glass problem

Automotive glass is vulnerable to damage. It is enough to hit the pebble and they can be replaced.

Some cracks also appear for no apparent reason. Many drivers then ask themselves the question: repair the windshield or replace it with a new one? And if so, whether to buy the original road at an authorized service station, or maybe a much cheaper replacement.

For several years, the windshield, rear and some side windows have been glued to the body, and not mounted on a gasket. The advantage of this solution is to reduce turbulence in the air flow and increase the strength of the hull. The disadvantage is the troublesome replacement and the greater susceptibility of the glass to damage due to load transfer.

Damaged windshields are most often replaced. Stone impact is very common and can be repaired successfully in most cases. If we notice such damage, it should be repaired as soon as possible. Delay can lead to the appearance of a crack and deep contamination of the fissure, so even after repair the trace will be clearly visible. If lack of time or other circumstances do not allow a quick repair, the damaged area should be sealed with a colorless tape so that no dirt gets inside.

It happens that the glass breaks, although no mechanical damage is visible. There may be several reasons for this. This is, for example, a poorly executed sheet metal repair that reduces the strength of the car body. The windshield can break when hitting a curb or when a wheel hits a large hole. Glass damage can occur as a result of thermal stress, which occurs mainly in summer and winter. In summer, a crack may appear when washing a heated body with cold water, and in winter, when a jet of hot air is directed sharply at a cold windshield.

In small cars, windows can break for a completely different reason. It is the corrosion of the windshield that leads to the fact that in some places the glue does not stick to the body, which in turn causes additional stress. Glass cracking can also be caused by improper installation or damage to the edge of the glass during installation, which can develop into a crack over time. Repairing broken windows in many cases will not work, because the increase in cracks is only a matter of time.

If the glass cannot be saved, it is worthwhile to find out what the market offers before buying a new one. There are many replacements for popular car models and they are affordable. The cost of glass for most cars should not exceed PLN 400. To this you need to add about 100 - 150 zł per exchange. You don’t have to worry about the quality of such glass, since the same manufacturers (Sekurit, Pilkington) produce first assembly glasses for car manufacturing companies. Glass in OCO differs from “fake” only by the brand of the manufacturer and, of course, by a much higher price. However, if we have a heated windshield (Ford, Renault) and still want to have it, unfortunately no matter where we buy it, we have to consider the high costs. In replacement, such glass is two or even three times more expensive than usual.

Glass replacement should be carried out in a specialized service. This is not a difficult task, but proper assembly requires practice and the right tools. When replacing the windshield, it is also worth choosing new gaskets, because the old ones, after reassembly, can cause an unpleasant whistle while driving. Unfortunately, the cost of original gaskets can be comparable to the price of glass. An alternative is universal gaskets, much cheaper, but worse looking.  

Make and model	Replacement price (PLN)	Price in ASO (PLN)
Volkswagen Golf IV	350 (Securite) 300 (NordGlass) 330 (Pilkington)	687 (with seal)
Opel Vectra B	270 (Securite) 230 (NordGlass)	514 + 300 gasket