I had my 05 Subaru WRX STi hit by a rock, which made a crack that grew to a long crack. I called the insurance (Geico), which set me up with Safelite, Annapolis. They have ordered the OEM glass per my request and I'm waiting for it to arrive. My concern is quality of the work. I have read on this issue and I fear substandard workmanship. Would it help if I offered the installer a tip if he's meticulous with the install? All I want is a close to OEM install. Any recommendations are very appreciated.
Angel
How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
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Delta Kits
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Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
Welcome Angel!
Where are you located? Annapolis?
Where are you located? Annapolis?
Delta Kits, Inc.
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StarQuest
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
Hi Angel,
Subaru WRX Sti, fun car to own. My friend has one of these and just added a stage 2 performance kit.(400 H.P.)This little hot rod boogies and is a riot to drive;) Sounds like your in love with yours and don't want to see a scratch on it while being serviced. Can't blame you.
Is this replacement being done mobile or in shop? If it's a mobile you might want to ask him if you could watch while he's performing the job. I've personally never had a problem with this as long as the customer isn't standing right over my shoulder and getting in the way. Also, I'd like to say.... save your tip for the gas pump. Tipping the installer probably won't have any bearing on how well your replacement turns out. If he's a experienced tech and takes pride in his work you shouldn't have any problems.
Here's a few consumer tips and questions to ask when having a windshield replaced.
1) Vehicle Inspection(outside) Always a good idea to have your car washed and clean before having anybody work on it. This gives both you and the installer a opportunity to look for scratches, dings, dent's or other stuff, so future blame is avoided. Have the tech write down inspection results on receipt prior to install.
2) Vehicle Inspection(inside) Take a close look at headliner, pillar side trim moldings and front of dash that meets sheild for any sign of damage. Have that written on receipt also prior to install!
3) Are they installing the right OEM shield? Not sure if Safelite already asked you but your Subaru model has two replacement options. (1)FW2424(heated) and (2)FW2245 (non-heated) Make sure you ask them if they haven't already inquired.
4) Full urethane cutout or piggy back? Might want to ask the installer this question although it shouldn't be neccessary if he's certified and not taking short cuts. You always want a full cutout! A piggy back is when they don't strip old urethane off of pinchwell and just apply a small bead over it. Saves installer 10-15 minutes by using this method but is also a big No!No! in windshield replacement.
5) Primers? This is an area where even some experienced techs mess up! Primers need to be chemically matched to the type of urethane their using and must not be used past the expiration dates. Two common primers used during replacement (1) Pinchwell primer (2)Glass Prep primer.
6) Windshield handling during install? It's very important that tech doesn't touch already primed inside surface of glass with bare hands or fingers while installing shield. Why? Because the oils from your skin can effect proper bonding of shield. We always use either latex or nitrile gloves during installs to prevent this from happening.
7)Urethane? Always ask replacement tech what's the safe drive away time listed for the urethane he used at install temp to set your shield. I always write this down on invoice with urethane description and manufacture item#. Some premium urethanes have a cure time of two hours in temps as low as "zero" degrees, while others wouldn't cure at 32-40 degrees for weeks!
This to me is very important. It's a big safety issue.
Hope my post didn't confuse you to much and some of this info helps.
Good luck with Safelite and your new shield;)
Subaru WRX Sti, fun car to own. My friend has one of these and just added a stage 2 performance kit.(400 H.P.)This little hot rod boogies and is a riot to drive;) Sounds like your in love with yours and don't want to see a scratch on it while being serviced. Can't blame you.
Is this replacement being done mobile or in shop? If it's a mobile you might want to ask him if you could watch while he's performing the job. I've personally never had a problem with this as long as the customer isn't standing right over my shoulder and getting in the way. Also, I'd like to say.... save your tip for the gas pump. Tipping the installer probably won't have any bearing on how well your replacement turns out. If he's a experienced tech and takes pride in his work you shouldn't have any problems.
Here's a few consumer tips and questions to ask when having a windshield replaced.
1) Vehicle Inspection(outside) Always a good idea to have your car washed and clean before having anybody work on it. This gives both you and the installer a opportunity to look for scratches, dings, dent's or other stuff, so future blame is avoided. Have the tech write down inspection results on receipt prior to install.
2) Vehicle Inspection(inside) Take a close look at headliner, pillar side trim moldings and front of dash that meets sheild for any sign of damage. Have that written on receipt also prior to install!
3) Are they installing the right OEM shield? Not sure if Safelite already asked you but your Subaru model has two replacement options. (1)FW2424(heated) and (2)FW2245 (non-heated) Make sure you ask them if they haven't already inquired.
4) Full urethane cutout or piggy back? Might want to ask the installer this question although it shouldn't be neccessary if he's certified and not taking short cuts. You always want a full cutout! A piggy back is when they don't strip old urethane off of pinchwell and just apply a small bead over it. Saves installer 10-15 minutes by using this method but is also a big No!No! in windshield replacement.
5) Primers? This is an area where even some experienced techs mess up! Primers need to be chemically matched to the type of urethane their using and must not be used past the expiration dates. Two common primers used during replacement (1) Pinchwell primer (2)Glass Prep primer.
6) Windshield handling during install? It's very important that tech doesn't touch already primed inside surface of glass with bare hands or fingers while installing shield. Why? Because the oils from your skin can effect proper bonding of shield. We always use either latex or nitrile gloves during installs to prevent this from happening.
7)Urethane? Always ask replacement tech what's the safe drive away time listed for the urethane he used at install temp to set your shield. I always write this down on invoice with urethane description and manufacture item#. Some premium urethanes have a cure time of two hours in temps as low as "zero" degrees, while others wouldn't cure at 32-40 degrees for weeks!
This to me is very important. It's a big safety issue.
Hope my post didn't confuse you to much and some of this info helps.
Good luck with Safelite and your new shield;)
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Lee
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
Don't do it. Have it repaired. Haven't you read this board? If you have your w/s replaced the original seal will be compromsed and you will likley die if someone cuts a large one in your vehicle. Also if they put your w/s in a land fill you could rebalance the orbits of the Moon and Earth and send us careening into the Sun. Save the Earth and the Solar System get your w/s repaired.
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glasssgod
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
What an irresponsible comment to suggest you will die if you have a w/s replaced. We routinely remove and reinstall BRAND NEW w/s's fresh from the factory because the robots didn't apply the adhesive properly or the primer failed for whatever reason. Add in the millions and millions of full replacements every year and according to you there would be a pandemic of motorists dieing every second because theior w/s fell out. Replacing a w/s with a long crack will make it closer to OE standards than filling it up with resin and making it appear fixed for a week.
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glasssgod
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
Also, do not ever let Safelite touch your car, the tech probly started a week ago.
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Delta Kits
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Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
Glasssgod,
I think Lee was being sarcastic, putting down our board.
He's does replacements too.
I think Lee was being sarcastic, putting down our board.
He's does replacements too.
Delta Kits, Inc.
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glasssgod
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
gotcha, I didn't read it thoroughly Sorry Lee
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mafsu
Re: How can I get the best quality windshield replacement?
glasssgod wrote: Replacing a w/s with a long crack will make it closer to OE standards than filling it up with resin and making it appear fixed for a week.
Is this what you think is done when a windshield is repaired?
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