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Here we go with another windshield thread
No need to spend that much on an OEM branded glass if you don't want to . Just ask for a AGC branded glass as this is the OEM manufacturer of all the C7 glass , $300 to $400 cheaper . All you are paying for with an OEM branded windshield is the GM branding in the corner. Same glass , same interlayer , same tooling made on the same line ...
All HUD glass has a reflective layer of plastic between two sheets of glass. There is a lot of variability in the clarity of this plastic sheet between the manufacturers. There is also variability in the clarity of the glass from different manufacturers. Most often you can see the result of poor quality plastic and/or glass when the sun reflects on your windshield and you see all those little gel spots or imperfections that reflect the light.
I can't speak to which windshield has the best clarity, although I'd have a conversation with the installer and tell them your preference on whether cost or quality is the most important to you. Let them help you with the decision.
All HUD glass has a reflective layer of plastic between two sheets of glass. There is a lot of variability in the clarity of this plastic sheet between the manufacturers. There is also variability in the clarity of the glass from different manufacturers. Most often you can see the result of poor quality plastic and/or glass when the sun reflects on your windshield and you see all those little gel spots or imperfections that reflect the light.
I can't speak to which windshield has the best clarity, although I'd have a conversation with the installer and tell them your preference on whether cost or quality is the most important to you. Let them help you with the decision.
Not sure where you are getting your information but ....there are only 3 manufactures of interlayer ...and you dont see GEL spots in a laminated windshield
The GEL spots you are talking about only are in tempered side and back glass , these are caused by the cooling jets and are actually in all tempered parts , put on a pair of polarized sunglasses and take a look at the back windows of the cars that pass you by ... you will be surprised
As with any product you have good suppliers and bad ... but no need to go OEM
Pilkington and ZYG produce a quality C7 replacement part. Stay away from PGW , Criminex and XY brand ...
And of course non GM branded AGC glass is the same glass as OEM AGC but much cheaper .....same glass , bent on the same line , with the same interlayer , in the same tooling .... shall I go on ... you get the picture
As far as getting OEM Glass that can be a crap shoot. GM Service Parts orders their glass themselves and do not necessarily choose the same supplier as the assembly plant does. Thus you may order the glass from a dealer but still get what would be called a non OEM glass because it won't have any of the markings that are on the glass delivered to the assembly plant.
Bill
Bill not entirely true , as long as the car is in production the part will be sourced from a GM central warehouse and will be a GM branded part as long as the supplier is keeping up with the demand of the assembly line . It is only when the car is out of production for a period of time or there is a supplier shortage which happens from time to time is when you might not get a GM branded part over the counter
I had my windshield replaced by Safelite, with a non-GM HUD glass and have been perfectly fine with it. It has the exact same markings minus the GM portion.
I cannot tell the difference between the GM and non GM version.
Both are optically perfect, but there was a $600 difference in price. Safelite also guarantees their work, so if, for some odd reason, the glass isn't up to snuff, they will replace it.
I had my windshield replaced by Safelite, with a non-GM HUD glass and have been perfectly fine with it. It has the exact same markings minus the GM portion.
I cannot tell the difference between the GM and non GM version
Both are optically perfect, but there was a $600 difference in price. Safelite also guarantees their work, so if, for some odd reason, the glass isn't up to snuff, they will replace it.
That is great new OWC6 , so many people are "Stuck" on this OEM glass thing and "oh my HUD is not as clear" lol lol
There can be distortion or fit issues with any glass .OEM or not .....just not as much with OE or OEM as there are with the cheap manufacturers
Glass is glass and the HUD interlayer is all the same . Plus all the glass in any car , made by a cheap off brand manufacturer or not has to pass strict DOT standards for breakage and light transmission ...there is not any oh this one has darker tint and this one is lighter .....
The difference between a cheap glass and a OE or OEM replacement is in the tooling, the products used for the ceramic frit and also any attachments along with what tolerance for fit they allow for their products
So as long as you stay with a NAME brand. As AGC , PILKINGTON , ZYG , AP TECHNOGLAS. Securit you will be getting a quality piece of glass that matches or exceeds OEM quality . These are all OEM suppliers ....
Stay away from PGW , XYG, Benson and Criminex to name a few ....
And like you, if you go with a non branded AGC glass you will be getting the same OEM glass that was bent on the same lines as the OEM at a much better price
Make sure the installer has done a C7 before. You have to take apart a lot of trim to do the glass.
VERY TRUE...I had to have my windshield replaced with only 2500 miles....Dealership recommended a place and they had never done a C7...but said it would be ok...after watching they for 10 mins...I said STOP and took the car 50 miles away to another glass shop that did C7's for Stingray Chevy in Plant City...It is a BIG job to remove the windshield on a C7. BTW...I had it replaced FREE with my comprehensive policy with a OEM windshield they got from the dealer.
VERY TRUE...I had to have my windshield replaced with only 2500 miles....Dealership recommended a place and they had never done a C7...but said it would be ok...after watching they for 10 mins...I said STOP and took the car 50 miles away to another glass shop that did C7's for Stingray Chevy in Plant City...It is a BIG job to remove the windshield on a C7. BTW...I had it replaced FREE with my comprehensive policy with a OEM windshield they got from the dealer.
I am sure that with you not being familiar with glass installation you could assume that it was a "Big Job" but in reality installing a windshield in a C7 Corvette is no harder than doing a Chev Impala or Malibu .
If an installer was having a hard time to the point you were not comfortable then you were right in demanding that they stop but any competant glass installation shop should be able to handle a Corvette installation without any issues ... the key word being competant
Read many posts over the years from those who got aftermarket HUD windshields they complained the HUDs were burry.
I had two windshields replaced each time the total cost was ~$800. $500 for the HUD OEM windshield and $300 in labor.
Dealing with that now. It is “double vision” now. This company is used by the dealer as they don’t do glass replacement in house. Installer agrees that there is an issue. The glass does have the HUD imprint in the lower right corner along with a slew of other numbers.
My current Z06 and my prior C6 Z06 both got windshield replacements and I paid 400.00 and mine is hud but I opted for non hud glass and I can’t tell the difference what so ever. I don’t believe in “vette tax” and aftermarket Chinese glass is no different than oem glass.
They are pulling the glass after seeing the “double vision” effect. Asked them for OEM which in this case is only $125 more. They also said that the glass associated with my VIN indicates a rain sensor function which needed to be accounted for. I have a 3LZ and have never seen that function. Didn’t affect the cost but there are different product numbers for the glass.
My current Z06 and my prior C6 Z06 both got windshield replacements and I paid 400.00 and mine is hud but I opted for non hud glass and I can’t tell the difference what so ever. I don’t believe in “vette tax” and aftermarket Chinese glass is no different than oem glass.
No u are so wrong some aftermarket Chinese glass is extremely bad fitting and poorly made .
