KenF
Gold forum user
- Messages
- 397
Okay, I did something totally unnecessary today to my Tiger, but I did it anyway. I must be getting bored.
A couple years ago I replaced the hardtop side windows. My old windows (I assume they’re the originals) had PERSPEX A.S.4. branded on the bottom leading edge. The UK trademark name Perspex is comparable to the US Plexiglas, both acrylic. Not sure what the AS4 represents. The new ones from SS might be Lexan polycarbonate, don’t know. Weird thing is each side window was stamped on both the outside and inside. I’m not sure who Rootes thought would be in the back “seat” that would need to be able to read it unreversed. So the windows are the same shape, but stamped in mirror images of each other. The front lettering appears readable from the outside, rear lettering from the inside.
Here's a pic of my old right and left (broken) showing the lettering and position.
I ordered a branding iron from some nice gal on Etsy, who was great in that she sent me exactly what I requested: brass, 2 rows, 7/8” wide, 3/8” high, 12-point Arial Rounded font, and the 4 positioned below the P above it. Also ordered a power regulator so I could dial down the heat to get a better impression. I found 3-5 seconds at 350 worked good for me, above 400 tends to go deep, fast.
I practiced a few times with the temperature, timing, positioning, etc., before attempting to do my windows. I did remove them (5 screws) since there is the lower frame rubber gasket in the way of doing the inside. It wasn’t until reinstalling windows I realized I could have just lifted the rubber seal off the frame and use the frame to level the inside stamp first, then do the outside. So, really no need to remove the windows. Here's the finished right side. Look at those scratches already. The spacing between the outside and inside letters is about an 1/8" too much.
Also, the back window is factory stamped from the inside, lower left corner, different branding tool than used on the side windows.
Yeah, I know, I'm crazy!
A couple years ago I replaced the hardtop side windows. My old windows (I assume they’re the originals) had PERSPEX A.S.4. branded on the bottom leading edge. The UK trademark name Perspex is comparable to the US Plexiglas, both acrylic. Not sure what the AS4 represents. The new ones from SS might be Lexan polycarbonate, don’t know. Weird thing is each side window was stamped on both the outside and inside. I’m not sure who Rootes thought would be in the back “seat” that would need to be able to read it unreversed. So the windows are the same shape, but stamped in mirror images of each other. The front lettering appears readable from the outside, rear lettering from the inside.
Here's a pic of my old right and left (broken) showing the lettering and position.
I ordered a branding iron from some nice gal on Etsy, who was great in that she sent me exactly what I requested: brass, 2 rows, 7/8” wide, 3/8” high, 12-point Arial Rounded font, and the 4 positioned below the P above it. Also ordered a power regulator so I could dial down the heat to get a better impression. I found 3-5 seconds at 350 worked good for me, above 400 tends to go deep, fast.
I practiced a few times with the temperature, timing, positioning, etc., before attempting to do my windows. I did remove them (5 screws) since there is the lower frame rubber gasket in the way of doing the inside. It wasn’t until reinstalling windows I realized I could have just lifted the rubber seal off the frame and use the frame to level the inside stamp first, then do the outside. So, really no need to remove the windows. Here's the finished right side. Look at those scratches already. The spacing between the outside and inside letters is about an 1/8" too much.
Also, the back window is factory stamped from the inside, lower left corner, different branding tool than used on the side windows.
Yeah, I know, I'm crazy!
