Re: Cracked windshield- now what kind?

["Michael & Christine" <mlindner@netquest.com>]

:I recently got a rock tossed up on my windshield cracking it.  State Farm is
:only authorizing a certain dollar amount for a new windshiled, $352 I
:believe.  Now my question is this, is it alright to go with what the guy at
:the glass shop tells me which is 'They are made by the same people, just the
:Audi one has a logo, the other doesn't ' Is he right?  Will I be alright to
:go with what they put in there or should I really spend the extra money to
:get the OEM stuff?


Hi again.

Glass is glass is glass.   The Audi glass is no safer than PPG or LOF.  What the
glass shop told you is BS, though.  There are different companies making glass
windshields all over the planet.  I believe that VW/Audi glass is manufactured
by Securit.  Still, though, there are safety guidelines that must be followed in
the manufacture of windshields.  The quality difference might be in the way
coatings (such as tint, etc.) are applied to the glass.

Just make sure that they order the *correct* windshield, i.e., shaded, tinted,
etc. etc.   Believe it or not, your Audi glass has a slight tint to it (most
does) and if they order clear w/o tint it will be noticeably brighter.

On a side-note:  I would recommend going with a reputable glass shop or dealer.
I know they might be a little more expensive, but having done glass replacement
for a number of years (in a former life...) I can tell you that an inexperienced
cutter with a cold-knife can do quite a bit of damage you might not see until
the rust bubbles up around the windshield.  A reputable shop will also insist on
using LOF (Libby-Owens-Ford), PPG or another well-known name brand.  I have
heard of some cheaper shops actually trying to use (or getting away with it)
used auto glass from a salvage yard and then charging you (and your insurance
companies) full price.

Hope this helps....

Michael Lindner