My 02, sc430 windshield needs replacement, any suggestion or recommendation? factory windshield cost $1300, insurance will not pay, is it worth? Live in So.Cal, orange county, who does a good job around here? TIA

 

Why won't the insurance pay? Ussually this is covered by comprehensive, at least that's the way Florida insurance works..

JR

 

I just had my 06 replaced about 5 weeks ago. Big crack after getting hit with something. I had it replaced by Safelite auto glass. It looks just as good as the original Lexus but does not have the Rain X type sheeting effect the original did. I don't think much of that feature so it was not a big deal. All the shading and antenna wires are identical and all electronic functions work. It was $550.00 installed. It is not a do it in your garage job. It is more complicated than most replacements. I would have no hesitation having them do it again. I have State Farm and they had no problem with SafeLite.

 

I replaced the original last fall on my 06 and had a heck of a time locating one here in Canada.
The aftermarket units that I would order and look at once they arrived at the shop were horrible chinese junk, crooked antennas, cheap glass, distorted etc. I eventually just ordered a factory original out of Vancouver and had it sent to Calgary and installed by a different installer, and saved some money that way. All in I was around 800.

 

There is a company that provides OEM quality Windshield. From what I know, the provide windshield for many auto maker as OEM. Try Pilkington or PPG. It won't cost you Arm and Leg.

 

I checked the glass that SafeLite put in and it is PPG.

 

PPG has a plant locally here in Pa. American made! Go for it! (At least I think they make them all in the US)

 

Yes, it is covered by comprehensive, they do not pay for the factory windshield but cheep aftermarket. the difference is $1250 to $300. Does anyone know that original factory glass has a special coating for rain? however PPG sounds good.

 

My body shop friend said they use either Pilkington or PPG with good results. In fact they don’t actually do the R&R of the glass but they have a Mobile Glass installer replace all windshields. If you go with a national company like Safelite you should be fine.

My understanding is that only side windows have rain repellant coating for Lexus vehicles. .

Here's a Link from Lexus Driver's site.
http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdriver...ter-Protection

JR

 

PPG is now PGW. Pittsburgh Glass works. Their glass is made in the US. This is what I just had put in by Safelite. No difference from the original. Without the labeling you would not know the difference.

 

Prasha, let me know what installer you end up using & if you are satisfied with their workmanship. TIA

 

I don't think that's the case. I replaced my windshield about three years ago with Safelite glass. It was almost identical, but I did notice the OEM windshield repelled rain better. But not better enough to spend the extra $800 I would have paid out of pocket.

 

As I stated in a post previously, my OEM glass did sheet the water. The new one from PGW (PPG) does not. I always thought that feature was of marginal benefit.

 

There' seems to be some kind of coating on the windshield. May not be the same as the side windows.

 

I just did a quick search.

My 2007 SC430 windshield has LAMIPANE etched on it. Doing a quick search it looks like this is the brand name for Pilkington which was acquired by Nippon Sheet Glass NSG 1n 2006, now NSG/Pilkington

My LS460 windshield also has LAMIPANE etched on it.

Tapping on the LS and the SC windshield I believe the LS is Acoustic Glass and the SC is not. The 2008 and up LS had acoustic glass on the front door glass and windshield. The LS front doors and windshield have the same deadened sounds when tapped on. The SC Windshield, front windows and the LS back door windows sound more like standard glass when tapped on.

I can’t find anything anywhere that states the windshields have any special coating on them. One would think a coating would eventually wear off when the wiper blades cause friction.

Just an observation.