subject: Car Glass Choices For Windshield Replacement [print this page] At that point when windshield repair is not possible for the type of damage your windshields car glass gets, you have no other option but to ask for complete windshield replacement. For your windshields auto glass installation, you will be asked to choose from three different classifications of car glass. These are dealer car glass, original equipment manufactured (OEM) distributor car glass and aftermarket car glass.
The most expensive among these three types of car glass is dealer car glass which is available only from your vehicle brands authorized dealership. It is the choice of those who go only for the most exclusive items. Dealer car glass is from the same manufacturer as a vehicles original car glass and is even stamped with the car brand. Owners of high end luxury vehicles usually want nothing less for their vehicles.
Original equipment manufactured (OEM) distributor car glass is almost identical to dealer car glass in all its characteristics such as size, shape, thickness, color and even durability. It is, however, from a different manufacturer. Nevertheless, manufacturers of OEM distributor car glass have legitimate contracts with the vehicle manufacturers and are authorized by them to produce car glass that uses those specifications. Most OEM distributor car glass manufacturers are highly respected in the car glass industry and automotive industry. Their products are acknowledged as having the same quality as dealer car glass. Top names among OEM distributor car glass manufacturers are Pilkington, Pittsburg Plate Glass (PPG), Carlite, Ford, Safeguard/Mopar, Asahi, AP Tech, Triplex, Sekurit, Sicursiv, Scanex, Crinamex and Guardian.
You always have to check that the OEM distributor car glass you get is really stamped with those exact words, though. Some unscrupulous OEM manufacturers also produce a separate line of car glass that does not adhere to the exact specifications of dealer car glass. They just say that this car glass is "from an OEM manufacturer." Beware of this scam.
The third type of car glass is aftermarket car glass or original equipment equivalent (OEE) car glass. Do not be fooled by the name. They are not truly equivalent to original equipment car glass. Because their manufacturers have not been authorized to use the same specifications as dealer car glass, they have very different characteristics, including thickness and quality. They also do not carry the same warranties as dealer car glass and OEM distributor car glass. Aftermarket car glass may not fit your windshield perfectly and may cause leakage, optical distortion, wind noise and low sun protection.
Of the three options in car glass, your best choice would then be original equipment manufactured car glass because it has all the benefits of dealer car glass but you can get it at a significantly lower price. The truth is, the standards met by original equipment manufactured car glass are even higher than some standards of the Department of Transportation. For example, the DOT only requires windshields to have 80 percent retention in frontal barrier crash tests but original equipment manufactured car glass has 100 windshield retention.
Even the best car glass will not perform well if auto glass installation is not done properly during windshield replacement, though. You should make sure that only certified auto glass technicians do your windshield replacement, even if it is mobile windshield replacement done at your home or office. They should comply with the quality standards in auto glass installation, including using the proper adhesives and observing the required atmospheric conditions and drying periods.
Choose the best car glass for your windshield replacement and make sure all other safety standards are met during your auto glass installation. This will keep you and your passengers safe in your vehicle.
