Two weeks with my new car and I've encountered 2 terrible rock chips necessitating a windshield replacement. After doing a lot of research, my two glass options are PPG and Pilkington, both of which include the sound-reducing acoustic interlayer. Any thoughts on what might be better and what problems the installer may come across during replacement?

Seeing as I don't have glass coverage, OEM Acura glass is likely not an option for me. The dealer pegs the OEM glass at $1200. The PPG and Pilkington glass would be $415 and $350 installed respectively.

The PPG glass would be installed by GlassMasters used by my local dealer (Southview Acura in Edmonton). Pilkington glass was what SpeedyGlass would use. I'm leaning towards the glass shop used by my dealer because they would likely be more familiar with my TSX. The SpeedyGlass representative was great but seemed to be unfamiliar with my vehicle; he didn't even seem to recognize it was a TSX...

One concern I had during the replacement was the side pillar mouldings. I've come across TSB 09-016 which states the mouldings are to be replaced. Is this a concern still for 2012 models? Do these mouldings need to be replaced during windshield replacement?

Thanks for any advice!

 

take a picture of your OEM factory glass tag. there should be a manufacturer on there just below the Acura badge. tell the glass installer you want the exact same piece of glass minus the Acura badge. it is the EXACT same glass specs and all just without the badge. search in the 3G TL section. many have had this dilemma and have gone the way to getting the same AP tech glass minus the Honda/Acura badge for about 1/2 the price.

you do not want cheap imitations...waves, poor fit, and increased noise. granted either brand you mentioned above are good brands. i would rather have the same glass on my car esp if your car is practically brand new.

i just looked i up. AGC makes the glass for the TSX. the online price for the US runs $676 with a list price of $902 (of course everything costs more in canada).

the side pillar moldings....i would think most likely. i know on the TL the entire drip molding on both sides of the car needed to be replaced if the windshield is replaced.

 

the side molding are held on clips, they need to removed to put in new glass, then they are reattached. the TSB may be for yours too, the clips that hold it on break easily. i'd just use epoxy if that happens

 

As far as the installer is concerned, your dlr didnt pick them because of product knowledge but rather because they give advisors doughnuts/starbucks every now and then, or they are the cheapest, or they give them 'spiffs' for every job.

 

AP tech is a honda/ acura OEM brand. As far as clips go make sure who ever does job has a clip kit with them in case any of them get broken. Do not let them use glue in place of a new clip. If you ever need another replacement you will never get moldings off in a reusable condition. good luck.

 

^^not entirely true. AP tech makes the glass on select honda/acura products. if you read my post...ACG makes the glass for the 2G TSX. they also make the glass for the 2G MDX and i believe the 2g RL (not sure on this one). AP tech makes the glass for the 3G TL, i'm not sure what other models they make the glass for.

check the badge in the car. under the acura badge should be the glass manufactuer's badge along with all the specs.

 

That seems really expensive...

i had my 06 TL glass replace. AP tech brand which is the original brand of the OEM one for $180

 

$1200 sounds about right for OEM glass
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...indshield.html

 

All I wanted to say was that ap tech makes oem glass for Honda ,Acura and other manufactures . My old 1987 accord had it from factory. I was an auto glass installer 15 years ago. If someone is looking for glass that fits right and is either close or right on OEM quality . Their replacement windshields unless from dealer won't have Acura or Honda name on them but who cares. JMO

 

The 2011+ TSXs use an upgraded, thicker acoustical windshield, designed to reduce noise. This probably adds to the OEM replacement cost.

 

My car had a Pilkington the second day I had car got small rock chip and it cracked about 2 miles later about a foot long bummer i just had windows tinted that morning seems soft I have had many rock chips before and never cracked so fast