Windshield replacement concerns
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 10
From: King George Virginia
I was in the glass industry for more than 20 years. I managed a fairly large shop and was an NGA certified Master Tech. Do yourself a favor and research the glass shops in your area. Talk to the techs and find out what kind of experience they have. Ask what adhesives and glass manufacturers they use. Watch how they care for customer's cars.
If they act as if you're bothering them, find another shop. I was always more than happy to explain my trade to a customer. I would make sure they fully understood what was going to be done to the car. Be sure they use the full cut method. Be sure that the urethane meets OEM standards for performance. Believe me, there are junk adhesives out there. Essex and 3M were my personal favorites.
Your best bet is to request an OEM glass. There is a difference there too. Federal regulations apply to the vinyl layer. Overseas glass is indeed a lesser quality.
The C6 is a much easier install than the nightmare of a C4. Let the urethane cure before you drive the car. The w/s is an integral part of the vehicle's structure. Most quick cure urethanes have a short drive away time but that only means it meets the minimum criteria for adhesion. It takes days for it to fully cure. Temperature and humidity play a big role. Heated urethanes such as Seka are not as dependent.
A confident and experienced tech will have your car back to like new condition with ease.
If they act as if you're bothering them, find another shop. I was always more than happy to explain my trade to a customer. I would make sure they fully understood what was going to be done to the car. Be sure they use the full cut method. Be sure that the urethane meets OEM standards for performance. Believe me, there are junk adhesives out there. Essex and 3M were my personal favorites.
Your best bet is to request an OEM glass. There is a difference there too. Federal regulations apply to the vinyl layer. Overseas glass is indeed a lesser quality.
The C6 is a much easier install than the nightmare of a C4. Let the urethane cure before you drive the car. The w/s is an integral part of the vehicle's structure. Most quick cure urethanes have a short drive away time but that only means it meets the minimum criteria for adhesion. It takes days for it to fully cure. Temperature and humidity play a big role. Heated urethanes such as Seka are not as dependent.
A confident and experienced tech will have your car back to like new condition with ease.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
I also saw the guy that did my Z....he had to loosen up the fenders and pull them aside to get the glass safely in...that's not what you do on a Honda Civic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
If he loosened up the fenders to put a Corvette windshield in I would question his installation abilities...., there is no c6 that needs to have the fenders loosened up .......
And you paid $1,700 on top of it ...... OMG
I am not going to get into it with you but Charlotte is my area ......and we sure sell a lot of Corvette Windshields .......
Dave
And you paid $1,700 on top of it ...... OMG
I am not going to get into it with you but Charlotte is my area ......and we sure sell a lot of Corvette Windshields .......
Dave
Last edited by Dcasole; Oct 5, 2016 at 11:10 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 622
Likes: 38
From: Down South
I stand by what I said. The majority of skilled workers don't take the pride in their work that we take in our cars. ok maybe I will take back the 90% chance of a leak but I will grant you there is a 50 50 chance the work wont be perfect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'14
Safelite did a perfect job on mine a couple of years ago. They said it was the first Vette they had done. The factory glass was always getting chips then finally cracked. The one Safelite put in seems a whole lot better. It has taken some bad hits with no chips yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
Well now I am sure you can back that statement up with real data ....
Now I really can back up my reply with data , the warranty rate for a C6 windshields for both Safelite shops, and affiliate network shops that work with us is less than .06% ....and this includes the crappie mirror mount issues , the Onstar mounting bracket that falls off and the molding strips on the a pillar that stick up , these issues are GM design issues and do not have anything to do with the installation but we fix them anyway ..........
Our overall warranty number for all cars is also very low
I am not saying that we don't have our issues , just ask "Slow" , he took the time to tell me his story ,it was not about a Corvette, it was not even about a replacement , he did not want anything from me but I can assure you that every person in management in that market had to come up with a response as to why Slow had a bad customer experience .....
We value our customers as proven by our world class Net Promoter Score which is the highest of any industry at 89
Look that up on the internet ... Apple which sells a product people want only has a NPS score of 55 .....
As for our network affiliate shops if they do not match our NPS score they do not work for us ....
Believe what you want ..... I can't change your mind but what I can do is make statements that are backed up by a lot of proven data ...
There are a lot of hacks out there using inferior products such as Chinese glass and cheap urethane
As said above we have to ask the right questions and if we dont get the right answers we should walk away and find some one else
Contrary to popular belief a Corvette windshield is no harder to replace for a experienced technician....... than a Chevrolet Impala .....
Off my soapbox now ......
Dave
Now I really can back up my reply with data , the warranty rate for a C6 windshields for both Safelite shops, and affiliate network shops that work with us is less than .06% ....and this includes the crappie mirror mount issues , the Onstar mounting bracket that falls off and the molding strips on the a pillar that stick up , these issues are GM design issues and do not have anything to do with the installation but we fix them anyway ..........
Our overall warranty number for all cars is also very low
I am not saying that we don't have our issues , just ask "Slow" , he took the time to tell me his story ,it was not about a Corvette, it was not even about a replacement , he did not want anything from me but I can assure you that every person in management in that market had to come up with a response as to why Slow had a bad customer experience .....
We value our customers as proven by our world class Net Promoter Score which is the highest of any industry at 89
Look that up on the internet ... Apple which sells a product people want only has a NPS score of 55 .....
As for our network affiliate shops if they do not match our NPS score they do not work for us ....
Believe what you want ..... I can't change your mind but what I can do is make statements that are backed up by a lot of proven data ...
There are a lot of hacks out there using inferior products such as Chinese glass and cheap urethane
As said above we have to ask the right questions and if we dont get the right answers we should walk away and find some one else
Contrary to popular belief a Corvette windshield is no harder to replace for a experienced technician....... than a Chevrolet Impala .....
Off my soapbox now ......
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 489
Likes: 63
From: Mason OH
Safelite did not design the crappy mirror mounting brackets on the Audi, Corvette or Lexus ..... we do the best we can with them and yet sometimes they break ....
but guess what ... we stand behind our stuff .........................and replace what we break
do you really think the " OTHER GUYS" don't break them .......
I love all you guys who BASH Safelite .......
Dave
but guess what ... we stand behind our stuff .........................and replace what we break
do you really think the " OTHER GUYS" don't break them .......
I love all you guys who BASH Safelite .......
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 872
Likes: 80
From: Va Beach, VA
Safelite has a mixed reputation for those with long memories. There were enough bad stories from years past that many folks now still hear about them and are nervous about the company. While no company/product is perfect and there are still some complaints, Safelite generally does very good work and does use quality OEE/OEM glass. Much or all (not sure which) is obtained from Fuyao, the nations largest automotive glass manufacturer and OEM supplier to GM and many other automakers.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 41
From: Jax Beach FL
I don't drive my vette in the rain so no worries about leaks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
And if you have been doing this for 22 years then you are familiar with the brackets I am talking about and how difficult they can be to work with
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
Safelite has a mixed reputation for those with long memories. There were enough bad stories from years past that many folks now still hear about them and are nervous about the company. While no company/product is perfect and there are still some complaints, Safelite generally does very good work and does use quality OEE/OEM glass. Much or all (not sure which) is obtained from Fuyao, the nations largest automotive glass manufacturer and OEM supplier to GM and many other automakers.
Belron, our parent company has made a huge investment in training , specialized tools and world class inventory .....
And as in any business , stuff will happen , it's how one reacts to the stuff that can make a customer for life or alienate a customer.....
With our NPS score and the shear number of customers we serve every day it seems to prove that we are making a lot of people happy . . . As always you will hear about the 1% of unhappy customers but seldom hear about the 99 % That were completely satisfied
Dave
Pro
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 622
Likes: 38
From: Down South
[QUOTE=Dcasole;1593201650]
Well now I am sure you can back that statement up with real data ....
Now I really can back up my reply with data , the warranty rate for a C6 windshields for both Safelite shops, and affiliate network shops that work with us is less than .06% ....and this includes the crappie mirror mount issues , the Onstar mounting bracket that falls off and the molding strips on the a pillar that stick up , these issues are GM design issues and do not have anything to do with the installation but we fix them anyway ..........
Our overall warranty number for all cars is also very low
I am not saying that we don't have our issues , just ask "Slow" , he took the time to tell me his story ,it was not about a Corvette, it was not even about a replacement , he did not want anything from me but I can assure you that every person in management in that market had to come up with a response as to why Slow had a bad customer experience .....
We value our customers as proven by our world class Net Promoter Score which is the highest of any industry at 89
Look that up on the internet ... Apple which sells a product people want only has a NPS score of 55 .....
As for our network affiliate shops if they do not match our NPS score they do not work for us ....
Believe what you want ..... I can't change your mind but what I can do is make statements that are backed up by a lot of proven data ...
There are a lot of hacks out there using inferior products such as Chinese glass and cheap urethane
As said above we have to ask the right questions and if we dont get the right answers we should walk away and find some one else
Contrary to popular belief a Corvette windshield is no harder to replace for a experienced technician....... than a Chevrolet Impala .....
Off my soapbox now ......
No I have no data.. just 67 years of experience of if it can go wrong it probably will.. I guess you are just luckier than I am so good for you..
I'm not hammering on glass installers, hell I'm talking about carpenters plumbers truck and auto mechanics and the whole span of "craftsmen".. If it can go wrong it usually does.. I don't gather data, I just have total recall of a lifetime of seeing half azzed work. Have had quality work done.. usually a 50 50 chance especially if dealing with unknown vendors. So you run a reputable shop.. It is good that you are in the 50% who give a damn.
Now I really can back up my reply with data , the warranty rate for a C6 windshields for both Safelite shops, and affiliate network shops that work with us is less than .06% ....and this includes the crappie mirror mount issues , the Onstar mounting bracket that falls off and the molding strips on the a pillar that stick up , these issues are GM design issues and do not have anything to do with the installation but we fix them anyway ..........
Our overall warranty number for all cars is also very low
I am not saying that we don't have our issues , just ask "Slow" , he took the time to tell me his story ,it was not about a Corvette, it was not even about a replacement , he did not want anything from me but I can assure you that every person in management in that market had to come up with a response as to why Slow had a bad customer experience .....
We value our customers as proven by our world class Net Promoter Score which is the highest of any industry at 89
Look that up on the internet ... Apple which sells a product people want only has a NPS score of 55 .....
As for our network affiliate shops if they do not match our NPS score they do not work for us ....
Believe what you want ..... I can't change your mind but what I can do is make statements that are backed up by a lot of proven data ...
There are a lot of hacks out there using inferior products such as Chinese glass and cheap urethane
As said above we have to ask the right questions and if we dont get the right answers we should walk away and find some one else
Contrary to popular belief a Corvette windshield is no harder to replace for a experienced technician....... than a Chevrolet Impala .....
Off my soapbox now ......
No I have no data.. just 67 years of experience of if it can go wrong it probably will.. I guess you are just luckier than I am so good for you..
I'm not hammering on glass installers, hell I'm talking about carpenters plumbers truck and auto mechanics and the whole span of "craftsmen".. If it can go wrong it usually does.. I don't gather data, I just have total recall of a lifetime of seeing half azzed work. Have had quality work done.. usually a 50 50 chance especially if dealing with unknown vendors. So you run a reputable shop.. It is good that you are in the 50% who give a damn.
Last edited by Dub Mc; Oct 7, 2016 at 10:38 AM. Reason: add words
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,758
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Safelite wanted to charge me $800 to replace the non-HUD windshield in my 2000 C5.
I had a local shop install the exact same piece of glass that Safelite was (I asked for manufaturer & part number), and did so for $179 + tax.
Safelite is a ripoff.
I had a local shop install the exact same piece of glass that Safelite was (I asked for manufaturer & part number), and did so for $179 + tax.
Safelite is a ripoff.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 43
I have had well over a DOZEN (probably in the teens, actually) windshields replaced in a variety of vehicles over the past 10-11-12 years and have NEVER had a single replacement leak.
I have a 110 mile round-trip commute of which 95% of it is on the expressway, so there's not really any way around windshield damage (other than taking back roads, which is what I did on my motorcycles and do, now, with the Z06).
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 43
The day we picked up the '16 Z06 from the dealer, I let the wife drive it home. I was following her home in her 2-day old '16 Cadillac ATS4. Left PLENTY of room between us. Z tossed up a rock and cracked the windshield in her car. Had it replaced it with 141 miles on the odometer.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 43
The world is an imperfect place, screws fall out.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 622
Likes: 38
From: Down South
OK.. I have never replaced a windshield in either of my 2 Corvettes but my trucks run millions of miles a year and we get a lot of glass replaced.. probably 50% will leak that's all I know.. Maybe it will go better when replacing Corvette windshields.. sounds like you guys are happy with results.. Yeah I know, I should get a new glass man but the truth is a leaking windshield rates very low on our list of maintaining a diesel truck and trailer. Glad to know I will have no problems with glass replacement on the Chevy.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 435
Likes: 43
Now 50/50? I'm still at 100% with zero leaks after well over a dozen replaced windshields.