RE: Windshield replacement

["Todd Kinsfather" <tkinsfather@earthlink.net>]

Another possibility is to use a finnicky German Auto Body shop. It was very
successful for me on a VW Corrado windshield (forgive the example, please)
that some glass shops have not been able to install without shattering even
the OEM glass version. It was also very expensive for the insurance company.
Ask the body shops how they do it. Most will give you a good run down before
hand. Instead of the 90 minute job from a bogus glass shop, they actually
spent most of the item cleaning the old sealant off and then weighted the
windshield overnight into the new sealant before doing the final outside
trim seal. I know it is totally different seal design than Audi, but it is a
good example of someone that is used to giving the German car and customer
what it requires(a German body shop), giving the proper attention to glass
replacement procedure.

Todd Kinsfather
99 A6 Avant Q
91 Corrado G60

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-quattro@audifans.com [mailto:owner-quattro@audifans.com]On
> Behalf Of Craig D. Niederst
> Sent: Sunday, October 17, 1999 10:02 PM
> To: Daniel Hussey
> Cc: Quattro List
> Subject: Re: Windshield replacement
>
>
> Dan,
> Excellent post with some great tips. I'm going to call all 3 local Audi
> dealers in the morning before contacting the insurance company to see what
> shop(s) they use. What worries me is I took a dealer's advice on where to
> have a broken drivers window replaced form a break-in 2 years ago, and it
> took them 3 attempts with my Bentley in front of them to install it right
> (and that required my personal help in their garage with the job). If they
> couldn't handle that, I guarantee they will mess up the windshield job. On
> the subject of the glass, I will definitely try for OE glass and gaskets
> with the insurance company (even though I actually work for PPG). But my
> insurance (Erie) has a special 800 number to call for glass replacement
> which is run by a contracted service, not Erie themselves. I am
> hoping this
> does not take my "choice" for OE glass and also the replacement shop away
> since I am not dealing directly with the actual insurance company. Well, I
> guess I'm in for a PITA, I just hope it all works out in the end. Thanks.
>
> Craig
> '92 100S (85k)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Daniel Hussey <dan_hussey@email.msn.com>
> To: Craig D. Niederst <niederst@telerama.com>; Quattro List
> <quattro@audifans.com>
> Sent: Sunday, October 17, 1999 11:20 PM
> Subject: Windshield replacement
>
>
> > Craig,
> >
> > I just went through this on my '89 200 turbo quattro.  Mine was chipped
> but
> > not cracked yet, and I just sprung the cost to get it replaced.  It was
> > pretty sandblasted too.  I paid a local shop with a good
> reputation to put
> > in an aftermarket replacement.  Quality of install and product
> were poor!
> I
> > had them redo it at no additional charge and drop in an OE
> piece of glass,
> > trim, and seal, and do it right!!!!
> >
> > Look in the manual first.  It may require use of spacers (not
> much to em,
> > but I ordered mine from the dealer and had the shop use them.
> >
> > OK, now, an independent shop can do it fine (and Audi dealers usually
> > contract out to have thiers done anyways!).  FInd out where
> they go may be
> a
> > good idea.  But, make sure you ask around and find a shop that is
> guarunteed
> > to do a good job and will stand by thier work.  The shop I went
> to didn't
> do
> > the greatest job, but at least they stood behind it and fixed it (which
> was
> > the right thing to do).  I'm happy now.  Anyways, here are some things I
> > would reccoemend once you find a qualified shop.
> >
> > 1.  Use the OE glass, seal and trim!!!!  It costs more but is worth it!
> > 2.  Don't get a silicone sealant!  Good shops all use butyl or
> polyeurethane
> > or something like that.
> > 3.  Make them look at the manual (at least quickly) just to make sure
> there
> > isn't anything unusual that they don't know about.
> > 4.  Make them remove the A-pillar covers before cutting out the
> old glass.
> > They ruined mine that way and I had to find new ones at a junkyard.
> > 5.  Make sure they are very carefull not to scratch the paint around the
> > windshield when taking out the old one.  The shop I went to put some
> rather
> > tough masking tape around the areas around the windshield to
> make sure it
> > didn't get scratched.
> > BTW,  No matter how carefull he is, somewhere under there the paint is
> going
> > to get scratched off.... not visible, but it will!  So...
> > 6.  Make sure he uses a primer to cover any exposed scratches before
> laying
> > the new windshield in place.
> > And, last but not least,
> > 7.  Make sure they clean up any oozing sealant and clean off the
> windshield
> > when they are done (they have really good glass cleaner).
> >
> > If you do all that, you should be fine!  I learned a lot more
> and finally
> > got it right the second time.  Won't make that mistake again.
> Good luck.
> >
> > Later,
> > Dan
> > 89 200TQ
> > New glass is REALLY nice!  Clear view! :)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>