Thoughts on windshield replacement?

[cbradley]

My insurance (21st Century) won't replace the windshield with Toyota glass unless my vehicle is 2008 or newer (it isn't). I found a place near my house that will use PPG or Pilkington. It was about $15 dollars less than my deductible. I'll give it a shot and see how the OEM glass is.

 

[Spur]

Has anyone ever had a windshield polished? I have pretty noticeable pitting from sand/desert trips. Can this be fixed or do I need new glass?

I've polished glass before. It was worthwhile, but it's not going to be perfect. It really only removes mineral deposits and light marring. To remove serious pits, you would have to take it to a glass restoration specialist. There are people who restore old glass for antique cars and such. For you, it would be cheaper and easier to replace the windshield IMO.

 

[ji603]

I'm on my 4th windshield in my tacoma. I always go with Diamond glass or one of these mobile guys. Usually about 180 bucks or so.

Just a note to the guys that take advantage of the free windshield replacement under your comprehensive policy.... usually that's because of a state law mandating insurance companies offer the 'benefit'

If you move to another state, look out for a surprise when you shop for insurance. Each one of the 'free' windshields will have counted as a claim.

:Wow1:

 

[cbradley]

If you move to another state, look out for a surprise when you shop for insurance. Each one of the 'free' windshields will have counted as a claim.

:Wow1:

Thanks for the heads up on this issue; that could have been a really expensive mistake.

 

[Chainlink]

You're actually right. OEM in the "glass world" has nothing to do with the auto manufacturer's logo. PPG and some of the others are OEM glass companies, meaning they produce the glass for Honda/Toyota/GM/BMW/Ford/etc and their offerings meet the same specs as the dealer glass. Their offerings should be exactly the same as the offerings from the dealer's parts department, with the exception of the logo. The price is in between the glass carrying the auto manufacturer's logo and that of replacement manufacturers (used by Safelite, etc.) who use 3rd party glass (aka OEE.) OEE, original equipment equivalent, are the ones which have a low price tag and generally are inferior to the original (thinner.)

Something important to remember: The dealers won't accept OEE glass on lease returns, but will accept OEM glass and dealer glass. OEM glass also keeps the car qualified for most Certified Used programs.

Some states do have a glass law. In Kentucky, there's zero deductible if you have full coverage (regardless of your comprehensive deductible amount) set by state/commonwealth law. A few other have this also. I wish Louisiana did, as my 07 Accord got a crack less than 6 months after buying it new. I'm in the process of it being replaced, just haven't decided on the one I'm using. Still researching it, but it'll probably be PPG.

PPG supplies a lot of Toyota's glass, but this can change depending on the model and year: http://corporateportal.ppg.com/NA/OEMGlass/40_AutoResourceGuide/Vehicles.htm

X2 on this

I happen to have been replacing auto glass since 99 and I fortunately was hired by a high quality privately owned business which required NGA and the like testing and qualifications. There are many very bad installers out there and it hurts the industry as a whole because 99.999999% of the public have no way of knowing what is and isn't a good job.

The "dealers ie:stealership" don't install their own glass they hire the cheapest guy to do it.

PPG and Pilkington (used to be LOF Libbey Owens Ford) Make most of the glass out there for the big guys like Honda Toyota Ford ...... even if under subsidiaries. For instance PPG does in fact make the glass for Toyota but most wouldn't know. Pilkington makes Jaguar glass but it depends from year to year if its labeled that way not to mention even larger forces like companies joining forces. We get glass from these 2 all the time with the car make acid burned off (why is beyond me in the end)

There are crap glass companies out there also where it is thinner and slightly off shape to avoid trade agreements and the such. Some glass makes into this country without DOT codes...btw illegal.

1200 bucks for a 4runner shield....criminal. I have an 02 Doublecab which replaced my 98 Taco which replaced my 93 which replaced an 89, and then and then......All with PPG, some said Toyota on them...but with the AEtech or United coding. Which BTW all used to be made in same plant which can be found on any DOT approved glass (coding to where built).

I'm a tad tired so forgive me if I am off of exactness but don't pay over 225, and for my 2 cents don't use one of the national companies if at all possible. I have seen there work... they want to burn guys out hire more without training and care little if at all about the consumer.

I could go on and on about there track records but you can google it up just type in said company name with world scam or the like and you will see.

 

[MoGas]

Stay away from Safelite glass. I've never had a good experience with their glass. The installers were fine, but the glass was horrible.

I only go to the Diamond here in town, and only the owner of this one does our cars. He will order an OEM gasket if requested and uses PPG and Pilkington. Plus you get the Omaha Steaks.:steak:

Per the Toyota factory manuals that I have for vehicles that use a gasket on the glass, the glass is also supposed to be glued, He was the only one that didn't blow me off when I showed him that in the book. He also admitted that he never knew about that. I send anyone that asks about glass to his place.


Here are some scans from my BJ,FJ,HJ 4x/6x manual.