Aftermarket Windshields

[marc1]

Are there good quality aftermarket windshields? The reason I am asking is nothing seems as pit resistance as OE glass. I ran my OE windshield in my 2004 GP to 120k. I now have about 20k on my replacement window and it is quite pitted. When I drop my cars off at the glass shops for new windshields, there isn't really any choice or sales discussion on the quality of the replacement I am getting. My old muscle cars have LOF glass (Libby Owens Ford) and my one original 41 year old windshield looks better than my 6 month old one. PPG seems good too, but again choices aren't offered at the shops AFAIK. Has anyone tried to specify a better glass for the windshield short of going OE?

 

[bluestream]

The aftermarket glass makers make the windshields for the OEM's. I think the quality is the same. My experience has been the opposite of yours with replacement glass. I am not sure how you would make glass that is poor quality, (maybe cheap sand from China?) after all the cost of the raw materials is nil. All costs is for fixed expenses, shipping and mark-ups.

 

[Cristobal]

On my car I find that the OE windshield and replacements by SafeLite Auto Glass are about the same in hardness.

The Angeles Crest Highway on a windy day or the Mojave/Sonoran/Great Basin Deserts when it is windy do nasty things to glass. Try heading west between Palm Springs and Banning on a windy day, which is almost every day.

I just will wait till it gets REALLY pitted.

 

[pottymouth]

I've used Safelite several times and never had a complaint.

 

[The Critic]

The PGW windshield on our Altima seems to be holding up fine.

 

[beanoil]

Pilkington was the OE glass, and the replacement on my Nox. Both were fine.

 

[toyotapriusguy]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
On my car I find that the OE windshield and replacements by SafeLite Auto Glass are about the same in hardness.

The Angeles Crest Highway on a windy day or the Mojave/Sonoran/Great Basin Deserts when it is windy do nasty things to glass. Try heading west between Palm Springs and Banning on a windy day, which is almost every day.

I just will wait till it gets REALLY pitted.



Try doing that drive in a car with probably the cheapest OE paint job in the world! I do have to agree with You though, after 4 years and 57k miles of windy desert driving all the glass on the prius, even the side view mirrors, are pitted and could use replacement.

I think it's just our daily sand blasting from all that wind

 

[NateDN10]

Our Accord has a replaced windshield, and I haven't noticed any pitting, but there is more thickness variation and distortion than the OE one.

May be a case of "YMMV".

 

[01rangerxl]

You should be able to find a local glass company that carries OEM quality windshields. I looked at Safelite and Bainswanger, but wanted to check all options. With some searching on Google I found a local company called Deals Glass Service that carried PPG/PGW, Carlite, and Pilkington. I went with PPG/PGW, which ended up being less money than Safelite. The quality of the windshield and installation are excellent.

 

[Volvohead]

There is a difference. It's not "glass is glass". Lamination quality and fitment detail make a difference. I consider it a safety item, and won't cheap out on them.

In Houston about 25 years ago, a truck dropped and kicked up a 4x4 that hit the drivers side square on at 55. The OEM glass kept it out of the passenger compartment and the driver's face.

PPG still makes a quality replacement glass. Some of the OEMs, especially the European vendors, fit perfectly, but can be on the soft side, and don't wear as well. Seen some Pilkingtons wear up too fast for my tastes.

I've seen enough Safelites to avoid them.

LOF is good glass.

The installer is as important as the part. A bad one can ruin your week, and put you at risk.

 

[JHZR2]

+1 volvohead. Mexican and Chinese glass is poor and has thickness variation/waviness, while other glass does not exhibit this.

Id go for PPG/Pilkington/StGobain/LOF only.

 

[DaveL]

I've been please with the PPG (branded PGW) replacement on my Volvo. Seems identical to the OEM glass, including the rain sensing feature, even though PPG is not the OEM (IIRC, the OEM was a French company).

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: marc1
PPG seems good too, but again choices aren't offered at the shops AFAIK.


Are you saying that all the shops in your area sell the same brand?

What is the brand of windshield that is giving you pitting issues?

 

[bdcardinal]

I have an aftermarket windshield on the Volvo that was there when I bought it. All I can say is it has a ton of waves in it. Luckily there are a lot of pits and rock chips so I have a good excuse to replace it with factory glass.

 

[cbear]

If you talk to Safelite, they'll tell you what they have available. I had 3 options and they installed a PGW windshield.

 

[MNgopher]

Most definitely a difference. The last safelite windshield I got pitted horribly and was more than happy to replace it when a rock took it out after less than 30,000 miles. Called around on replacements for a cash job and ended up with a Pilkington that was made in India. So far so good on it, not wavy either. Doesn't seem to be pitting nearly as fast either.

I've got a PPG in the explorer that's been in for over 5 years and still pretty good.

When I replaced the windshield in my previous '99 F150, I used the dealership's glass service and got the Ford branded windshield. The one it replaced was a Ford piece as well that had been in there for over 110,000 miles and had done well, but was pretty bad at the end. Nice that when insurance covers, you get to choose (here anyways). No waviness or distortion to contend with. Current '04 F150 also got the same treatment from the previous owner.

 

[rjundi]

My first experience with Safelite was a highly distorted windshield. We never called them back but knew a 1yr guarantee on work/product.

Finally it cracked right at windshield wiper heater element built into windshield. We were unclear of a hit or defect. We complained to Progressive when they asked if any issues during another minor claim. They had their glass rep call local Safelite who in turn had to come an inspect and replaced on the spot. So we were satisfied with work then.

I will say my wife good looking and persuasive is good with getting things done typically with little or no charge.

 

[weebl]

You can and should ask what brand of replacement glass the shop intends to supply you (and where it is made if they can also provide that information).

I've seen many cars on the road with Chinese FYG replacement glass. I won't ever do that.

When I replaced my van's OEM windshield (I think it was PPG), I got it replaced with a Pilkington windshield. I'm satisfied with it, and feel safe with it.

I have also used Viracon glass, and have been very impressed with its quality. Viracon is not a huge name in OEM automotive (they do supply bus and RV glass), but they are a big architectural glass company. I'd even say their quality is above OEM in the windshields I've had from them, and until their recent opening of their Brazilian plant, all their glass has been made in the USA.

Also had Carlite replacements in the past (for non-Ford applications).

My advice is to stick to a quality glass manufacturer, not some no name discount manufacturer.

 

[ffracer]

I used to be in the business.

There is a lot of misassumption about windshields since most don't replace them frequently.

1. There is a great difference between certain companies usually OEM suppliers for US, Euro, or Japan cars and generally lower quality aftermarket or China OEMs suppliers.

2. Generally in the USA/Canada, the OEM companies make excellent glass for aftermarket, even if they are not the OEM for that model.

Good glass comes from Pilkington (LOF,XXX,Triplex,United L-N,LIbbey Nippon Glass, etc.), PPG/PGW, Carlite (Old Ford glass business), Sekuirt/Saint-Gobain, Guardian, Asahi/AGC/AP Techno) and aftermarket company, Viracon.

Most of these companies with exception of Viracon, make their own glass, but it is all very high quality. Viracon buys glass from the others. Any notice of more/less wear has nothing to do with the glass or hardness, but driving conditions.

3. OEM glass for European or Japanese cars is no better/worse than glass made by the above companies’ if they are not the OEM. Major difference is that aftermarket will not have the car maker’s logos in the glass vs. OEM brand - that’s it. Glass used in German cars is no better/worse than glass used in US cars. Often it is the same, just made in European plants of the same companies.

4. The laminate comes from the same 4 suppliers for everyone and is the same grade. There are exceptions in China.

5. The major difference between brands is how well they fit (this is hard and takes know how), high quality black silkscreen, proper thickness spec, how well they are annealed on cool down, and how well the edges are finished. All have a huge effect on how easily the windshield fits and/or easily breaks.

6. Stay away from Chinese glass such as FYG, and the like, unless it comes from one of the above companies – not good. Safelite also makes its own and can range from mediocre to OK, depending on the car model. Most glass made in Mexico is made by one of the above or Vitro/VVP which is OK.

7. If you don’t ask, you will likely get Chinese glass with some installers, as it is cheaper for them and thus more profitable.

Hope this helps.

 

[bdcardinal]

Just checked, the windshield on my Volvo is a Pilkington and it is junk. More waves than the beach by my house. All the other windows are from Saint Gobain-Sekurit.