I have a windshield that needs replaced. It’s a non insurance claim. Are there any brands to look for or any to avoid? I know all glass must meet certain safety requirements. One time I had a windshield that seemed to pit much quicker than the others and wanted to avoid a repeat. Thanks
Glass replacement question.
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Avoid the chinese made ones, IMO. Terrible glass quality that is really wavy and can give you a headache from looking through it.
Just search on this page for "china" and you'll see the DOT codes for them.
https://www.carwindshields.info/dot_db
Also when the installer removes the old windshield, request that they use a wire/cable to remove the old seal, not a blade. Less risk of gouging the body metal and causing rust issues later on.
Just search on this page for "china" and you'll see the DOT codes for them.
https://www.carwindshields.info/dot_db
Also when the installer removes the old windshield, request that they use a wire/cable to remove the old seal, not a blade. Less risk of gouging the body metal and causing rust issues later on.
Shop around.
Go to Safelite Website and give them your vehicle and contact information.
Then wait. You will begin to get discount coupons from them week after week
with the discounts increasing with each email.
Go to Safelite Website and give them your vehicle and contact information.
Then wait. You will begin to get discount coupons from them week after week
with the discounts increasing with each email.
The auto glass replacement industry has changed drastically in the last 5 years. Going off memory here,
- many of the known name brands are no longer a guarantee of excellent quality because even they are sourcing some of their product from Asia.
- China has stepped up their game regarding quality and have located factories in the U.S. now, one of the world's largest in Ohio: https://fuyaousa.com/about/
- New car models can have a dozen or more windshield options based on road sensors, etc. Often times, these sensors require recalibration after windshield replacement.
- Safelight no longer manufactures their own glass, so "maybe" the quality of their work has improved?
I agree with Reddy45, you cannot be too cautious about finding a shop with excellent installers. Good luck finding one. I personally prefer to take it to their shop vs. mobile installers because I have the idea that maybe they will be more careful inside their shop with unlimited time to do it right. My last install was botched and I had to have damaged paint repaired.
- many of the known name brands are no longer a guarantee of excellent quality because even they are sourcing some of their product from Asia.
- China has stepped up their game regarding quality and have located factories in the U.S. now, one of the world's largest in Ohio: https://fuyaousa.com/about/
- New car models can have a dozen or more windshield options based on road sensors, etc. Often times, these sensors require recalibration after windshield replacement.
- Safelight no longer manufactures their own glass, so "maybe" the quality of their work has improved?
I agree with Reddy45, you cannot be too cautious about finding a shop with excellent installers. Good luck finding one. I personally prefer to take it to their shop vs. mobile installers because I have the idea that maybe they will be more careful inside their shop with unlimited time to do it right. My last install was botched and I had to have damaged paint repaired.
XYG (XinYi) is nothing but trouble.
FYG (Fuyao) is actually good quality, and they even supply OEM glass. If you have a new or almost new car, it might already have Fuyao glass from the factory. They bought an old GM factory in Moraine, OH; but they also make glass in China, of course.
Safelite stopped making their own windshields a few years ago because of all the sensors and stuff on many modern windshields. Now they mostly use Fuyao.
Pilkington and PGW will be OK if they are the OE on your car. However, they have outsourced some of their glass to XYG. PGW was spun off from PPG and isn't as good as the old PPG, but still good if it's actually a PGW-made glass and not an outsourced one.
FYG (Fuyao) is actually good quality, and they even supply OEM glass. If you have a new or almost new car, it might already have Fuyao glass from the factory. They bought an old GM factory in Moraine, OH; but they also make glass in China, of course.
Safelite stopped making their own windshields a few years ago because of all the sensors and stuff on many modern windshields. Now they mostly use Fuyao.
Pilkington and PGW will be OK if they are the OE on your car. However, they have outsourced some of their glass to XYG. PGW was spun off from PPG and isn't as good as the old PPG, but still good if it's actually a PGW-made glass and not an outsourced one.
I have one of the Ohio made FYG windshields (DOT1038) on my truck and it's good enough for the money.. around $280 installed by an indie shop. It has definite corner distortion and the profile/curvature does not match the factory windshield which was Toyota OEM DOT177.
Toyota's prices for their OEM windshields is stupidly expensive, which is kind of insulting because it seems like their windshields are spec'd as thin as possible to save weight or money. It seems like every other 4runner I've seen has a windshield crack.
Ford used to have really good glass because they own their glass provider (Carlex or Carlite), and some Nissans also use that brand of glass. Not sure if this is still the case.
Toyota's prices for their OEM windshields is stupidly expensive, which is kind of insulting because it seems like their windshields are spec'd as thin as possible to save weight or money. It seems like every other 4runner I've seen has a windshield crack.
Ford used to have really good glass because they own their glass provider (Carlex or Carlite), and some Nissans also use that brand of glass. Not sure if this is still the case.
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I would have to check what brand I last put in my car, but had Safelite do it. I liked they came to my work and did it in the parking lot. Made it very very easy for me. Price was comparable to other places I looked at. Did charge a fee for the mobile service, but again, saves weekend time for me, worth the money. That was about two years ago and still very happy with the glass and installation.
The two Fuyao ones I had installed were of very good optical quality even down in the corners. I had no complaints.
Maybe post the make and model. Would not make sense to spend $500 for OEM on a $1000 beater. I just paid $95 (wholesale) for a 13 Kia Optima windshield glass from a distributor that is as good as OEM.
I need to get a new windshield anytime now and called to see if the shop could tell me what DOT Code glass I would be getting. They said they do not know until they talk to their warehouse. I guess one could ask for them to check on it before committing to the job.
Also fwiw, I asked if they use a blade/knife to cut the old seal vs. the wire method. I was told they will only use the knife because the wire method is to dangerous and could injure their tech's if the wire breaks. The lady was up front that they almost always will scratch the pinch weld when cutting it out but they have primer that is put on those areas.
She mentioned that it takes a week for the urethane to fully cure even though it's good enough to drive away after about 30 minutes. I think there are different urethane's for winter or summer use. I wonder if most of the companies switch for the change in temps or use one year around?
Also fwiw, I asked if they use a blade/knife to cut the old seal vs. the wire method. I was told they will only use the knife because the wire method is to dangerous and could injure their tech's if the wire breaks. The lady was up front that they almost always will scratch the pinch weld when cutting it out but they have primer that is put on those areas.
She mentioned that it takes a week for the urethane to fully cure even though it's good enough to drive away after about 30 minutes. I think there are different urethane's for winter or summer use. I wonder if most of the companies switch for the change in temps or use one year around?
FYG, Pilkington or Vitro-made PGW(DOT 904/476 or with Crinamex/VPM markings) are my picks.
Stay away from XYG/Benson or anything with DOT 563.
Stay away from XYG/Benson or anything with DOT 563.
Wire is 60's technology. I've used power cutout tools but they can mangle the opening if you're not careful. Switched to this cord system a few years ago.
That shop sounds like its full of excuses for sloppy work. Windshield replacements are like surgery -- least invasive route as possible, which means not slicing or scraping pinch welds, and using the cord method makes this much more possible.
2012 Toyota Sienna. No sensors. Only thing it has is a heated area for the wipers.
Skip over safelite, they install funny mirrors for windshields and it happens over and over.
Safelite is using Sika Sikatack Mach 30 ambient temp applied urethane and primers. Dow(DuPont) Betaseal Express and One are the other 30 minute-1 hour safe driveaway time urethanes that will kick quickly as long as the air isn’t chilly and there’s some humidity. They are all “universal” modulus, the Europeans want a high modulus urethane.
The SDAT is how long the urethane develops enough early strength to keep a windshield in place during a collision.
Looks like a FW03240. $120 wholesale for XYG brand glass plus $15 for a universal molding. I would guess a shop would replace for around $250.
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