Windshield replacement (should I get OEM glass?, how to determine a good shop)

wrote:
> I must replace the winshield.
> I got a quote from a local glass shop chain.
> The cost is only $180 including labor.
> This seems way too inexpensive (although perhaps prices have dropped in
> recent years.)
> I am almost sure the the replacement is not OEM.
> Is it important to use OEM replacements? Not only for safety reasons
> but for quality reasons as well.
> Also, the shop told me I can drive away in about 1/2 hour. This seems
> fishy to me as I would believe that the adhesives need to cure
> properly.

The most important factor, by far, is how well the windshield is glued
in place since there's far more variation with this than with the
quality of the glass. If the windshield doesn't stay in place in a
crash, not only will unbelted occupants be at greater risk of injury
but also belted occupants can suffer since airbags, especially the
passenger one, depend on the windshield to hold them in place.

A good installation requires taht the glass and window opening be very
clean, gloves worn during installation to prevent skin oil from
contaminating the surfaces, and the proper primer and urethane adhesive
(made with different cure rates for different temperatures) be used.
The current preferred practice is to remove all the old urethane from
the window opening. Also the car should not be driven until at least
twice the cure time has passed. When I replaced my own windshield, the
adhesive required anywhere from 2-6 hours to cure. My windshield never
leaked, unlike most of those done on company cars by a local chain of
glass shops that advertised heavily and offered insurance deductible
rebates and free restaurant dinners.

John Horner wrote:
> mst wrote:

> > On 27 Oct 2005 15:34:24 -0700 wrote:

> > Here's my experience with windshields, 'old style' and new

> > A gasket (moldable yet firm goo) is layed around the perimeter
> > of the windshield deck. The new windshield is layed on top of
> this gasket and also rests against alignment clips.

> > You're ready to drive off.

> > About six months ago, I had a windshield replaced on my
> > truck. A rubber gasket (it's grooved on the ID of the
> > gasket) is wrapped around the windshield, which forms a
> > rubber 'ring' around the windshield, then the windshield
> > with this rubber gasket ring is pressed into the winshield channel.

> Current safety laws require all new US vehicles to have adhesive bonded
> windshields. They don't pop out in accidents like the gasket mounted types.

I believe federal regulations only require that a certain high
percentage of the windshield remain in place and unpierced. It doesn't
mandate the use of adhesive, and I had a VW Golf (Rabbit in U.S.) with
the windshield held in place with a gasket, but on the left and right
sides were metal strips with alligator teeth to dig into the gasket and
make it hold the glass much more securely. The alligator strips also
made installation much more difficult, and I'm sure some unscrupulous
glass shops left them out. These strips, being made of heavily
galvanized steel, probably also prevented the opening from rusting, a
major problem with my rear hatch window. I believe car makers switched
to adhesives in order to save time (glue can cure as the car travels
down the production line) and to allow a more flush perimeter around
the glass.

Michael Pardee > wrote in message
...
> "SoCalMike" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Doug McCrary wrote:
> >> Thanks, Mike. I'd still like to know where it is the CA code, though.
> >>
> >>
> >
> > AFAIK, its a citeable offense, good for a $10 "fix it ticket".
> >
> > that is...
> >
> > IF you get pulled over
> > IF you get cited
> > THEN you have to fix it
> >
> > prolly something in the code about having an obstructed view, or
> > something. im not the OP, so i dont know or really care, but im sure
> > theres something in the code about not obstructing your windshield.
>
> (Disclaimer: I haven't been a Californian for many a year....)
> When I have had cracks repaired they were effectively invisible. I could get
> *real* close and make out hairlines, but otherwise they couldn't be seen.
>
> Now I'm an Arizonan and as long as huge chunks of the car don't fall in the
> path of a patrolman, most such things are usually ignored. (A few months ago
> my son was attacked on the freeway by a rolling something that looked like a
> brake drum and lodged above his spoiler - true story!) I am cynical enough
> to think the complaints are saved until the patrolman wants to pull the car
> over, though.
>
> Mike
>
>
Thanks guys.
I guess I'll ask my shop manager at my yard.
I know we have to replace cracked windows on buses, but not sure what law(s) or
reg(s) cover that. But that's commercial, dunno if it applies to personal
vehicles.

Doug McCrary wrote:
> I guess I'll ask my shop manager at my yard.
> I know we have to replace cracked windows on buses, but not sure what law(s) or
> reg(s) cover that. But that's commercial, dunno if it applies to personal
> vehicles.

commercial use is WAY more strict. in california, commercial drivers
arent allowed traffic school any more to get a point off their record,
even if theyre driving their own personal vehicle. its THAT strict...

"Doug McCrary" > wrote in message
news:uQC8f.572$iv3.166@trnddc08...
>
> Thanks guys.
> I guess I'll ask my shop manager at my yard.
> I know we have to replace cracked windows on buses, but not sure what
> law(s) or
> reg(s) cover that. But that's commercial, dunno if it applies to personal
> vehicles.

The best way to find out what the law requires is to read the law. Do a
search of your legislated laws and regulations and then have a read.

Here any defect (stone chip, crack, etc.) that is in the line of sight of
the driver is reason to repair or replace the windshield.

"SoCalMike" > wrote in message
...
> Doug McCrary wrote:
> commercial use is WAY more strict. in california, commercial drivers arent
> allowed traffic school any more to get a point off their record, even if
> theyre driving their own personal vehicle. its THAT strict...

Getting farther OT... the CDLs where I work are shocked by new DUI
provisions in the regulations. (I have no idea if it is a state or federal
statute involved.) Now, if they get a DUI and have had another DUI in the
last 55 years - like if they are 70 and had one when they were 16 - their
CDL is permanently revoked and they have to find a new line of work. I have
no patience for DUI, but that seems a little ex post facto to me in that
whether a driver gets one or two strikes is tied to their record before the
law was enacted. Of course, it is no different than "three strikes" laws in
that respect.

Mike

Brian Smith > wrote in message
news:2yI8f.52309$yS6.51432@clgrps12...
>
> "Doug McCrary" > wrote in message
> news:uQC8f.572$iv3.166@trnddc08...
> >
> > Thanks guys.
> > I guess I'll ask my shop manager at my yard.
> > I know we have to replace cracked windows on buses, but not sure what
> > law(s) or
> > reg(s) cover that. But that's commercial, dunno if it applies to personal
> > vehicles.
>
> The best way to find out what the law requires is to read the law. Do a
> search of your legislated laws and regulations and then have a read.
>
Yeah, if you read above you'll see I looked for, but couldn't isolate such law.
Asked for chapter and verse. No specific response.

> Here any defect (stone chip, crack, etc.) that is in the line of sight of
> the driver is reason to repair or replace the windshield.
>
>

Michael Pardee > wrote in message
...
> "SoCalMike" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Doug McCrary wrote:
> > commercial use is WAY more strict. in california, commercial drivers arent
> > allowed traffic school any more to get a point off their record, even if
> > theyre driving their own personal vehicle. its THAT strict...
>
> Getting farther OT... the CDLs where I work are shocked by new DUI
> provisions in the regulations. (I have no idea if it is a state or federal
> statute involved.) Now, if they get a DUI and have had another DUI in the
> last 55 years - like if they are 70 and had one when they were 16 - their
> CDL is permanently revoked and they have to find a new line of work. I have
> no patience for DUI, but that seems a little ex post facto to me in that
> whether a driver gets one or two strikes is tied to their record before the
> law was enacted. Of course, it is no different than "three strikes" laws in
> that respect.
>
> Mike
>
I think that might be a slight exaggeration, but yes, I believe it's state laws,
forced by Federal regs. I know that is the case with the new "S" endorsement.

"Doug McCrary" > wrote in message
news:_dY8f.16742$ti.14559@trnddc02...
>
> Yeah, if you read above you'll see I looked for, but couldn't isolate such
> law.
> Asked for chapter and verse. No specific response.

Then the people to ask (in person or on the phone) would be a Vehicle
Compliance Officer or Inspector. You can find those at a DOT Scale. They
will (around here anyway) look up the pertinent section of the Act and photo
copy it for a person.

Brian

In article .com>,
says...
>
>
>I just got a rock chip in my winshield, directly in my line of sight on
>my 97 Honda Accord. According to California law, I can't patch it, I
>must replace the winshield.
>I got a quote from a local glass shop chain.
>The cost is only $180 including labor.
>This seems way too inexpensive (although perhaps prices have dropped in
>recent years.)
>I am almost sure the the replacement is not OEM.

It probably isn't OEM. I've had windshields replaced for as little as $125.


>Is it important to use OEM replacements? Not only for safety reasons
>but for quality reasons as well.
>Also, the shop told me I can drive away in about 1/2 hour. This seems
>fishy to me as I would believe that the adhesives need to cure
>properly. I would appreciate any advice.

1/2 hr? They must be damn fast. I've watch windshields getting replaced and
it takes longer than that to do the job right. Rushing means making a bigger
mess that will take more time to clean up. Once the work is done, you can
drive right away. It will take a day or so to fully cure, but that doesn't
really affect the windshield unless you get caught in a storm.
---------------
Alex