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MG MGB Technical - Windscreen - Triplex vs. aftermarket

Looking for any opinions or advice -

Moss lists a Triplex ($325)and aftermarket ($115) windshield glass.

Any opinions on whether the $200 additional is worth it usuing the Triplex?
Phil Collura

Well - It all depends on how many pieces of glass you break.

Shipping for either will add another chunk to the total.

I had a local shop give me a quote - last summer (2008) - for providing a screen (tinted), assembling it into the frame and gasket, and putting it onto the car. Had 2 places that gave me quotes. Finally settled on the MORE EXPENSIVE QUOTE. One was $200, the other was $275.

The glass shop (Kenton Auto Glass - they might be national) broke one screen, took them 3 different tries to get enough hands to put the screen onto the car. My final cost was $302.23 (tax).

Might want to call around - ask a restoration shop who they use / recommend. The books, when they say these are a "pig" are right. It can be done by YOU - but, you will need help - and I think I came out ahead in the long run.

Just my 2 cents
Drew
drew helgeson

Good point. I was planning on doing it myself. I'll be reusing the frame-body seal, so I didn't expect to much grief fitting the frame to the body.
Phil Collura

Phil, I have a good used windshield assembly.
Yonkers, NY
Len Fanelli

Thanks Len, my frame is OK, just need new glass--about a million (I lost count at 999,000)of Belt Pkwy stone dings
Phil Collura

Phil,I just assembled a aftermarket windscreen that I got from V.B.,probably the same as Moss. The glass is thinner than the Triplex but seems to be good quality. The mgf. name on the screen is Uroglas. Time will tell I guess but I could'nt pass up the price.
Jim
Jim Bartol

Thanks Jim
Phil C

Hi phil, just a heads up do yourself a favor and buy the glass seal and put it on the new glass and let it set for aleast a week i'm a glazier by trade and have done auto glass for at least 25 years and have done my share of mg w/sncluding my own twice. if you do it yourself(i don't rec. it it is a major pane} you don't want to mix up the screws that hold the frame together their are screws that are longer and if you put them in the wrong place you will Break the w/s before you ever get it the car. be smart and have a auto glass shop do it. if they break it they send it back and get credit for it.you don't just some friendly advice. Don Baker
dab donald a baker

I agree with those who say this job is a real P.I.A. It is. However, that being said, if you're a careful, methodical and determined person like myself, you can pull it off. I just did this job using the cheap windshield from Victoria British. It turned out great, but it was a challenge to fit the bottom seal. I used all new rubbers, brushed the channels with Waxoyl then sprayed the outside of the seals as needed with cooking spray to ease things along. 2 small ratchet straps are all that's needed to do the job yourself. Use all new screws when assembling and pay attention to where the short ones go. If you look closely at the frame work before assembling, you will be able to tell where the short screws go and where the long ones go. So for me: Yes, it's a difficult job, but also a rewarding one which can be done by anyone with patience and care. The guys at the glass shop won't care about your car as much as you do, I can guarantee you that.

Cheers
Scott Wooley

Thanks Guys, appreciate the advice
Phil C

Beware. There are delamination issues with these cheap knockoffs. Some even have surface imperfections that only show itself when the wiper does its thing. You can pull this up on the net.

I just installed one in my chevy, and it was delaminated right out of the box.
BurgerCokeFries

and it was supposed to be a high quality unit. Pilkingtons glass for late model cars, it turns out,are made in the US, but their "classic" division is now being made in Mexico.

PPG is one of the best along with Triplex. There another who manufacture glass stricly for Fords, but I dont recall the name. I know it starts with a "C".
BurgerCokeFries

Carlite is the name
BurgerCokeFries

So it might be worth the extra $200. Don't want to get into the penny wise - pound foolish thing. I'll give the Moss sales people a call to see what they have to say.

Our close quarters driving in NY is tough on glass- the one I have in now is only 6 years old, probably less than 25k miles
Phil C

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2009 and 19/03/2009

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