Windscreens

[slowpoke]

It looks like I'm going to have to get a new windscreen installed in my NB8A! There are no cracks or chips, just millions of tiny pockmarks which only show up when facing the sun directly or with oncoming headlights at night.
I'm hoping a forumite can direct me to the best (ie. cheapest yet efficient) windscreen supplier/installer in Canberra?
OR could there be a product that can be applied to the glass to rid it of its blights, in order to postpone the eventual replacement of the screen?
Hoping someone can steer me towards... clear vision! Cheers, John

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

My brief experiance of this was that the 'fix-it' companies were all a bit dodge - snake oil.

I'd just phone-up whichever company takes your fancy (Windscreens O'brian etc) and get them come out and do the job. Double check that the seal around the glass looks tidy before they leave.

I don't think there's any special tricks to it. You could always phone up MX-5 Solutions (aka Carco) and ask them.

[slug_dub]

I've got to do exactly the same thing for exactly the same problem!

My question though is if the rubber seal has to be replaced or if it can be reused? Do I need to find an MX5 specific seal to provide to the fitters?

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

I think I read in a previous thread that the seal does need to be replaced (the glass gets cut-out), and that Mazda doesn't make them anymore.

The windscreen people can provide an after-market one to suit when they supply the glass, but the fitment isn't perfect, which is why you should check that it sits right.

[93_Clubman]

A Windscreens O'B mobile unit in Canberra replaced the windscreen in my old NA6 while I was at work, but that was back in 2004. Was happy with their service, the convenience, & their work, although I sold the NA6 a few months later, so can't comment on mid to longer term result. Cost back the was about $200.

Ref windscreens & seals:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=52475&p=659423

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=49221

[slug_dub]

Thanks for all that info guys, those threads were useful to have a read through as well.

[vrmmmpshhh]

Ring your insurance company I know mine will replace one windscreen a year without affecting the premium. I just had my pajero done by complete windscreens.

[Mr Morlock]

fwiw check a local quality car dealer and see who they use to do their windscreens- they are usually quite happy to share info and they do not put up with fitters that need call backs. You then get a good fitter and one that is maybe in the area regularly. Its easy to check prices but cheapest is not the only consideration

[A.Chen89]

You'll find quite a few mobile windscreen replacement/repair guys are ex O'Brien trained, at least in Sydney.

I had an aftermarket windshield installed for about $300 a couple of months back and could not tell the difference (apart from the large crack the old one).

[hks_kansei]

I've never had a bad windscreen.

Bad fitment, yes, bad windscreen, no.


My current windscreen is whatever the cheapest chinese one was, it's fine, the only difference I can tell to the old one is that the old one didn't have the blue tint strip.

I'm due for a new one anyway, since the current one is cracked (which I kind of expected when it got hit with a 2-3cm rock)

[Old Dude]

I have a question on what you mean by pockmarks, are you talking about small chips or an actual fault in the membrane between the glass sheets?

Cheers
Dale

[Mr Morlock]

Its all been said before but just like about everything from steel to plastic, glass is not all the same. Ford had a problem when they first sourcing from China and windscreen glass is an engineered product- it has a hardness, optical quality dimensional accuracy, colour etc.We had an expert on the forum at one stage ex Pilkington and he said most people were not even aware of optical flaws but trained people can tell- just like painters can see paint variations in bumpers and panels etc. If its cheap it will not be top quality. Its not likely to be a show stopper. Incidentally why are perfectly good windscreens knocked back on RWC's and why do some insurance co's allow one windscreen per annum and why do some older model cars still have original screens after sometimes decades?

[Shaenaus]

I replaced my windscreen two weeks ago due to a crack appearing at the top edge. O'Briens was the company used (free replacement windscreen claim with Shannon's) and their customer service was excellent.

However, I was asked whether I wanted a tinted screen (with the blue strip across the top edge) and I specifically said "no, I want a plain windscreen" but they installed a tinted one anyway. They also left out a plastic piece that covers a screw in the plastic surround (my car is an NC). To their credit, they offered to replace my windscreen FOC, and they also sent me a replacement plastic piece which they ordered new from Mazda.

Given their customer service, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again, notwithstanding their technical cockups.

[hks_kansei]

.We had an expert on the forum at one stage ex Pilkington and he said most people were not even aware of optical flaws but trained people can tell-

But that's it, if only a trained professional can tell, is it even a problem?

[Mr Morlock]

HKS raises a fair point but take a look at the regime. Do people seriously reckon a windscreen claim yearly is quite right? Many of the windscreens - maybe the majority fail quickly.The OEM glass in my NBwas better than the replacement .WOB is the best known because they spend the most money on advertising but it does not make them the best - the guy that runs his own business has more at stake.