Safelite has done a few windshields for me and I have always had a good experience... For my Lexus, they used an OEM windshield since they do not have an aftermarket one supposedly... That was a costly ordeal which was $1,9XX total after parts and labor (good thing I was covered by insurance)... Other cars I have had done they used PPG glass, and I've always had good luck with those...

 

Well, they said they have an OEE for the Supra. I wonder who makes it and what the quality is like. Maybe someone on here has one.

My main concern is that by saving some money it will lead to a much larger issue like water getting through and rusting. With things like this non-OEM parts get me a little scurred.

 

In for info. I have a small chip/crack in mine that I've had for quite awhile but the whole thing is very pitted and I could really use new glass, I've been putting it off as I don't want someone to mess it up.

 

Glad I'm not the only scurred person.

 

I would also suggest you get a new glass seal from Curt and have it put in at the same time. They are not that expensive.
The one Supra I have has glass from ppg and I have no issues with it at all. No leaks or anything. Then again, I got the car this way.

In the past I have had glass replaced and was always satisfied with safelite. Was cheap and the guys came and installed correctly.

One word of caution though is make sure you are there when they are removing the glass. At my friends used car lot, there was a windshield installed recently that scratched (more like shaved) the paint off the car's a pillar. Being that it's a used car lot, it didn't matter to the lot owner who just used some touch up paint to cover it up.

On the other hand, I have seen destroyed dash boards from the piano wire or knife cutting through..

When you call them, tell them that this is not a $3000 Camry, but rather a much more expensive Supra and that you will not accept a scratch on the dash, pillars, metal or anything.

I recently had the glass removed from my hardtop to get the car painted. They pulled the glass and re-installed according to the manual. Everythnig went smoothly. No damage to the dash or pillars.

Finally, you personally may want to remove the a pillar garnish at the least before they get there.

Sorry if that was way out of order. I'm just throwing thoughts down.

 

Make sure the aftermarket glass has the silver mounting plate for your rearview mirror pre-attached and its correct sized one! Some after market w/shields do not have or have the wrong size mounting plate !!

 

Ahh, another potential gotcha!

What happens if this isn't pre-attached? I assume trying to install your old one isn't going to work?

 

Yea, I'm already on edge a bit about this whole thing. You should have heard me in the car after it happened...
I'm actually thinking I'll bringing it into a shop as I've heard they tend to do a better job then coming out to you. I'm certainly going to watch them like a hawk. From what I understand one of the biggest potential issues is that they don't prime areas that they could have stripped during removal and this can lead to rust. Now, if they come out with a truck and do this outside in 100 degree weather and have the job done in an hour, I don't think they are fixing those problems (unless they remove it without any of these issues). I['d expect a body shop to notice these issues.


FYI, the glass on mine (and I assume everyone's) is made by Nippon who purchased Pilkington a few years back. Mine was manufactured in Mexico. You should be able to find the information in the bottom passenger side of the glass.

 

glad to see this thread. i was wondering the same thing about my windshield

 

did you try running it through your insurance? I had a crack in my winshield on my daily driver and safelite replaced it with no cost.

 

Yes, I asked. I have a $500 deductible. The cost of a OEE windshield is $350 through safelite (got a quote for $260 from another local shop) and therefore insurance does nothing. I asked what if I want an OEM windshield. They said the state does not require them to replace with an OEM windshield, just something "equivalent" and therefore if I wanted an OEM windshield I would be doing so myself.

Personally, I find it funny that they can use the term "equivalent" to define a product made with no correlation to OEM specifications and typically in China. It's interesting how these things always tend to service the interests of those with the pull/power. Regardless of the quality of the OEE product, a $90 piece of glass made in China does not equate to equivalent to a very expensive piece of glass made by some of the largest and most widely used glass manufacturers in the world.

 

I dont know the fuss about OEE vs OEM glass. Ive had a few OEE windshields replaced on a few of my cars and family members cars and none have had any issues of any sort. no wiggle rear view mirrors either. I think I paid around $150 for the glass with labor and even cheaper in the past. I would never pay anywhere over $200 for a piece of glass, seriously why would you? If the shop is knowledgeable and has alot of experience go with the cheapest qouted price.

However, I did go with a mobile auto glass company, not safelite (because I needed it ASAP) and the glass cracked shortly afterwards, which means to me that the guy probably cracked it on install and with heat it spread. My lesson learned and I will now stick with the company I have used in the past.

Also all glass windshields need some type of certification of "Safeness", maybe DOT approved or something like that. Think about it, tons of people buy OEE windshileds and how many horror stories have you heard? Seriously, If you are worried about quality and money is not a concern get Toyota and have Safelite do it.

 

I had the misfortune of using Royal Auto Glass to replace my windshield. Within a week the rearview mirror fell off the windshield with the mounting plate attached to it AND a 3" piece of round glass! Now my windshield has a 3" recessed hole where the mirror belongs. I also have a $500 deductible so screw it.

 

I had the misfortune of using Royal Auto Glass to replace my windshield. Within a week the rearview mirror fell off the windshield with the mounting plate attached to it AND a 3" piece of round glass! Now my windshield has a 3" recessed hole where the mirror belongs. I also have a $500 deductible so screw it.[/QUOTE

If you went through your insurance I would call them and it should fall under the previous claim since it was not done properly the first time & have them replace it for you at no cost and if your under 12 months or 12,000 miles you you should be golden.

 

years ago i had my windshield glass replaced by a very good company and have had no problems, they even re glued the rear view mirror, imo just ask around to find a good company , glass is glass

 

Unfortunately, from what I'm hearing is that not all glass is the same.
The windshield is important to the structural integrity of the car. Thickness can be different. The uniformity can be different. People have issues with the optical clarity of the glass. People complain about "waviness" in the glass which would absolutely drive me crazy. Basically, who manufacturers the glass and the process they use seems to matter more then someone who doesn't know anything about that industry would ever think.

 

Safelite/Service Auto Glass carries PPG,PGW,Pilkington,SCG and other brands. I've installed every one of their brands in a MKIV over last two decades. Never had any issues with Pilkington glass, maybe because they are OE supplier for many European car makers including high end exotic cars. Recently I had problems with PPG and PGW glass for SupraPVB's Supra that was in for full repaint. As Curt has mentioned, the bracket for rearview mirror on first glass was wrong, second glass had the right bracket, but it was attached upside down. Besides that all the glass fit without any issues. I have Pilkington in my personal daily Supra.

 

FYI, I had the crack filled for right now since the insurance company waves the cost of repairs. Didn't want it to spread.
The repair is "ok" but I can clearly still see it.

When I talked to safelite and another local company glassmax, both were very upfront with me. They basically said the glass I'd end up with would be made by, I believe, XYG a chinese brand. They said basically that the year of the car is killing my options as they couldn't find an alternative OEE brand.

It seems that newer cars can get Pilkington and other brands. Like I said, Pilkington was purchased by Nippon, and I know they are a big brand name. I'd have no issue with a OEE replacement from them or another well known company. But some backyard chinese company like XYG? Both companies said the same thing, unprovoked by me, that this brand is not the quality of a OEM manufacturer (like Pilkington).


I had GlassMax do the repair (was closest to me) and the guy showed me how the repairs are done which was nice. I asked him about how they handle the windshield replacement and he put me at ease because he covered all the points that I had concerns about, like what primer and adhesive they use, etc..

 

No one mentioned this, but its a irker for me. I've seen supra's with replaced windshields before, and instead of using the window molding from Toyota which looks nice, and tidy, the installers often use this wide black molding that goes around the entire window, which doesn't look that good IMO. Sooo, if you are going to get your windshield replaced, order the molding from one of the dealers here, and tell the installer to use it instead of the wide molding that they use.


This is what it will look like if you don't:

 

I had to have my windshield replaced prior to going overseas (overseas shipping requirement did not allow crack repair). That was almost three years ago. I believe my insurance (USAA) covered the cost for free (Florida waives deductible for windshield replacement). Safelite replaced the glass at my house with an OEE brand. It was quick, they replaced the seal and remounted the mirror. Never had any issues since. I understand some concern, but I wouldn't let it worry you too much.
J