Crrrrrrrrrrack

[Mr Bill]

Which is more likely to crack?
Original or generic windshields.
Why?
Is there a benefit to buying OEM windshields?
Do you get what you pay for?
People ask me this. I need to know what to tell them.

[thechipdoctor]

Thats a difficult one, it depends where the replacement screen came from.
For example, in the UK, one of the big suppliers of automotive glass is a company called Pilkington.
Many new cars glass will be 'branded', in other words the 'Ford' logo will appear on the glass along with the manufacters logo. The replacement market's glass will only show the manufacturer's logo. It's quite unlikely that Pilkington will run two production lines to make identical pieces of glass. The only difference will be the 'lables' that are embedded in the glass.
However, if the replacement glass is made by a manufacturer that does not supply OE glass to manufacturers then thats a different matter.

[screenman]

I often get asked will the damage spread, now this can open a can of worms. Say yes and the customer may reply well it has been in there 10 years and not got any worse.

So my answer is, I have not got a clue however I know almost every long crack I have ever seen started off at some time as a smaller chip.

[just chippen away]

I often get asked will the damage spread, now this can open a can of worms. Say yes and the customer may reply well it has been in there 10 years and not got any worse.

So my answer is, I have not got a clue however I know almost every long crack I have ever seen started off at some time as a smaller chip.

My answer is: Got a quarter? Heads yes, tails no... It is a coin toss... We can not tell you that. We need to take other things in consideration, Color of vehicle, Type of vehicle, location of break, type of break, age of break an how often has the windshield been washed. and bla bla bla.

[just chippen away]

Which is more likely to crack?
Original or generic windshields.
Why?
Is there a benefit to buying OEM windshields?
Do you get what you pay for?
People ask me this. I need to know what to tell them.

I like PPG, I tell the customer you will NEVER EVER find a SGC piece of glass in a brand new car.... The are not up to the spec's for OEM but they can be used as aftermarket replacement....
Compare glass to wood, A PPG s like oak and a SGC is like pine... Throw a stone at them, which one would most likely get damaged most of the time... A piece of pine....

[Glasseye]

A while ago a major car manufacturer said that their warranty would be voided if anything other than their OE glass was fitted, implying that it was not up to the same standard. It resulted in a court case where the manufacturer had to remove the statement from their literature regarding warranty.

Which is more likely to crack, OE or generic? -ignoring damage causes, I would say generic, - why?
1) the windshield will not be an exact fit to the vehicle and, while it will still be within the tolerances, it is more likely to cause extra stress on the glass which is already stressed during the process of manufacture.
2) some manufacturers have higher standards of production than others, the finished product, whilst meeting set regulation standards, will vary.
3) standards of replacement - most repalcement companies fit generic rather than OE (cost) - if the windshields have not been refitted correctly. Undue pressure from, say trim surrounds, will further stress the glass.

Is there a benefit to buying an OEM winshield?
The major benefit is the knowledge you are getting a glass accurately designed and manufactured to fit the vehicle, however, most main dealers use replacement companies to fit the new glass and in my experience, the main driver of the decision who they use, is cost and less so, standards of workmanship. The obscuration band, around a windshield, can hide a multitude of sins.

Do you get what you pay for?
You can insist that the windshield is replaced with an OE windshield. Some insurers may apply an extra payment, covering differences in wholesale costs, to meet your request. You can also specify a named replacement company to do the work but the insurance company will limit their liability if it is not one of their recommended suppliers.
You can pay the extra costs, then drive down the road and have it broken within a couple of miles ( believe me it does happen!)
So the decision is left with the customer