Recommendation Windshield Protection

[Nova]

I had it and couldn’t deal with the distortion* and halos around car headlights at night so I had it removed. Didn’t experience driving in the rain so can’t comment on that. I’m not OCD FWIW, it was just that bad (maybe poor installation?).
*it was like fog or a thin film of Vaseline on the windshield at all times.

Which brand film did you use? Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

 

[Carig5A]

thanks for the info; what brand did you use?

 

[Carig5A]

And XPEL recently launched its product. Probably too soon for reviews though.

Yes my detailer informed me but it’s not available at this time, no time period for its availability

 

[Time2Fly]

@MrClean who installed that? That doesn't sound normal at all.

 

[Carig5A]

I got it on mine. I haven't driven it in the rain yet, but where I live there are too many rocks to risk having it cracked so easily.

Will do Stek

 

[MrClean]

@MrClean who installed that? That doesn't sound normal at all.

The place is called Eclipse in Lewis Center Ohio. They agreed to not charge me for the removal but no refund. I lost $500 for the job which did sting!

 

[allenyao09]

I thought about protection film for the windshield but didn't do it. The film costs $500 and my insurance also has full glass coverage.

A rock just hit me on the highway 2 weeks ago and left a chip. I had it repaired by a glass shop for $80. It was much less visible but it's still there.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

I thought about protection film for the windshield but didn't do it. The film costs $500 and my insurance also has full glass coverage.

A rock just hit me on the highway 2 weeks ago and left a chip. I had it repaired by a glass shop for $80. It was much less visible but it's still there.
View attachment 54713

My dreaded fear in Seattle. Sucks that it's on your side as well. I'm assuming from the spires that your photo is before the repair, is that correct? Also, for something like this, I still have my doubts if a thin layer of film could prevent this from a sharp edged rock hurled at you at some speed and then met by your windshield traveling highway speeds in the other direction. Just doesn't seem possible to me.

 

[allenyao09]

My dreaded fear in Seattle. Sucks that it's on your side as well. I'm assuming from the spires that your photo is before the repair, is that correct? Also, for something like this, I still have my doubts if a thin layer of film could prevent this from a sharp edged rock hurled at you at some speed and then met by your windshield traveling highway speeds in the other direction. Just doesn't seem possible to me.

Yeah that photo was taken right after the rock hit. I haven't taken a photo after the repair yet.
The reason why I didn't do the film is even if the film can protect the windshield, the film itself will get damaged. Then I gotta replace the film and it's not cheaper than replacing the glass.

 

[Tomwa]

Yeah that photo was taken right after the rock hit. I haven't taken a photo after the repair yet.
The reason why I didn't do the film is even if the film can protect the windshield, the film itself will get damaged. Then I gotta replace the film and it's not cheaper than replacing the glass.

It likely will be quite a bit cheaper than replacing the glass. It's not like there are a lot of Emiras around. Not sure if anyone has gotten a quote for glass replacement, but I would bet it's 2k or more.

 

[allenyao09]

It likely will be quite a bit cheaper than replacing the glass. It's not like there are a lot of Emiras around. Not sure if anyone has gotten a quote for glass replacement, but I would bet it's 2k or more.

My insurance had full coverage for glass replacement that's why

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

My insurance had full coverage for glass replacement that's why

Well using that argument though, I think I would MUCH rather replace film than replace a windshield and all the potential issues that could go along with that. But...I'm still thinking that the film won't save the windshield from 90% of the most nasty rock hits. So In addition to replacing film, you'll still have to repair or replace the windshield.

To convince me otherwise, I would LOVE to see any of the peddlers of windshield film do a test of this sort: one half of the windshield covered with film and the other half naked and then pelt it with various rocks at various velocities. Then peel off the film to see the results. But I don't think we'll see that any time sooner than we'll see Elon throw steel balls at a Cybertruck window.

 

[gwman]

I just had my windshield replaced on a different car and the amount of damage they did to the surrounding interior trim had me pretty upset. The dealer, who is excellent, offered to replace the trim, but it won't ever look as good or fit as well as the original. So far I have no issues with the windshield film I used and definitely feel better about replacing the film than the windshield after my experience.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

I just had my windshield replaced on a different car and the amount of damage they did to the surrounding interior trim had me pretty upset. The dealer, who is excellent, offered to replace the trim, but it won't ever look as good or fit as well as the original. So far I have no issues with the windshield film I used and definitely feel better about replacing the film than the windshield after my experience.

I have no desire to ever have a windshield replaced and so far I've not had to, knock on wood. Towards that goal, I've always made my Safelite glass repair appointment IMMEDIATELY after getting any bad rock impacts to avoid them from spreading. Glad to hear you've had no issues with your windshield film. The big question I would ask: since having the film installed, have you experienced any rock impacts that you either heard or saw (or both) that would have otherwise caused windshield damage big enough requiring repair but your film protected against?

 

[gwman]

I have no desire to ever have a windshield replaced and so far I've not had to, knock on wood. Towards that goal, I've always made my Safelite glass repair appointment IMMEDIATELY after getting any bad rock impacts to avoid them from spreading. Glad to hear you've had no issues with your windshield film. The big question I would ask: since having the film installed, have you experienced any rock impacts that you either heard or saw (or both) that would have otherwise caused windshield damage big enough requiring repair but your film protected against?

No big ones yet, just some flurries of small ones that cause pits.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

No big ones yet, just some flurries of small ones that cause pits.

I can believe that the film can provide protection from this kind of stuff. I had a big reality check long ago, when it came time to sell my 1984 Z28 with 180k miles, mostly California freeway. The car was about 16 years old at the time, bought it new. I was amazed at the literally hundreds of small pits in the windshield when I inspected it closely. "Sandblasted" was the word that came to mind. But obviously LOADS more miles than my Emira will ever see.

 

[allenyao09]

Well using that argument though, I think I would MUCH rather replace film than replace a windshield and all the potential issues that could go along with that. But...I'm still thinking that the film won't save the windshield from 90% of the most nasty rock hits. So In addition to replacing film, you'll still have to repair or replace the windshield.

To convince me otherwise, I would LOVE to see any of the peddlers of windshield film do a test of this sort: one half of the windshield covered with film and the other half naked and then pelt it with various rocks at various velocities. Then peel off the film to see the results. But I don't think we'll see that any time sooner than we'll see Elon throw steel balls at a Cybertruck window.

Though it's covered by insurance, I wouldn't want to replace the windshield unless I have to.

 

[bueller711]

I’d avoid screwing around with protection. I just added full glass coverage at $0 deductible for $76 through my insurance. Just do that.