Aftermarket windscreens.

joplin2, Mar 5, 5:29am
I have had a range of prices for a quote on my windscreen replacement- $240 difference. $330-$570. Do aftermarket windscreens give any problems?
I have started this thread in general too.
johotech, Mar 5, 6:11am
I had a replacement windscreen fitted to a Toyota under insurance.

The windscreen is obviously not a genuine one. The glass is not perfectly clear like you would expect. There is something in the glass which makes it look very slightly hazy, even though it is clean. Especially noticeable with the sun direct ahead.

Next time I will be checking the glass before it is fitted, and I would pay extra to have a genuine one if the glass is no good.
intrade, Mar 5, 7:45am
get em from autoglass stieger
Volvo rear side window on a 91 station wagon.
prices was 1200$ from most places plus fitting , so i had the job to find a cheaper one autoglass stieger had it in stock 180$ include gst
payd 134$ for my fiat tipo screen in 2008 from them still fine now .
kerryalan, Mar 5, 7:53am
Be very careful if there is a rain detector at the top of the windscreen. Aftermarket windscreens need careful fitting and use of adhesive between the detector and the windscreen for the auto wiper system to work correctly and not operate the wipers at random when there is no rain.
tamarillo, Mar 5, 10:05am
Assuming there is a standard to which a screen must comply I googled and found it, though can't tell you what it is as you have to buy it AS/NZS 2080:2006
Hopefully it means it is safe and clear and optically correct? Second post re the Toyota screen sounds very very wrong surely, must be able to get it checked?
So hopefully, any screen sold meets the standard and is therefore ok, so it comes down to value- price and service.
purple666, Mar 5, 1:59pm
Yes I know that I have said it before, but I will say it again "what will they think of next"?
monzaman, Mar 5, 4:21pm
Take it back as it is faulty if not perfectly clear,I got a new screen via insurance for my hiace van,even requested and got a blue tinted screen instead of a comercial clear one-from Smith&Smith-no problems.
72xu-1, Mar 5, 7:39pm
When it comes to windshields my experience is that insurance companies will allow you to specify genuine but you have to ask. Default mode for them is the (cheaper) reproduction glass because that's what most of the glass replacement companies stock.
Apart from the spec issues mentioned above the main risk associated with windshield replacement is leaking from either poor urethane application or the glass not being shaped as well as the genuine part. Believe it or not this does happen and more frequently than you would, or should, expect it to.
franc123, May 16, 8:54am
That's easy, Heads Up displays that reflect the instrument, and sometimes even climate control and audio information up into the windscreen via a projector in the front of the dash so it is more in your line of vision. These dont take too kindly to cheap aftermarket screens either. Blurred Lines.