Q: What is the difference between OEM, OEM equivalent, and aftermarket?

A: OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Typically, this means it is an identical part to the one that the vehicle manufacturer used when they built the vehicle. In almost every case, this is the highest quality (and most expensive) part available. This is the part you will get if you buy it from the parts counter at the dealership where you bought your car new.  OEM equivalent refers to premium quality parts made by companies that typically supply OEM parts to the manufacturers who build the vehicles. These parts may or may not be equal in quality to the ones the vehicle came with, as they may have been made in a completely different factory with different quality standards, even though they carry the same name as their OEM cousins.  Aftermarket parts are those made by companies who only sell parts for replacement purposes, and these brands are never used by the vehicle manufacturers themselves. These parts are typically the lowest quality parts available and often times fit poorly and lack optical clarity. All of these parts mentioned above are manufactured according to federal safety standards as regulated by the United States Department of Transportation. Every part that has met these standards carries a DOT number near the lower edge of the window. This number represents the DOT registered manufacturing plant where the part was made.

Q: How is my windshield attached to my car?

A: Almost all glass on modern vehicles is held in with an adhesive called urethane. This is a structural glue that is strong enough to keep the glass in place in the event of a collision. Most versions of this urethane adhesive require a primer to be applied to the surface of the glass to create a lasting bond. When installed properly, this urethane adhesive keeps water out of the vehicles interior and keeps the glass in place even in the event of a severe collision or roll-over.

Q: What is a chip repair? Do they really work?

A: If your windshield has a small chip or crack from a rock hitting it, we are able to inject a specialized resin into the chip, which will keep it from spreading. The chip must be smaller than a quarter in size (about ¾”) and cannot have long cracks spreading out from the point of impact. Once a repair has been completed it typically holds for the life of the vehicle, barring any other impacts in the same spot. It is possible for a chip to spread during the repair process, but it is very uncommon, and in these cases, we know the crack  would have spread on it’s own soon if left unchecked. If a chip does spread during a repair attempt there is no charge for the repair attempt.

Q: Does my insurance cover glass repair and replacement?

A: In Illinois, glass damage is typically covered under the comprehensive portion of your full coverage policy. You will be responsible for your deductible amount, whatever that may be. Deductibles are collected upon completion of the work.

Q: Can I drive or wash my car after a repair or replacement?

A: When a chip repair/fill is completed, the vehicle is ready to be used or washed with no waiting required. After a windshield is replaced, the adhesive needs to cure before it is safe to drive. Depending on the urethane being used, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. In most cases, Sterling Auto Glass uses DOW fast cure urethanes which are safe to drive after 30 minutes. If a different urethane is required, customers will be notified when the installation is scheduled so they can plan accordingly. It is always a good idea to wait at least 1 hour before washing a vehicle after a windshield replacement.

Q: Why is there such a huge price difference between companies that I have called?

A: With windshield replacements, you tend to get what you pay for. The biggest price differences are usually due to aftermarket vs. OEM parts. Some other reasons for large cost differences include companies using low wage untrained workers, sub-standard materials and adhesives that are not DOT approved, used parts, B or C grade parts that should have been thrown away, unsafe procedures and skipping steps to save time, etc. In short , these companies tend to have a total disregard for your safety
And for the longevity of your vehicle.  At the other end of the spectrum, we have seen companies charging hundreds of dollars more than their competitors simply because people don’t know any better. These same companies also tend to tack on multiple fees after the initial quote, bringing the final price to a much higher number than what was first quoted. Sterling Auto Glass hires only the most talented installers, uses only the highest quality materials and adhesives, and carefully follows all industry standard procedures when replacing glass on your vehicle. We are not the cheapest, but we are usually not the most expensive either. We charge a fair price for the work we do. Remember, if something is half the price, it is typically half the quality.

Q: What does the warranty cover?

A: Everything we work on is covered by our Limited Lifetime Guarantee. Windshield chips are guaranteed not to spread or fail for the usable life of the vehicle. All glass replacements are guaranteed to be free from any air and water leaks and abnormal excessive wind noise. Moldings that are attached to the glass are guaranteed to stay in place. All workmanship is guaranteed for the usable life of the vehicle. All parts that we install are covered for one year against defect as is the standard in our industry. Typically, even OEM parts from the dealerships carry a 1 year or less of warranty against defect. Our warranty does not cover problems or damages that are due to some incident or occurrence after the vehicle is returned to the customer. For instance, if a rock hits your windshield 2 hours after we replaced it, that is not covered under the warranty, however, if it starts leaking after we replaced it, and it hasn’t been replaced again by someone else, it is covered under our warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. Most of this should be fairly common sense. If it’s caused by us directly or indirectly, it’s covered. If it’s caused by some other entity, object or force that isn’t part of our company, it is not covered. If your vehicle comes to us with pre-existing problems such as rust, corrosion, broken and or missing parts, we are diligent to make sure you are informed about these conditions before we start working on the vehicle.

Q: Can rust affect a windshield installation?

A: Yes, it can, and it does. The glass in your car is glued in place with urethane adhesive. That urethane adheres to the metal body around the edge of the window opening. If rust occurs near or under the surface that the glass is bonded to, this bond will be weakened.
The more the rust progresses, the weaker this bond becomes. At some point the deterioration of metal will allow water to leak into the vehicle. As the metal deteriorates further, it will expand and can crack the glass. After a while, the glass may even become loose and separate from the body of the vehicle. This situation can be dangerous, as the glass is a stressed member and part of the structure of the passenger area of the vehicle. Because of safety concerns, a vehicle that has rust near or under the windshield should have the rust repaired before a glass replacement is performed. Pre-existing rust conditions would also void any warranty on a windshield replacement, for obvious reasons.