Windshield distortion
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 254
From: Woodinville, WA
Windshield distortion
Anyone ever had a distortion problem with their windshields? I was driving around in (what is soon to be) my 95 coupe and I swear that everything was just slightly distorted as I was looking through the front windshield!
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Flashbacks? 
As Mr. P said, a poor quality replacement is all I can imagine too. Mine's somewhat pitted from use and so could stand replacement. But it's certainly not distorted. Mine's also a '95.
As Mr. P said, a poor quality replacement is all I can imagine too. Mine's somewhat pitted from use and so could stand replacement. But it's certainly not distorted. Mine's also a '95.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
No problems here. If you are buying it and need windshield replaced figure about $550, maybe tad more or less. Plus you will want a shop that is experienced in the Corvette windshields. More so called good glass shops have messed up vette windshields than you would like to hear about.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
No, no distortion. I did read quite a while ago about cheaper, replacement glass which could have ( stress on word, could) some distortion in it. You might want to check the glass and see what the marking is on it. Then ck with a club member re what it might/ought to be.
I have seen one car come through with some odd distortion straight from the factory, a new late '80s RX7. Oncoming headlights would flash across the windshield from left to right as if someone was waving a flashilight. I've never seen that before or since. Maybe it was a spaceship.....
Good luck.
I have seen one car come through with some odd distortion straight from the factory, a new late '80s RX7. Oncoming headlights would flash across the windshield from left to right as if someone was waving a flashilight. I've never seen that before or since. Maybe it was a spaceship.....
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Fl
I had this problem happen to me when safelite replaced my front windshield after a rock hit my windshield on the highway. When I picked it up I notice the distortion in the middle of the windshield. If I was taller or shorter I would not have noticed. The guy at the shop said this is common with expensive cars, but he did not notice it on my vette 
I told him
and to put on a new windshield. They order me a new one and had me look thru it to make sure it was ok before they installed. That distortion was giving me a headache to drive.
I told him and to put on a new windshield. They order me a new one and had me look thru it to make sure it was ok before they installed. That distortion was giving me a headache to drive.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Windshield distortion...
I've got some distortion too on my '90. It has some haze just above where the windshield meets the dash. I've read that this can happen due to the slow degradation of the HVAC insulation of the ductwork and will leave a greasy residue on the inside of the windshield. I have no greasy residue and the inside of the windshield is as clean as one can be. Its got to be the glass itself in my case. The 90 ZR1 had a specially laminated solar windshield. Maybe mine was replaced sometime in the past with the wrong type.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by bluedevil99
Anyone ever had a distortion problem with their windshields? I was driving around in (what is soon to be) my 95 coupe and I swear that everything was just slightly distorted as I was looking through the front windshield!
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Last edited by 86PACER; Jul 4, 2006 at 06:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I had the windshield on my 85 replaced and on the first drive I could not help notice major distortion. I took the installer for a drive and as soon as we started to move he just said, "I will replace it". Before he replaced it I asked if he would hold the windshield, with a helper, at the installed angle and I looked through the glass and moved my head up/down and left/right. Sure enough this was distorted too. He had one more windshield in stock and that one looked good. All windshields were LOF and first "quality".
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,324
Likes: 2,246
From: Central Maryland
There is a small area of the windshield on my Vette that does impart some optical distortion. Fortunately, it's not directly in my normal line of view, but it's definitely there. I have not yet closely examined the glass to try to determine if it's an aftermarket windshield.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I'm with SJW:
Because they are curved, there is some distortion on all windshields.
It is only noticeable down at the very corners, usually. Most of us don't notice it in normal use because it is so slight and not in the area of the glass that we normally look through.
If it IS in the area directly in front of you, and it bothers you, I'd have the windshield replaced.
Larry
code5coupe
Because they are curved, there is some distortion on all windshields.
It is only noticeable down at the very corners, usually. Most of us don't notice it in normal use because it is so slight and not in the area of the glass that we normally look through.
If it IS in the area directly in front of you, and it bothers you, I'd have the windshield replaced.
Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
The windshield on my 91 is the original, and it is slightly distorted on the passenger side, but I know why.....the glass is starting to delaminate. This is the first vehicle that I have ever owned that did that, but then again, I shouldn't be suprised. Corvettes seem to have their own little set of unique problems/gremlins.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 254
From: Woodinville, WA
Originally Posted by Cap'n Rich
I get distortion through my replacement windshield - but only when wearing glasses. There is something mismatched between the polarization of the glass and al the pairs of glasses which I've tried.
Curious.