Windshield Crack, repair or replace?

I

intel

New member
Any stories about repairing a chip on windshields?



Allstate will repair my windshield for free. If not my deductible will apply.



I was driving on the freeway when a rock hit my windshield and cracked it and shattered it, about 1 inch.
 
I have had "bulleyes" fixed and they look great



but like a lot of things the tech needs to have some skills





if its shattered i am not sure if it can be fixed
 
Over the years I've had a good number of both windshield replacments and repairs.



If the damage is repairable and not in the drivers line of site I will always opt for the repair rather than the replacement.



I used to always go for the replacement but after trying the repair it is the way to go... 1) When done right you cannot tell, 2) it is much less wasteful (a green solution so to speak), 3) On a few occasions I've been displeased with the windshield removal -- scratching the heck out of the paint under the windshield which long term has the potential to cause rust if you keep the car long enough.



Go for the repair. If you are not satisfied you can always tell the insurance company and then request the replacement. I'd ask them up front... "If I'm not satisfied with the repair will you then replace the windshield".



Give it a try. It is the way to go.
 
it is in my line of sight :(



Any good tips on buying a new windshield, do they sell different kind of windshields? (say, one is simple, the other has a shield?)



thanks
 
Funny you should mention this. About a month ago I was taking my daughter to a friends in my truck. The people getting on the freeway were messing around,and poking. They let a Semi, with no trailer in front. It had flaps but it kicked a rock out of the tread and that sucker hit my windsheild. Put a 1" crack in the middle of the glass,6" upfrom the wipers. Called Safelight,and the tech never showed up. Went the next day to have the crack repaired. By the time I got there my truck had gotten warm,while pulling in the Glass Repair lot. The crack walked in both directions all the way across the glass. Had to buy a whole new windsheild. $234.00. Not to bad a price,but it hurt.
 
There are various types of windshield glass. Some newer cars have acoustic glass or rain sensors built in. You need to be sure you get the right glass.



In general there are OEM glass and aftermarket glass windshields. Aftermarket glass is not required to meet the same federal regulations as OEM glass.



OEM glass is usually stronger and this may be important when you realize that the windshield becomes the backing plate for your air bags in a crash. The glass windshield provides up to 60% of the cage strength in the event of a rollover accident. The glass is not there just to keep the rain and bugs from hitting you in the face.



There are also things to be aware of when having a windshield replaced. Things like the age and type of adhesive used. The proper cure time before driving the car.



OEM glass is more expensive as it is more costly to make. Yet the windshield may save your life or your family's lives in a crash.



Here are a couple links to digest.



Frequently Asked Questions - OEM Glass, Windshield Replacement, Glass Replacement Phoenix, Auto Glass Phoenix

http://www.glass.net/auto-glass-inf...ket-what-type-of-auto-glass-should-i-buy.html
 
Since the crack is in your line of sight your insurance company shouldn't even be offering to have it repaired. Your windshield should be replaced. The cost to replace your windshield and the amount of your comprehensive deductible will dictate who pays for the replacement.



I don't buy the oem vs. aftermarket glass argument. The link the information came from was from a glass company. Of course they are going to tell you OEM is better, they're in business to make money. I have no problem putting aftermarket glass in my 4Runner or my Vette as long as the fit and finish are good.
 
Isuvette said:
Since the crack is in your line of sight your insurance company shouldn't even be offering to have it repaired. Your windshield should be replaced. The cost to replace your windshield and the amount of your comprehensive deductible will dictate who pays for the replacement.



I don't buy the oem vs. aftermarket glass argument. The link the information came from was from a glass company. Of course they are going to tell you OEM is better, they're in business to make money. I have no problem putting aftermarket glass in my 4Runner or my Vette as long as the fit and finish are good.
Click to expand...



Stop a moment and consider this. Why do you suppose automakers use OEM glass? If they could shave a even a few bucks off the cost of every car they sell by using aftermarket glass you know they would jump on it. The reason they don't is that aftermarket glass does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regulations. The auto companies don't care what the glass companies say but they do listen to the Federal regulations however.



If you want to take the chance and think that aftermarket is safe enough to protect you and your family go for it. My family is worth more to me than trying to shave a few bucks off the price of a safety feature on my car.
 
I was in the industry for awhile, but have been out for five years. I never had a problem with doing a repair in the drivers view, since you are not focusing on the glass. Depending on the type of damage, you may see a little mark or an outline. Call your local Superglass Windshield Repair guy. They are the best in the business.



As for OEM glass, I use to refer work to a real good friend of mine in Raleigh N.C. I use to get him to look at some aftermarket companies, but he would always come back to LOF. The wasted time and effort of trying to put in a piece of glass that didn't fit properly wasn't worth it to him. This didn't happen all of the time, but it was enough to not be worth the cost savings. If anyone needs a good glass guy in Raleigh, his name is Quality Auto Glass. Yes, I stole his name when I started my business in Miami.:D
 
Isuvette said:
I don't buy the oem vs. aftermarket glass argument. The link the information came from was from a glass company. Of course they are going to tell you OEM is better, they're in business to make money. I have no problem putting aftermarket glass in my 4Runner or my Vette as long as the fit and finish are good.
Click to expand...



I agree. I've NEVER witnessed or heard of 1 vehicle/accident that resulted in more damage because it had a so-called "Aftermarket" piece of glass in it. If your vehicle gets hit that hard that the the kind of windshield in it is helping you, you're screwed anyways. :think2 If that was the case, do you really think your insurance company would open themselves up to that kind of liability?
 
David Fermani said:
I agree. I've NEVER witnessed or heard of 1 vehicle/accident that resulted in more damage because it had a so-called "Aftermarket" piece of glass in it. If your vehicle gets hit that hard that the the kind of windshield in it is helping you, you're screwed anyways. :think2 If that was the case, do you really think your insurance company would open themselves up to that kind of liability?
Click to expand...



You really haven't? WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT SAFETY



The courts have been and are full of suits against insurers that have forced aftermarket parts to repair vehicles. State Farm was the first to be hit as far back as 1999 and there have been many since including Progressive and Farmers of late. See here: Are you entitled to brand-name repair parts? Know your OEM rights



The thing to keep in mind is that you are not just putting glass in front of your face to keep the bugs and rain from spatting you. Your windshield is a critical safety item on your vehicle. But hey, if you don't care if they use questionable parts it's your choice to make.



Also note that if you lease you may well find that you must use OEM glass or forfeit your security deposit when you turn in your vehicle. That's because aftermarket parts, historically, have been proven not of like kind and quality to OEM.



Insurance companies are being hit with lawsuits often enough that they are trying to change their plans.

Auto Insurance Industry Wants New "OEM" Policy - Same Coverage / More Money ! ! !



You don't have to google too hard to come up with dozens of reasons to not be fond of aftermarket parts. Here are just a few off the first page.



LeakPro Official Website



AutoMuse: Avery v. State Farm and Aftermarket Parts the Basis for Class Action Tort Reform?



After market versus OEM parts: The issue is choice | Rough Notes | Find Articles at BNET



https://www.autobody.net/index.php?...emid=83&func=view&id=58&view=threaded&catid=5



Auto Insurance Industry Wants New "OEM" Policy - Same Coverage / More Money ! ! !



http://www.ultrabond.com/safetyreport.pdf



Insurance Consumer Advocate Network: Links to required reading articles.
 
jfelbab - All those links are about A/M body panels (crash parts) & windshield installation. That has nothing to do with OEM vs. A/M glass. ALL GLASS IS AFTERMARKET. There's not a car manufacturer that makes their own glass (Ford use to). They all buy from aftermarket suppliers. The only difference is if the glass has a OE name plate (GM / Ford / Chrysler / Toyota / etc) on it or not . They are identical in every other way. All windshields are required to have an AS1 rating and be DOT approved.
 
David Fermani said:
jfelbab - All those links are about A/M body panels (crash parts) & windshield installation. That has nothing to do with OEM vs. A/M glass. ALL GLASS IS AFTERMARKET. There's not a car manufacturer that makes their own glass (Ford use to). They all buy from aftermarket suppliers. The only difference is if the glass has a OE name plate (GM / Ford / Chrysler / Toyota / etc) on it or not . They are identical in every other way. All windshields are required to have an AS1 rating and be DOT approved.
Click to expand...



Sorry Dave, but my uncle works for PPG and he tells me differently. PPG makes both OEM and aftermarket glass. They are not made in the same plant. OEM glass is slow annealed for one thing and aftermarket glass is not. That's one reason aftermarket glass has more stress cracking and chips easier. It is not, in fact, the same quality glass. Slow annealing takes longer so production is slower, hence it is more expensive.



Aftermarket windshield glass is made from a copy of a mold of an OEM windshield, not from the windshield’s original mold in the factory. Just so you understand what the OEM term means in this glass arena. So aftermarket windshields may not be to the exact dimensions or the glass may be too thin or have distortions. This results in leaks, increased road noise, and possible failure of the glass in an accident.



I really don't see much difference in any of the aftermarket junk be it body panels or glass. It's cheaper and there is a reason it is cheaper. I posted all those links as evidence that aftermarket is not the same qualitywise as OEM and these links point that out with some clarity.



But listen, if you want to believe differently be my guest. I don't really care. I choose not to risk my life or my family's on aftermarket crap.



Guess you chose to go with aftermarket. Drive carefully.
 
jfelbab said:
I really don't see much difference in any of the aftermarket junk be it body panels or glass. It's cheaper and there is a reason it is cheaper. I posted all those links as evidence that aftermarket is not the same qualitywise as OEM and these links point that out with some clarity.



But listen, if you want to believe differently be my guest. I don't really care. I choose not to risk my life or my family's on aftermarket crap.



Guess you chose to go with aftermarket. Drive carefully.
Click to expand...



:grinno: It's not accurate to compare sheetmetal to glass. A/M glass is cheaper because you're cutting out the middle man = The Car Manufacturer. Many A/M sheetmetal parts are notorious for being inferior(for several reasons). That's why only a few insurance companies(Geico/Progressive/Allstate) choose to utilize them. Most don't, including the one I work for. Glass on the other hand, is totally different. Every insurance company(well maybe not Chubb) will opt to go with non-dealership(A/M) glass unless your vehicle falls under their mileage/age guidelines. Do you really think insurance companies would open themselves up to this liability? Provide me with info showing a lawsuit where an insurance company was sued because the A/M glass they allowed failed during a crash. Make sure that improper installation isn't the reason either. Until then, I'll have a totally clear concience about all the A/M glass I adjusted for.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top