Re: Windshield replacement

["Daniel Hussey" <dan_hussey@email.msn.com>]

Thanks, I thought it would help!

Save someone the trouble of going through the crap I went through anyways.
Well, one thing to say first.  Take it to the shop YOU want to take it too.
If the insurance only wants to pay a certian amount, agree to pay a little
extra to have it done where you want and with the OEM glass (they should pay
for that though!).  You will be happier in the long run.  Especially with
the OEM trim!  They aftermarket trim was a bunch of crap!

BTW, My local body shop (and very good one at that) contracts out all thier
glass replacement to a glass shop.  I'd find a glass shop that knows there
stuff.  If need be, question them first.  See if they seem like a place that
will do a good job.  Ask who the dealer uses.... ask the dealer themselves.
Chances are they've seen your type of car a few times before, which is never
bad!

And, I forgot to mention it, but have them come to your house or work to
install it.  I reccoemend this because you want the windshield to be
undisturbed and have time to "set" and the sealant to seal properly.  If you
have it done at the shop itself, you'll have to drive it out of there right
after the installation.  They say it's ok, but the guy who did my windshield
said that it should set still for at least an hour.  I left mine alone for
5-6 hours before driving anywhere.

Good luck!

Later,
Dan


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig D. Niederst <niederst@telerama.com>
To: Daniel Hussey <dan_hussey@email.msn.com>
Cc: Quattro List <quattro@audifans.com>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 11:59 PM
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! :)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>