Dings in windshield a big problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 572
Likes: 57
From: East Texas
Dings in windshield a big problem
I’m wondering if it’s not a design flaw that so many rocks are hitting the windshields on the C6. I have 2,158 miles on mine and I have seven dings in my windshield. I’m very careful that I do everything I can to not get hit with rocks. All the dings are small but I’ve never had anything like this on my other corvettes. Or could this be because the windshields are made of too soft of a product. Whatever the reason for the problem is, I believe GM should offer a low cost windshield replacement. Or is there a better replacement winshields to be had.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 4
From: I don't deserve this car, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either. Bay Point, FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I haven't counted my windshield dings but now that you've mentioned it I have found a few already at 4,700 miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
Ive only had 1 tiny chip in a windshield in 21 years of driving so your situation is strange to me. If you have a HUD the windshield is super expensive because its laminated glass. Two sheets combined that sandwich the HUDs projection screen between them. Down here in Florida if our windshield is cracked the state reimburses our insurance company so they fix it for free with no penalty. Finally a good state law!
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
had the same problem - tried to have dings fixed by quick patch
inserting liquid glass etc. - but had to replace the whole thing..
i was told by an installer that some places use windwhields made
in mexico and that those windshields are more likely to ding easier.
so make sure that the product you buy is made in the us..
just at thought - what i was told..
good luck..
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
At 46k, my C5's windshield was beginning to look like frosted glass. I've never had a car that seemed to get so many nicks and that includes a previous vette and a couple fbodies whose windshields have similar rakes.
I've heard the Mexican glass theory and the HUD windshields are softer theory... I was hoping the C6 wouldn't have this problem, but at 1200 miles, I've already found a really tiny ding. Unfortunately, right in my line of sight when looking straight ahead.
I've heard the Mexican glass theory and the HUD windshields are softer theory... I was hoping the C6 wouldn't have this problem, but at 1200 miles, I've already found a really tiny ding. Unfortunately, right in my line of sight when looking straight ahead.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 572
Likes: 57
From: East Texas
I'm wondering if the one's of us who are having this problem shouldn't file with the National Highway and Safty about too easy to break windshields. If they chip so easy they are breaking and fact of the matter is, if we tried to trade the car in with the dinged up glass the dealer would offer a lower price because of it. I'm sure it's just as much a safty issue as a lower value issue.
If we file we can then bounce the ball back in GM's court. As we all know GM really ducked and dragged their feet over the top issue. So I'm sure by track record they will do the same on the glass issue as well.
If we file we can then bounce the ball back in GM's court. As we all know GM really ducked and dragged their feet over the top issue. So I'm sure by track record they will do the same on the glass issue as well.
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Moderator
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
I’m wondering if it’s not a design flaw that so many rocks are hitting the windshields on the C6. I have 2,158 miles on mine and I have seven dings in my windshield. I’m very careful that I do everything I can to not get hit with rocks. All the dings are small but I’ve never had anything like this on my other corvettes. Or could this be because the windshields are made of too soft of a product. Whatever the reason for the problem is, I believe GM should offer a low cost windshield replacement. Or is there a better replacement windshields to be had.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm wondering if the one's of us who are having this problem shouldn't file with the National Highway and Safty about too easy to break windshields. If they chip so easy they are breaking and fact of the matter is, if we tried to trade the car in with the dinged up glass the dealer would offer a lower price because of it. I'm sure it's just as much a safty issue as a lower value issue.
If we file we can then bounce the ball back in GM's court. As we all know GM really ducked and dragged their feet over the top issue. So I'm sure by track record they will do the same on the glass issue as well.
If we file we can then bounce the ball back in GM's court. As we all know GM really ducked and dragged their feet over the top issue. So I'm sure by track record they will do the same on the glass issue as well.
I think it's just an annoyance that only car enthusiasts would notice or care about.
edit: Almost forgot... as far as lowering the trade value. I don't think it was an issue for me. The guy that appraised the car never looked close enough at the car to see the windshield dings. Now maybe they factor a new one in on all trades, but I doubt that.
Suspect they just count on someone buying it without noticing (or caring).
Last edited by TripleBlackxThree; Apr 5, 2007 at 10:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 17
From: Keller, TX
St. Jude Donor '07
I don't think there is any design flaw. My guess is the glass used in HUD windshields is softer for some reason, OR, the quality of the glass used just isn't as good.
Did I give this even a fleeting thought when handing GM well over 50 Large for my 07 vert? Nope! If I get a bunch of chips in this one, I'll fix it or trade it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
Corvette windshields are much better in this respect than Porsche windshields. Porsche seems to use a softer glass compund that gets scratches really easily. I had an '84 Carrera with the heated front glass (yes, with embedded wires), and it was nearly impossible to see through it in less than 20K miles. Also really expensive to replace.
Having lived in Colorado at the time, I was used to having at least one major crack per year in my truck due to the 'gravel' they used on the roads, but my cars not driven in snowy weather generally performed better.
Having lived in Colorado at the time, I was used to having at least one major crack per year in my truck due to the 'gravel' they used on the roads, but my cars not driven in snowy weather generally performed better.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
I’m wondering if it’s not a design flaw that so many rocks are hitting the windshields on the C6. I have 2,158 miles on mine and I have seven dings in my windshield. I’m very careful that I do everything I can to not get hit with rocks. All the dings are small but I’ve never had anything like this on my other corvettes. Or could this be because the windshields are made of too soft of a product. Whatever the reason for the problem is, I believe GM should offer a low cost windshield replacement. Or is there a better replacement winshields to be had.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Any thoughts or feedback on this issue would be great.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Ive only had 1 tiny chip in a windshield in 21 years of driving so your situation is strange to me. If you have a HUD the windshield is super expensive because its laminated glass. Two sheets combined that sandwich the HUDs projection screen between them. Down here in Florida if our windshield is cracked the state reimburses our insurance company so they fix it for free with no penalty. Finally a good state law!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
Mine has a few little nicks as well. I don't think it's just because these cars are lower, but I'm sure doesn't help. My last car was a Honda Accord and in two years the windshield had numerous little pits all over the place. I asked a glass company and they consider it normal wear and tear. All the highway construction around here is a mess and the semi trucks that collect pebbles in their big tires and fling them up on your car & windshield make things worse. I've managed to avoid a lot of this by keeping a large enough distance if I'm behind a truck and if one pulls in front of me I simply change lanes altogether.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
All modern safety glass is "laminated." There is a plastic sheet between each layer of glass. The "HUD" windshield is nothing more than a marketing trick to charge a premium for what is nothing more than someone (or a machine) giving an extra level of polish to the plastic for higher reflectivity.As for the glass itself, 3k miles, and already a rock chip, just above the line of sight.
Many, if not most, here will have glass coverage on their auto insurance, and it typically required glass replacement (here in MN, that would include the headlight assemblies, taillights, hatch, side windows, and mirrors, PLUS the clear roof!) with no deductible. So, not a huge issue, but a pain in the A*S to get it repaired. I'm figuring it will need a total replacement about every 18 months or so since MN roads have a lot of gravel and other debris from our winters here.Happy Vette-ing, All!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
As for the above post concerning what an insurance company would consider "normal wear and tear" and not a glass claim, a mysterious hammer could always impact the glass prior to taking the car in for a claim! 