Just got my '18 Limited windows ceramic tinted. We talked about doing the windshield full tint, the installer said I should wait until I have it replaced (it's got a small chip and lots of rock pitting), since insurance will pay for windshield replacement but not for tint replacement ($200 for ceramic tint on windshield). He said that if/ when I replace it that he can do it AND tint the glass before installing for 1/2 price on tint. Now, here's the question... he said he only uses "dealer glass", I said "OEM". He explained that OEM is a widely misused word these days, doesn't mean what it used to, it doesn't necessarily mean that OEM glass is "Ford" glass but "dealer glass" means that it is real Ford glass. Has anyone heard that before? I've had windshields replaced on previous cars and have always insisted on OEM glass.
OEM glass or "dealer glass"?
- Thread starter DenSanAZ
- Start date
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Gumby
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Just make sure it says "SoundScreen" stamped on the glass. That is the OE glass.
scottdm
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My brother works for an automotive glass supplier to Ford and the best glass with the least imperfections goes to the new assembly plants. The spare parts glass that is sent to dealers for replacements still has the Ford silkscreen markings, etc but has a higher level of imperfections than the glass sent to the assembly plants. They use automated vision technology at the glass plant to identify glass destined for each application. Reality is that "OEM" replacement glass will say Ford on it, but still won't be the same caliber glass as when the vehicle was new.
Just make sure it DOESN'T say soundscreen
It's test-drive-nice, user-unfriendly glass that runs a bit quieter but collects sandblasts and chips easily
Not as bad as original BMW glass, but a more traditional aftermarket windshield won't have you replacing it again or settling for disappointment anytime soon
Vipersinu2
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Never thought about the quality of glass.
Every few years I get new windshields b/c of rock chips from the road.
Florida insurance companies don't charge you for the new windshield. I think it is 3 replacement windshields a year.
Every few years I get new windshields b/c of rock chips from the road.
Florida insurance companies don't charge you for the new windshield. I think it is 3 replacement windshields a year.
Flexpedition
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Good conversation, but in reading the OPs original post, I kind of get the feeling the tint installer either A) doesn't want to deal with installing film on OPs existing windshield, or B) is trying to get OP to insurance claim a windshield that HE wants installation $$$ from the insurance company.
Yeah, its a free windshield from State Farm or whatever, but somebody is paying for it, and somebody is getting paid to install it. Personally I'd prefer a glass installer dude, somebody like Safelite or a local guy who does -nothing- but install glass and has forever. Your tint guy could be a well-rounded jack of all trades, what do I know, but me -- I let my accountant do my taxes and my dentist my teeth.
You paid a lot of money for your new truck OP, get the kind of glass YOU want, and when YOU want it, not on somebody elses terms, especially just to save $100.
Yeah, its a free windshield from State Farm or whatever, but somebody is paying for it, and somebody is getting paid to install it. Personally I'd prefer a glass installer dude, somebody like Safelite or a local guy who does -nothing- but install glass and has forever. Your tint guy could be a well-rounded jack of all trades, what do I know, but me -- I let my accountant do my taxes and my dentist my teeth.
You paid a lot of money for your new truck OP, get the kind of glass YOU want, and when YOU want it, not on somebody elses terms, especially just to save $100.
Well sure he wants to replace the windshield for the insurance money, since he offered me full tint at 1/2 price (and it certainly would be easier to tint before installing) but he also didn't want $200 right now to tint a windshield that's damaged (not to the point of replacing yet). He did install a tint strip on the windshield for $50, as I'm not planning on windshield replacement soon... so he basically lost money short term by not wanting to do the full tint. I see where you're coming from tho
I've had windshields replaced on almost all my vehicles over the years, at least once if not twice. Arizona isn't kind to windshields or car batteries, they never last their full lifespan either.
I always ask for and get OEM glass (dealer glass?) yes the glass for my 2001 just came through a Ford dealer nothing wrong with it. I'm sure if it was a second class part it would be listed as such. Safelite provides and installs the glass with zero deductible on the insurance.
I replaced my windshield couple weeks ago, specifically asked “OEM”... Installer - local autoglass shop which does only auto glass, confirmed they ordered a Ford windshield... My new windshield is pretty crappy, looks like Chinese counterfeit - it does say “Ford” but the font is not sharp, has much more rough outside edges, and looks like reflects absolutely everything.
Dorzak
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If you look at Auto parts a lot of places say “meets OEM specs” or “meets manufacturers specs” it doesn’t mean it is Ford Glass.
Going_Going_Gone
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We stopped using Safelite around fifteen years ago. Got tired of dealing with several optically distorted and/or warped windshields that the wiper blades would skip over. We use a small independent company and they've been outstanding. They've been using Pilkington glass. Even replaced a windshield that developed a stress crack a couple weeks after install at no charge.
Daniel Drew
Member
Just had my 18 limited windshield tinted with ceramic 70% for the wife, my tint guy said these newer ones are harder to get to the tint to stick on the edges. Said the black on the edges is different than on older vehicles. He did say if I ever replaced it to come to his shop for the replacement and he would tint the windshield before they put it in.
flying68
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There are only a couple of states where it is legal to put any tiny on a windshield below the AS1 line (or some fixed measurement). Most states also limit the tint on side windows as well but the laws are much more varied.
Ceramic tint is better than regular tinted film (and much more expensive). It has a lifetime warranty against fading, cracking, bubbling. It blocks something like 90% of UV rays and the majority of heat (which tinted film does not). For front windshield, it does come in 0% tint so there is no visible light change but it's still providing the UV and heat reduction. Since mine was put in (same application as regular tinted film) the heat reduction is incredible, I can actually get into the car after it's been sitting in the Arizona sun for hours and it's not a roasting blast furnace, takes the A/C minutes to cool down instead of 20 min like before the ceramic. Clear tint in windshields is allowed in AZ, 15% tint for front windows, no limit on back. My tint is 20% on privacy glass in rear, 35% on front windows (illegal but from outside the windows all look the same shade). I just drove at night for first time with the tint and the 35% in front is actually a bit too dark. If I get pulled over, I'll have to remember to lower the front windows before the office walks up!
flying68
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Most tint is in terms of visible light transmissivity, so 0% would be opaque, 100% is clear. Also to be legal the total transmissivity must be measured so if you add a tint film to a factory tinted glass the total is the film % times the factory %.
I have clear on my windshield and it is invisible. No way to tell unless you didn't tint the entire thing (I did this once to leave a corner for the inspection sticker, fortunately, not an issue with the new TX stickers).
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