The Poor Workmanship You Don’t See and How to Choose a Quality Auto Glass Installer
Fast and cheap glass installations are not more convenient or cost effective in the long run. We’ve seen so much costly damage due to improper glass and windshield installations that we’ve decided to document some of them. Below you’ll see what we find after removing a windshield that was previously installed without care or consideration for the customer’s vehicle.
An improper sealing job on a previous windshield eventually results in rust in the pinchweld and a leaking windshield. Because we stand behind all of our work Vision Glass will not install a new windshield over a rusty pinchweld unless we can first fix it. Sometimes, if the rust extends up over the roof from the pinchweld, the roof will need to be repaired at an auto body shop.
2009 Mercedes ML350 before
2009 Mercedes ML350 after
Dodge Dakota before.
Dodge Dakota after.
Extensive rust damage before
Rust damage after.
Rust damage before
Rust damage after
5 Things to Look for When Choosing a Quality Auto Glass Installer
- Does the company have a good reputation and a proven service record?
- Are the technicians performing the work on your car certified? If you’ve started with a reputable company, you’re already halfway there.
- Ask questions, like:
- When will I be able to safely drive my car?
- What kind of urethane will you be using to seal my windshield?
- Will you be doing a factory recommended “full cut out” instead of the quicker “short-cut” method?
Some glass installers use the “short-cut” method, which leaves must of the sealant from the old windshield still in place. The installer should carefully clean and always prime the windshield before installation. He should also use suction cups or at least disposable gloves while installing the windshield to insure that the adhesive surface of the glass does not become contaminated. Missing any of these steps could result in an improper and unsafe installation.
If the installer isn’t knowledgeable enough to answer any questions you have, it’s time to go elsewhere.
