Replace windscreen on 2000 VW Topaz?

I have a running crack across the windscreen in my 2000 VW T4 Topaz. It is getting bigger. There are no leaks at present, from anywhere around the screen.

Can anyone recommend a workshop in Bristol to replace the windscreen, given that they might possibly find something horrible?

many thanks

Doesn't your insurance cover you for windscreen replacement? 
Albeit possibly with an excess but this is normally much less than the full cost of replacement and doesn't normally affect your NCD - but check your policy docs for sure.

I can understand wanting to get a recommendation. We've just got a 2000 Topaz (actually slept in it for the first time having used it as "a van" to deliver stuff the last 2 weekends!) and I think it has had a replacement windscreen some time in the past.... In cutting out the old I think they scratched the paintwork and so its beginning to rust (I'll be watching it!)

IF I have to get a new screen, I'd try to arrange them to do it it 2 phases: remove the screen and go away while I rub down and repaint the frame, and then come back and fit the new one!!

Does anyone know what paint is used on the inside of the rear windscreen of a Topaz?
I should imagine it will be the same on any AS that has a blackout effect.
It is definately a paint like product as you can se the brush marks. but having had a new one fitted by a company caled Auto glaze I now have a rear door with all the inside of the shower cladding etc. visible from the outside, it looks awful, additionally the didnt connect the rear screen heater element as they "couldn't get at it". 
I dont really mind doing it myself as I will also then be able to remove the 5 Kilos of broken glass that has fallen down behind the panel. 
I am tempted to try a chimney stove paint as it will be unlikely to craze with heat, in full sun it gets very hot. Any experience or advice would be welcome. 
AS say that they come from VW pre fitted but I am quite sure the blackout paint is done by them as it matches the rear blind size and shape. Nothing to do with VW.

Agreed - it is added by A/S. I've seen this question asked before, but never seen it answered. I think the best advice I can give (in the absence of someone else actually knowing) is to contact A/S and ask them. Don't do it via email, as they take forever to answer.

In other areas you can get a very good effect by using black vinyl on the outside, but not on the rear window!

Thanks,
My wife did get to speak to someone from A/S but they said it was supplied like that from VW. This is not the case I am certain. i might try again.

It's definitely not a paint. Its a tint applied. I'll try and find the specific details.

Well fair enough it may not be an actual paint as such but you can see that it is some sort of opaque surface that has been applied with a brush. I assume a tint would be built into the glass during manufacture? The glass does have a very slight built in green tint. But it must have been done by A/S as surely VW would not supply a vehicle with a small clear window within a window slightly offset, it makes no sense. If you can find the spec and where I might get some it would be very helpful, thank you.

Several members have had the misfortune to break a rear door window on Peugeot van conversions and this is the tint used on the glass....

5% Suntek Carbon Tint. 


Several suppliers on ebay.

May be totally different to anything used back in 2000.

I know there's a lot of variation, but if it's like the obscured section of the tailgate on my '99 Flair, it's not a tint of any sort. It will be a completely opaque black that is either hand-painted or sprayed on. On the Flair I ~think~ it was sprayed. It most definitely won't have been applied by VW!

yep, completely opaque and applied with a brush, in my case anyway.

Original poster here. Just for reference the company I got to replace the windscreen was Bristol And Avon Windscreens at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Total cost including new seal £198

Thanks for that, mine has been replaced but it looks completely unfinished, it is completely unfinished. Auto glaze, I had a call from them before they came and it was obvious they intended to do the absolute minimum. Unfortunately I was away when they came and my neighbour had the key. 
Cheers,