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What do I need to know about replacing auto glass?

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March 07, 2017, 08:55 AM
Dallas239
What do I need to know about replacing auto glass?
My wife hit the open garage door and shattered the rear windshield. It's got defroster and windshield washer mounted to the glass. Any concerns with using a mobile glass replacement service rather than taking it to the dealership? Are they all using comparable replacements? Any questions I need to ask? TIA.




"I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here." -- Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address, Jan. 11, 1989

Si vis pacem para bellum
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.
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March 07, 2017, 09:12 AM
jimmy123x
Most dealerships do not install glass, they sub it out to a glass company who comes to the dealership and does the install. Stick with the OEM brand of glass, the chinese aftermarket brands are crap.
March 07, 2017, 09:22 AM
V-Tail
I would trust an independent shop that specializes in, basically does nothing but, replace auto glass.

Kind of like picking a lawyer, eh? Instead of a generalist, find one who specializes in the area with which you need help. Preferably one who does nothing except that type of practice.



הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
March 07, 2017, 09:27 AM
John Steed
If you are going through your insurance company, I'm sure they have a shop they like.

Of course it may be wiser to leave them out of it if the cost is low enough. I have had work done at a local shop that seems ok. If you don't know of a specialist, ask your trusted mechanic if he can recommend someone.



... stirred anti-clockwise.
March 07, 2017, 09:32 AM
stoic-one
Never used them, but these guys say they use OEM quality glass and come to you... Not affiliated.

https://www.safelite.com/


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March 07, 2017, 09:42 AM
PD
How about AAA? Around here AAA of New England can send a repair truck to your home or work place and install on site.
March 07, 2017, 09:44 AM
jhe888
Duct tape and polyethylene sheeting. Do it at home.




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
March 07, 2017, 09:49 AM
joatmonv
quote:
Originally posted by stoic-one:
Never used them, but these guys say they use OEM quality glass and come to you... Not affiliated.

https://www.safelite.com/


Ex wife had a cracked windshield and called Safelite. They came to her apartment complex and replaced it there.
She said they were polite and professional.


I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not.
March 07, 2017, 10:09 AM
jimmy123x
Safellite is a reputable company and has good glass. Yes, stick to a company that only does car windows. A Rear window depending on the vehicle and type, the glass might be an OEM item only.
March 07, 2017, 10:29 AM
egregore
Safelite, in conjunction with GEICO insurance, did a perfectly good job on my windshield. I'd have no problem with them installing even a specialized piece of glass like yours.
March 07, 2017, 10:41 AM
Skins2881
quote:
Originally posted by joatmonv:
quote:
Originally posted by stoic-one:
Never used them, but these guys say they use OEM quality glass and come to you... Not affiliated.

https://www.safelite.com/


Ex wife had a cracked windshield and called Safelite. They came to her apartment complex and replaced it there.
She said they were polite and professional.


I've also had a good experience with them. Last one had one problem. They took my E-ZPass (toll transponder). I called the installer on his cell phone. He went to shop after hours retrieved it from recycling pile and brought it to my house, and apologized profusely. Mistakes happen, it's all about how you handle it, and he excelled.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skins2881,



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
March 07, 2017, 10:44 AM
FenderBender
Don't do it yourself.

any of the safelite guys or glass shops, hell even some body shops can do it.
March 07, 2017, 10:45 AM
HRK
Mobile glass companies do a good job, they've replaced a couple of windshields here, my 86 Corvette and twice on my 03 F150, in FL windshields are a zero deductible item, you can't be charged a deductible by the carriers.

They come to your home or business or soccer game and do it right there so it's convenient and easy, dealers just going to have them come by and do it at the dealer anyway.
March 07, 2017, 12:04 PM
Icabod
quote:
Originally posted by stoic-one:
Never used them, but these guys say they use OEM quality glass and come to you... Not affiliated.

https://www.safelite.com/


I've used them. The shop was high end for customer waiting (toilet, freed soda, water, snacks)
The installer came out to apologize the windshield that came in was rubbed. Top corner, in the tint, you could see what looked like grease. He offered half off or come back for a new ne. I'd have never noticed it.
I'd been expecting to lose my post sticker. Nope, it was there on the new windshield. The installer showed me how it was done with duck tape.
Overall a good experiance.



“ The work of destruction is quick, easy and exhilarating; the work of creation is slow, laborious and dull.
March 07, 2017, 01:51 PM
BurtonRW
Safelite, compared to the competition, uses shit glass. Sit through a few insurance seminars on the topic and come away understanding in detail exactly why.

Use Glass America (glassusa.com) instead if you can.

-Rob




I predict that there will be many suggestions and statements about the law made here, and some of them will be spectacularly wrong. - jhe888

A=A
March 07, 2017, 01:59 PM
ZSMICHAEL
quote:
Safelite, compared to the competition, uses shit glass. Sit through a few insurance seminars on the topic and come away understanding in detail exactly why

Can you provide a short summary? The Safelite commercials they run in the South are terribly annoying with the use of improper grammar and stupid slogan. Would like to use another company just for that reason alone.
March 07, 2017, 02:28 PM
Dallas239
Safelite quoted double the price of a couple others, including one that claims to use OEM glass. I called my insurance agent, and she said $100 deductible and no fault for purposes of our rating. So probably going to let them handle.




"I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here." -- Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address, Jan. 11, 1989

Si vis pacem para bellum
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.
Feeding Trolls Since 1995
March 07, 2017, 03:05 PM
BurtonRW
quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
quote:
Safelite, compared to the competition, uses shit glass. Sit through a few insurance seminars on the topic and come away understanding in detail exactly why

Can you provide a short summary? The Safelite commercials they run in the South are terribly annoying with the use of improper grammar and stupid slogan. Would like to use another company just for that reason alone.


I'll try to find a source later, but they make their own glass. While it's technically within OEM, their tolerances are anything but tight, which can lead to invisible fitment issues (and leaking). It also tends to be quite thin and there are lots of stories about it being less than optically perfect.

Look for an installer that uses PPG glass or equivalent.

-Rob




I predict that there will be many suggestions and statements about the law made here, and some of them will be spectacularly wrong. - jhe888

A=A
March 07, 2017, 03:13 PM
ryan81986
I've used JN Phillips and have always had good luck with them.




March 07, 2017, 03:19 PM
Prefontaine
OEM glass only. Insurance carrier will try to use crap replacement/aftermarket and it isn't as thick.



What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone