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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - New Windscreen glass

The windscreen on my '73 project midget had bad wiper scratches, so I bought some "special" polish off Ebay. Didn't work. OK for light scratches, but mine were too deep. So I decide on a new glass.
Without going into the details of seizes screws etc., I eventually got it apart.
The glass is bedded into the rubber seal with the usual black sealant, but between the seal and the aluminium sides and top and bottom rails,there is a fawn coloured substance which has gone rock hard. I've managed to chip it off, but I'm wondering (a) what is it,(b) can I still get it and (c) if not, what should I use instead?
I've never taken a Spridget screen apart before, so I wondered what others had done when fitting a new glass.

Bernie.
Bernie Higginson

Like this Bernie?

I found what you describe on my '73 rwa Midget too. I assumed some fool had had the frame apart before, and shoved this stuff in there. When I took my Sprite frame apart I didn't find this stuff in there at all, and as far as I know, I was the first to strip that one.

Anyway, on the Midget, the rain was pissing in, which was why I took it apart. I put it back together with a thin smear of clear external silicon frame sealant, -- the stuff used in building etc. I only used it in the bottom and top corners, none on the sides. No more leaks. :).





Lawrence Slater

Thanks Lawrence. Great composite picture.
The stuff you point to as being "putty like", when I think about it, is probably just that. Perished glazer's putty. The clear outdoor sealant sounds good.
I had to make new top brackets and drill and tap them. I've got away with the L shaped bottom ones by just drilling out oversize and tapping.
Later on this Winter, I'll be doing the screen on my Sprite, as it's gone well sparkly in the direct Sun. Glad to say that at least the top screws are all free. Maybe it won't have the fawn stuff because it's a '65.
Thanks again. I'll report back when I've done the Midget one.
Bernie Higginson

Glad that's useful Bernie.

Hard to believe the factory would have put the stuff in there like that, even if they did use putty. Mine was very unevenly spread, it looked amateurish. -- Unlike my superbly and professionally applied silicon of course. LOL.
Lawrence Slater

Got the new screen in. I found the new seal to be very slightly smaller in section to the old one, so when I was assembling it, it kept sliding into the frame. I'll wait until the lubricant (glass cleaner) has evaporated then apply a bit of old fashioned windscreen sealer.
I guess the seal comes from China and the original contractor has subbed it out to another guy who saved a bit of rubber and money. It looks the same, but not quite. Ho hum.

Bernie.
Bernie Higginson

This thread was discussed between 02/12/2014 and 10/12/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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