Re: Heated front Windscreen project for Mk 1, 2 & 3 (Group Buy)
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 9:53 amHello all,
Just an update on the progress so far. Yesterday I drove down to the supplier (423 miles or 705 kms round trip) to deliver a front screen, which he needed to have in order to get check dimensions, just to make sure we are using the correct mould.
I also delivered a rear hatch, so he can price for making up new heated ones. We also talked about opening rear side windows, which I would like to do in order to get ventilation through the car, as none of my coupes have sun roofs, but I will start a separate thread on this topic.
We may have missed a trick here, especially for the convertible users. On modern cars the edges of the screen, are screen printed and this give a solid black edge tapering to little black dots, which looks very pretty. But the real reason for this process, is to act as a primer for the bonding in process. Midas convertible screens will need to be bonded in and the edge of the screen will need to be primed with a special black primer (neatly) before bonding in. If we wanted to go down this route, the master print would be about £200 and then about a £1 a car to apply! This screen printing gives a very modern and professional look to the car. What are your thoughts?
Ricky, the supplier is a very helpful and informative man. I asked about the process of the fine wires embedded into the screen and he explained, that the process has been up and running for years. He showed me a rear screen from a 1959 Mini which was heated in this manner! I thought Ford had a patent on this process, but he explained Ford had a patent on the name Quick clear, but the process existed long before they started putting it in their production cars!
He also rang two major suppliers Pilkington and Autoglass, to check on the price of a standard cold screen. But they said the 126 screen is no longer available, but I bought one about three years ago, so there may be some stock somewhere in the country. So it seems that we may be the only source for these screens!
I'm hoping to place the order by next Friday, that way we are in with a chance of distributing the screens at Stoneleigh, which would give you all an excuse for a weekend off! ( Or as George says, you could always stay at home and cut the lawns or follow she who must be obeyed around Tesco.) So get your cheques or instructions to me by then, otherwise you will miss out.
Oh, I've also contacted the Fiat 126 club, to see if they want a few, that way we may be able to afford the screen printing!
Regards Alan
Just an update on the progress so far. Yesterday I drove down to the supplier (423 miles or 705 kms round trip) to deliver a front screen, which he needed to have in order to get check dimensions, just to make sure we are using the correct mould.
I also delivered a rear hatch, so he can price for making up new heated ones. We also talked about opening rear side windows, which I would like to do in order to get ventilation through the car, as none of my coupes have sun roofs, but I will start a separate thread on this topic.
We may have missed a trick here, especially for the convertible users. On modern cars the edges of the screen, are screen printed and this give a solid black edge tapering to little black dots, which looks very pretty. But the real reason for this process, is to act as a primer for the bonding in process. Midas convertible screens will need to be bonded in and the edge of the screen will need to be primed with a special black primer (neatly) before bonding in. If we wanted to go down this route, the master print would be about £200 and then about a £1 a car to apply! This screen printing gives a very modern and professional look to the car. What are your thoughts?
Ricky, the supplier is a very helpful and informative man. I asked about the process of the fine wires embedded into the screen and he explained, that the process has been up and running for years. He showed me a rear screen from a 1959 Mini which was heated in this manner! I thought Ford had a patent on this process, but he explained Ford had a patent on the name Quick clear, but the process existed long before they started putting it in their production cars!
He also rang two major suppliers Pilkington and Autoglass, to check on the price of a standard cold screen. But they said the 126 screen is no longer available, but I bought one about three years ago, so there may be some stock somewhere in the country. So it seems that we may be the only source for these screens!
I'm hoping to place the order by next Friday, that way we are in with a chance of distributing the screens at Stoneleigh, which would give you all an excuse for a weekend off! ( Or as George says, you could always stay at home and cut the lawns or follow she who must be obeyed around Tesco.) So get your cheques or instructions to me by then, otherwise you will miss out.
Oh, I've also contacted the Fiat 126 club, to see if they want a few, that way we may be able to afford the screen printing!
Regards Alan
