lord13
Part of things
Posts: 536
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Has anyone tried this? I am looking into fitting bonded glass to my van, I want a clean flat glasshouse all the way around rather like the transit tourneo, i have a few ideas on how to do it and would appreciate any advice, as far as i can see i have a few options:
1. cut out the window apertures and replace with homemade panels with the correct rebate to fit flat laminate glass panels ( a hell of a lot of work, but could be done fairly straighforwardly)
2. Cut out the existing window rebates, to enlarge the window aperture, fit a channel just above the swage line, and bond the flat laminate to the body with the bottom edge resting in the channel. ( same-ish results as above, easier to do, but would result in the glass sitting 5-8mm proud of the bodywork, could look ok with some proper trim etc)
3. have glass cut to fit the existing rebates, wouldn't end up with the 'flat glass top half' look i wanted but still would look good and may be the easiest option.
and as an extra option, fit polycarbonate windows instead of laminated glass, i'd prefer glass but would lexan etc be cheaper than laminate and does it wear well? ( scratches etc)
cheers in advance for any input
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Try www.leisurevehiclewindows.co.uk/They might have what you want "off the shelf" if a popular van or can make to order. I'd say fit flush glass over the top of existing bodywork rather than the extra work of creating recesses. |
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lord13
Part of things
Posts: 536
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Dec 30, 2015 10:34:23 GMT
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thanks i'll give them a look
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,256 
Club RR Member Number: 160
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retro fitting bonded windowsRich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Dec 30, 2015 13:31:57 GMT
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First of all, vehicle glass aside from the windscreen isn't laminate, it's toughened safety glass. Laminate is quite thick and also unnecessary for side windows.
Secondly, getting glass cut to fit the existing holes, having a heavy tint applied and then painting the 'window' area of the van gloss black will give a similar effect. What van is it we are talking about?
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Dec 30, 2015 14:13:44 GMT
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You can have flat laminated glass cut to size but whenever I see it fitted to van that have curved panels it looks very tacky. My opinion of course but if the maker of your van offered glass from new you would do well to find one breaking for spares. As mentioned side windows are toughened & will need removing from the donor vehicle but if that's an option then I would go with it. Anything else tends to look a bit home brewed. Sounds like you've got a transit? I have fitted glass on both sides of my swb transit. The shape to cut out is already there looking from inside. Lots of holes using a small drill bit around the curved corners & a thin cutting disc on an angle grinder for the rest. You will need to prime the aperture ant the glass using a product that is compatible with the glue you will use. It's not readily available to public as far as I'm aware.
Perspex might look okay initially depending on how well you cut it but will scratch very easily making look rough.
The only problem I see with using glass from a donor van is cutting it out. Wouldn't advise having glass posted either. Trust me on that one.
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life's short & it's hard, like a body building elf.
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Dec 30, 2015 16:38:52 GMT
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Its for a Bedford CF.
I would go with using factory glass and painting the top half to suit the colour of the window tint. It might be worth having a look around on the net at custom CF's (Vanners?) to see if anybody has done something similar back in the day.
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lord13
Part of things
Posts: 536
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as dodgerover rightly said , it is a Bedford CF so the glasshouse is totally flat, and after having a good old search/inquiry session, i had also come to the conclusion that perspex/lexan would not be suitable. But... as luck would have it, i have come across full side windows for a SWB camper, these are full length sliding windows with a dark tint that come in an aluminium frame, and with a bit of cutting out of the body work they will fit a treat, so i will only need to source safety glass panels for the LWB extra panel on my van, and the rear doors.  I'll be tackling this job soon, after i've cleaned and repaired the roof gutters that is, all progress will be shown in my build thread... thanks for all the input people |
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