Guys i am glad that both of you have had a great experence using Chinese glass but unless you are in the business your one experence is hardly enough to make a call that all parts are good
Dave

 

To summarize…

1)OE is the highest quality part and comes with the auto manufacturer’s logo.

2)OEM provides the best value since it is made to the same high standards as OE, but with a much lower price. (these could be from manufacturers that did not win the bids for the original build) Also includes windshields that are produced from the original windshield manufacturer but after the car production is done.

3)OEE/aftermarket is going to be the cheapest option, but with a much lower quality

 

I had a windshield replace on another car (not a Corvette) and learned that non-OEM windshields may not be worth it. It's not just about clarity and fit, distortion can be quite noticeable and annoying. Eye-center viewing was OK, but images were slightly distorted away from center.

 

I would be more concerned with the quality of the work being done over whether or not it's OEM. I had a small rock chip in my windshield (way up high where I couldn't see it) and it turned into a full blown crack so I had to have it replaced. I went with an aftermarket windshield but the work was done by a very reputable glass shop in my town and they did an amazing job, you cannot tell the windshield was replaced unless you started looking for the GM logo. The clarity of the new windshield is perfect.

 

I buy and repair/resell high end cars. My Z is a personal keeper but yeah I might know what I’m doing as I do this for a living. I am very much in the business my man. All of the C6’s and C7’s I’ve used cheap glass on never had an issue nor did the buyers notice or complain about. Oem on glass makes no difference

 

I am sure if you look at my profile you will see that I too know what I am doing "My Man " 40 years in the Manufacturing , Distribution , Installation of auto glass and installation . There is a huge difference between OEM/OE and "cheap glass" . OEM glass and OE glass , which is glass made by the OEM supplier but does not have the OEM logo is the best . Then you have PILKINGTON, Securit , AP TECH and AGC all will be suitable replacements but glass from PGW , BENSON , XYG is ALL junk
Your statement above would lead folks to believe that this 3 tier supplier crap would be a suitable replacement when in fact you meant 2nd tier suppliers would be cheaper than OEM and would fit just fine

Dave

 

you would not have to go with OEM a 2nd tier supplier that I listed above would be fine its the "cheap junk" 3rd tier suppliers you would have to be careful with

Dave

 

BINGO

You have it a little wrong
1- OEM - self explanatory...oem branded
2- OE just as good just no OEM branding
3 OEE - junk

 

AZ my comment was not directed to you .....i was correcting the other guy and his comments about that he uses cheap glass and there is no difference

Good luck getting your distortion problem fixed

Dave

 

Tried to take a snapshot of the changes in my HUD with the glass. The car is parked in this pic as to not have road vibrations adding to the changes in the display. A new windshield will be put in from a different manufacturer, which according to the company is going to be OE. As with any business, we hope that management is being honest in all this.

 

and you are still incorrect because once more my “cheap” glass is virtually no different than the oem that was in there. You have not seen my car man, how can you remotely even try to validate your point?

 

Ok you win ....there is no difference in the manufacturing, materials used , tolerances that are met or the tooling lol lol lol lol

You got a few good ones lol lol lol

Dave

 

This is exactly what happens when a non hud is installed in a C7

In a C6 is was common knowledge that you could get away with using a non HUD glass because of the angle of the glass and the refraction properties but in a C7 the double imaging is caused by the lack of the HUD interlayer which corrects this distortion in the image

Click on this link and it will explain why you are seeing what you are seeing and why you need a HUD interlayer for certain cars
https://www.eastman.com/Brands/Safle...p-Display.aspx
Once they replace your windshield with a HUD , either OEM or OE you will be fine

Dave

 

I'm getting my information from the experience of having been the operations manager for a company that makes the material for the interlayer. There were several competitors who made a competitive material as well. There are several different processes for making this material, as well as different specifications for the raw materials used. That, combined with quality control, lab results and standards in testing, rejection rates and many other factors determine the clarity of the film. The producers of the interlayer material have different standards within the same product line (depending on lab results). Our company, may sell the material for the interlayer under 1 specification for 1/2 the cost of the more stringent specification. Depending on the customer's quality standards, they may buy the cheaper material, or the more expensive material. The primary difference in the grades (even withing the same manufacturer) are gel spots. Those gel spots are very easily seen in the finished product if a lower grade material is used.

So, not sure where you get your information there are only 3 suppliers. I had quite a number of competitors in this product line. We produced 3 different grades of material within this product line ourselves.

I stick to the premise there are varying grades of clarity. Be sure to choose from a windshield manufacturer that has a history of putting quality ahead of cost.

 

Everybody out to prove that they are an expert but not one is in windshield manufacturing distribution or installation as I am ......so let me restate , 3 that supply to the automotive glass industry in the US as there are many types of laminated glass , and and just as many manufacturers of flat laminated glass so yes you had many customers .... and you might have had different grades .. but any windshield produced for a car that will be driven in the United States has to pass many stringent tests , one of which is clarity thru out the vision area .....

You guys are all the experts .. I am done ...

Dave

 

Man do you like to argue or what? It’s not about bring an expert or being right or wrong. It’s about what works and fits properly just as oem or what doesn’t. I’m sure there are some crappy ones out there perhaps but you cannot generalize every last oem company and assume they are all crap and non fitting/functioning based off of what you assume without even seeing them installed on every last car.

 

Hello!
I just went through Safelite to replace my brand new windshield due to a rock chip, I have USAA insurance windshield boost option so I got the OEM replacement.I was told it would be around $1200 for OEM, aftermarket was cheaper but the tech said it was a 50 50 chance the HUD would not work.

Safelite was a good company to work with, there was a GM defect in the new replacement glass and they replaced it again at no cost.

Good luck!

 

I was not willing to take a chance with non OEM glass, the Safelite tech said he has seen issues with non OEM glass, 50 50 chance of fuckery. Also my new GM OEM glass had a defect in the glass. My guess it was made on a Monday or Friday.

 

You're right, in that they all had to pass the MINIMUM standards, one of which is clarity. That in no way negates the fact that some manufacturers bought materials and manufactured clarity that far surpassed the minimum standards; far surpassing those minimum standards typically increases costs.

I've heard that marketing bunkum a million times about "it's all the same". Every time by the folks selling the cheap stuff as to negate the value of the more expensive materials others used (and the associated costs).

I'm not trying to convince the world here of anything other than being open to the possibility there may be a difference between the clarity of one windshield manufacturer as compared to another. I think it's wise to consult with enough folks in the business to develop an idea about what you may be getting for the cost. I'm pretty sure you will find this:
The guys with the cheaper windshields will say "they're all the same", the guys with the more expensive windshields will tout clarity and other possible advantages. The buyer can decide what they believe and what they are (or are not) willing to pay for.

Peace!

 

I have a $100 deductible for windshield glass. No problem when it comes time to replace.

MT