DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

*sigh*...where do we start? Let's roll the clock back to about 2 years ago wherein I was driving at a rather unfortunate distance from a semi that felled my beloved TL to be the recipient of a fine pebble that generated a chip precisely at eye level on the driver side...this was a veritable middle finger provided by the fates, this chip was in the single most inconvenient location that a chip could exist.

A few weeks ago I found myself with some liquidity and 2 parts "enough of this shit", which provided a fine recipe for "time to get annoyance replaced".

So like any dutiful AZiner would proceed, I poured over countless articles professing that nothing but an OEM replacement or PPG glass would suffice, otherwise face the flames of optical inferiority and instantaneous reduction in male anatomy.

So I called several companies, insurance included, and finally, well, ran out of time, because when career and child are in the mix, you will find yourself struck with a case of the "f*ck its", and decide to go with the easiest solution. So I went with Safelite, and here's where shit goes CRAZY.

I grilled them about the construction of the glass.
Guess what? It IS made in the USA.

The technician?
On time. Professional. Courteous. AND I have a highly modified "UCM" cowl, which is a genuine bitch to work with...and he had no problems with it.

The result?
Optical perfection. Acoustically matched. Zero leaks.

THE PROBLEM WITH SAFELITE WINDSHIELDS IS...
Holy shitballs, guys...are we doing our homework? I cannot find a single flaw with the entire experience, and the problem is as follows...

AZine's anecdotal suggestions wasted a shit ton of my time in attempting to have ONLY an OE/PPG glass...when I should have been pursuing manufacturing methods above all else. So, lesson learned. Safe yourself some time and just trust that in 2013...established companies, well, know wtf they're doing.

CLIFFS: Damn happy with Safelite, and the warrant can't be beat.

nttstt444

iTrader: (1)

Safelite repair... safelite replace...

Nice to hear you had a good experience with them.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Good to hear. I feel like a lot of the "OEM or nothing" mantra is placebo effect.

Alexns05

That post is almost unbearable to read. Haha this is a car message board not a a Stephen King novel. So cut the fluff and repeat...

Ken1997TL

I had a Safelite replacement on one of my TL's. I was very happy with it.

Eaglesfan9106

Well that was a total letdown what a waste of my time

96SC4

Tha was a funny read. Ha!

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

good thing you had a tech that knows what he's doing. we had a safelite guy replace the windshield on our Accord...he damaged the windshield cowls (broke the clips) and then we called him out on it asking why the cowl is not sitting flush with the windshield. he makes no mention of breaking the clips and says that the plastic warped a little when he was pulling the cowl off. we found this unacceptable and ended up replacing them ourselves. so the lesson really is that it depends on the guy working on your car in terms of the quality of the work.

glad it all worked out for you.

nfnsquared

OP, so who makes the glass that Safelite used? Post a pick of the watermark.

And FYI, most insurance companies will repair a chip for free.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Hmm, good point. I don't really contribute a large amount of original information here, perhaps you could direct me to a proper method.

Because reading of a failed installation profits you in what manner?


They fixed the chip, however said chip was in a simply horrific location. I'll snap the watermark for you, good call.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Hence why I made this post. There ARE options that don't drain the wallet available for the more adventurous types.

Total cost was about $281 for the turnkey installation. I believe I tipped $30 on top or so.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

*windshield

djdonte

Yeah I have used Safelight for another car and I was pretty satisfied. I like how they have locations all over in case you have a problem. Im sure some major manufacturer makes the OEM glass and Acura puts their name on it. Even on my buddy's Vette, he was told he needed a 1000 plus dollar windshield for his heads up display. He got a 300 dollar one and it worked fine.

TL Luver

iTrader: (2)

they quoted me $270 so I went somewhere else & got my front windshield for $150 from another mobile service & still even has the black tint strip..

safelite repairs but I replaced them with another company...

I hate cars

I had about the same experience with them except I also ended up with black marks all over my pillars.

I get the idea that some are saying a windshield is a windshield. I've had two major problems. The first was a cheap windshield that had a bad wave in it that distorted the image badly. Second was after some body work and windshield replacement I had a lot of road noise. I spent a week trying to find the source. I finally guessed it to be the windshield. I got it replaced with one that said Acura on it and the noise was gone. What I learned about this acoustic glass is it's not so much the wind noise it cuts down on. It seems to be better damped and does not act as an amplifier for chassis noise. I've seen windshields for $180 and for $600 for these cars. Guess which ones are acoustic glass and guess which one the insurance is going to use if you don't specifically ask for the correct one.

I'm sure some get the right glass by chance but I would make sure they know what you want. It doesn't have to say Acura but it should be by the same manufacturer or at least acoustic glass.

DaeHanMeenGuk

csmeance

FYI 3 windshields are made for our cars for safelite:

1. HONDA AP TECH Glass- this has the honda logo in it and is the most expensive.

2. AP TECH Glass- Aftermarket but the same company as OEM, middle of the price range and probably the best bet.

3. PGW/Aftermarket Glass- cheapest option. I got a passenger side window from them and it was horrible. I returned it for an OEM one!

dannyz

Glad you're happy. But this is an Acura ENTHUSIAST forum, so expect to hear from owners who are very invested in their cars and want them maintained and upgraded to the nth degree--there should be no surprise there.

I for one am very grateful for Acurazine guys before me who pointed out differences and recommended glass options, otherwise I would not have had mine done so well.

Allstate (and most insurance companies) wouldn't pay for (with a standard deductible) Acura AP TECH glass, but would pay for the absolutely identical AP TECH OEM glass. It was perfect, acoustic, tinted, with the exact border markings. It cost me the same deductible--why wouldn't I want the best?

Also based on info here, I carefully researched the best place to have it done because installation quality is just as important as the glass quality. Using premium low VOC adhesive is also critical to the glass serving as a chassis cross member.

So use what you like. For me, Acurazine helps me find the very best solution, product, price, and DIY. Cheers.

GKinColo08TL

Got a quote from Safelite for my replacement...about $325. I went with another company for $180...windshield says Sound Master on it and it is perfectly fine. I had no issues with the install either.

nfnsquared

OK, here we go once again....

If Safelite is saying that the replacement windshield for the OP is either "dealer glass" or "OEM distributor", then it should be fine.

If it's anything other than those two, then there's no guarantee that it meets OEM specs.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...1&postcount=15

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

good to hear its great so far. lets see about durability though, maybe post back in couple weeks/months?

Healingduck

I had a similar experience on my old Maxima with the rear windshield. Granted I knew it wasn't going to be an OEM window, but the distortion caught me off guard. Especially when I first went to back out of my garage. It's not horrible but you can definitely notice a difference.

I have a few chips in my windshield on my TL and plan to get it replaced but definitely plan to go OEM or something similar. Safelite's tech was really nice and did a great job, but I wasn't impressed with the window itself...

Franchise1124

Glass replacement seems to be a YMMV deal, but I had a good experience with Safelite. They replaced my windshield earlier this year and everything looks and sounds good so far. I'll have to take a look to see what was stamped on the glass itself but my paperwork stated "Dealer Glass".

TLin401

This was a good read

nfnsquared

I can guarantee that you DID NOT get dealer glass from Safelite....

Franchise1124

You're probably right. I'd trust whatever is stamped on the glass itself before whatever they print out on paper every time.

D's Up

Happy to hear you had a good experience with them. They blatantly fucked up while installing our MDX's windshield, only came out to check it once and finally claimed that there was no actual problem. BS, ever since we replaced that thing it's like there's a light whistle being blown whenever we're on the highway going above 65mph. We've confirmed that it's nothing mechanical and the MDX is a tank that was trouble and sound free for all of the 156,000 miles leading up to the windshield replacement (we've had it since new in '03).

Maybe our tech was just a moron. Either way, happy it worked out for ya' bud!

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

I'm invested to the nth+1 degree, but am also of the belief that there's a sucker born every minute. Do what you want with that.


No, no it's not. A high or low VoC compound will work in equal capacity so long as its FMVSS approved per strength requirements 206, 208, & 212 (I believe those are the numbers).

And to this end, for those of us required to go AM else face a jailhouse level raep of the wallet (aka everyone on the NE corridor), this too should leave the consumer with an anecdotal success story, and above all else, options.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Challenge accepted. Let's take a gander when spring hits.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

nfnsquared

^^^^ "SGC"= Safelite Glass Corporation. 99% sure that is not even OEM distributor glass, sorry to say. There's no guarantee that it meets OEM specs. In fact, it probably doesn't since it does not have the European nor Chinese certification stamps.

Lots of reports of these windshields being 20-30 lbs lighter (thinner glass) than dealer or OEM distributor glass.

At any rate, if you're happy with it, then I guess that is all that matters. Hope it continues to perform to your satisfaction.

More info here:

tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817643

jrleclerc88

I work in glass insurance, do ALOT of work with safelite.

A/M glass and OEM glass are made at the same plants/exact same equipment used. The only difference is the sticker on the glass. (instead of honda it will be the glass manufacturer, such as Pilkington)

jrleclerc88

No, exact same safety/quality/color/ect

nfnsquared

Then why don't they support the European and Chinese certification standards?

I have a feeling that you are just regurgitating insurance industry gibberish meant to save the insurance company's money, but I'll give you the chance to prove your statement. I'll be waiting...

Acura-OC

In general, it is costly and time consuming to become certified by any agency. Certification doesn't guaranty that it will open door to additional business and provide return on investment. Certification doesn't equal quality either. It is mostly about establishing, documenting and updating procedures such as, control, resources, policy and objectives.

Most factories choose to become certified only after having a clear path to become supplier to a large factory (as a requirement) even though they have been providing quality product for many years.

nfnsquared

No, you'd be wrong. (And be sure you are not getting DOT/Federal Safety standards mixed up with OEM specifications). Safelite glass is OEE glass. By law, OEE glass cannot be manufactured to OEM specs. But I can see where you might believe this. After all, even Safelite can't get it right. They botched the definitions of OEM vs OEE glass in their FAQ's:

http://www.safelite.com/auto-glass-r...s-faqs/#c44803

Bottom line, Safelite glass is not OEM glass, it is OEE and cannot be made to OEM standards.

http://www.glass.net/auto-glass-info...s-should-i-buy

"Aftermarket glass is made by companies that do not contract with any car manufacturers, and do not have the legal right to manufacture auto glass to the exact same specifications as OEM distributors due to licensing and copyright laws. Safelite is one of the main aftermarket or "original equipment equivalent (OEE)" auto glass manufacturers. Aftermarket glass is significantly cheaper than OEM or dealer glass. It's usually a different thickness than OEM glass, and most dealers will not accept aftermarket glass when you return a leased vehicle because the glass differs so much from the original design, and does not carry the same guarantees as OEM auto glass"

http://www.sevacall.com/blog/2013/05...and-oee-glass/

"In the auto glass world, OEE glass is the equivalent to an off brand. OEE glass — an acronym that stands for Original Equipment Equivalent — is after market glass. The companies that produce it do not contract with the manufacturers. They are also not legally allowed to create glass of identical thickness, color, shape, and so forth.

Price is a major draw for OEE glass; it is significantly cheaper than OEM glass. However, you get what you pay for. OEE glass does not come with many guarantees and the glass will be noticeably different from manufacturer or OEM glass. But, if you simply want to replace a broken windshield or window at a decent price, OEE glass does the job"

Acura-OC

OEM - made by the same manufacturer as your original glass.
OEE - made by another manufacturer TO THE SAME STANDARDS. It just cannot be call OEM because it is not.


"most dealers will not accept aftermarket glass when you return a leased vehicle because the glass differs so much from the original design, and does not carry the same guarantees as OEM auto glass" What an F...in lie.

nfnsquared

No. OEM glass can be licensed to be made by other manufacturers to OEM specifications. It does not have to be the original manufacturer.


Same standards? DOT standards? Yes.

Made to the same OEM specifications? No.

Acura-OC

How many AS9100 audits have you participated at?
I have participated before and I am in one right now.

There are no OEM specifications.

OEM - An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by another company and retailed under that purchasing company's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_name.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer#cite_note-def-1 OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a replacement part made by the manufacturer of the original part.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer#cite_note-The_Parts_Bin-2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer

nfnsquared

Dude, just stop while you are behind. Please.