Cracked windshield?

[Bill Brown]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Had the rear window replaced in the hardtop to the tune $1000.00.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Is the rear hard top window made of glass or acrylic? I suspect that it might not be glass.

[wtxbird]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Make sure it's not Safelite!

I worked for Safelite Auto Glass right out of high school, i remember we broke 7 windshields on a new GM car. Bad mold, installed a PPG and it went right in. The Safelite were tons cheaper, thinner, and they sucked as far as fit compared to oem.

[Brad]

Re: Cracked windshield?

I had demanded a OEM windshield when I got a crack recently, and got an unbelievable quote of like $325. installed. It ended up being the PPG, and at first I was upset, but I was very happy with the install...probably more so due to the installer (refered by and done at a Ford dealer).

Looks just like the original, and the wiper heater pad works just fine.

[00mustng]

Re: Cracked windshield?

....PPG are the only ones that make the windsheilds for our 'Birds.....they are manufactured with and without the Thunderbird logo at the base of the 'sheild....ones without the logo are cheaper only because it avoids Ford copyright issues.....the quality is exactly the same.....this, from PPG themselves...

[Brad]

Re: Cracked windshield?

I thought the original was "CARLITE"....are you saying PPG stamps them for Ford with that?

[mike24]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Most reputable glass installers use the best product they can find, because they want to keep their good reputation as the glass business is very competetive. The biggest problem is the correct installation of the windshield.
They are integral to the strength of the vehicle, especially with the newer vehicles. Watch them install your glass and ask questions, such as what type of adhesive they use and what is the drive away time. Also make shure they use gloves and wipe the edges of the winshield to make shure the is no body grease or foreign object to hinder the adhesive from adhearing to the windshield.

[Sweet T]

Re: Cracked windshield?

I thought the original was "CARLITE"....are you saying PPG stamps them for Ford with that?

CARLITE is the only "authorized" Ford distributor.

PPG is aftermarket, but of superior quality to Safelite, I believe.

[My Raven]

Re: Cracked windshield?

....PPG are the only ones that make the windsheilds for our 'Birds.....they are manufactured with and without the Thunderbird logo at the base of the 'sheild....ones without the logo are cheaper only because it avoids Ford copyright issues.....the quality is exactly the same.....this, from PPG themselves...

So I am right in my understanding that they still make the thunderbird logo windshield?

If you replace the windshield I guess the customer must make up the difference between the logo windshield and the cheaper windshield without the T-Bird logo?

[5bird7]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Check your windshield, center bottom. the original windshields are made by PPG. Carlite is a distributor. PPG also has a distributor business.

[THHNDR]

Re: Cracked windshield?

My turn... had a rock hit the windsheild front and center. I will get an OEM replacement but will regretably loose the sticker in the lower right corner. Not only looking in the mirror reminds me that nothing is for ever, but my car is also telling me the same thing!

[00mustng]

Re: Cracked windshield?

......PPG are the only manufacturer.....due to the lack of volume....Safelite has no listing....We should be more worried about availability from PPG....as they are producing small batches and keeping a low inventory....So says PPG and Ford Canada.....

[5bird7]

Re: Cracked windshield?

My turn... had a rock hit the windsheild front and center. I will get an OEM replacement but will regretably loose the sticker in the lower right corner. Not only looking in the mirror reminds me that nothing is for ever, but my car is also telling me the same thing!

Gary, have you tried to scrape the sticker off?

[THHNDR]

Re: Cracked windshield?

Dot, the sticker is at the lower edge and is not very accesable. I have not tried to razor it off yet but will attempt it tomorrow after the wine I am about to drink wears off!

[5bird7]

Re: Cracked windshield?

will you be around when the windshield is replaced - you might be lucky after it's out, to get to remove the sticker.