What glass to use?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Akron Ohio
What glass to use?
My windshield is broken
, and I was wondering if there is a good or bad glass maker whom I should or shouldn't use. I know that I need to have special glass to accomodate my HUD. Is there anything else that I need to know before I order a new one?....Thans for all your help!
, and I was wondering if there is a good or bad glass maker whom I should or shouldn't use. I know that I need to have special glass to accomodate my HUD. Is there anything else that I need to know before I order a new one?....Thans for all your help!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 6
From: St. Louis Missouri
I am going through the same thing right now. I have another car with a HUD and have heard both arguments: get the special HUD glass and it doesn't matter. I have heard a few people say they see a slight ghosting of the image without the special windshield.
Aside from that I have been warned by several Vette body guys and glass people to make certain to get OEM glass. It is very expensive and generally the insurance company will not go along with it. I have $500 deductible and the insurance company says the total cost of the windshield replacement should be $725. That is with replacement glass. Using OEM glass and my choice of places, the cost is $1700. The people I'd like to use also laughed at the labor rate the place the ins company wants me to use charges as well as the number of hours required.
I talked to the in-house windshield guy and he said they have been burned by non-OEM glass. Optical distortions and not getting the bend right. He says the C5 is the worse for this by far because of the way the windshield is curved.
Aside from that I have been warned by several Vette body guys and glass people to make certain to get OEM glass. It is very expensive and generally the insurance company will not go along with it. I have $500 deductible and the insurance company says the total cost of the windshield replacement should be $725. That is with replacement glass. Using OEM glass and my choice of places, the cost is $1700. The people I'd like to use also laughed at the labor rate the place the ins company wants me to use charges as well as the number of hours required.
I talked to the in-house windshield guy and he said they have been burned by non-OEM glass. Optical distortions and not getting the bend right. He says the C5 is the worse for this by far because of the way the windshield is curved.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: Mc Farland Wisconsin
I might be able to give you a little insight here...i used to work for a body shop and now work for a glass division for an insurance company...Most glass is glass. However getting actual OEM glass is not always the answer. I have a 00 coupe, and when i bought the car my w/s was pitted and driving me insane so i replaced it right away. The glass that i had put in is PPG glass, Which supposedly is who makes the OEM glass, i did not remember to look at the decal on the w/s before i had it pulled out. I had the car disassembled prior to our glass guy getting there, and there is no reason a shop should be intimidated by a corvette as its no different than any other vehicle really. I guess what im trying to say is if the aftermarket glass looks good prior to putting it in, have it installed. Mine has a slight wave on the passenger side of the glass, im sure that is why it was rejected and is now an aftermarket glass, but then again it was only 150 bucks at my cost. Ill take that over the insane 1200 bucks they want for an OEM piece of glass
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 722
Likes: 8
From: N.Canton Ohio
Glass,like other componets are supplied to Auto Makers by outside suppliers.
AP Tech is a OEM supplier and offers glass in the aftermarket as well.
Ordering a piece of glass from a dealer is no guarantee that it will not be actually supplied from a local glass vendor.
AP Tech is a OEM supplier and offers glass in the aftermarket as well.
Ordering a piece of glass from a dealer is no guarantee that it will not be actually supplied from a local glass vendor.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Not all glass is equal................
Auto glass ( windshields) come in different thicknesses. Surpise!!
Ask the supplier what is the thickness and you'll most likely find that the cheaper glass is also the thinner glass.
It's still safety glass and for the Z06 the thinner glass may be OEM spec. But those little gravel chips that turn to crack and travel fast are also the thinner glass.
Ask the supplier what is the thickness and you'll most likely find that the cheaper glass is also the thinner glass.
It's still safety glass and for the Z06 the thinner glass may be OEM spec. But those little gravel chips that turn to crack and travel fast are also the thinner glass.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Bartlesville Oklahoma
You want the AP Tech glass which is oem and you can get this at your local glass shop.. And you also want the HUD glass if your gonna replace it do it right.. Where are you located maybe I can help you out...Mkae sure whoever you use they use the proper products and have certified techs. www.agrss.com
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 8
From: Osage Beach Mo.
hud glass
This was on the forum some time ago & I marked this glass place
down. autobahnpower.com. Supposedly they had the better glass
butI don't know about the lighter glass for Z06. However, they
had a very good price.
down. autobahnpower.com. Supposedly they had the better glass
butI don't know about the lighter glass for Z06. However, they
had a very good price.