Windshield

[ramsesosirus]

Hey all

My windshield has a big crack, well its not really a crack but a big circle like from a bat or bottle, etc...

Bottom line is I will need a windshield soon.

Anyone used the shaded one from Black Dragon Auto? $150 seems pretty cheap, or is it cheaper at a local glass place?

I also see it is "shaded" with a tint strip; how dark is this tinted, if anyone has used these...front tint is illegal unless real subtle, stock benz, bmw have some i think.

Thanks

[Travel'n Man]

I just had my front windshield replaced last month. I had my window center complete the job and not my restoration shop. The first window (PPG) went in broke, they filed their claim under thier insurance and the second window (PPG) went in like a charm. I tried to get a non-tinted windshield but the glass company could not allocate one for my window repair center. The window looks great and does not leak. No wind noise either.

Best of luck!

[ramsesosirus]

Thanks

So is the whole windshield tinted, or just a strip at the top? If so, any guess on the VLT%? Is it noticably tinted, or just slightly?

Do you think $150 for the glass only is a fair price??

[Arne]

When I had my car painted late last spring, the glass guy had no problems locating several non-shaded windshields. I'm sure that it was no more than $150, and there was no shipping cost.

[Travel'n Man]

Unlike Arne, I am located on the east coast. Lucky enough when I was at my glass installer with my '72 the PPG rep was at the location selling them glass. He called his office and they did not have any totally clear glass for me at that given time. The glass I recieved looks great and there is a slight band of tint only at the top. Good luck with your search.

My bill was 313.00 for install and glass. I furnished the weatherstrip. I also had them re-install my original rear glass (I supplied the weatherstrip) and that was $50.00 to install. Hope that gives you a recent pricing guide.

Best of luck, just make sure you shop is insured incase of brakage. Better them than you!

[Arne]

I don't think that it matters whether you're East or West. You and your glass man need to be open to other brands than Nissan or PPG. Mine is neither, but is fine. He got mine out of Spokane, but found non-shaded ones in Philly and other warehouses too.

[kinfish]

I replaced my Series I windshield (just old, not cracked or chipped) this spring with the tinted version. The tint is subtle and only at the top of the windshield. I paid $210 for the windshield plus installation from Glass America ..... I supplied new weatherstrip. Check on the web to see if they have office in your area.

I do recommend using a seasoned expert to install the new glass. I do have an extra Precison weatherstrip which I would sell cheap if you are interested.

[Seppi72]

You need to be aware that some (all?) aftermarket glass replacement (AGR) W/Ss are a LOT thinner than the original equipment (OE) W/Ss. I found this out the hard way when I piggybacked a W/S order through Black Dragon with a friend. We each ordered one to save on freight. He needed his right away. I didn't need mine right then and there.

The box from Black Dragon was well-made and the contents had been secured with foam-in-place urethane. However, both W/Ss were cracked o delivery. Replacement parts arrived OK later on.

However, I managed to crack my W/S right down the center when I was putting it in storage and I used to work in R&D for Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company in Toledo, OH. I though I knew how to properly handle laminated glass.

On inspection, the PPG AGR W/S (made in China) was noticeably thinner than any of the OE parts I have. Typically, a W/S is characterized by the three thicknesses (in mils) involved: outer ply, safety ply, inner ply. I typical W/S would be something like a 90/30/90. The AGR W/S is more like a 70/25/70.

So, the take-home for everyone is to ask the supplier for the thickness of the W/S. If it's 0.170" or less, watch out or be careful.

[ramsesosirus]

Whoa thats some good info seppi. That was PPG brand that was thin?? I thought they were like top of the line, thats the OE glass used in my 95 Camry!

[Seppi72]

It's only because I worked in the glass industry for about 8 years that I stay on top of these things. And LOF was (and is) the main competitor to PPG.

Note that I'm not saying all PPG W/S parts are that thin; only the AGR one that I got through Black Dragon (and they may use different suppliers over time too). In fact, PPG has/had several plants in the U.S. that make OE and recent AGR parts. But it obviously has a Chinese connection (I don't know if PPG owns a factory there or not) that allows at least some glass made there to be branded as PPG.

Also, be aware that PPG sold its glass division in late 2007 to Platinum Equity, a holding company based in Beverly Hills, CA. That, along with the more recent near-collapse of the domestic auto industry probably means quite a few U.S. jobs will be shed and even more items - perhaps even OE glass - could be coming here from China. However, the OEMs dictate exactly how thick glass is that they assemble into new vehicles. It's the AGR parts that can become a crap shoot.

Edited January 21, 2009 by Seppi72