Anyone have a windshield replaced?
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Nam, do you have USAA for your car insurance? If so, I am very interested what they will do for you because I too have USAA and have an issue with my windsheild. Tks bro!
#18
Exactly! I know people get windshields installed by insurance specialist replacement shops all the time with no problems but I don't want some guy taking apart my car in my parking lot at work or in my driveway at home. It's not like you need a windshield replaced regularly unless you're unlucky. I'll pay the dealer or at least specify OEM glass only. I would think there's a way to get insurance to cover part of that cost anyway.
#19
Racer
iTrader: (1)
There are very strict specifications for auto glass. These are federal standards. I guess it is possible to find a sub par glass but if you go to a reputable installer that uses name brand glass like PGW, there will be no difference between the Lexus glass and aftermarket. I have seen no difference in the Lexus glass and the PGW other than the water sheeting effect (on the Lexus glass) and I didn't really like that anyway.
#20
There are very strict specifications for auto glass. These are federal standards. I guess it is possible to find a sub par glass but if you go to a reputable installer that uses name brand glass like PGW, there will be no difference between the Lexus glass and aftermarket. I have seen no difference in the Lexus glass and the PGW other than the water sheeting effect (on the Lexus glass) and I didn't really like that anyway.
#21
Unfortunately, like many companies PGW has out-sourced after-market glass to China and other foreign companies.
http://www.cprautoglassrepair.com/oe...o-glass-china/
http://www.cprautoglassrepair.com/oe...o-glass-china/
#22
Racer
iTrader: (1)
#23
Racer
iTrader: (1)
Unfortunately, like many companies PGW has out-sourced after-market glass to China and other foreign companies.
http://www.cprautoglassrepair.com/oe...o-glass-china/
http://www.cprautoglassrepair.com/oe...o-glass-china/
#24
Racer
iTrader: (1)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...questions.html
Here is a thread on this site that makes it appear that the Lexus dealer put in PPG or PGW glass in the CPO process. This owner liked the aftermarket better.
Here is a thread on this site that makes it appear that the Lexus dealer put in PPG or PGW glass in the CPO process. This owner liked the aftermarket better.
#25
Driver
Thread Starter
I have Florida Farm Bureau Insurance, and they have a list of authorized installers they use. They put me in touch with their preferred installer, who is Glass America. When I set up the appointment, I asked whether they used Lexus OEM glass, and they said they could, but it would take about another week to get it .
They said they usually use another supplier who is actually an OEM for Chrysler & Ford, (it's actually PPG Glass), and they said it should have the antenna in it, They will have the installer call me to verify that when he picks it up from the supplier just to be sure (they are coming Monday afternoon) . They said that most of their customers liked the PPG windshields better? My windshield has now cracked completely across the front, and is basically undriveable at this point (crack runs directly across my field of vision when I'm driving - its like I'm wearing bi-focals!).
I guess I'll let them go ahead an replace it - since they have an unlimited two-year replacement guarantee. If I'm not happy with it, they said I can have them replace it with a Lexus OEM windshield if it comes to that. Since I won't be charged either way, I might as well give it a shot (in Florida, windshields have to be replaced at no charge - state law if the crack is over 1 inch in length - I'm sure they build it into our rates anyway). One of the other advantages of living in the Sunshine State
I'll report back on Monday evening to let you know how it goes.....
#26
Thanks, that proves my point. And why do you automatically feel that anything made in China is bad. We used to say the same thing about "Made in Japan" I don't know how you are living here in the good Ole USA with a problem with Chinese made products. They are everywhere.
So I'm not sure what point you are referring to nor did I ever mention the quality of Chinese made parts.
#27
BGW70;
I have Florida Farm Bureau Insurance, and they have a list of authorized installers they use. They put me in touch with their preferred installer, who is Glass America. When I set up the appointment, I asked whether they used Lexus OEM glass, and they said they could, but it would take about another week to get it .
They said they usually use another supplier who is actually an OEM for Chrysler & Ford, (it's actually PPG Glass), and they said it should have the antenna in it, They will have the installer call me to verify that when he picks it up from the supplier just to be sure (they are coming Monday afternoon) . They said that most of their customers liked the PPG windshields better? My windshield has now cracked completely across the front, and is basically undriveable at this point (crack runs directly across my field of vision when I'm driving - its like I'm wearing bi-focals!).
I guess I'll let them go ahead an replace it - since they have an unlimited two-year replacement guarantee. If I'm not happy with it, they said I can have them replace it with a Lexus OEM windshield if it comes to that. Since I won't be charged either way, I might as well give it a shot (in Florida, windshields have to be replaced at no charge - state law if the crack is over 1 inch in length - I'm sure they build it into our rates anyway). One of the other advantages of living in the Sunshine State
I'll report back on Monday evening to let you know how it goes.....
I have Florida Farm Bureau Insurance, and they have a list of authorized installers they use. They put me in touch with their preferred installer, who is Glass America. When I set up the appointment, I asked whether they used Lexus OEM glass, and they said they could, but it would take about another week to get it .
They said they usually use another supplier who is actually an OEM for Chrysler & Ford, (it's actually PPG Glass), and they said it should have the antenna in it, They will have the installer call me to verify that when he picks it up from the supplier just to be sure (they are coming Monday afternoon) . They said that most of their customers liked the PPG windshields better? My windshield has now cracked completely across the front, and is basically undriveable at this point (crack runs directly across my field of vision when I'm driving - its like I'm wearing bi-focals!).
I guess I'll let them go ahead an replace it - since they have an unlimited two-year replacement guarantee. If I'm not happy with it, they said I can have them replace it with a Lexus OEM windshield if it comes to that. Since I won't be charged either way, I might as well give it a shot (in Florida, windshields have to be replaced at no charge - state law if the crack is over 1 inch in length - I'm sure they build it into our rates anyway). One of the other advantages of living in the Sunshine State
I'll report back on Monday evening to let you know how it goes.....
#28
Your decision of course as to whether you care about the impact on sound levels in the car, presence or not of the antenna and thickness, water sheeting or coloration/tinting differences as well. But don't think you're getting the same thing when you get a $350 Safelite windshield vs the Lexus dealer OEM replacement windshield.
(And yes, I have been working in the insurance industry for 34 years.)
#29
Racer
iTrader: (1)
You are correct about the safety characteristics of the glass. That's all the insurance company and DOT are worried about. However, Lexus specs their glass (as do other high end brands) with more than just saftey in mind. The glass on a Lexus is usually thicker and at least on my LS600 is also double-paned in addition to having the secondary antenna built in. The thickness is what helps create the quiet interior of a Lexus (or Mercedes or BMW). Lexus also has the water sheeting compound baked in as well. So you can get a perfectly safe replacement that is not the same as OEM equivalent glass. It's as safe as OEM but it's not necessarily meeting all the other standards that Lexus places on its glass.
Your decision of course as to whether you care about the impact on sound levels in the car, presence or not of the antenna and thickness, water sheeting or coloration/tinting differences as well. But don't think you're getting the same thing when you get a $350 Safelite windshield vs the Lexus dealer OEM replacement windshield.
(And yes, I have been working in the insurance industry for 34 years.)
Your decision of course as to whether you care about the impact on sound levels in the car, presence or not of the antenna and thickness, water sheeting or coloration/tinting differences as well. But don't think you're getting the same thing when you get a $350 Safelite windshield vs the Lexus dealer OEM replacement windshield.
(And yes, I have been working in the insurance industry for 34 years.)
#30
Driver
Thread Starter
Just following up.... I had the windshield replaced on Wednesday (they couldn't do it at my home as they originally planned because they said it was a difficult job on an SC430, so I had to take it in to a regular automotive glass shop).
The windshield was made by PGW (PPG), and as far as I can tell, everything is the same - fits perfectly and the antenna is there & works fine. It doesn't seem to have the same tinting as the OEM glass (not darker near the top), but seems "clearer". Maybe it's me. Otherwise, everything seems fine.
The only issue was that the rear-view mirror fell down on the way home (the installer didn't get it in right). The rear-view mirror on the SC mounts to a metal disk inside the glass...it's pretty tricky to get everything lined up right and twisted into place properly, but I've done it before, so I just fixed it myself.
I'm not driving it for a day or so to let it set up properly, and I'll hit it with a couple of coats of RaineX to get it water-repellent again, but so far, it looks like all is well...
The windshield was made by PGW (PPG), and as far as I can tell, everything is the same - fits perfectly and the antenna is there & works fine. It doesn't seem to have the same tinting as the OEM glass (not darker near the top), but seems "clearer". Maybe it's me. Otherwise, everything seems fine.
The only issue was that the rear-view mirror fell down on the way home (the installer didn't get it in right). The rear-view mirror on the SC mounts to a metal disk inside the glass...it's pretty tricky to get everything lined up right and twisted into place properly, but I've done it before, so I just fixed it myself.
I'm not driving it for a day or so to let it set up properly, and I'll hit it with a couple of coats of RaineX to get it water-repellent again, but so far, it looks like all is well...
Last edited by NAmVet68; 05-14-15 at 06:41 AM.