quite good at these now
I've done last two by my self
My caddy pick up I done that in about 2 mins with used rubber.   
My tin top brand new copy rubber took me 5 mins
I use bit spray wax oil on rubber   Works treat

I'm going to be fitting my front and rear screen to Goly soon (and new seals to the wifes mini) and I have found these tips very useful thanks.

I do have one question though.
Should I fit the chrome strip into the rubber seal before fitting the screen or once it's been fitted?
On the video that Eastwood have done they fit it before installation. I hadn't thought of doing it this way and was dreading fitting the chrome strip with the fitting tool I have, even with the tool it's hard. I had to do it on my brothers mk2 Polo. It does look a lot easier fitting the chrome first.

I've only ever fitted a screen to a Peugeot 205 and that didn't have the chrome trim.

Cheers,
Britney.

The strip will restrict movement of the rubber and therefore can cause extra pressure on the screen.

Personally I would do it after as it will make the actual screen fitting easier, but that said I believe it is just decorative on the golf as the original use of strips like this on say a mini was to help lock the screen in place.

Not a lot of help but something to think about.

By the way soap and lots of it


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They make a "Special" tool to put the Chrome strip on.  

Briano1234 said

They make a "Special" tool to put the Chrome strip on.  

Cheers Briano1234
I've got one of the tools but it's still difficult to fit the chrome. That's why I was interested in fitting it first like on YouTube. Makes it look a lot easier.
It took me, my brother, an hour and some very sore fingers to fit the last chrome strip I did and that was with the tool. 🤬

GolyTheGolf said

Briano1234 said

They make a "Special" tool to put the Chrome strip on.

Cheers Briano1234
I've got one of the tools but it's still difficult to fit the chrome. That's why I was interested in fitting it first like on YouTube. Makes it look a lot easier.
It took me, my brother, an hour and some very sore fingers to fit the last chrome strip I did and that was with the tool. 🤬

If you use a little wd-40 or ky it makes it work better…Dry would be a non-sunny-day-at-the-BEE-Atch.

I have heard of folks putting it in prior, but they are usually the ones that can't get the gasket to seat properly at the lower corners, or move it about after the install. 


 

Thanks for the advice.
I'll give it a go in the next week or two 😬