Door Glass

[ahebron]

Some days just arent worth worrying about
Some 10 or so years ago I had new windows cut for the doors on my 6 Saloon.
Weekend been I thought best get them fitted as the doors are hung on the car.
Get the window into the door attach it to the winder mech and it wont wind all the way up.
Try the other door and same problem bugger.
Stare at it a few times and I reckon I now the problem, window is too long.
Damn
Needs about 4mm off the back edge that tracks up the guide.
Today I go to the nearest glass company who tell me they cant grind it down.,
Ah well can you make me a new set?
Yes but we cannot put the correct NZ safety label on it as they let there registration lapse for Auto glass as it wasnt worth the bother.
When it comes time to get the car legal that could be an issue.
Damn
But they did tell me the company who cut the glass originally is still in business about 15 miles away.

Head home to make an exact template off a genuine window I found in a spare door.
The bloke from the house ventilation company visits and tells me due to lack of attic space they cannot fit a system.
Damn.
He also told me State Highway One out of Wellington is closed by a landslide in Ngauranga Gorge closing 5 lanes.
I am not going to the glass company then as that is the main route to it and the other option would be gridlocked.
Damn
Ok I have some lights to repair on my bench from a local cameraman.
Start work on them and they all need parts I dont have in stock so get in touch with the agent in Auckland and they promised to get back.
Guess what they didnt.
Damn

On the bright side it was a lovely day and here is a photo from the end of the road of the sea fog this morning

Adrian

[Pete Lewis]

we have suppliers of convertible glass in UK 703795 but all show saloon  703756  as not available  

could a polycarbonate sheet be cut to suit ???

I have used a elec drill and glass polishing cheap kit to refurb some numpty wiper scores on my laminated screen of the 2000  which worked surprisingly well on old glass

if the glass is toughened you cant recut or grind down or it blows out.

Pete

[JohnD]

Polycarbonate sheet is ideal for race windows.  It's easy to cut and drill, as it it is really rather soft, whwich is why it will bend, not break and shower you with fragments.  BUt it doesn't polish
But for thr same reason it scratches easily.

Perspex is also fairly easy to work, and harder so less likely to scratch, and can be polished, but will crack if stressed.
Still safer than plain glass, as the fragments are large and don't have sharp edges, but can cut you.

As you say, we can't work toughened glass, but specialists can, so a custom window is possible.  I've never had it done, but googkle for "custom toughened glass car windows uk"

John

PS Ahebron, lovely picture, but please consider using a less wide version.    The pic has got around the size limit on this site, but has left the column wioder than my panoramic monitor screen!   it's irritating to have to scroll right and left to read text!   J.

[ahebron]

Sorry about the picture size.
I thought it was small when I selected it.
New windows have been ordered today.
NZ$277 for a pair of safety tempered with polished edges with the correct safety logo etched into them.
They will be ready next tuesday.


Adrian

[JohnD]

No probs, Adrian!
Glad you found a pro to do your glass, and at a reasonable, if painful price!
JOhn

[rustbuckit2011]

Hi Adrian,
I am in a similar predicament regarding cert on a coupe-
Could I ask where you getting those windows from? I am curious to know whether they can do tinted safety glass as well,
Cheers, Arlo

[ahebron]

Hi Rustbuckit
I went to Metro Glass out in Grenada North which is their depot for Wellington.
But any Automotive glass place should be able to get them done, but in saying that the first set I had made by another company where made by Metro.
The girl at reception got one of the glass guys to come and see the window and confirm that they will etch the correct safety logo for LTSA onto it.
No reason why you cant get tinted windows done.
I was told they will not accept a window as a template and will not accept a paper template.
I cut mine out of a piece of 3mm coreflute.
I assume you have an original window to make a template from.

Good luck

Adrian

[nang]

Do you really need new windows? I have a heap of old doors with windows that I'd be quite happy to give away.
Only problem is I'm in Wairoa.
Tony.

[ahebron]

Quoted from nang

Do you really need new windows? I have a heap of old doors with windows that I'd be quite happy to give away.
Only problem is I'm in Wairoa.
Tony.

Thanks Tony but there is nothing like the smell of new glass in the morning
Ive got a couple of new windscreens so why not get new glass.

Adrian

[ahebron]

Finally got round to fitting the passenger window today.
Started out gluing insulation to the inside of the outer doorskin which is not easy with the door mechanicals in place.
Got the window fitted and feeling right chuffed with myself.
Except I had no right to be.
Wind the window up and all good but lower the window and it pulls itself out of the window channel on the back of the quarterlight.
A brief burst of head scratching revealed I had bonded the window lifter? on the wrong way round.
It should be short end to the rear so the levers can travel fully in the slots, I had long end to rear so the levers hit the end of the slot and pushed the window backwards.
---(      )--------(      )------
Cut the window out of the channel, turn the lifter around and start again
Yes I had it the right way round in respect of the clips and channel but luckily the glass is flat so it can be flipped

Adrian