Europe to Australia Windscreen Carriers

[Citroënbender]

I was excited the other week to think I’d finally assembled all parts for a repair to one of my bent Citroëns. Then realised “I need a windscreen”. It’s laminated, athermic, sensor and twenty years out of production. Nothing here worth paying a high used part price for, no new stock either.

It’s presumable that others ship various screens as one-offs out of a European port, and wondering if there are established channels for doing this. A quick Google revealed nothing of substance or recent.

[mad2]

have you looked at the specific model thru online groups (fuzbook etc) ?

[Citroënbender]

I fail at the first hurdle there, no Faceache. I’ve crossed paths with most involved around this model; it’s nothing special, just a sentimental repair.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I fail at the first hurdle there, no Faceache. I’ve crossed paths with most involved around this model; it’s nothing special, just a sentimental repair.

Independent windscreen repairer ?? NOS. ??

[Burnout]

Gladwrap?

[Franco Cozzo]

No windscreens and just wear safety glasses

[prktkljokr]

I have a friend that has been in the windscreen game for over 30 years, I remember him telling me that they used to cut laminated screens down to fit other applications, they just matched the curve with a common screen and cut it to suit, might be an option?

You might just need to contact one of the larger screen replacement companies, im sure they would have heard of this process before.

[Citroënbender]

If I really get stuck, that is a route I’ve heard of. I could also have the local windscreen fellow cut a used one from the only wreck I’ve seen in years (but it’s an earlier screen, no sensor and just straight laminated). That would be my cheapest option at $130.

I’d honestly like a new screen of the correct type, there is stock in France and only a fool would just ship one. (Two or three being the logical choice.) The cling wrap option sounds good but I have some lingering concerns. For one, postage stamps don’t stick very well to it.

[oldel]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

I have a friend that has been in the windscreen game for over 30 years, I remember him telling me that they used to cut laminated screens down to fit other applications, they just matched the curve with a common screen and cut it to suit, might be an option?

You might just need to contact one of the larger screen replacement companies, im sure they would have heard of this process before.

Yeah, I saw that on s14e04 of wheeler dealers when they were doing a 1973 Saab 96 and couldn't get a windscreen. They matched the curve and contour from a local car (chev 2000s impala) and had it cut out to fit. You need access to a massive warehouse of windscreen choices to find a match though.

For a windscreen to be safely shipped it would need to be in a crate and surface freight still has risks depending on loading/unloading, crane, rough seas etc. Would be an expensive and slow risky purchase even if you would find a vendor willing to try - they may refuse due to assuming you'll want refunding if it arrives damaged so even selling one is a risk they might not wish to make.

[Citroënbender]

I’d assume a carrier who agreed to transport properly packed glass would have an insurance policy available, supplier liability would cease at handover to logistics. There’s no overt hurry so I’ll keep sniffing until something comes up; quite possible another Euro car owner or piecemeal importer is in similar shoes and looking for shared crate space.

[prktkljokr]

What model is it I can ask my mate, he now works in the warehouse of a very large windscreen supplier, he might have a option for you

[prktkljokr]

Here is a heap of Citroën windscreens in Australia, not bad pricing either
https://www.autoglasswarehouse.com.au/brand/~-6183

[xxx000]

tried Ralph Moore Autoglass?

[Citroënbender]

They are no Moore.

[ESPJG32]

I have been down this path and it was successful. I needed some heated windscreens for Targa Tas cars.....it was a special order and I had to buy 20 screens to get them made, the company that made them packed them in a special thick cardboard box, ten screens in each box, they placed a thin layer of plastic between each screen and taped 10 screens together in each box - so we really had a thick slab of glass that was probably 75mm thick, properly packed and airfreighted from the UK....not a single screen was broken,,,,although I did expect some breakage.
I think the more screens you can order the thicker the slab will be the better chance of success....not sure I would trust sea freight...containers do get some very rough handling at ports and I have heard of significant glass breakage in sea freight....insurance would be a must. someone I know recently imported some small knocked down/flat pack buildings....not a single piece of glass survived....about $10k worth of glass went into the skip bin.

[Pis-ton broke]

my cousin's , mothers ,husbands , sister's, daughter,s , friend is coming from Europe soon, i think. let me know what your after, maybe we can do a deal.
(theirs a guy in penrith, batt st that has citrons in his yard) have you tried him?

[Citroënbender]

Yes, I know him, know of the stock there. Just that I prefer to look elsewhere. ;-)

[hayseed]

I've got a Feeling that there's someone around Richmond/Windsor who custom makes Automotive Glass..
may work out cheaper than paying International Freight.. maybe..