replacing windshield
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
C5 windshields are not cheap, I had mine replaced about a year ago and I think the bill was about 1700.00 for a HUD windshield, luckily insurance covered it. As far as which brand is best I think that they all have to meet certain safety standards and they are all going to look the same. The difference is going to be the quality of the installation and not so much the glass. So make sure you bring it to a place that does it there like safelite and avoid the mobile repairs that come to you. I had mine done at safelite and it came out perfect.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
I've never had to replace the corvette windshield, but a few of my other cars I have. On both my Siverado and Trailblazer, I also used Safelite installers. Completely satisfied with their work. Both times they were mobile services and I had zero issues with either. Installers were very thorough and neat.
Also, my glass breakage deductible is lower than my standard deductible, so I opted to have factory glass put in. Factory glass is obviously more of a premium than non, but basically it's the same glass. It just won't have the chevy logo. In other words, the OEM glass in the silvy was Pilkington. The TB had Guardian. Safelite also carries non OEM Pilkington and Guardian. Same manufactured glass, just no logo. OEM glass was almost $600 installed on each pre-mentioned vehicle. Non OEM would have been around $200.(this was a couple years back)
The same goes for other W/S as well. Safelite, PPG, Guardian, Pilkington. These are all quality products. Just avoid "joe the mechanic" who says he can do it for ya. Some smaller companies are known to use seconds, which could have slight imperfections in the glass. Just stick with the well known installers and you'll be OK. I would use Safelite again in a heartbeat.
mik
Also, my glass breakage deductible is lower than my standard deductible, so I opted to have factory glass put in. Factory glass is obviously more of a premium than non, but basically it's the same glass. It just won't have the chevy logo. In other words, the OEM glass in the silvy was Pilkington. The TB had Guardian. Safelite also carries non OEM Pilkington and Guardian. Same manufactured glass, just no logo. OEM glass was almost $600 installed on each pre-mentioned vehicle. Non OEM would have been around $200.(this was a couple years back)
The same goes for other W/S as well. Safelite, PPG, Guardian, Pilkington. These are all quality products. Just avoid "joe the mechanic" who says he can do it for ya. Some smaller companies are known to use seconds, which could have slight imperfections in the glass. Just stick with the well known installers and you'll be OK. I would use Safelite again in a heartbeat.
mik
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Safelite should do just fine for you. They do good work and the product is also a good choice.
Team Owner
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I just had mine done, and was horrified to learn that there are no American-made windshield companies left...your choice is Chinese or Mexican. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
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From: Long Island NY
I'm pretty sure that the differences in the C5 windshields are either HUD's or non HUD"S. The thinner lighter ones are for the Z06's. Coupes and Verts basically use the same windshields.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda Florida
"To help with weight-savings, all 2002 Corvette Convertibles equipped with a Heads Up Display (HUD) received a slightly thinner, 4.8mm thick windshield (as compared to the previous 5.4mm that had been standard on all Corvettes prior to 2002.) This thinner windshield would provide a weight savings of 2.65 lbs per car. While some consideration was given as to whether or not the thinner windshield could withstand the additional wind/drive forces it was subjected to, it was ultimately approved that it should be included as a standard option on all Z06s that year as well. All base model coupes and convertibles not equipped with a HUD were still issued the standard 5.4 mm windshield."
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Well, we're both right........from corvsport.com and I've seen it other places as well.................
"To help with weight-savings, all 2002 Corvette Convertibles equipped with a Heads Up Display (HUD) received a slightly thinner, 4.8mm thick windshield (as compared to the previous 5.4mm that had been standard on all Corvettes prior to 2002.) This thinner windshield would provide a weight savings of 2.65 lbs per car. While some consideration was given as to whether or not the thinner windshield could withstand the additional wind/drive forces it was subjected to, it was ultimately approved that it should be included as a standard option on all Z06s that year as well. All base model coupes and convertibles not equipped with a HUD were still issued the standard 5.4 mm windshield."
"To help with weight-savings, all 2002 Corvette Convertibles equipped with a Heads Up Display (HUD) received a slightly thinner, 4.8mm thick windshield (as compared to the previous 5.4mm that had been standard on all Corvettes prior to 2002.) This thinner windshield would provide a weight savings of 2.65 lbs per car. While some consideration was given as to whether or not the thinner windshield could withstand the additional wind/drive forces it was subjected to, it was ultimately approved that it should be included as a standard option on all Z06s that year as well. All base model coupes and convertibles not equipped with a HUD were still issued the standard 5.4 mm windshield."
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I had mine replaced recently by insurance.
The company the glass came from lists the same part number for both HUD and non HUD cars. The guy from the glass company called the manufacturer and was told all their C5 windshields are HUD capable.
I was skeptical to say the least. He asked me to let him set it in place on the car and I could sit in the car and inspect it... I agreed.
I was impressed. The HUD was crystal clear, no shadows or double vision and there was no visual imperfecton or distortion in the glass anywhere. I told them to go ahead and install it.
Here is the glass bug:
The company the glass came from lists the same part number for both HUD and non HUD cars. The guy from the glass company called the manufacturer and was told all their C5 windshields are HUD capable.
I was skeptical to say the least. He asked me to let him set it in place on the car and I could sit in the car and inspect it... I agreed.
I was impressed. The HUD was crystal clear, no shadows or double vision and there was no visual imperfecton or distortion in the glass anywhere. I told them to go ahead and install it.
Here is the glass bug:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Danville Virginia
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 91
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From: Peoria AZ
Thanks for all the input. I had the windshield replaced on Friday. We settled on AP Tech. It was the OEM glass, and all the glass in the car has AP Tech on it. It does also have HUD on the glass. The work was excellent, they even replaced the rubber moulding.
Late Model Domestics
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,548
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From: Virginia Beach VA
Mobile or Station?
What rubber?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Peoria AZ
The company was Best Glass in Phoenix, AZ. They did it mobile, in front of my office. I believe it was the moulding that is the top of the windshild and the two side pillars that the door windows would come in contact with.
