It finallyhappended. After driving for over +20years, I get my first cracked windshield . Damn I95 is a dirty dirty HWY with constant construction… the front ends of both my cars are beat-upfrom rock chips also… >

So, any ideas how much it cost to get one replaced? How much does the glass cost vs labor? I see rockauto sells the glass for $179.79 (excludes“attachment”?) + 186.45 S/H = $366.24 – OUCH! Anyone have good experience they canshare? Who are the good and bad glass manufacturers?

I’d like to get an idea on a ball park price but since thiswill be out of pocket, insurance quotes will not apply. Also be great if anyone has a recommendedshop in NYC/Phila (or somewhere in between).


Thanks in advance!

 

If it's just a little chip (no larger than a quarter, say), you can often get a windshield repaired using a sort of epoxy that is squirted in. It's not perfectly invisible, but it makes the boo-boo a lot less obvious and usually prevents it from progressing further into a full-out crack. Often, insurance companies will waive the deductible for this sort of repair if you have comprehensive coverage.

If it's a crack across, replacement is called for. I'd suggest phoning a few glass places around. I think most places just quote a flat rate for the glass and the installation combined; it's not the sort of thing that's especially easy to do oneself (though it isn't impossible). I think $250 or $300 is about the going rate around here, though I don't know for the Fit specifically.

I wouldn't really suggest buying the glass and attempting to put it in yourself if you don't have previous experience replacing windshields. A windshield is not a convenient part to manipulate, and it's important for a proper bond to avoid touching the edges of the glass where the glue stuff adheres once the glass has been prep'd. Improper installation can easily result in leaks or negatively affect the crashworthiness of the car (airbags are often designed to work against the windshield, and won't do their job properly if it pops out).

I need to make an appointment to get my windshield replaced before too long, as well. Had a pock that was epoxied about a year or so ago, and it cracked form that spot just a couple of days ago—which is unusual as those repairs typically are reliable.

 

Local shop quoted me $280, Safelight about the same. That's installed.

I don't particularly care if it's OEM glass, because the OEM glass is crap tbh. So many chips and knicks, the crack I got was a lucky shot where a rock hit the very exact edge of the glass and it just spread from there. I don't even follow close.

I have never owned a car that has accumulated so many nicks and chips as the Fit... they don't make glass like they used to I guess.

 

The last time I had a windshield chip there was no charge to repair the chip at a glass shop if you have insurance.

Clifton

 

Keyword: cracked.

I meant to ask if it would be cheaper to bring your own glass to a shop. I can be pretty foolish and attempt this but after reading up on it a bit more, you quickly this is not something that can be easily done without experience AND proper tools.

Some of these prices don'the sound so scary -thanks. Even cheaper than glass alone from rockauto!! Makes me question why/how... Perhaps material difference in glass quality? Found some interweb prices on glass and it sound like offical Honda glass is crazy expensive. PPG, which I only know of from paint, also makes a glass. There are some generics that are cheap and I suspect in all senses of the word.


Did all of you get it done at a specialty glass place or a body shop? I may try a body place, maybe they can reference me.?. I despite Safelite. Thanks for the respones. At least I have some value gauge to start with.

 

I paid about 330 for mine through safelite. Took them about 40 min to finish and did a nice job so I would recommend them.

 

Past car windshields that I've had to have replaced have all been at a specialty glass shop; Burlington Glass is the one I use around here, but I believe they're local to Burlington. They do both windshields and architectural glass (shower stalls, skylights, and so forth).

I'm not aware of there being significant differences in quality between glass brands. It all has to meet at least minimum DOT standards. At any rate, I've never found aftermarket windshields to be much more or less prone to cracking than OEM ones; it seems more to be conditions and luck in things hitting it or not. Winter is hard on windshields around here due to the plow trucks spreading sand and kicking up stones and due to the rather high temperature differences across the glass (below freezing outside, warm defroster air inside).

I suspect the Fit may be more prone to windshield problems than some cars simply because the windshield is large and comparatively exposed.

 

$425 for a Pilkington replacement windshield from a high yelp reviewed glass-replacement specialist near me; at least that was the purchase order price. Paid for by insurance except $50 deductible.

Besides the glass, there was also some moulding or seal thing that was itemized too; so if you're trying to price it based on parts, you need that too.


There was a TSB though I found later that said that some cracked from the center cowl without any cause of damage would be replaced under warranty by honda, and this was the circumstances for which I probably qualified for. But my glass was already replaced by the time I read that TSB.
It was applicable to at least model year 2009.

 

I used Safelite last winter, when the weather dropped in Chi-town to almost -60 my windshield cracked. Safelite replaced the windshield and it has been perfect ever since. Because my company has national accounts through Safelite I had all the work done for just over $100.

 

Happy Report!

Got three quotes and they are all VERY reasonable. J It dawned on me that I should check YELP . These are better reviewed glass companies.

Shop 1.
$195 + tax for “generic” (what the hell that does mean) aftermarketglass… 30 day stress warranty and 1 yearleak. No weekend hours.

Shop 2.
$185 + tax for PPG (now known as PGW) glass. 1 year warranty on leak. Interweb says PPG/PGW glass is made in US. Haveto make extra tip to “prepay”.

Shop 3.
$255 + tax for Pilkington glass with new moldings. Lifetime warranty on leak and manufacturerlifetime warranty on glass defects. Itis also “certified” glass. Interweb says Pilkington glass is made in UK. Open on weekends!!


So it comes down to Shop 2 and 3. $70 buys lifetime warranty but honestly I plan to sell the car in thenext 1-2 year. Is there really a bigdifferent between the two glass manufacturer? $70 is not a financial factor and would ratherhave good/clear vision but don’t want to overpay if I didn’t need to. Leaning towards #3. Thoughts?

Btw, do all windshield replacements/installations include new moldings?

 

Interesting twist...

Called shop 3 with the intent to make an appt. Figure i'd ask to see if he can so get PPG (PGW) glass so I can do a apples to apples comparison. Turns out, it would cost $267!... makes me go hmmmmm..

Made to trip to shop #2 and the owner was cool. It was a nicely setup shop and he got me down for $185 flat, Wed job due to my schedule.

One difference is that shop 3 says this includes new mouldings. Shop 2 says it depends if the new glass comes with new mouldings preassembled on the glass... I threw out a non related question on how much to respray the hood (black but some rock chips). It would take time to recondition, paint is cheap, and run about $350-$400 - sounds about right.

 

We paid $350 plus tax back in February. $278 for the part, $70 for install.

 

I have been through 2 windshields. Just get the cheapest windshield. Glass is glass and most likely it will happen again.

 

don't they come to you ? either while the car is parked at work, or home ? the locally owned shops here all have that service

i can't even remember how many chips i had repaired on the element windshield. right in my driveway

 

Got’er done and yet another twist. The owner order the glass based on what I “pre paid” but it seems the supplier sent him a Pilkington Solar glass – YAY!. It has a strip of gradient blue sun shield on top where the OE glass did not. The Pilkington also obviously have a MUCH thicker UV layer (hence the "Solar" name?) built in to the point that it has a greenish hue to it (may be it is just poor quality or off color glass?). I will say this glass is NOT all that. I can clearly see the “aftermarket” affect in the details. The little dots on the windshield(top of the rearview mirror) is not well printed. Also, some sections of the glass has poor convex vision but it could also be dirt/oil stains on the glass since I have not washed it yet – let glue cure a bit. Minor flaws but I can see why these are “aftermarket” and why the original Nippon glass cost so much more… Whether if it is worth the cost is debatable. Oh, and my replacement did include new molding, it was not on the glass.

Glad I did not “buy” glass insurance

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlivry7

don't they come to you ? either while the car isparked at work, or home ? the locally owned shops here all have that service.

You are referring to chip repair (an insurance scam IMO). I’ve had a bunch of those and never bothered with them (my coverage does include free chip repairs and had it done once to be exact). If the chip did not lead to a crack, it likely will not unless you encounter some harsh impact which then becomes debatable if the new impact would have caused the crack anyway.

 

Ummm...many (most?) insurance companies will pay 100% for chip repairs, foregoing the usual deductible for comprehensive coverage. These same insurance companies are not known for spontaneous generosity. I can only assume that it's not a scam, but rather they find that, on average, the chip repair prevents more windshield repair claim expenses than it costs. That hardly seems like a scam to me.

 

I don't agree.

If there is a true "chip" (bullseye, small crack, star). meaning one that goes through at least 1 of the layers of glass, if you treat it with a repair , it will reduce the vulnerability that the chip turns into a crack. Go through a few heat/cold cycles and/or rain and then you're in trouble. In this case, the Fit windshield is still relatively cheap. If you have a fancier windshield with things like defrosting wires or rain sensing features, which will cost you $1000+ then you definitely get your chips repaired.

If what you're talking about is just a "pit", where the ding doesn't penetrate the layer of glass then I would agree with you.
Additionally, the repair minimizes the appearance of the chip if done well.
The quality of the repair though is dependent on the technician and there is some artistry involved. You could end up with a cheap inferior looking repair or a well done one. You may feel more comfortable looking up yelp and finding a great repair guy, and prefer to pay out of pocket for the superior work, rather then risking it with whomever the insurance guy sends to you for free.


The only way it is a "scam" is if a shady repairman intentionally messes up the repair making the chip turn into a crack; and forces you to then do a full replacement. But that's a scam from the repair guy is doing on you and the insurance company, they aren't in on it together. but if you got your tinfoil hat on, there are opportunities to scam everywhere.

 

Just a sidenote, always insist on the OEM molding. It's only a few bucks more and fits better than the aftermarket stuff.

 

FWIW I have a solid bullseye (about an inch) that was patched about 100K miles/10 years ago and I regularly have the vehicle at sub zero and over 110 degrees. No sign of a crack..

 

Is there any guy who can share the procedure will help in windshield replacement, so that i can save my bucks for calling the professional for replacement.