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

(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

 

(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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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...

 

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...

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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