You guys should try local repairs, I had a big chip repaired and it is now invisible to the eye.

 

No doubt road conditions in each local play a significant part in this. Generally speaking roads in MI suck! The expressways have lots of 18-wheelers, lots of construction, and lots of debris. The secondary roads, although not as traveled as much, and what I generally use are usually better except when they are resurfacing them. Many of the roads are repaired by dumping down a load of oily tar, followed by crushed stone, and a quick roll; they put down "Drive 35 MPH Due To Fresh Stones" signs and leave. 'Nuff to make a guy wish he had a jacked-up, beat-up, POS pick-up truck -- but I'd miss driving the twisties! Still I drive these same conditions with my other three vehicles and never had a problem like the S2k.

 

I'm getting ready to have mine replace (hopefully today). There is a pit that turned into a long crack that grows each day. Its kind of cool to see how much it grows- like sea monkeys.

But alas, it crosses right in front of my steering wheel and as much as I love the little fella, its got to go.

The glass repair company I'm using typically uses PPG glass. They called me and said their supplier could not get the PPG glass today (Friday), and I have an AutoX on Sunday. They offered to install Viracon ( http://www.viracon.com/ ) glass, and I had agreed, but then they called back and said that the Viracon was thinner than their usual glass and so they couldn't recommend it.

On one side, I thought hmm...thinner glass= less weight. On the other I thought hmmm...1 stone (I get at least one hit a month) is likely to create a star in the thinner glass. Someone else told me that the air bag relies heavily on the glass during deployment and using thinner glass could reduce its effectiveness as well.

Then I read dlq04's post about the fit of the window and imagined that the glass probably wouldn't fit well either and the thinner glass would be more apt to leak. I'm sure they'll use all the proper sealants and adhesives during the install- but still...

I explained my autoX situation to them and they are now checking to see if they can get LOF glass today. If I have to wait a week for PPG, maybe I should just ask them to order OEM? (or will insurance cover that?)

-B

 

My personal opinion is that the more upright windshield on the S2K does contribute to it picking up more marks from debris hitting it. I don't think I'm alone in noticing there are LOTS more construction vehicles on the highways these days, probably due to the ever increasing amount of new homes and developments. There's seldom a day that I'm on a highway and don't hear the sound of tiny rocks hitting my car, usually from a large dump truck somewhere ahead of me. This wasn't always the case. Sign of the times.

 

I'm not sure what they used to replace mine after it was shattered, but whatever it is, it has held up beautifully, and I know I have had several rocks bounce off it. Several months after having it replaced, it still looks better than the original one did after a week.

 

I installed PPG after 3k mile for a large "Star". The OEM glass was very pitted, so I opt'ed for the replacement instead of a fix. I now have 15K on the car, and the new PPG glass has less pits then the OEM did @ 3k.

I would get the PPG glass. I think it is a bigger deal to get the OEM seal for fittment reason.

 

Mine is quite pitted at 17K although you don't notice it too much unless the sunlight hits it at the right angle. But my Miata W/S at 60k is MUCH worse so maybe it's just the glass they use these days.

 

I got the PPG glass. They called their supplier and he found another client who had a PPG windshield for the S2000 in stock and they bought it from their competitor :-)

Yea, they had to purchase the Honda seal and they said it was $75. They said my insurance only wanted to pay them 55$ for the seal.

Something else they said was that the PPG glass was thicker than the OEM glass. I don't know if that affects impact capacity or not.

After the install, the water gutter that meets the glass near the hood is not completely flush against the glass. Can someone tell me if its supposed to be sealed tight or if there is a small gap?

Also, I think they may have put the mirror back on wrong. Could someone please look at their mirror and tell me if they can see metal on the top or bottom of the piece that is glued to the windshield? I see metal exposed on the top side and there is a plastic piece that caps over the bottom, but does cover the top. When I arrived and they were cleaning the windshield, it fell off- and I suspected that it was mostly gravity and that perhaps the piece was upside down. Either that or they are missing another plastic insert. Anyone know?

-B

 

I'm on windsheild # 2, at about 5,000 miles. The replacement is PPG and is pitting just as fast as the OEM. It sits low and upright. I think there are some manufacturing standards that have changed in the past 15 years. All glass seems to be softer, as far as automobiles are concerned.

 

Yea, the PPG is supposed to be built to OEM spec. I'm guessing that includes a hardness factor too.

Its just interesting that you don't see all that many Miatas and Boxsters with stars in the windshields and they have similar profiles.

-B