Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

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Florence79
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Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by Florence79 »

Hi

I'm looking for recommendations near the Chelmsford, ESSEX area as my Vanagon California has a leaky windscreen. I've noticed over the last 12months a little bit of rust is creeping out from under the seal and I'm getting puddles in my footwells. I'm really keen to get this fixed this winter. I would be really grateful for any recommendations, I don't mind a bit a travelling but closer to Chelmsford the better!!!

Cheers Guys :wink:

RogerT
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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by RogerT »

Not too difficult to do yourself, just don't skimp on the sealant. First time I had my windscreen out (same prob as you, rust visible - just - and copious puddles in footwell) I did it with someone who could do any welding if needed. In the event there was just enough metal to proceed. We put a little sealant round the edge, and put a new seal on. Loads more puddles! Windscreen out again, more sealant round the edge of the frame. More puddles. Out again, (son getting concerned about dad tackling hopeless jobs), loads of sealant round the frame, filled both cavities of the seal. NO MORE PUDDLES. So use loads of sealant and clean up the mess later.

The sealant? Arbomast Autograde. Gungy, never sets, and so doesn't crack. Very cheap too. Used it on all the side window seals I replaced too.

Tools for the windscreen? Big flat screwdriver to CAREFULLY (don't slip and stab yourself or the screen) working from inside the van, starting on the right hand a pillar (I'm right handed) ease back the seal from the frame and tuck the edge under the frame, work round up the pillar, along the top, down the other pillar. Stop and with a mate lift off the windscreen from outside.

Clean/fill/patch frame, apply sealant EVERYWHERE, stick seal on windscreen, wrap cord round seal (look at you tube for how to do this, I used plastic covered washing line - slides out easy but a difficult thing to grip when covered in gungy sealant).

Rubber or wooden mallet for tapping the seal into place when you put the windscreen back in.

Plastic card to clean up the sealant that has squeezed out (not got round to that bit yet!)

There are useful videos on YouTube, watching them is a must, and it isn't that difficult. And you know you will not skimp on the sealant if you do it yourself. Go for it, but be aware that there may need to be some work done on the frame to make it good enough to hold the new seal leak free. So if doing it yourself find someone helpful who can weld, if you can't do that bit yourself.

Good luck.
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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by CovKid »

Would agree with that. Just source a local welder at reasonable cost. It takes five minutes to get the old screen out with a stanley knife and providing you buy a good new seal (VW Emporium) and not a JK one, it'll go in easy too.

i explain whole process here: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Bo ... well_leaks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any half decent mig welder could sort that for you. Print out the page for them if it helps.
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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by fidget »

Precious Metal in Billericay, not used them personally but heard there good

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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by Plasticman »

florence. youve had advice, ... i would advise against prizing the screen out with a screwdriver and refitting same knackered seal with a mallet and loads of sealant but if you want to Bodge it go ahead as that is about the most unprofessional thing ive read in a while, :roll:
you have issues with leaking and if youve identified it as coming from the screen area then cut the old seal of on the outside and guarantee you save your screen...
then new seal from chriss at emporium
repair whats found/missing with weld
apply sealant if you choose and new seal/screen refitted with cord in less than a minute
mm

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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by CovKid »

Did she delete a second post?
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Florence79
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Re: Leaking Windscreen repair needed near Chelmsford, ESSEX

Post by Florence79 »

Thanks for the replies everyone.

No earlier posts deleted? confused face?

Sadly it is not a job I'm willing to tackle myself, I don't just don't have the time and no where to keep her in the dry if all should fail and I'm stuck with the windscreen out. I do DIY in the home but I leave the motors to the professionals and/or the blokes!!!

I've read the link in the archive and have seen how bad it can get so I'm really eager to get it fixed. Precious metals came up in a Google search so I will be giving them a bell.

Thanks again

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