Busy day today!! Bit the bullet and decided to fit the VGS heated screen, fitting took roughly 3 hours without wiring. Overall reasonably easy to fit, surprised myself! The silicone sealant was a little messy but that is the nature of the stuff, at least with me
Start by pulling out the headling/trim, obviously snapping every trim clip as you go
Fold down the rear seats as well.
Drill out the rivets around the window, theres a fair few. Need a 5mm bit
Window should pop out, with some persuasion and a flat head screwdriver. Took some effort to break the LR sealant and my the stuff I added. Comes out quite easy though
No turning back now! Start cleaning up the area, took a while to get all the old glue and sealant off. Bit of brake cleaner, elbow grease and about 6 sponges.
I soaked the new seal in a bucket of hot soapy water for about 15 mins to soften up and help it slide in. The seal supplied is longer than needed and must be trimmed, the instructions suggested fitting it as far as you can then cutting it back leaving roughly 1/2 inch, though I had to cut a touch more of so it would actually fit and not pop out. After two goes it went in and stayed in. Chose to put it "backwards" with the filler strip on the inside to make it a little more secure.
Now for the scary bit! Gently ease the glass into position, I started by dropping the bottom in then working from the right corner around. Working very slowly and carefully, also taking care not to add to much pressure. The tool supplied worked well
No pics of the next bit as it needed both hands and had to be done in basically one move! You must fill both the rubber seal to body side and glass side with the sealant supplied. Made a huge mess but eventually got it all sealed up! After that push the locking seal strip in place with the tool supplied, doing this will push the seal tight and more silicone will be pressed out and more mess made! Takes a while but cleaned it all up.
Got to say I am loving the new look! Really happy. Whole thing just needs a bloody good clean now!
Finally also finished painting the hinges. x3 Coats of Buzzweld EIO, x3 coats of Buzzweld Base Coat Epsom Green and x2 coats of Resin+ Lacquer which has given a wonderful deep shine. Now to let them dry for a good 24 hours! Coat of polish then the joy of fitting them + the Bomb Proof hinge guards and stainless security bolts.
