dogscarf..  as my old friend Wendel  Phillps in the WIRE would say..  what kind of Tequila are you using to install.. ??  takes lots and lots of patience to install..  I only use the black trim..NEVER the chrome.. and I have done at least  FiDDY  ( 50) windscreens  over the last 20 years.. later bc

The last one l had done, l used a local glass shop

i tried to make an appointment but he just kept saying he was too busy, so, l bugged him and bugged him and he fianally said bring it in tomorrow

i was on his doorstep the next day at 8:00AM, he saw me and said where’s your ride home, l said , l,m waiting, he didn’t like ,that but by 9:00AM he took me, did the job in 15 minutes, said what’s it worth ?, dumbfounded l said $20.00 and he agreed, perseverance is the key word here

Big AL

Just wanted to add my recent experience replacing my windshields (front and back) and inserting the plastic chrome strip.

these things are a must :
GoJo hand cleaner (as the lubricant)
auto glass tool - plastic bone (rather than screw driver)
windshield filet tool from MM (to stretch rubber seal for plastic chrome insert)

the bone and the filet as a must.
just take your time.
it takes a little while to use the bone and filet.

my 66 Cooper S is beginning to look like a car rather than a parts catalogue.

I wish the tool came with a T handle it would make holding on a lot easier imo.

UPDATE:  I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I received the proper windscreen fillet tool yesterday as seen in the MM video.  It worked great.  I got the front installed in 20 minutes and the rear in 45.  I tried using KY jelly and it was not good.  It is too damn slippery and once it get on your hands or tools forget it.  I could not get a grip on my tool due to too much KY.  Yup, you read that right.  I went back to dish soap and water in a spritzer bottle.  I also used a nylon lever with a taper at the end similar to a bike tire lever.  I found some things made it easier.  The fillet material wanted to twist and go in sideways a lot and I had to undo it several times.  I found that duct taping the end to the roof or side of the car oriented in the correct direction that it was to go in helped a lot.  I also found that if I had one inch or more that didn't go in I couldn't go back and push it in with the nylon tool, it was too much and then I had to undo it and start over.  One inch or less was fine.  The corners on the front were easy, the corners on the rear were hard.  Once I got moving with the filet tool and the material was going in it was best to move fast and lay it in.  It looks good and I will trim and put the chrome piece in tomorrow.  Thanks for the advice!!!!!!!
Dogscarf
1968 Morris Cooper S

I did mine around a year ago using DK Lawson's method. Make sure you get the gasket warm in near boiling water and work fast. Doug suggested "personal lubricant" use water soluble type so you can wash it off. Remember some soaps have salt in them which will damage the rubber and start the rust problem again. Also use a plastic bicycle tire lever to help keep the channel open when pushing in the locking strip, I've found the Pedro's levers to be the best, as you may have found the fillet tool is near useless unless you use professional grade type...as others have suggested push the window from inside out to help open the channel.
www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/10693-windscreen-replacement-resealing/

You will never get the seal in the opening with the locking strip installed first, the strip locks the gasket into the opening.

 Go to you local pharmacy, or whatever, and get yourself some KY Jelly ( need not be flavoured..lol ), one of the best lubes out there

If you only have 2mm of room to install the filler strip i don't think it is possible with even the best tool available. I would bite the bullet and order another seal.

I have already purchased a new rubber gasket from our host.  Well, it is 1.5 years old, nearly new.  This is for both the front and the rear.  I will try the new fillet tool when it arrives on Tuesday.  It appears that there is quite insufficient room for the stock plastic fillet strip as it is 12mm.  The black TX cable is .25 in.  Maybe I can use it as an antenna as well
Dogscarf
1968 Morris Cooper S.

Randy- buy a new gasket from our host, i have never had this problem with a NEW gasket
and the correct tool 

It is a Mini rubber seal, isn't it ?

I can't envision how one can properly do this by fitting the lock strip before mounting the windscreen. The function of the lock strip is to hold the windscreen in place by nature of its installation expanding the seal and "locking" the screen in place. It sounds like installing a house door lock while already in locked position.

If the seal/screen assembly is already pre-stretched to "locked" dimensions, how can one then fit this into place securely? It's not like you can compress the windscreen to make it fit. If the seal is so flexible that it can be compressed enough to make it fit, it seems as though it wouldn't be a very secure or strong mounting even after the compression or pressure is released after fitment.

Replaced my front and rear chrome strips. Took it to Busy B's Glass Shop here and for $25 they did both in about 15 minutes. Having the tools, lube and knowledge was well worth it to get a perfect job.

Fitting the lock strip to the gasket prior to fitting the windshield and gasket is not going to be easy.

In decades of working on minis I have encountered windshields that were very hard to install and finish. I have always thought this was a result of both windshields and gaskets coming from an array of suppliers over the years.

If you are having trouble, and it sounds like you are, then it makes sense to just pay a pro to do it for you. 

This is is the sort of work that, with experience, is incredibly easy, and without experience, can quickly turn into a crack in a brand new windshield. I now have nylon levers but used to use the end of a toothbrush to install the screen. I have a Snap On finishing strip tool. I have also done it with a piece of coat hanger neatly bent into a diamond shape and held with Vice Grips, something I learned from Montreal mini fanatic and guru Keith. I only use a bit of liquid detergent as lubricant.

I do consider windshields to be a wear item and change them often on my own cars, and have changed several in mini meet hotel parking lots for myself and for friends. If a parts vendor, like our host, is going to be there they will usually be happy to bring a windshield for you.

Pics of the rubber seal?

If Milwaukee isn't too far away I'll be there 1st part of next month. I can bring my filet tool and you bring the lubricant of your choice ky/dishsoap/wd40. Takes about 10 minutes if the seal and screen are already in.

Thanks for all of the advice.  As of today's debacle, I have chosen to use .25 inch black cable as is used for cable TVs.  I inserted about 3 inches of it, but it took 30 minutes.  I ordered the proper fillet tool today, should be here on Tuesday.  I have used different lubes, soapy water and now an interior polymer such as Luxol (sp).  KY jelly is next.  Soapy water just resulted in gasket tears.  I don't want to take the windshield out as there is too great a chance of breakage.  The gasket is new, 0-2mm gap.

Hi sorry you have such trouble,first take everything out ,glass ,rubber seal etc .On ground or table put metal stripe in rubber seal,put glass windshield in rubber seal ,get good amount of silicon grease on around rubber seal. Set wind shield and rubber seal together on car where is going to be install from outside and get somebody to hold all together in place.With plastic tool what you already have and your hands go around on rubber seal and set it inside to position where need to be.No need for anything else. One important thing if is body shop was work on chassis ,with peace of rope or tape measure check diagonals on opening for windshield are they equal on both side, sloppy body work make some time impossible to install windshield. good luck ,regards from Nebraska Pred

This is a correct seal for a mini?  

Oops, just read your original post and it says NEW gaskets... I see lots of silicon in your future...

I might have missed something in the other posts, but you should be using a new gasket... not cheaping out and reusing an old one