cfc928gt

Thought I'd throw this out to the group in case there's someone lurking who's not a part of the Rocky Mountain Sharks email list who wants to get in on this deal.

The shop I used to replace my 928 windshield back in 2004 called looking for some business. Since I'd picked up a big rock several years ago that took a chunk out I asked what they'd charge to replace it again. $173 including tax for either PPG or Pilkington glass. I through it out to the group and so far we have four committed and we're looking at doing this some Saturday in March. Please let me know if you're interested, the shop is in Lakewood, CO.

Any opinions on which glass is better, PPG or Pilkington?

Thanks,
Fred Clark
'89 GT

porsche928guy

Wish I was in Denver...perhaps someday soon. Looking at picking up shop and moving there if the wife can find a job.

Jadz928

Thats a great deal! I hope some folks jump on that offer.

I'm not sure if they really have a PPG available. I was under a strong impression all that is left of the "green tint" Pilkington. I may be wrong.

Mrmerlin

For anyone replacing the windshield, you should also consider ordering a new top windshield molding, and the plastic clips that hold the side moldings on.
You will need 4 clips per side and also there is a piece of foam that goes at the connection of top and side molding its about 4 inches long, this stops wind noise , you can get some of this rubber strip at ACE hardware.
The top molding will bend and possibly snap when it is removed as the clips that hold it on are spring steel and the molding is aluminum.( I have never seen one come off not being either bent or cracked)
The side trims may also have a thin strip of glue on them so be careful when removing them, once these are off they can have the plastic clips tapped back into place as well as the aluminum trim where the clips fit in so they will be tight , also consider replacing the 2 screws along the bottom trim panel at the ends ( the panel that fits over the windshield wipers)with stainless you can get small stainless bevel head screws at ACE. This will prevent the panel from corroding and the screws as well.
Also consider putting a piece of tape over the defrost vents B4 you get there this will keep broken glass out of the HVAC system
Good luck on your installation, Stan

Bill Ball

I've had Pilkington installed, and it was very good glass with no waves, unlike the Chinese glass I got the following time. $173 is outstanding.

largecar379

wow, I know two cars that could use this deal----in Houston.

that's a great deal.






--Russ

dr bob

When we did our little windshiled-fest around Sharktoberfest, there were two glass offerings. The lower-priced glass was the Chinese stuff that Bill mentions. Priced similarly to the Denver price. We looked harder, and found the Pilkington-branded glass for a higher price. After Bill's warning about the waves in the cheap glass, almost all of the participants opted for the better glass at that time. Be aware that Pilkington is not basic in the glass but buys it out from the "best" supplier. That may or may not be the glass from the original supplier Sigla as ours were. The ones you get may be Pilkington remarkets of the lower-cost Chinese glass. Just be aware, and get with your supplier in advance to verify the actual stamped label that's on the glass. The optical differeneces may not be noticeable until the glass is already installed.

We were not able to source the glass with the antenna for the cars that had it originally. Options to use the non-antenna glass ranged to hidden stick-on antenna wires across the top, to installing a Fuba or Hirschman roof antenna in the later S4+ style. Installing the S4 style antenna isn't impossible, but it does require removal of the headliner, dropping the sunroof motor some, and punching a rectangular hole in the roof. The antenna cable needs to be routed to the antenna amplifier to get decent reception.


Stan's suggestions on the trim pieces are quite valid. Our installer does a lot of 928's so there was no damage done, but it's easy to see how fragile the parts are. Better safe than sorry. Also, plan on letting the adhesive set up a while before you drive the car, especially if the weather is cold. Don't want the glass to move or risk leaks at the edges.

leperboy

This is such a good deal I'm tempted to go out and smash my windshield. My glass is good, though.

Fred also let us know the installer will do antenna glass for $411 including tax, or $741 with the Porsche logo glass. Plus, I think he's throwing a barbecue for the installees. I wonder if I can eat $173 worth of burgers and dogs to justify the expense.

Matt

Bill Ball

That would be disturbing. AFAIK, they are a glass manufacturer. At one time Pilkington marketed its glass as being made by a tin bath float technique that assured optical flatness, superior to Chinese manufacturing processes. They still describe that process, which they invented, here.
http://www.pilkington.com/pilkington...oatprocess.htm
I wonder if they have a different part number for the cheap versions they don't make. I have the PN I saw on the glass at Sharktoberfest written down somewhere. My non-Pilkington Chinese glass has a noticeble distortion wave right in the field of view.

dr bob

Bill, I remember on their website a discussion of how they buy out some of the small market and specialty glass rather than make it themselves. I'd have to dash out to the garage to confirm that my "pilkington" glass has a Sigla imprint on it.