windscreens.how too

[obsession]

 

[maria]

excellent information, thank you

[BusyKiwi]

To remove a windscreen (or window with rubbers)

tools needed:
* two screw drivers
* a helper or duck tape
* shoes

doing it:
* get a helper or some duck tape (also known as gaffa tape, 100 mile an hour tape) loosely tape the screen in (minimum 4 bits) or helper just rests their hand on screen
* run a screwdriver (not knife) around the outer edge to break the seal of any sealer or silicone
* go inside the van and place your foot on the top corner of the glass and push, using the screw drivers to help the rubber slide over the steel frame - you need some pressure to get it started, chances of breaking the screen before your foot is minimal but push, do NOT kick
* work your way along the top and sides, don't worry about the bottom. The rubber will tend to pop back so one screw driver may need to be placed into the gap while the other helps push the rubber back, once it's over it's over.
* once the top and sides are done you can LIFT the screen out with the rubber, do NOT bend the screen down towards the front, just lift it.

Cons with no helper:
the tape doesn't always work, and because you are pushing with some pressure the screen can suddenly "pop out" and it's like watching it in slow motion as the screen drops to the floor and smashes

This method is usable on all rubber sealed screens, side windows in bedfords can be pushed out instead of using the foot. Rear windows are tougher as they are smaller, they just need some oomph, just be sure to run screw driver around the outer edge first to break the seal - you wont damage the rubber.
You will feel like you are going to break the glass when you do it, but it is very very strong glass. I have never broken a screen removing it this way, except when it "popped out" and smashed (was on a mini), have broken them putting them in though, mainly laminated screens as they are not as tough.