windshield tint
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 2,136
From: Loveland
windshield tint
Has anybody had good luck installing xpel or other tint on the front windshield exterior. I am looking for rock protection, not to make it darker. Thinking 70% or lighter.
Last edited by kodpkd; Jun 10, 2025 at 10:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 1,586
From: Clermont, Florida
Window tint on the outside of the windshield would quickly become beat up and hard to see through from the wiper blades. Maybe try a specified window protection film that goes on the exterior.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Corvette windshields get scarred up pretty quickly, I'm usually hoping for a new WS by 70k miles even though I don't tailgate.
I'll be surprised if there is anything with good optics and hard/cheap enough to work, but sometimes I get a good surprise.
Waiting for more...
I'll be surprised if there is anything with good optics and hard/cheap enough to work, but sometimes I get a good surprise.
Waiting for more...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The Comprehensive Coverage on our State Farm auto policies covers windshield replacement, and does not count as an accident on our record.
Talking with the agent years ago, we went for $0 deductible Comp, the increased premium was so slight that if we got one windshield replaced every 20 years, we were still ahead.
In our 25 years of driving modern Corvettes, we've had 2 windshields replaced because of scratches/pitting, and 1 replaced due to a stone chip. Never any hassle from State Farm.
With a different state or company, your mileage may vary.
The downside is that every Corvette W/S replacement we've had, turned into a FUBAR,
First one done out west on a road trip, leaked horribly and we didn't drive in enough rain to notice until 8 months later.
Second one done in Phoenix while wintering there, got black sealant on VIN plate (C6), installer scratched W/S while trying to remove.
Third one done locally last fall leaked horribly.
In each case, the installer was worse than useless. In each case, they suddenly became very helpful when State Farm threatened to cut them off.
Talking with the agent years ago, we went for $0 deductible Comp, the increased premium was so slight that if we got one windshield replaced every 20 years, we were still ahead.
In our 25 years of driving modern Corvettes, we've had 2 windshields replaced because of scratches/pitting, and 1 replaced due to a stone chip. Never any hassle from State Farm.
With a different state or company, your mileage may vary.
The downside is that every Corvette W/S replacement we've had, turned into a FUBAR,
First one done out west on a road trip, leaked horribly and we didn't drive in enough rain to notice until 8 months later.
Second one done in Phoenix while wintering there, got black sealant on VIN plate (C6), installer scratched W/S while trying to remove.
Third one done locally last fall leaked horribly.
In each case, the installer was worse than useless. In each case, they suddenly became very helpful when State Farm threatened to cut them off.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 57
Likes: 7
From: North of ATL
When I got my new GS I had the windshield covered with Xpel PPF. Pretty normal request for a PPF shop. Lots of track people do this b/c it's cheaper and easier to redo the PPF than to replace the windshield every couple of years. It's completely clear, so no visibility concerns.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,378
Likes: 3,261
From: Hartford WI
The Comprehensive Coverage on our State Farm auto policies covers windshield replacement, and does not count as an accident on our record.
Talking with the agent years ago, we went for $0 deductible Comp, the increased premium was so slight that if we got one windshield replaced every 20 years, we were still ahead.
In our 25 years of driving modern Corvettes, we've had 2 windshields replaced because of scratches/pitting, and 1 replaced due to a stone chip. Never any hassle from State Farm.
With a different state or company, your mileage may vary.
The downside is that every Corvette W/S replacement we've had, turned into a FUBAR,
First one done out west on a road trip, leaked horribly and we didn't drive in enough rain to notice until 8 months later.
Second one done in Phoenix while wintering there, got black sealant on VIN plate (C6), installer scratched W/S while trying to remove.
Third one done locally last fall leaked horribly.
In each case, the installer was worse than useless. In each case, they suddenly became very helpful when State Farm threatened to cut them off.
Talking with the agent years ago, we went for $0 deductible Comp, the increased premium was so slight that if we got one windshield replaced every 20 years, we were still ahead.
In our 25 years of driving modern Corvettes, we've had 2 windshields replaced because of scratches/pitting, and 1 replaced due to a stone chip. Never any hassle from State Farm.
With a different state or company, your mileage may vary.
The downside is that every Corvette W/S replacement we've had, turned into a FUBAR,
First one done out west on a road trip, leaked horribly and we didn't drive in enough rain to notice until 8 months later.
Second one done in Phoenix while wintering there, got black sealant on VIN plate (C6), installer scratched W/S while trying to remove.
Third one done locally last fall leaked horribly.
In each case, the installer was worse than useless. In each case, they suddenly became very helpful when State Farm threatened to cut them off.
Only 1 time I had trouble. Came back a couple months later and told them that the rain sensing wiper doesn't work like it should and defaults to high mode. They swore it was the wiper electronics and paid to have it tested at the dealership. Dealership came back clean but they didn't think that was right. Got fed up and made a deal with the foreman who said this was the first issue he had and he has been doing this for almost 20 years and all that. We install the glass from MB. If it doesn't work, I pay for it. If it works, he pays for it. He was so sure it wasn't the glass. Well, it was. Rain sensor worked excellent after the glass with the 3 pointed star was installed.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 741
Likes: 310
From: Grand Rapids, MN
When I got my new GS I had the windshield covered with Xpel PPF. Pretty normal request for a PPF shop. Lots of track people do this b/c it's cheaper and easier to redo the PPF than to replace the windshield every couple of years. It's completely clear, so no visibility concerns.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 2,136
From: Loveland
I did purchase this film,
SW Nano Ceramic Car Window Film, 99% Anti-UV, 80% VLT, 2 Ply, Shatter-Proof, Anti-Glare,
I had enough for 4 windshields. I got the squeegees, heat gun, ETC. I watched MANY DIY videos. This stuff would not heat to fit the windshield. As a last resort, I tried it on the rear window, it still would wrinkle and not lay flat. I destroyed all 4 sheets. I finally got the Bogar Tech clear windshield film. This installed without issue. You do have to be careful when installing it. It's only been about a week, it takes up to 4 weeks to fully cure. When I'm driving it's still a bit wavy. I hope the wavy look goes away. Fingers crossed, I am going to try to install 15% side window tint today.Last edited by kodpkd; Sep 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM.