Thoughts on window delamination??? | FerrariChat
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Thoughts on window delamination???

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by bpu699, Jun 14, 2005.

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  1. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #1 bpu699, Jun 14, 2005
    When I bought my testarossa it had a TINY amount of windshield delamination - probably 1/4 inch by 2 inches, right by the vents.

    Drove it from november to february, on nice days, with no extension of the delamination...

    Now its summer, I drive with the airconditioning on, windows usually slightly open...and the delamination is spreading. Now about 1/2 inch by 2 inches...

    I know eventually I will need a new winshield - but what can I do in the mean time to minimize extension of the delamination??? Can a reputable shop drill it out?

    Is this due to the airconditioning? Is it just from road vibrations?

    Any thoughts appreciated. I searched the net and couldn't find much on this.

    When it comes to replacement, what are the rough costs on a testarossa? Do shops use new glass or is it all salvage?

    Signed...putting off the inevitable...
     
  2. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

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    #2 Air_Cooled_Nut, Jun 14, 2005
    UV light exposure on one of the culprits. A/C has nothing to do with it. My '70s Porsche and VW had the same problem and the don't come with A/C. The car is aging and sprouting some gray hairs :D
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Steve Magnusson, Jun 14, 2005
    Both the glass and the trim will be new. Rough replacement costs IME:

    glass = $1500~$2000 (and the replacement probably won't have the antenna)
    trim = $800
    labor = $200

    I think the original glass manufacturer has to accept the blame for the delamination -- either bad design or bad assembly materials/methods.
     
  4. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #4 bpu699, Jun 14, 2005
    Toby, I know aging is the likely culprit, but do temp changes accellerate the problem? Why no changes in delamination in winter months? I guess to rephrase:

    "What causes increased delamination???"

    Steven: The costs you quote seem more reasonable than what I have heard. Where did you get it done? I have heard the number $3500 tossed around. Was your done at a dealer? Independent glass place? How hard was it to get a replacement windshield?
     
  5. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 Steve Magnusson, Jun 14, 2005
    I used an independent glass shop chain store (Elite). They sourced what I think is a 512TR windshield with the antenna up the RH side for $1500 (took ~6 months to find), but the TR windshield without antenna was readily available from FoDenver for "only" something like $2200 (remember this was ~2 years ago and F part prices seem volatile). The trim was bought from FoDenver directly by Elite.
     
  6. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
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    #6 bpu699, Jun 14, 2005
    Steve, how bad was your delamination before you went ahead?

    Did you try any other options?
     
  7. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Steve Magnusson, Jun 14, 2005
    My replacement was needed because of a rock chip that formed a crack in the outer glass layer -- not delamination.
     
  8. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #8 BT, Jun 14, 2005
    I would contact one of the mobile window repair companies. There are several that use some kind of epoxy that may slow or stop your delamination problem for a few hundred dollars. It is definitely worth looking into.
    BT
     
  9. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #9 Glassman, Jun 14, 2005
    I don't think any of the fixit places can stop delamination. This is caused by UV slightly, but mostly by moisture that gets in the interlayer either during sloppy manufacture, during storege, or later after installation. To the best of my knowlege nothing can stop it once it starts. The best warranty on a laminated glass product I've seen is ten years and that's with current technology.
     

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