Windshield Protection

did your rates go up?

 

in feb one of the major suppliers(exoshield) is suppose to come out w a new and improved material.

 

Save your time and money for your deductible(s).
All these "protection films" are merely snake oil and technically provide very little, if any, actual "protection".
I don't think "2 windshields in 2 years" should affect your premium, but check with your agent or carrier.

 

My wife and I purchased a G63 new 1.5 years ago and I was worried about protecting the windshield too. It is such a big, flat piece of glass that I saw nothing but trouble when we picked it up. I even had the front end protected with ppf wanting to keep it as clean as possible. Checking for windshield protection came up with mixed reviews. Some said that you can't use the wipers and others say that it really isn't as clear as you might hope. With this info, I just gave up. We have had 2 small pits in our glass so far, but you never know what will happen tomorrow.......

Not sure who you are insured with, but this might be the time to switch to a top tier company like Pure or Chub.
These companies understand the owners that drive expensive cars and what we owners expect when things like this come up.
More money than the average companies but less issues when things come up.

Best of luck,
GG

 

rates go up?

 

I just wrapped the windshield on my new Portofino M and it is 100% clear and perfect. It cost me $600 and the name is "Bray Windshield Stretch"

 

Bray recommends replacing it every one to two yrs.
also look into getting silicone wipers and clean the blades and windshield often.

 

Normally if a windshield has a star crack from a stone chip, a local glass company can repair it seamlessly for ~ $100.00.

It is really a personal decision about the film as it can cause slight distortion. Over the last 10 years, I've owned a few cars where I had protective windshield film professionally installed. I'm a fan of PPF. Maybe bc growing up, we had plastic covers over our furniture.

As to the cars, I over-maintain them. Logically that can be debated if makes sense or not.

My experience was first with Bray film on a 458. It was not too clear enough, so replaced with ClearPlex. Until I sold the car; 4 years ~ 8K miles later; it was still in very good condition but did have chips on the film. The films require maintenance. I do use a film polish and keep the film very clean, including windshield wipers. I don't use Plexus which some may use, as it causes PPF to turn yellow.

I do have Stek on my daily driver that after 10K miles seen lots of rain and snow with lots of wiper usage. Stek apparently is thicker than ClearPlex, so I found more distortion, and is more difficult to install. After a few months, I began seeing the wiper streaks on the film. Most streaks did polish out with P21 Paintwork Cleanser. After the 3rd year, there were too many wiper streaks and chips, so the film was replaced.

Regarding insurance replacing windshields for free / the state requires that for safety. I checked years ago with my insurance companies over the years, USAA, Amica, and Pure. Net is "free" but is a hidden demerit against your policy. Meaning that if other (minor) claims, including homeowners, rates probably will rise. But for me, that was not the reason I have the film on the windshields. It is the preservation of the factory windshield. Secondarily, the potential lengthy backorder for the glass from the manufacturer.