I just completed replacing my third Superformance windshield in just over a year. The last one was completely replaced from the glass, frame and uprights as the installer assured me this is the solution. Surprisingly, my insurance company agreed and took care of it. This all for the bargain price of $4890.00......yessssss , almost 5 Grand.
That windshield lasted a grand total of 275 miles before cracking while parked overnight and covered. It cracked right down the middle without a single blemish and not on a screw thread which is usually the issue.....that or the windshield was installed in a bind which was the case here. It’s clear why the windshield broke right down the middle. The stress of being forced together rather than correctly aligned turned it into a ticking time bomb. It literally snapped in half as witnessed by many of the Bay Area Cobra Group members at our last big 4 day trip to Atascadero.
Rather than take a chance my insurance company would cancel me for the two windshields I had replaced this year, I decided to go with a Cobra valley Poly windshield. Same basic cost as a Superformance windshield but described as 250 times stronger than glass and clear with no distortion due to the formed design.
The installation WAS messy and time consuming all having to do with keeping the Permatex sealant adhesive off the MR-10 coated Poly surface. Unlike glass you can’t scrape off the excess goo with a razor blade so fine line tape and masking tape was used all around the edge for a nice clean edge of Permatex because no gasket or rubber is used. The Permatex is the insulator replacing any rubber gasket. Installation onto the car was reverse of removal…more of a two person job for some of the installation.
I was not a fan of using a “plastic” windshield but because of the glass failure expense I went for it. I went from reluctant to Happy-as-a-pig-in-S#*t when I actually saw through it while driving. I CAN NOT TELL ANY DIFFERENCE IN IT FROM GLASS. No it's not really just plastic but it is some super Polyethelenethelmethel MR10 coated super substance...... No plastic feel or look, zero distortion, cleans like glass, and I have the comfort of knowing it won’t break unless I endo the car nor worse! I am 100% satisfied, and for those who know me……well let’s just say that’s rare for me.
Unfortunately, the last two windshields broke on 4 day BACC trips and kind of put a dent in the trips every time I drove it or even had to look at it. I will see many of you at “Snakes to the Lake” in Tahoe soon. I’ll be the one with the grin on my face………I will be VISIBLY happy!………tom