So I was driving on the high way and a rock popped up, and tagged my front glass. My 85 is in showroom condition, so its killing me. It looks like a star and is about the size of a quarter.

I called my insurance, Hagarty, and they sound like they are willing to replace the window or have it fixed no problem, with no deductable.

I think because its smaller then a dollar, safe light glass is pushing for repair. Has any one ever had or seen a repair ? Does it look good ? I dont want any thing visble.

Also Safe light glass, or do I use some other company ? I like the idea of them doing it at my house, I know they can go mobile, rather then having to drop my baby off.

The other option is to replace. I think I like the idea of having them fix it because there is less of a chance of water leak or damaing the car, and needing knew parts But if I replace the window I have heard of people having no problems, and then I have heard of other people like central coaster who had bad problems, and I think leaks.

Thanks for the advise Dan

 

 

A professional trained in this type of repair should know right away the chances of a successful repair.

It is my understanding that if you catch the chip before those crack lines start to spread, it can be repaired. But I am sure each case would have to be evaluated.
I had a chip slightly smaller than the one in your picture repaired, and you can't tell it was ever there.
This was on my truck though, not the Vette.

If the decision is to actually replace the windshield, you would be well advised to make sure the person doing the replacement has actually done a Corvette C4 windshield before.
You have probably heard quite a few horror stories of replacements gone bad.
I would not allow someone without experience with a C4 do it.

 

If it is in the driver's field of vision then the windshield should be replaced, that's what State Farm has done for me several times. If they replace it make sure they install new A pillar weatherstripping as part of the job.

 

We can repair your W/S but let me make this clear.

All repairs are structural and not cosmetic. You might be able to see some remains of the repair.

Our process is the best and produces the best results, but as I said you might be able to see it.

I would try the repair, if you don't like it we will apply the cost of the repair towards the new W/S.

Hagarty may pay for the repair. Most Insurance companies will pay for the repair and not not make you pay the deductible.

I guess you might have figured out that I work for Safelite. If I can be of any help shoot me a PM

 

Thanks guys I guess Ill have to see what they say. I cant remember what the horror stories are or why a c4 window is so hard to do, but Ill have to do some research.

Ya hagarty is going to pay for it all and I have no deductible.

 

Specify a GM "A" Pillar weatherstripping. If it isn't GM it's crap.

 

Let em try to repair it theres more to changing ome out than youd think. Central coaster posted on his nightmare maybe someone here knows how to get ahold of him. Nice of safelite to chime in btw

 

It must all be crap then. I've heard from a few who went with GM weatherstripping, and in a few years it was rotting.

Strange thing is I think the GM weatherstripping is different on the Firebird and Camaros. As I've put GM weatherstripping on those cars, and 5+ years later it still looks new. Not all cracked and chunks missing like what happens on the C4 Vette GM weatherstripping.

 

My 87 has a long crack in the top driver side corner, caused by a recent hail storm. I've been working with AAA auto glass to get it replaced. The big problem is the moldings not the weatherstripping. The moldings aren't made by anyone, and the glass guy is afraid that my windshield had been replaced before and the moldings "glued" on. If that's the case, removing them is a lot more, very careful work.

 

I had read about the nightmares on here before I had mine replaced. I called my local Chevy dealer, and asked them who did their Vette windshields. I called them and made sure they had someone that did c4's do my car. I also took a chance with the weatherstrip and bought Wilcox, the installer said it was fine. My mouldings were also glued in, the guy spent several hours cleaning them up and saved them, without charging me extra. They did a fine job, no leaks. It did take them a lot of extra time, over a regular car anyways.

 

I assume they are gluing them in to seal them off from the water? I wonder if something like strip caulk would be better to use under the moldings when putting it back together instead?

 

I will apologize in advance to RLG as I have nothing good to say about experiences with Safelite. I'm sure that not all Safelite locations suck and I'm sure that there are good and competent people like RLG at a handful of locations. Having said that to try and not to make this into a personal attack:

Stay away from Safelite! At least don't let them install a substandard windshield. There is a reason that they have the cheapest replacement cost. They use glass that doesn't have the original contours and will likely leave a large gap near the upper trim (my previous '89 coupe). The installer did a half decent job, but he couldn't make up for the crappy glass. Water would drip from my rearview mirror in a rainstorm. Make sure to use a good quality replacement such as PPG or similar.

The repair will likely be visible. The only real reason for the repair is to keep the cracks from spreading.

Look for a good independent glass shop that uses good quality glass. This should be done in the shop and not in a parking lot. Don't take the lowest cost option from the insurance company because you might not be happy with the result.

 

I just had mine done recently, mostly because of a small crack. A local Vette specialty shop did mine, with new GM glass and w/s. No problems. The other big benefit is that the fresh glass is completely without any of the tiny pitting etc that comes from 18yrs of exposure to the elements.

 

Dan I have Hagerty and last year they replaced my windshield no questions asked, get a new one and have the upper and pillar weather stripping done as well. Tell the shop to be very careful removing the reliefs that run along the sides because they bend very easy

 

First off Siveck that is pure Bull****, and it's pretty clear you know nothing of the auto glass industry. We use the same glass as everyone else, in fact I am one of the largest Wholesalers there is, and most of the other independent glass shops buy glass from me.So chances are pretty good whoever you use might get the glass from us(Service Auto Glass). It's also true that we handle the glass claims for about 40 plus Insurance companies and I can guarantee you that we wouldn't be doing it very long if we preformed at the level that you accused us of and we are not the cheapest. We are the largest repair/replacement auto glass company in the world and you don't get there by doing inferior work.

PPG (PGW) for your information has a good number of their parts made in China, which is to address your inferior glass claim. Carlite (Ford ) is made in Mexico. We manufacturer 2 million parts here in the USA every year.We also import from the OEM companies from China and stock LOF and PGW(PPG) among others.

Also keep in mind that when you talk of a car that's 15 to 20 years old there are not that many manufacturers so chances are we will all get it from the same place.


The Safelite replacement in my 90 Vette is LOF which is an OEM manufacturer.



One more thought , The Auto companies don't make glass , it goes out to the lowest bidder, just like the paint. So don't be surprised when your new car has a windshield from Mexico or China or stamped PPG and still made in China.

Siveck, If you still have your car and it's still leaking, take your paperwork and car back to Safelite and we will put in as many windshields as it takes to correct the problem. Period.

You have a lifetime warranty at all 300 plus locations.

I will be more than happy to help arrange it if it is necessary.



All manufacturers have quality problems from time to time and when that happens we all have to deal with it.

 

Well said, well said, get emmmmm

 

Could you by any chance give a list from best to worst for the makers of auto glass? I've got PPG on mine.

 

Here is something you might consider. If there is a corvette specialty shop or a speed shop that specializes in corvettes within 100 miles of you and in Connecticut there should be several .... give them a call and ask if they can specifically recomend someone to replace the windshield.

Several year ago I had the windshield replaced in my 95. Guy came to where I worked. Replaced the windshield with ppg glass (I had requested ppg) loosened the A pillar molding and removed the old windshield from the bottom put the new one in from the bottom without having to touch anything else.

Did the job in less than 3 hours. No leaks, no squeeks, no rattles .... oh yea, one other thing ....I drive in the rain every day 6 months out of the year.

What made the difference? He had done over 200 vette windshields prior to mine and knew wtf he was doing. He doesn't advertize and works only through specialty shops. I would have never found him if I hadn't asked.

It never hurts to ask around

 

Well did some searching.

This is the Horror story I remember reading.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...post1558534495

It also has all the part numbers on there that are needed. I dont know how many of them are really necasary.

Here's the list again with prices from GMPD as of 2006-01-07

p/n 14049243 GM LIST: $37.97 OUR PRICE: $22.41 DESCRIPTION: RET ASM
p/n 14049244 GM LIST: $37.97 OUR PRICE: $22.41 DESCRIPTION: RET ASM
p/n 10236368 GM LIST: $23.80 OUR PRICE: $14.00 DESCRIPTION: WINDSHIELD SEAL
p/n 10268887 GM LIST: $322.10 OUR PRICE: $190.04 DESCRIPTION: W/S RF/LI
p/n 14049033 GM LIST: $217.95 OUR PRICE: $128.59 DESCRIPTION: UPPER WINDSHIELD MOLDING
p/n 14049031 GM LIST: $172.98 OUR PRICE: $102.06 DESCRIPTION: LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING
p/n 14049032 GM LIST: $172.98 OUR PRICE: $102.06 DESCRIPTION: RIGHT SIDE WINDSHIELD MOLDING


With that being said, im scared to death of letting any one touch my car. Im going to hope this repair looks good, other wise ill have to go into a full investigation into who will do my window. The good thing is I can check out this installer when he comes to fix the window and get a feel for him. I think if I have to do the window, ill take all my moldings off myself, so I know exactly what I need and what needs to be replaced. So i can take my time and do it right.

We will see..