Cobra valley poly Windshield.

[wanab5150]

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

[Karl Bebout]

Nice review, Tom. That's the same thing I'm going to use when I change my windshield. I also think wipers can be used and that RainX works on it, unlike Lexan. Glad you are satisfied.

[twobjshelbys]

So two questions.

Who charged you 5k for a windshield? They saw you coming. I think I replaced mine by myself for about 275.

Why on the second failure whoever charged you 5k didn't fix it right?

You could have shipped the car to hillbank and back for less

[RedHawk]

I too had 3 windshields crack within 10 months. After inspecting and ensuring that I had the correct scews and installed at the right depth I was greated the following morning with a cracked windshield right down the middle so I searched for an alternative.

Installation wasnt that bad and for me it was easier than the glass install maybe because I had hoped that this would be the last time I would have to do this.

After talking with the polyglass guy I came up with a list of installation procedures and taking your time and following them makes it in my opinion very easy just make sure that you take time to take measurements of the cracked glass you plan on replacing as it sits in your frame for the correct curviture, mask the windshield to protect it as the above poster has mentioned and if you do this along with getting the proper mechanics soap to lubricate your fingers which is what you use to create a nice smooth gasket around the windshield the installation will go without a hitch.

Now after several months no cracks the only issue was immediately the day after installing the windshield I was driving on the highway at about 75 miles an hour and a rock have gotten shot up from a tractor-trailer that was in my opinion far enough away unfortunately the rock shot off at a high velocity hit the windshield with the sound of a gunshot and I had to my chagrin a sinking feeling in my stomach thinking that this was definitely going to crack the windshield but somehow all I saw was a tiny little speck about half the size of a piece of rice.

[DonC]

When you take a stone in a glass windshield it creates a "crater" as opposed to a polyglass or lexan unit which only results in a contained pit. Being more flexible than glass the "plastic" units will flex locally and not (in general) crack the way glass will.
DonC

[Andheeezonit]

The Cobra Valley poly shield is the way to go. The windshield assembly in 3153 was horrible. My dealer, John Cropper is the best. He provided the parts and I did the install. I used an old SPF center rod, gasket, no glue. Perfect. Cheers to RT also.

[RedHawk]

Originally Posted by DonC

When you take a stone in a glass windshield it creates a "crater" as opposed to a polyglass or lexan unit which only results in a contained pit. Being more flexible than glass the "plastic" units will flex locally and not (in general) crack the way glass will.
DonC

Understood, but to clarify the crater usually results eventually in a crack stemming out from it typically overnight as the glass cools in the garage.

[wanab5150]

Tony....I won't stoop to throw down the business that did the expensive replacement but my insurance company agreed on his estimate. As far as what a windshield (glass) alone for Superformance costs from any dealer...it's $595 now and that does not include shipping the heavy thing.

[wanab5150]

Just a note.

If you install the Poly windshield and your car (like mine) has the mirror mounted on the windshield you have to make other plans. The mirror goop will not stick to the coating on the Poly. You can sand the coating off but if it doesn't stick you're living with the big dull spot on your new windshield.

The suggested solution was drilling the dash and mounting the pole mirror like an original and most Cobra copies. Superformance used the windshield mounted mirror for several hundred cars but has now gone back to the dash mounted mirror. The issue is there are no blind nuts so you'll have to access the underside of the dash through the glove box or some other orifice to screw down the mirror base.

My solution was to get a chrome 1/2 inch spacer and longer screw than the one in the windshield mirror mount at ACE Hardware. Turn the windshield mount upside down add the spacer and longer screw and double side tape it to the dash. If you need more turning radius on the mirror itself, use a grinder on the mirror mount where it connects to the ball and radius it a little to allow more adjustment. BE GENTILE! For mine, no holes are needed and if someday you want to drill ...go ahead. In my opinion it looks better that the original style stock mirror and base and no vibration.

[Varmit]

Originally Posted by Andheeezonit

The Cobra Valley poly shield is the way to go. The windshield assembly in 3153 was horrible. My dealer, John Cropper is the best. He provided the parts and I did the install. I used an old SPF center rod, gasket, no glue. Perfect. Cheers to RT also.

I second that!!!