I'm still learning this WR business, so I honestly ask this question in a
delicate manner of our knowlegeable Replacement Associates:
Sure I'm learning to recognize what a bad repair looks like, but how can I tell if somebody got a lousy replacemnet service? Or a cheap glass?
What are the signs to watch for? Should I just keep my mouth shut?
Thanks
Ken
Bad tech?
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desertstars
best resins
Hi, Win1.
The answer is yes.
Why open a can of worms?
Do your best job; give them your business card and advise them to call you FIRST before calling the insurance company next time; hope that they file your card instead of cleaning their fingernails with it.
How do you know whether or not their first-cousin or dad glued the windshield in or smeared an $8 Karo syrup Ace Hardware goop-kit over the bullseye?
Good question, though.
The answer is yes.
Why open a can of worms?
Do your best job; give them your business card and advise them to call you FIRST before calling the insurance company next time; hope that they file your card instead of cleaning their fingernails with it.
How do you know whether or not their first-cousin or dad glued the windshield in or smeared an $8 Karo syrup Ace Hardware goop-kit over the bullseye?
Good question, though.
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GRT
You can tell if a windshield is cheap if the price is $99 or less. Also if you drill and you hit the laminate (which is really just a wide piece of scotch tape) in 2 seconds or less, or.... 
Jus.. Kiddin. Usually I can tell because the windshield looks like the driving range after a busy day with all the divets. Also if you look through a front side window (window down) from a distance and its looks obviously groovy......I mean WAVY. Hope this helps. 
Nuts,
Gary T.
Jus.. Kiddin. Usually I can tell because the windshield looks like the driving range after a busy day with all the divets. Also if you look through a front side window (window down) from a distance and its looks obviously groovy......I mean WAVY. Hope this helps. Nuts,
Gary T.
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WIN-1
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desertstars
Working Big Dents
If you lived in Phoenix, I'd say that was heat waves you're seeing.
DRY heat waves that is. The kind that conjure up mirages.
In any other area it's probably due to either refraction or the end result of too many alcoholic beverages.
On the other hand, WIN-1, it could be YOUR windshield or sidelite! Do ALL other windshields look that way? (A matter of perspective.)
Seriously though, I don't think you can finger a cheap windshield without a micrometer, chemical analysis or drilling into it. I drilled into the end of a crack on one recently and couldn't believe how thin it was. It had to be illegal, I'm sure.
Curious, I tried to check the manufacturer's ID on the bottom left and it had a picture of a bandito with a mask on his face. I KNOW who installed it but won't mention the name. They are well-known in this area for giving away a years worth of Mexican dinners with their installs.
Personally, I don't eat Mexican food even though I live in Phoenix and enjoy their culture and the people themselves.
The food is a riot of colors but it looks like it's been eaten once already.
Come to think of it, maybe that's WHY it IS a riot of colors.
But, I'm rowing away from the point and I've rowed so far I forgot what the point is.
DRY heat waves that is. The kind that conjure up mirages.
In any other area it's probably due to either refraction or the end result of too many alcoholic beverages.
On the other hand, WIN-1, it could be YOUR windshield or sidelite! Do ALL other windshields look that way? (A matter of perspective.)
Seriously though, I don't think you can finger a cheap windshield without a micrometer, chemical analysis or drilling into it. I drilled into the end of a crack on one recently and couldn't believe how thin it was. It had to be illegal, I'm sure.
Curious, I tried to check the manufacturer's ID on the bottom left and it had a picture of a bandito with a mask on his face. I KNOW who installed it but won't mention the name. They are well-known in this area for giving away a years worth of Mexican dinners with their installs.
Personally, I don't eat Mexican food even though I live in Phoenix and enjoy their culture and the people themselves.
The food is a riot of colors but it looks like it's been eaten once already.
Come to think of it, maybe that's WHY it IS a riot of colors.
But, I'm rowing away from the point and I've rowed so far I forgot what the point is.
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sydfloyd44
wavy windshields
You will see that distortion on virtually all windshields. Just the nature of the way it is curved. Every vehicle is different in shape and size so there are variations in it. Doesn't always say anything relating to the quality of the glass. (in a few rare instances it can)
As far as the thickness of the glass...
You will find many differences in thickness'. Most differences you see can be found on virtually all windshields for that specific vehicle, regardless of the glass manufacturer. Now comes the important part. The thickness of the GLASS has no relation to FMVSS!!!! The LAMINATE is the part of a windshield that is affected by the law.
If you go back 20+ years, you will find that the glass is VERY thick. Bullseyes were much more common. Catch is, the laminate was still about the same. Because of the extensive weight that those old windshields had with the very thick glass, newer cars are built with thinner glass layers to lighten the vehicle (this was originally done to reduce gas comsumption). All this is done without changing the laminate layer.
I do believe that we will continue to see glass (especially tempered parts) continue to thicken once again in the future.
As far as the thickness of the glass...
You will find many differences in thickness'. Most differences you see can be found on virtually all windshields for that specific vehicle, regardless of the glass manufacturer. Now comes the important part. The thickness of the GLASS has no relation to FMVSS!!!! The LAMINATE is the part of a windshield that is affected by the law.
If you go back 20+ years, you will find that the glass is VERY thick. Bullseyes were much more common. Catch is, the laminate was still about the same. Because of the extensive weight that those old windshields had with the very thick glass, newer cars are built with thinner glass layers to lighten the vehicle (this was originally done to reduce gas comsumption). All this is done without changing the laminate layer.
I do believe that we will continue to see glass (especially tempered parts) continue to thicken once again in the future.
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CarGlass
hi guys... keith here.. as far as looking at a windshield and trying to determine if its "cheap" ?... there are many things to consider, look along the edge's of the glass to see if its wavy (bad cooling),, look at the mirror bracket area to see if its wavy,they may have installed the bracket before the glass cooled therefore creating a distortion and a weak spot,,, look at the frit band (black ceramic paint along edge), is it neat and clean looking ?,,,, a heavy seam on the edge of a windshield is very important to insure less stress cracks,,,,, bulleye distortions anywhere on the windshield will cause weak spots for breakage, and the curve of the glass is important for over all fit and finish,,, some of these things are installation tech stuff whick i deal with everyday, but i hope this may help those of us with questions about windshield quality,,,,, c ya,,, keith
The Car Glass Company (partime at this time)
The Car Glass Company (partime at this time)
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CarGlass
hi syd.. thank you and thanks to your posts also,, ive learned a LOT of stuff from you guys about windshield repair that ive never been taught over the many years ive been in auto glass with only a few company's,,, so if i can help with installation tech stuff ill be glad to help out,,, anybody can email me at CarGlass44@hotmail.com if they are needing some idea's on what to do about installation techniques or problems, jeff with delta kits has a replacement forum set up for us also to use, well so far ive seen replacement chat mixed in with repair chat and thats ok too... i love this junk (but dont know why?..lol)... so you guys keep up the good work,,,, c ya,, keith
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