windshield problem to fix or not

[95escahoe]

Hello, I have a 95 Tahoe and for the 2 years and change I have had it there was always some minor surface rust along the top of the windshield and in that that little gap between the roof and the windshield was always something I was thinking about fixing. Well I had this tiny rock chip in my windshield smaller than the eraser on a pencil well hit a bump or something the other day now there's a crack going across the windshield about where the wipers rest, so called up Safelite and they gave me an estimate of 184 plus tax and some other add on fees and was wondering what kinda glass they use cause out of LMC a new windshield is around 200 and change so went down to the body shop near me (gonna get a few other prices too) and got an estimate, and he was telling me all kinds of horror story's about how Safelite and the other places insurance company's use tend to rush and the end result can be bad (found a bunch of complaints online too) so he was saying what happened was when the windshield was replaced before when they were cutting it out they more then likely scrapped the top area and that is what caused it to rust, and the windshield that was used was some cheap aftermarket one forget the name but it was an American company and it got bought out by some Chinese place and went downhill from there, so to fix all this right with an OEM windshield is 1500 gotta repaint/clear the whole roof to make it look right and remove and install the rack and if I go with an aftermarket windshield its only 200 bucks less (gonna get more prices on monday) so my truck has about 246k and change on it and besides this is in mint shape the frame and underneath is free of any major rot/rust, runs and drives mint (replaced many parts I would list but would be here for awhile) has the 99/00 Escalade/Denali conversion done too, I know I won't ever get any money back if I was ever to sell the truck or if anything happened to it, in the KBB it is listed at 3500 so I am kinda leaning towards using my tax money and getting this all fixed, I have thought about selling the truck and getting something else but then I would have a car payment and with the economy the way it is, its better to have less things you need to pay for every month, so what is everyone's opinions on this fix it or what, and anyone have any horror story's about Safelite or any other chain place that does windshields? thanks for the help/advice

 

[branndon_b]

yeah, that can be a nasty place to get rust, the problem is that once it can get behind the windshield, it can rust all the way across and you'll never know it. i had a spot of rust above my windshield as well, and i had it fixed like you're talking about doing. mine didn't start with a cracked windshield though, but same outcome. i don't have any advice on who to use for the glass, but i do encourage you to fix the rust before it gets worse.

 

[Gzes]

I pages 150 for my windshield and install

 

[95escahoe]

yeah, that can be a nasty place to get rust, the problem is that once it can get behind the windshield, it can rust all the way across and you'll never know it. i had a spot of rust above my windshield as well, and i had it fixed like you're talking about doing. mine didn't start with a cracked windshield though, but same outcome. i don't have any advice on who to use for the glass, but i do encourage you to fix the rust before it gets worse.

that's what I was thinking too cause until you take it out you will never know what it looks like, its something I was gonna get done anyways but now that the windshield is cracked and needs to be taken out its the perfect time to get it fixed right, and I am kinda leaning towards the OEM glass its only 200 bucks more then the aftermarket one

---------- Post added at 02:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

I pages 150 for my windshield and install

that is a lil less than what Safelite wanted for mine but after reading some things online and talking to the guy at the body shop and my friend that used to do body work said I am gonna stay away from that, what brand of glass did they use? unless that 150 is what your glass deductible is? cause on LMC the glass they sell is a lil under 200 which was what the cheaper glass the body shop uses was

 

[kaiwren986]

I had "aftermarket" glass installed. Good as OEM, save your $200.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

That rust above the window is a *****, but if you dont get it fixed, the rust will keep getting worse and then your window will tend to leak like a siv.

All of these trucks rust in that area, not because of the installer of the window but its just a known place for rust.. aftermarket glass gets the win for me..

 

[Gzes]

idk what brand it was but yea it was a guy that specializes in replacing windshields n stuff like that. he does a good job and yea the windshield is good and not even chipped

 

[95escahoe]

That rust above the window is a *****, but if you dont get it fixed, the rust will keep getting worse and then your window will tend to leak like a siv.

All of these trucks rust in that area, not because of the installer of the window but its just a known place for rust.. aftermarket glass gets the win for me..

I have decided I am gonna get it fixed gonna keep the truck this and fixing the a/c are the last two things the truck needs just waiting on my tax money to come in and to get a few more prices on the work

 

[AtomicHoe094]

good call. good luck man!

 

[95escahoe]

good call. good luck man!

thanks man, and ill post some before and after pics too

 

[1999hoe]

Any updated pics yet lol im dealing with this currently

 

[jerryjoe28]

yes the rust was prob caused from a bad install ( could be from anywhere bodyshop, glass shop, hacks are everywhere ) now about your aftermarket concerns the factory glass in your truck was most likely a PPG glass. there is absolutely NO difference in the factory glass and the aftermarket glass. they are made in the same place with the same quality test. only thing is they add a "GM" logo on the factory one. a few years ago all the windshield companies accept 1 moved to the same biz district in china. they are all literally on the same street. ( PPG, Pilkington (aka LOF), skg ) the only one left in America is S.G.C. Service (aka safelite ) Glass Company. I will tell you, that you need to address that rust as soon as you can! it can eat all the way trough and allow water inside of your truck!! if it hasn't eaten trough already safelite (or a good glass guy) will grind it down, treat it with acid and seal it with a specialty primer. while you can use who ever u want to do the work ( there are some good independent guys out there ) NO ONE can touch safelite's warranty

 

[95escahoe]

Any updated pics yet lol im dealing with this currently

Lol my bad had it done awhile ago, had the cracked windshield replaced, cleaned up the rust, removed the rack and welded the holes, and painted the roof, trucks dirty in the pics but here it is now

yes the rust was prob caused from a bad install ( could be from anywhere bodyshop, glass shop, hacks are everywhere ) now about your aftermarket concerns the factory glass in your truck was most likely a PPG glass. there is absolutely NO difference in the factory glass and the aftermarket glass. they are made in the same place with the same quality test. only thing is they add a "GM" logo on the factory one. a few years ago all the windshield companies accept 1 moved to the same biz district in china. they are all literally on the same street. ( PPG, Pilkington (aka LOF), skg ) the only one left in America is S.G.C. Service (aka safelite ) Glass Company. I will tell you, that you need to address that rust as soon as you can! it can eat all the way trough and allow water inside of your truck!! if it hasn't eaten trough already safelite (or a good glass guy) will grind it down, treat it with acid and seal it with a specialty primer. while you can use who ever u want to do the work ( there are some good independent guys out there ) NO ONE can touch safelite's warranty

Thanks, ya had it done as stated above and used the aftermarket glass