Windshield cost?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: live fast die young
Windshield cost?
so, i have a 96' coupe A4 that i occasionally drive to work (60 mile round trip of pure highway driving). anyways, i don't know from where or who, but somehow i get a rock chip in the windshield. i'm mad about that because i didn't notice it when it happened. so, a couple of weeks later it gets cold here and on one of my very few days off i decide to take the vette for a spin. i go out to start it up and let it warm up. no prob, go inside and chill for a few minutes while it warms up. i go outside, get in, put her in gear and the i actually HEAR and SEE it crack all the way across the windshield! darnest thing i ever seen.....
anyway, the crack seems to get progressively longer and bigger so i guess it's time to replace the windshield. damn, that sucks...
randy
anyway, the crack seems to get progressively longer and bigger so i guess it's time to replace the windshield. damn, that sucks...
randy
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
It is good to always repair the stone breaks early, I have saved thousands of windshields in my time with repair.
To replace a C4 shield I charge $450.
1. I require a new wheatherstripping from GM around the pillars. I tried using aftermarket and it was pure crap. I was pissed and made my supplier take it back.
2. These windshield to be done right require a quality installer. GM used RTV behind the mouldings and I have run into rust more than once behind the moldings. To be done right all of the rust must be treated. The installer must be extermely careful getting the old mouldings off without bending them.
When I did mine I took the chance to paint the metal mouldings that go around the shield.
Flat out these are not an easy car to do, I can do most cars in about 20-30 minutes, my personal car took me 2 hours. :o
To replace a C4 shield I charge $450.
1. I require a new wheatherstripping from GM around the pillars. I tried using aftermarket and it was pure crap. I was pissed and made my supplier take it back.
2. These windshield to be done right require a quality installer. GM used RTV behind the mouldings and I have run into rust more than once behind the moldings. To be done right all of the rust must be treated. The installer must be extermely careful getting the old mouldings off without bending them.
When I did mine I took the chance to paint the metal mouldings that go around the shield.
Flat out these are not an easy car to do, I can do most cars in about 20-30 minutes, my personal car took me 2 hours. :o
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by mustbampeg
so, i have a 96' coupe A4 that i occasionally drive to work (60 mile round trip of pure highway driving). anyways, i don't know from where or who, but somehow i get a rock chip in the windshield. i'm mad about that because i didn't notice it when it happened. so, a couple of weeks later it gets cold here and on one of my very few days off i decide to take the vette for a spin. i go out to start it up and let it warm up. no prob, go inside and chill for a few minutes while it warms up. i go outside, get in, put her in gear and the i actually HEAR and SEE it crack all the way across the windshield! darnest thing i ever seen.....
anyway, the crack seems to get progressively longer and bigger so i guess it's time to replace the windshield. damn, that sucks...
randy
anyway, the crack seems to get progressively longer and bigger so i guess it's time to replace the windshield. damn, that sucks...
randy
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by Muffin
Glasmans price is about the norm. I got mine done as apart of a paint job for $265.00 but they were able to reuse the old seal.
but my glass guy said the new weatherstrip is a MUST. He will not try to save the old one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
I had mine replace for just over $200. I removed my almost new weatherstrip before having it done, and re-installed it after. Keep in mind when asking about getting this done the glass shop may tell you it needs a windshield gasket. There is no such thing, what they are referring to is the weatherstrip that goes around the outside of the windshield frame. The windshield is held in with adhesive. Several members have posted on this subject including Glasman who is right about these being a PITA. Whatever you do, don't try to do this yourself. It does require a professional with specialized tools. The new weatherstrip adds almost $200 to the cost of the complete installation.
Art
Art
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
We had a windshield replaced in my wife's 93. It was paid for by our insurance. The bill we signed at the glass place had a total of $1,015. They used LOF brand glass, new GM weatherstrip and all new GM trim. This was at OUR request.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Glasman66
To replace a C4 shield I charge $450.
Unfortunately, less than 50 miles down the road I had two DEEP rock chips in the new glass....
Larry
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Originally Posted by code5coupe
That's what it cost to replace the unit in my own '96 several months ago. (new weatherstripping).
Unfortunately, less than 50 miles down the road I had two DEEP rock chips in the new glass....
Larry
Unfortunately, less than 50 miles down the road I had two DEEP rock chips in the new glass....
Larry
Larry take your car to a auto glass shop, large pits can be filled. I have done it and polished them so you could not even tall where it was on new cars that were chip during delivery or demo drives.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Originally Posted by redwing76
Average price for me is $125. to $150.00 installed.
For that price I gaurentee you that someone cut corners doing your shield.
There is no way to pay a pro, and pay for the shiled and installation meterials and make a profit at that price.
You can save a lot of money as a glass shop by skipping primer or quality urethane or quality help and keep your price low.
Here is a great link to check out
http://www.georgesglass.net/20-20.htm
Florida turtle advocate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,280
Likes: 6
From: Gulfcoast Salvage Englewood, Fla
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I've had 2 C4s done reusing the seals and ,so far,so good.... The glass is cheap but the install is very difficult...I always swap favors with my glass guy so I haven't had to pay full price... From what I've seen 450 with new seals is more than fair...The rubber costs more than the glass does
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Originally Posted by Daffy427
I've had 2 C4s done reusing the seals and ,so far,so good.... The glass is cheap but the install is very difficult...I always swap favors with my glass guy so I haven't had to pay full price... From what I've seen 450 with new seals is more than fair...The rubber costs more than the glass does
That is absolutely right. When I did mine I put the seal back in with no RTV like they use from the factory. Now it can be reused until it get's chewed up.
When I pulled the original out, there was no way to use it again.
