Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

What have I got. The trim is black and the corners were painted black to match. I could live with that.
But I cannot get the windscreen out. I find no “Main Butyl strip, part #A050 B 6182” as shown in the page below. Instead there is a thick bead of sticky butyl. Mine looks like the saction “AA” on the page to the left, with nothing but goo between the fiberglass flange and the plastic strip.


If I cut through the stuff with a wire, it sticks itself back together instantly. I was able to get some of it out, as in the picture below in the corners where it had lost some stickyness from ?? years of leaks.


The vinyl in the picture is the edge of the crash pad, also damaged by the leaks. I guess the outer plastic trim is available so I guess I could cut away at that. I don't know about the main butyl strip though, can't seem to find that anywhere or even what it is. Perhaps supposed to be from a tube?

I also would prefer not to beak the glass as replacements seem to be rarer here in America. Perhaps I'm missing something?

Tom

Could you tell us what year +2 you have so we will then know what Trim you have.
Depending on year there are 3 different Trims used.
Alan

It is a Federal Car and was built in February of 1970. Tom

I would think then you have the Seal with the Stainless Steel Trim (ford Capri/Classic).
So i suggest you use a Cutter between the Glass and the Seal all the way round.
Peel that away but don't damage the Stainless Trim.
Lift Windscreen out then deal with the part of Seal left stuck to Body.
Alan

Alan,
Thanks for the replies. It would appear as though I do have the stainless trim although it has been painted black. However it also seems that the trim section ("AA" in the picture above), has a channel that holds the glass. It will then be necessary to remove at least the bottom trim, as it contains the glass, before the glass will come out, or as the manual suggests, remove the glass and trim as one, which I have been unable to do so far.

Some good news is that I think affordable windscreens, if you don't mind green tint, are available here, so I'm a bit less reluctant to use some force.
Tom

Looks like it isn't an easy job.
But good news if you contact "UROGLAS" i bought a "HEATED WINDSCREEN" from them a few years ago and they will post it to you. YES HEATED WINDSCREEN NOT REAR WINDOW. Very nice bit of kit.
Good luck
Alan

Heated front screen. Very interesting.

There was some progress here, mostly in my understanding of how this all goes together. The black surround that I have is indeed some hard rubber and not metal. Therefore I'm guessing the the polished bit goes over it and is missing on my car. Does that sound right to you?

I also managed to separate about a foot of it along the left side scuttle and a bit more than that across the top. I used a bit too much force and the piece started to crack near the middle. I hope that is the piece that is available.

I have the heat turned up in the garage, it's a couple of degrees above 0 c here today, hoping the heat will help. I will be back at it this afternoon.

I had a Feb 1970 +2S a long time ago but it was UK car so stainless trim in rubber seal.
Maybe yours is fully bonded Screen being Federal, in which case you can buy the Chrome Plastic Wide trim easily.
I also had an August 1973 +2S130 with a bonded Screen + wide chrome plastic trim.
Alan