Page created: 2-Sep-06

Re-published: 1-Nov-09

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Window Tinting

Before having the windows tinted, I decided to replace the rubbers to the three fixed rear windows. All three had quite severe splits in them at the corners as can be seen in the pictures below.

I ordered the replacement rubbers from Dingocrofts and they duly arrived within a couple of days. I then booked a local windscreen company to fit them for me. The rubbers are a double channel design that hold the glass in the outer and seat the inner over a flange around the window opening.

Removing the old ones was incredibly simple: a flat bladed knife was run around the edge to slice off the outer face of the rubber, the glass was then pushed out and the remaining seal was peeled away from the opening. All three pieces of glass were removed in about 2 minutes!

Installing the news ones was a little more complicated. First, each rubber was fitted onto the edge of the appropriate glass. Then, with the aid of a specially shaped hollow plastic device and some lubricating fluid, a thick cord was inserted into the channel that's intended to fit over the flange of the opening. With the window then held up to the opening from the outside, the cord is gradually withdrawn from the inside pulling the inner lip of the seal over the steel flange. The seals were very tight and it was necessary to put quite a lot of force on the glass in order for them to seat properly. It was a good demonstration of just how strong toughened glass is!