Windshield Repair Forum

In the heated windshields thread Screenman mentioned solar windshields, and a problem with the damaged area turning white if not repaired soon after the damage occurs. I didn't want to confuse anyone by talking about a solar control windshield issue in the heated windshield thread but I do think new technicians need to be aware that solar control windshields do exist, and that they can present unique challenges.

How many of you identify solar control windshields by the bug "manufacturer, date, type, etc., printed on the windshield, and how many of you simply identify solar control windshields by the unique tint?

Has anyone experienced any problems with solar control windshields other than the one Screenman mentioned?

Does everyone repair solar control windshields or do some of you pass them by?

What kinds of vehicles are you seeing the most solar control windshields in?

There is a difference between a solar coated windshield and a solar controlled windshield, for example. A DW01265GBN (chevy express van) is a solar controlled w/s while a DW01293GBN (chevy lumina van) is a solar coated w/s. Almost all of todays modern windshields are solar controlled, but only a few are actually of the solar coated type of which present a problem for repair techs. So, just because a windshield says "solar" on it does not mean its solar coated. thats my 2 cents, hope i didnt create more confusion!

Would it be easier to list some of these?

Oldmobile Silouette Van
Buick Rendevous
Pontiac Aztek
Chevy Venture Van
Some Pontiac Montana vans

OK, I guess I am a little confused. Unless I am reading it incorrectly, according to NAGS the DW01265GBN is a solar green windshield with a blue shade band, which is just your average everyday windshield. Nearly all windshields these days are solar green, with a shade band, but solar control windshields have a an extra film on the inside that cuts out a lot more of the sun's energy than the standard solar green. There are a lot of websites that will confirm this, as will the glass manufacturers, but this site give a simple explanation. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7037588.html

Since I don't do replacements anymore I am way behind the learning curve when it comes to such things, so please forgive me if the Chevy Express Van has an optional solar control windshield of a different type that I am not familiar with. If that is the case and you have more information about it, please share it with us.

Here is a site that may be of interest to many of you. It is the most complete list that I have found for solar control and heated windshields. I'm sure the glass manufacturers have even more complete lists as these guys had to get their information from someone, but it's like pulling teeth to get info from either of those sources these days. One nice thing about this site is they list a phone number where you can call if you have a question about a particular model. I'm sure the number was meant to be used by automobile owners in Denver, so they may not appreciate hundreds of calls, but it doesn't specify who can and cannot use the information.

https://www.expresstoll.com/pdf/Special ... 007web.pdf

I think this list may be a year or so old, and may be missing a few models, but is still up to date enough to help you identify most of the solar control and heated windshields used in the USA today. As you can see, these windshields are only in a limited number of vehicles, and very few new vehicles. I'm not sure, but it sounds like it could be a different story across the pond.

If anyone has a better or more up to date list I sure would appreciate it if you would share that with us as well. I haven't had much luck with my sources for this type of information lately.

Where a windscreen has this solar protection there is a significant difference in the appearance of the windscreen damage. Firstly the screen itself has a reflective hue to it unlike normal tinted glass and the damage itself normally has a whiteish footprint already visible on the interlayer. You must point this out to the customer before commencing work, because you may do a perfectly good repair but the footprint will still be clearly visible.

A "solar" windshield will not be affected by a windshield repair. Repairs are done on them day in and day out without any issue. What you are all talking about, is the PPG Sungate windshield. This same technology is used in other forms such as high rise structures.
From the PPG Sungate webpage. "The Sungate windshield incorporates a multi-layer transparent metal/metal oxide coating on the inboard surface of the outer glass. Silver coating layers reflect solar energy. Other layers control visible reflections and, at the same time, protect the silver layers from attack by chemicals or other environmental components."
This is what you cannot repair. once the metals are disturbed, there is no way to correct.

sydfloyd44, whilst I agree partly with what you say, I still have customer', driving cars with this style of windshield and are quite happy to live with small silver mark, once I have carried out a structual repair of the glass rather than replace the whole unit. In fact I have the same glass in both my french cars and will repair when required.

Yeah, but if you are driving French cars you obviously have lower standards anyway. Sorry Screenman, I couldn't resist. You know I'm just kidding!

Ouch! that was below the belt. The fact the both carry 5 in reasonable comfort and both do over 53 mpg has lot to do with it.

I guess I will stir the pot a little. It is invaluble to have a community where we all can share our experiences with these types of windshield features. When making a judgement call, our opinions and speculations about these systems are helpful but if there are industry recommendations in place that affect how we as technicians do business then for me...show me the facts!

I cannot believe that the MFG's, both Windshield and Automaker have not shared technical data or worse, do not have data for there products and intergration of there products. That would be gross negligence on both sides. Everything has been engineered? Where is there technical data?

I cannot believe we now have a "standard" in place for those who elect to abide by, so they must have used factual data during the creation of this. Where are the referances?

We can speculate, share opinions and experiences all day long but in the end, who has proven and what protocol was used to determine whether WSR is safe or not on these windshields based on current reccomendations?

Anyone else have these questions?