Windshields are important. Quality glass is the key and proper installation is a must.
I’ve had at lot of windshields replaced, in my ’70 Mustang, the ’84 Vette I use to own (never thought I’d be saying that) and just about any my wife and I have owned.
With all that new glass came a wide range quality glass and the service. I can sum most of it up in on word, shoddy!!!
It is hard to find someone to do the older cars properly and we’ve even had really horrible installation service. Let me share some problems and a few things to do when you are dealing with what should be a non-eventful event.
The problems we’ve in countered in the first round were shoddy installation and glass that when you looked through it, you got the impression you were in a mobile carnival fun house. This was a replacement of a windshield for our Nissan Maxima we owned a few years ago. Not only was the glass distorted, but the when the installation was done, there was glass everywhere and there was a strange whistle. Recalled the installers and they came back and replaced the glass a second time. The second windshield fix was merely a repair not a replacement. This where they fill the chip or small crack. This was so horrible done, that the windshield wiper would skip when it hit the spot that was repaired.
Next up was a replacement for the ’84 Vette. After going through problems with the Maxima, I decided to check out the glass before it installed. The windshield that was brought was fun house quality again. I sent it back and did a little research and then had them order Pilkington glass. This was much better quality, but during the installation the failed to have the proper weather-stripping. Once that was found, it was installed. During the installation the installers broke off the plastic connectors for the windshield washer line, which they promised to replace, but never did. Oh and the windshield leaked. So I replaced the windshield washer line connector and re-accomplished the weather striping.
Next up was the Mustang. On the way home from a car show a rock flew from the rear tire of the car in front cracked the windshield. Well I learned enough that I wasn’t going to let just anyone put the class in. I researched and found the proper quality glass and ordered it from a Mustang parts supply house. I had in shipped to a body shop with guys I knew, why? Because the clips that hold the glass in and the clips that hold the chrome molding were not something you want a the run of the mill glass installer do. Plus I could help put it in. This was a very successful install.
Recently my wife’s Lexus picked up a pretty good crack. This would be the second windshield in 14 months for the this car. After the lessons from above we called the dealership and found they had a recommended installer. Now….here’s where the insurance company comes into play. Every insurance company has “preferred” installers, but they can’t necessarily dictate where you get the car fixed. We won that one. Additionally my insurance company will authorize original factory class when the cars is under 3 years old. Another win!!!! Oh..don’t worry, the next install balanced out the good fortune of the first.
Three months ago a rock again introduced it’s self to the Lexus’ windshield. But this time the car was deemed “too old” (just over 3 years old) by our insurance company for original factory glass. We were only authorized to put in OEM. Ok there is where a little clarification is necessary.
Now folks will debate me and that’s fine, but the definitions I’m about to share, are from years of ordering and buying parts and that includes glass. I know they will debate, because I just had a round with the glass company for Lexus, and the installer and my insurance company. All insisted that OEM is original equipment
OEM is not original equipment, it stands for Original Equipment Manufacturing. It means the parts (or glass) is NOT manufactured by the car manufacturer, but by a company that is in some manner authorized or approved. There is a difference and in most cases that is quality. This isn’t a mystery to the car companies that is why they don’t authorize these manufacturers to use their logo.
Lexus logo.
Ok..off the soapbox, on to the issues with the glass replacement for the Lexus.
First the company came and replaced the glass at my office (yes..I had to leave the Vette at home…..I’m ok…now..though!!!). Nice enough guy, but three hours later I took the car out to lunch. The rear view mirror, which on the Lexus has all sorts of stuff on it, temp, compass, auto dim, garage door opener and it even turns on your lights in your house is mounted in on the glass. Which means that it had to be re-installed with the new windshield. Half way to my destination, in heavy traffic the mirror fell from the windshield and swung back wild. It’s about a $250.00 item. Not to mention it’s dangerous, even more so in heavy traffic.
I call the installer back and he didn’t understand why I would be upset. Oh and you’ll like this. He informed me that he and his company knew that the adhesive supplied by the second-rate windshield did hold. It was like rubber cement. He scraped it off and applied the quality permatex adhesive designed for that just this purpose. I was taken back to say the least by his matter-of-fact attitude. And still he could see why I would be upset.
While I was sitting there, ensuring he used the good stuff, I noticed that at the upper edges the glass was con-caved, so much so, that images appeared to be doubled, like a fun house mirror!!!! Totally unacceptable.
I returned to my office and called the installation company directly. This resulted in a visit from the manager. We discussed the distortion and he agreed and we discussed the mirror and he stated that yes indeed that know this is a frequent occurrence and that there was nothing they could do. I asked why they didn’t replace the adhesive while installing the glass, if they knew this was that frequent? He didn’t have an answer for me. He said he’d go back and look over the other glass for a better one. I suggested he wait until I contacted the insurance company.
Next up…”The Insurance Company and the Price of Windshields”…or “What a Paint in the Glass”
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Pingback: Automotive, Car and Auto Parts
I always look for companies registered with the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council. The companies that belong undergo outside audits to make sure they do it properly. Can be found at safewindshields.org, put your zip in the upper right.
Good Idea. Thanks.
Your buddy Don recommended National Auto Glass to me, and I must say they are the best. To get the job done right, you must leave the car at their facility, but they do it right, with quality replacements, and they care about the car and the finished product. They will even order Carlite glass for your Mustang, and a OEM gasket set so it will seal correctly.
I could share a horror story with you about a replacement windshield on my old Plymouth Duster, but lets just say I would not do business again with Safelite for a million dollars. They damaged my paint, I took it back six times for water leaks, and ended up paying out of pocket for a body shop to do the job right (and fix the paint damaged they did). I took them to small claims court to get my carpet replaced due to the water leaks, and I was awarded. To this day they never paid me back, and I did not have time to take them back to court.
Another issue is that replacement windshields that are not PPG, LOF, or Carlite brands are ALWAYS thinner, and this causes water leaks. It is not a matter of if, but when these cheap replacements will leak water due to the thinner glass.
Try National Auto Glass, your buddy Don knows what is good!
Take care, Bill
Safelite were the guys that did the first installs on my Vette and the Maxima and the Lexus. USAA’s preferred vender. But in the next part of the story. Had a nasty computer virus to deal with yesterday.