OEM windshield or aftermarket for replacement

[zlwebb]

I got a chip in my windshield last night in the drivers line of sight so it had to be replaced. Now I have heard GM is cutting corners on things like paint that is why a ton of people are having paint chip problems. Now I have had lots of rocks hit my dodge windshield and never had a chip. This is the first rock to hit my glass on my camaro and it left a dime size chip. Makes me wonder if GM cut corners on the glass. So should I get OEM or something like a safeflight or other aftermarket windshield??

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

If you're having it replaced altogether, it doesn't matter. They all have to meet a minimum requirement.

So they all are about equal.

If I were you, I'd look into repairing the chip. You'd be amazed at how some of them turn out. And if it's no good, then replace it.

Remember, the Factory windshield is robitically installed and is part of the roll over protection. The aftermarket installation is not going to be as great as the factory install.

I had a short stint in the business and have seen some interesting video of replacement glass installation testing verses the OEM installation.

Best of luck to you,
Ivan

[zlwebb]

Originally Posted by Bad Karma

If you're having it replaced altogether, it doesn't matter. They all have to meet a minimum requirement.

So they all are about equal.

If I were you, I'd look into repairing the chip. You'd be amazed at how some of them turn out. And if it's no good, then replace it.

Remember, the Factory windshield is robitically installed and is part of the roll over protection. The aftermarket installation is not going to be as great as the factory install.

I had a short stint in the business and have seen some interesting video of replacement glass installation testing verses the OEM installation.

Best of luck to you,
Ivan

I already had it looked at by two glass places. They say it is too big and deep to repair. There is like a gap in it and they said you would still be able to see it just like it is now. Also they said since it is in front of the driver they can't even touch it even if it could be repaired.

[ron10]

go with the OEM, knowledgeable car buyers look for that kind of stuff.

[CLEAN]

I had mine replaced already w/ OEM. I'm afraid this is going to turn out to be a weak link, the windsheild appears to be very fragile indeed.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by zlwebb

I already had it looked at by two glass places. They say it is too big and deep to repair. There is like a gap in it and they said you would still be able to see it just like it is now. Also they said since it is in front of the driver they can't even touch it even if it could be repaired.

Now that part is not true, Safelite repaired the windshield on my vette with a crack literally directly in my line of sight no problem. That said if 2 different places say it won't come out right, I'd say they are probably are right.

[Camarofan69]

ok first off.....safelite glass is terrible, although made to factory specs its not made very well.

the windshields are not weak links in this car, they are made to same thsame specs as any other car on the market. the weak link may be the aerodynamics of the car perhaps, but its like any other car depending how close you drive to other people or simply the design of the car on how often it gets hit with rocks.

there are many different brands of glass that are considered OE, but there is only one that actually came in the car.
pilkington is the manufacturer of the glass tha comes stock in the camaro. here are 2 pics of the factory and aftermarket glass.

this is stock


this is aftermarket from pilkington.



they are the same glass made the same way to the same specs ect.

other windshields are made to the same specs, but sometimes not to the best quality like safelite. other brands are (from best to worst in my opionin) safeguard (mopar) carlite (ford) ppg(pgw) same company, guardian gm used these for along time , criminex vw used these. safelite no car company has ever used a safelite windshield from the factory.

[Camarofan69]

on a side note.....
any windshield should not be repaired if the crack or chip is in the 1 foot by 1 foot area in the drivers view.

[levi1922]

Originally Posted by Camarofan69

ok first off.....safelite glass is terrible, although made to factory specs its not made very well.

the windshields are not weak links in this car, they are made to same thsame specs as any other car on the market. the weak link may be the aerodynamics of the car perhaps, but its like any other car depending how close you drive to other people or simply the design of the car on how often it gets hit with rocks.

there are many different brands of glass that are considered OE, but there is only one that actually came in the car.
pilkington is the manufacturer of the glass tha comes stock in the camaro. here are 2 pics of the factory and aftermarket glass.

this is stock


this is aftermarket from pilkington.



they are the same glass made the same way to the same specs ect.

other windshields are made to the same specs, but sometimes not to the best quality like safelite. other brands are (from best to worst in my opionin) safeguard (mopar) carlite (ford) ppg(pgw) same company, guardian gm used these for along time , criminex vw used these. safelite no car company has ever used a safelite windshield from the factory.

not having the GM stamp would bother me a lot. So i guess ill be hoping that i dont get a chip!

[ROBBDOGG1986]

Ya I would have not looked at this thread if it weren't for some kids shooting there BB guns at my car now I have a huge crack going from Top to bottom!

[zlwebb]

Originally Posted by Camarofan69

ok first off.....safelite glass is terrible, although made to factory specs its not made very well.

the windshields are not weak links in this car, they are made to same thsame specs as any other car on the market. the weak link may be the aerodynamics of the car perhaps, but its like any other car depending how close you drive to other people or simply the design of the car on how often it gets hit with rocks.

there are many different brands of glass that are considered OE, but there is only one that actually came in the car.
pilkington is the manufacturer of the glass tha comes stock in the camaro. here are 2 pics of the factory and aftermarket glass.

this is stock


this is aftermarket from pilkington.



they are the same glass made the same way to the same specs ect.

other windshields are made to the same specs, but sometimes not to the best quality like safelite. other brands are (from best to worst in my opionin) safeguard (mopar) carlite (ford) ppg(pgw) same company, guardian gm used these for along time , criminex vw used these. safelite no car company has ever used a safelite windshield from the factory.

Hey thanks man!! This helps a lot! Nice to find help from fellow owners

[katprop]

Be careful if you get a chip in the new camaro's windshield. If the chip is in the middle to lower part of the windshield, DO NOT turn your defroster on full heat full fan if it's cold outside. My son and I learned that the hard way. Very small chip (I actually thought it was a little bug from the night before), only 38 degrees, turned the defroster on, the windshield made a huge pop noise and shazam, the windshield cracked perfectly following the defroster on the dashboard, about 3' long curving down at each end. Dealer wants $900.00 to replace and could only find one from the factory here in the US.

[Camarofan69]

thats bs there isnt only one in the country. i just called my dealer and they can get them overnight. its 385.00 my cost for just the glass.

or if you want a aftermarket glass its overnight for them as well.

[stlrammer]

Had mine replaced today by Safelite and they did an amazing job! And I'm really picky.