Windshield glass

[Kjeld]

Sorry, this isn't really an Elan question. But given the number of gearheads here, was hoping you could help. Was wondering if there is a qualitative difference in windshield auto glass? We replaced the windshield on our Passat after a crack appeared last summer. But 2 weeks after a new windshield, there are a number of chips and even a crack. Anything that hits the windshield, marks it!

It was installed at a cheapo auto glass shop. Is this a question of the grade of glass they use, or has mother luck turned an evil eye my way?

[tweetdriver63]

I'm not an expert, but the company you went to might not be using glass that meets all the OEM specs. PPG, and several other manufacturers that make the glass for pretty much every car in North America (for the factories), also make glass for the aftermarket, and they make it to the same specs as what they make for the factories. Other companies that only make aftermarket stuff, generally do it by reverse-engineering a factory piece for size/shape etc, and they don't have the actual specs. You don't want that, but if you're going with the lowest bidder, that's probably the kind of part they're using. Certain coatings that add strength and help resist chips/scratches are going to be used on the factory windshield, but aftermarket-only windshields may not have those.

Wow. I seem to know more than I thought I did......or maybe I dreamed it.....

[Kjeld]

After more homework, there seems to be a significant difference in windshield manufacturers. It appears PPG is best, there is another one that does windshields for Mercedes, that rates well. The worst: Safelite. Lousy reviews all over the net. Have to say, I have never seen anything like it. Hardened cellophane, it seems.