I had my windshield replaced today due to a rock chip turning into a crack from one side to the other. I went to my acura dealer (Superior Acura) and asked what the process was to get a replaced windshield through them. They sent me to Hendrick Collision Center which does all the repair for the Hendrick dealers here in KC. I asked them if they used Honda glass and they said "yes". Now that I am looking at my windsheild, there is no Honda markings on it anywhere. Have others with replacement windshields have the Honda markings on it? I just dont want to be stuck with a bad knock off windshield.

JC

 

Yeah, just like they use Honda oil and tires.

Just go through Safelite or something.

 

Why cant they just tell you that?

The only reason Im a little confused is that I got a quote from an Acura dealer in St Louis for $725 to replace it, this one was $350 to replace it.

 

Honda glass says honda on it.

 

I made a thread about this couple of weeks ago.

Basically, the OEM windshield is under the brand name AP TECH. Now what they use as OEM has the HONDA label on it. Stores jack up the prices just because it has that label on there. But, all you need to make sure is that it says AP TECH on it...no real need to get the HONDA edition unless you're a straight up baller.

 

Where is the AP Tech stamp at on the windshield?

 

If you're sitting in the driver's seat, the AP Tech label is in the lower left corner.

As mentioned above, AP Tech makes the OEM windshields for the second generation TLs. The same exact glass with the "Honda" label cost hundreds more.

I had an AP Tech windshield installed on my TL and it was about $290 installed.

Bob

 

why not just go to safelite?

 

Its too late. Im sitting here with a no name replacement windshield on my car. That really pisses me off. I went where the dealer sends their work and was lead to beleive I would get a OEM windshield.

 

Is there really a benefit to having "Honda" glass? Is it thicker or more resistant to cracks? Does it have the heat blocker tint like the rest of the windows?

 

The windshield installer that I used told me that there are other manufacturers of high quality glass such as PPG. So you don't need Honda/AP TECH glass to get a high quality windshield.

He told me that I could get the exact same AP TECH windshield, made in the same plant, with "Honda" label for hundreds more. He didn't see much point to pay for that but he has some customers that insist on the "Honda" label, especially if their insurance is paying for the windshield.

He also told me that there are lower quality windshields made in China that cost much less. The cheaper glass would have dropped the installed cost of my windshield from $290 to about $190, if I recall correctly.

He offered this as an option for my windshield replacement but he didn't recommend it. He said that the cheaper glass is more prone to local optical distortions. And I suppose it might be more likely to crack but I didn't ask about that.


Bob

 

I would go back and complain.




I didnt get oem and its not as strong. The honda glass was much more resistant to rock chips and sand pitting.

 

Im not the kind of guy that needs the "Honda" badge on the windshield, I just want to know that I have a quality windshield that is going to stand up. I am going to call today and see what they tell me.

 

weather or not the glass has the HONDA label on it or not does not make a difference...however, the glass MUST have at least a label with the standards codes that are required by law, and maybe the glass MFG name, AS-1 is the code for the type of laminated glass that auto MFG. are required to use, the actual laminated glass for the windshield is made up of (2) pieces of 2.5mm clear glass and a .015" interlayer in between and is actually the thinest interlayer available for laminated glass. Personally I wouldn't be too concearned about the actual glass itself, but more the proper installation, as the windshield is an integral part of the structure of the car.

 

Ive had glass installed by a glass place other than the dealer (honda) and i can tell you fora fact it wasn't as strong or scratch resistant than oem. (bad glass or something? but it wasnt the same)

 

it is quite possible that HONDA treats the surface of the glass after manufacturing, hence the reason for being more expensive, I've never really thought about it to be quite honest, I've always bought my windshields from the wholesale supplier and had them installed at my shop (by a qualified installer of course)