I'm getting a new windshield (PPG) installed tomorrow in my office parking lot. The company is arriving armed with two pillar covers, just in case. Not sure if I'll end up having to pay for those if they miraculously manage to break neither of mine, but if so I'm sure I can pass them on to someone here. Anyway, I've never dealt with a windshield replacement before (as it seems few of us have before becoming MINI owners ). Any tips on what to look for visually before the glass company leaves? Obviously I'll keep a close eye out for cracks for the next few days. The only other obvious problem I've seen mentioned was someone who ended up with adhesive obscuring their VIN #.

I did find this helpful how-to for the pillars in another thread, which I plan on supplying the installer with:

"Remove the pillar covers (pull the door seal rubber back, there's 4 screws behind the rubber. You'll have to pull on the covers to get them to come loose. They have a piece of foam with tape thats going to be stuck. Pull carefully and steady. They pop off (too much and the'll break!)
Remove the screws that hold the lower windshield trim on. Look kinda inside the door jam. The lower trim comes in 2 pieces and the screws are hidden in the door jam area. Once you get one trim clip loose, look at how they latch. I used a pocket knife to release the clips."

 

I've had the PPG for over a year and it's remarkably great compared to the POS glass that came with the car.

I managed to escape cracked/damaged pilar covers, but I did have a problem with the trim gasket that surrounds the whole windshield. I have read elsewhere that this is a tricky thing to re-install. MINI dealers apparently have some sort of replacement windshield gasket trim thingie that they use when replacing the glass, but the regular glass shops just try to reuse the existing gasket. When mine was re-used, it shortly began to flap in the wind and ultimately about 2' of it (along the top of the glass) peeled up. I crazy-glued it back (hey, I was on a road trip and that's what they had at the QuickeeMart), but ultimately it came off again. Eventually, I got the dealer to install a new trim piece (probably what they would have used if they'd installed the glass). Under warranty. All's good now.

So, the moral is to check the trim above the windshield after the glue is dry on the job. Also remember to let the car sit as long as possible before driving away with the new glass. The "in your parking lot" glass places might tell you it's good to go (i.e., the sealent is cured) after an hour...but the windshield on the MINI is a structural component. So, I'd give it most of an 8 hour day if at all possible. Good luck Chris! :smile:

 

Thanks, Jeff, good info! Haven't seen you 'round these parts much lately, my fellow member of the Massachusetts 3000+ posts club... Nice MacGyver job with the crazy glue! Hopefully I won't have to resort to similar tactics.

 

make sure when they cut the sealant off from the inside with the razor on a stick they dont scratch the paint. the guy that did my slipped and scratched my paint below the wondshield on the cowl. i uses some nanowax and it went away. they brok the windsheld covers on mine too. the company paid for the new covers and new clips AND the estimated labor charge to install all of it!!!

 

Also be extra careful not to slam the doors when exiting/entering the car. The urethane adhesive needs time to cure (At least 24 hours after application) and if you shut close the doors "As usual" you risk creating an air pocket that can "offset" the newly installed glass and lose alignment within the pinchweld cavity.

Also make sure they cover your bonnet and dashboard to prevent damage/scratches.

Cutting out the factory urethane is a bit tricky and there they can put some scratches in the pinchweld. Be sure to remind the installer to be very careful because the last thing you want is rust developing in that area.

 

I thought the whole point of the windows going down a little when the door is opened eliminated this problem??????

 

Yes, but..... The MINI is a pretty air tight car with doors/windows closed. Better be safe than sorry.

 

Thanks, everyone. The guy is out there right now, and so far it looks like everything is going according to the script.

 

This might be a bit late, but make sure they put it in the middle. Mine is over to the right by 1/4in

 

And just to answer your tag line: "Tips for windshield install?"

It is entirely up to you whether you want to tip them, or not.

Good luck with it, though.

 

Which glass company did you use? have you heard of other companies that supplied new pillar covers?