New Windshield Glass

[Mavster Mechanic]

Got a rock hit. Need a new windshield.

Busy Holidays coming.

Safelite can replace and recalibrate sensors this Saturday. Awesome.

Picks non-OEM equivalence according to VIN. Fine.

I call.
I explain the truck can have three windshields depending on trim.

Plain.
Heated Wiper Park.
Acoustic.

I'm hardly below freezing.
I have XLT with heated wiper park.
I asked if I could get "Acoustic" glass.

I was put on hold for 14 minutes.
Yes I can have acoustic glass.
Yes I can have it done in my driveway this Saturday.

No price difference.

Sound legit?
And is "acoustic" glass much different? Should it be the same price?

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[zen_]

FWIW I recently had a rear driver window replaced. Safelite (which the insurance company directed me to) was $510, a reputable local shop was $460 for OEM or $350 for aftermarket. After looking at the Safelite reviews I went to the local place with OEM glass.

I also just got a small chip repaired at the same shop, and have noticed the OEM windshield is started to get scratched faster than I recall previous vehicle. Probably not the highest quality glass ever, so I would be inclined to at least get a quote from a local glass shop and ask them for a candid opinion on aftermarket glass quality.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

FWIW I recently had a rear driver window replaced. Safelite (which the insurance company directed me to) was $510, a reputable local shop was $460 for OEM or $350 for aftermarket. After looking at the Safelite reviews I went to the local place with OEM glass.

I also just got a small chip repaired at the same shop, and have noticed the OEM windshield is started to get scratched faster than I recall previous vehicle. Probably not the highest quality glass ever, so I would be inclined to at least get a quote from a local glass shop and ask them for a candid opinion on aftermarket glass quality.

Thanks for the feedback. But you make a confusing remark.

"I got OEM and noticed it is getting scratched faster" but you lean to advising stick with OEM?

Glass is pretty dang hard. By nature.
Scratches are rare. It's the flying objects that usually do it in. Even bullet proof glass cracks from the bullet. It just stops the bullet.

 

[zen_]

Thanks for the feedback. But you make a confusing remark.

"I got OEM and noticed it is getting scratched faster" but you lean to advising stick with OEM?

Glass is pretty dang hard. By nature.
Scratches are rare. It's the flying objects that usually do it in. Even bullet proof glass cracks from the bullet. It just stops the bullet.

I got a rear passenger window replaced with OEM glass.

Windshields do get scratched and pitted over time. I've just always replaced them when it feels like it's getting bad / dazzling at night with oncoming car lights.

 

[bgn]

The Lariat windshield is soft and pits easily. It's trash.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

The Lariat windshield is soft and pits easily. It's trash.

Is it soft?

Or do they all pit?
My OEM XLT pitted from sand quite a bit.

What makes the acoustic glass acoustic?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Is it soft?

Or do they all pit?
My OEM XLT pitted from sand quite a bit.

What makes the acoustic glass acoustic?

I understand that the plastic between the glass is multi layered and absorbs the vibrations better than one layer.
ETA: I get my glass replaced under my insurance when glare from sand pitting when driving into sun affects the vision. Varies sometimes six to nine years?
ETA: I have noticed that some of the visual impatient while driving into the sun is the reflection of dust, dandruff, or whatever, maybe even the texture of the dash. Check by laying a clean non reflective something on dash. And turning truck into the sun.

 

[bighap]

For what it's worth, my Lariat is significantly more quiet than my dad's XL on the highway. I would have to assume the acoustic glass plays a big roll in that.

 

[Bob zimmerman]

@Mavster Mechanic
I have a request. Before they replace your glass, would you be able to download a db meter app on your phone and measure the db in the vehicle for a short but specific Drive?

Then after the new glass is installed, make an identical drive and measure again.

You would be the first to do this as there is nothing but anecdotal evidence that there is a change in sound inside the cab.
Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[OleFordGuy]

Is it soft?

Or do they all pit?
My OEM XLT pitted from sand quite a bit.

What makes the acoustic glass acoustic?

No idea on the technical aspects. The SoundScreen Accoustic Glass is whats installed from the factory on the higher trim ford vehicles. I've been extremely pleased with mine on MY22 lariat. Had zero issues, no pitting, scratching, etc. I would be surprised if you could get the oem accoustic at the same price as a generic one, although i wouldnt expect it to be significate $ increase If its authentic, it will have SoundScreen printed on the lower passenger side of the windshield.
https://www.carlex.com/automotive-replacement-glass/products/sound-screen/

 

[XL Hybrid Cactus Gray]

Got a rock hit. Need a new windshield.

Busy Holidays coming.

Safelite can replace and recalibrate sensors this Saturday. Awesome.

Picks non-OEM equivalence according to VIN. Fine.

I call.
I explain the truck can have three windshields depending on trim.

Plain.
Heated Wiper Park.
Acoustic.

I'm hardly below freezing.
I have XLT with heated wiper park.
I asked if I could get "Acoustic" glass.

I was put on hold for 14 minutes.
Yes I can have acoustic glass.
Yes I can have it done in my driveway this Saturday.

No price difference.

Sound legit?
And is "acoustic" glass much different? Should it be the same price?

I tried to have Safelite use the acoustic glass as my replacement.

Long story short, they would not.

Verbally and by phone said no problem.
But when it came time to actual install, they stated the VIN calls for a specific part (XL model so not acoustic) and they would not budge.
I offered to pay any difference or sign a waiver, but they refused.

Just my experience with Safelite.
No issue with the glass install or outcome, just fine (but wasted opportunity for an upgrade).

 

[MaverickDragon]

What makes the acoustic glass acoustic?

Car windshields are typically two glass layers with a plastic layer between them.
That's called laminated glass.
Acoustic glass adds an extra layer that acts to reduce sound transmission.
The glass itself isn't different.

 

[Sven Golly]

The Lariat windshield is soft and pits easily. It's trash.

Yeah I've notice that even blowing beach sand pits it easily.

 

[notfast]

After looking at the Safelite reviews I went to the local place with OEM glass.

Same for me. Safelite is the McDonalds of auto glass. Doesn't mean it's bad, but that there are likely better deals.

I ended up going to a local auto glass place. His price was already 20% cheaper than Safelite. After he replaced it and saw that I was going to pay cash, he said he'd take another 30% off if I agreed to cash-no-receipt, which I said sure to.

For what it's worth, Safelite has its own supply chain, but basically any local auto glass shop can order glass for more common vehicles and have it delivered in a couple hours, if they don't already just keep stock on hand. If you have an older or less common vehicle, at most it would be a couple days (but more likely the next day) unless the glass is literally not made anymore.

The Lariat windshield is soft and pits easily. It's trash.

I think it'd be quite the opposite, and a combination of factors. The glass is probably brittle, which makes it fragment easily. If the glass was less brittle then it'd be more chip-resistant.

Now that I think of it, I haven't seen laminated auto glass that doesn't pit. My F-250 had its original windshield for over twenty years, but I think it has to do more with the fact that the vehicle is taller and it has a comparatively short windshield, so rocks would have to get launched real high to hit a smaller target.

My Mazda was on its third windshield when I sold it with 250,000 miles, and that windshield was nearing replacement due to incidental damage. At some point it's basically just a maintenance item, like replacing the tires.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I tried to have Safelite use the acoustic glass as my replacement.

Long story short, they would not.

Verbally and by phone said no problem.
But when it came time to actual install, they stated the VIN calls for a specific part (XL model so not acoustic) and they would not budge.
I offered to pay any difference or sign a waiver, but they refused.

Just my experience with Safelite.
No issue with the glass install or outcome, just fine (but wasted opportunity for an upgrade).

Different state. MAYBE different outcome.
The ask was mine over the phone. And the yes to acoustic glass was verbal over the phone.

Also they did say in the emailed fine print "non OEM product".

I have to drive 800 miles round trip for Christmas. And I leave Sunday.

I'm a bit stuck between a rock and a hard windshield () and absolutely must have the work done Saturday. No time to shop around.

I just know I don't benefit from "heated wiper park" and it would be a fun experiment to change to acoustic.

I'll keep you posted.

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