windshield replacement

[Ann]

I have a small (line) crack in my windshield. I am guessing that the body shop did something to it when it was re-installed after painting. <sigh> Whatever. Well hopefully he can use the same rubber gasket I purchased for the (now) broken one as it's fresh, new rubber.

I have gotten a good referral to a glass guy who will come to my home and replace the windshield. My big concern is- will he bring a good german one, or try to trick me and put in the cheaper & thinner chinese one, charging me for the good one. Aaaakkkk.

How can I tell a german one from a chinese one. Sounds like a joke doesn't it? LOL.
Are there marks, or I should be aware of?

Ann

'70 Euro 280 SL silver
'06 BMW Z4 Montego Blue
'98 Jeep Gr.Cherokee (125K mi.)

[DaveB]

Sekurit or Sigla are the OEM german ones and both display their brand name in a lower corner. The cheaper brand is PPG but the quality is fine as far as I'm aware.

DaveB

[Peter van Es]

Small line cracks can usually be repaired by a specialised glass repairer. I don't know what they are called in the US (in European countries the best known is CarGlass).

They repair and insurance usually covers it. I had it done to my car 3 years ago before taking part in a rally in winter across the Alps (so temperatures below freezing, and I was worried water would enter the crack and break the windshield overnight).

No problems since.

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL

[craigb]

Should be no problem using your rubber if its a new one. I have heard that it is much easier the get a 'screen in there with a genuine rubber due to a better fit, but by the sounds of it yours would be genuine.

I had a bad experience having my screen replaced under insurance. I supplied a genuine rubber myself and one of Australia's biggest windscreen fitters put it in...... but I think they sent the apprentice! After much swearing etc. I went out to see him finishing the job only to see him using a screwdriver to push in the anodised trim after [/b]it was in! With numerous marks around the edge of it he said "She'll be right mate - use a bit of sandpaper on it" (you have to read that in an Australian accent!) I spent many hours removing the screen, getting the trims reanodised, which they stuffed up, then repolishing myself to have them done again to a passable quality and refitting myself which was really quite easy. Eventually after much arguing I got the company to pay for half the cost of new trims but boy what an effort.

So the big advice from me is get a recommended windscreen fitter and not just a company name, an actual persons name. I know of a good one in Adelaide but that's a long way away!

'69 280sl

[Peter van Es]

Craig,

I meant one of those repairs where they do NOT need to replace your windscreen, but where they fill it and then harden it. That worked fine for me.

I agree, if you need to replace it you need to get a reputable person, preferably someone who has seen these cars before.

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL

[Raymond]

The glass will have the maker's mark in the lower, curbside corner.  You're more likely to have problems with the seal than the glass.  I put a PPG (Pittsburg Plate Glass Co.) in mine two years ago and I'm very happy.  I did take everyone's advice and bought the windshield seal from the dealer.  I used the oldest glass company in town because they have a great, well-deserved reputation.  They travel anywhere in five counties. They did the install at the paint shop.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[George Des]

The advice to go with an OEM seal is sound. I bought an aftermarket on EBAY and was not satified with the quality of it. I subsequently also had heard all sorts of problems with the fit using them. So I ended up springing for the OEM seal. I also bought the OEM windshield from a MB dealer. After calling several glass installers, I could not find anyone I would trust putting in the windshield itself--most glass companies I called were only interested in doing the modern glue-in type windshields which are now their bread and butter jobs. In the end, I did lots of reading up on how to do it myself, and one fine day, my wife and I put it in ourselves using the recommended string and soap technique. It wasn't that tough a job, but not for the faint of heart!

George Des

[Nate]

I would suggest calling your dealer and purchasing factory glass with the tint on top of the windshield (there are 2 styles avail from the dealer).  They're about $550 with tint.  You can tell if its factory glass if you see the Sekurit or PPG (now Mercedes supplier) logos printed in the lower left-hand corners.  If they're not there, then you don't have factory glass.  I would suggest buying the glass from the dealer and then pay someone install.  If they know what they're doing expect about 3 hours to R&R.