If you can, watch your windscreen being replaced !!!!

I had a crack start in my windshield (all I'm saying is it appeared after I put on a new wiper blade)
Safelite came out to install it at the house, he got the glass out and I was watching, as he scraped away the old sealant we found a rust spot next to the VIN # Plate.
Before doing anything

After wire brushing

After phosphate treatment

and down the passenger side(smaller)

He advised repairing the rust and decided to order a new surround rubber as he said the old one might be too old (car is a '99 with 203K on it) surround is covered under insurance as it's part of the windscreen assembly.
So I'm sanding and treating the areas with Klean Strip phosphate strip and prep(home depot $16 a gallon). wait 24 hours and then etch primer and paint
prior to putting a new windscreen in. Safelite will call me when they get the surround in.

 

Good catch Roger- I wouldn't expect to see rust considering your locale, but it looks like rust can strike anywhere eh?

 

Hi Dave,
Don't forget I lived at the beach for 14 years, and he said the seal rubber looses it's flex over time. so that's why I thought it important to show, so that others can see it's important to watch replacement

 

Thanks for that- I'll definitely be checking mine when it comes time to replace the windscreen!

 

If the car was by the ocean for 14 years, you better check the rear glass too! If it was parked outside (even shortly) the morning dew penetrated behind all the seals, and that morning dew is LOADED with salt. I know,....I have a boat on the ocean. You would not believe how much rust I'm cleaning and treating every season.

 

nice catch. im a fan of safelite. they do a great job

 

Daniel, Car needs a complete repaint due to ocean air and carport parking at the ocean, I was going to have the front and rear screens pulled during the repaint, and have a new headliner fitted while in paint, so yes I will be checking the rear screen, probably in the spring (April) I was really surprised by the rust spot.
For general info the screen cost $115 the rubber surround is $250 and not in stock, I have Safelite scouring the country to find a rubber surround.

 

I would not be opposed to get the rubber from the junkyard. The yard I found has several low mileage Cats from 2002-2003, with good glass, and good rubber seals. The new is better, of course, but a functioning rubber seal for 20-30 bucks (they would ship too!) plus shipping, might save some time and money. The car I grabbed my interior from, had 32K on the clock (2003), and was garaged it's entire life!

 

I found 1 stripped XJ 98-2003 in Phoenix area, when I'm in LA I go into the Valley

 

There is a place called "Elite Auto Parts" in Sun Valley on Glenoaks. Good people to deal with, and they ship anywhere.

 

Jus had a windshield put in last week. I was prepared to find rust when Safelite pulled it but not one spec!!!! My car came from New Jersey. My surround was perfect.

 

That's good to hear, I would rather be one of the few not one of the many

 

Well here is the update.
I fixed the rust spots, the rubber surround is on backorder in the US so we cut the lower section off that was damaged and used universal trim to fit the lower edge.
Safelite are going to wait for the surround to come in and then hold it until I need another screen (AZ is a bad area for stone hits due to desert terrain)
The surround costs $250 so my advice is if you find an undamaged one at a wreckers yard or on ebay buy it.
Safelite says the surround is only good for fitting a couple of times as it does get damaged.
The independent tech who fitted the last screen should have reported the damaged but didn't and that probably caused the rust area (water intrusion below the screen)

 

my tech actually pulled the old windscreen out with the surround attatched....then he carfully transferred it to the new glass since its delicate...and if you bend the chrome pieces you're screwed...mine looks great....at 193K miles the original surround looked almost new...I am now ready for another 193K miles lol

 

Good catch! I live just steps from the ocean so I'm vigilant about rust prevention. Luckily my garage is in a long driveway that faces away from the ocean, so this provides some protection from the salty morning mist. But ultimately it's up to me to keep everything inside it rust free. I leave a small piece of bare sheet metal near the door as my "rust indicator."