Mazda 3 (GLX) Windshield Chips

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nzkiwiman

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#179043 24-Aug-2015 14:13

While washing my car in the weekend I noticed that I have sadly received two very small chips on the windscreen - both are located in the area referenced to in the manual as the light sensor/rain sensor area (the black area on the front windshield on the other side of the rear vision mirror)

Can anyone advise if there are special ways to fix this - I would assume Smith and Smith (or whoever my insurer tells me to go and see) would automatically know how to deal with, but I am being prepared. This being the first car I have owned with this area on the car.

Note - according to the specifications of the GLX model, I do not actually have automatic light/wiper modes on the car

pdath

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#1373091 24-Aug-2015 14:15

Smith & Smith will no how to sort it. Some of those windscreens can be very expensive to replace, so definitely get the chip fixed while it is small.

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nzkiwiman

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#1373125 24-Aug-2015 15:01

Booked in for replacement next Monday at Smith & Smith

Oblivian

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#1373142 24-Aug-2015 15:15

All I suggest is sit in it. Look at objects outside before you take off. Carefully

Had mine replaced just today. And it seems these chinese windscreens are not all they cut up to be. Outside of the reinforced central zone, there are thickness ripples causing distortion! I feel like I have beer googles on driving in it, losing focus all the time as the eyes try and compensate.

Not convinced the rubber sealing that no longer meets the framework will also now be waterproofed. I need to take it back and see

timmmay

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#1373149 24-Aug-2015 15:18

Oblivian: All I suggest is sit in it. Look at objects outside before you take off. Carefully

Had mine replaced just today. And it seems these chinese windscreens are not all they cut up to be. Outside of the reinforced central zone, there are thickness ripples causing distortion! I feel like I have beer googles on driving in it, losing focus all the time as the eyes try and compensate.

Not convinced the rubber sealing that no longer meets the framework will also now be waterproofed. I need to take it back and see

I had that with my Corolla windscreen. They told me it was due to the plastic laminate sandwiched between two layers of glass. The OEM windscreen was better than the two aftermarket ones I tried, but it took some convincing the insurance company that I needed OEM.

nzkiwiman

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#1373164 24-Aug-2015 15:35

I'll take some pictures of the factory glass this weekend and will defiantly be testing the new glass inside and out before signing anything at Smith and Smith.
Really don't want to give up my factory glass on a less than 1 year old car

Fred99

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#1373206 24-Aug-2015 16:28

Oblivian: All I suggest is sit in it. Look at objects outside before you take off. Carefully

Had mine replaced just today. And it seems these chinese windscreens are not all they cut up to be. Outside of the reinforced central zone, there are thickness ripples causing distortion! I feel like I have beer googles on driving in it, losing focus all the time as the eyes try and compensate.

Not convinced the rubber sealing that no longer meets the framework will also now be waterproofed. I need to take it back and see

I've seen this too and IMO at best that's a distraction and it could also be a safety issue.
When you say the rubber sealing, there's possibly a bead around the screen held in place by the polyurethane adhesive sealant that glues the screen to the frame - is it perhaps just this not popped in position properly or moved before the sealant cured?

I wonder what safety checks have been done on these cheap chinese screens? The screen is secured into the frame (since the '80s) with very strong urethane adhesive sealant, and it's integral to the monocoque body / roof bracing, the integrity of the whole car in the event of a crash. They get very titchy about other things, ie if you cut a small hole for a speaker in the rear parcel tray steel, you could be failed a WOF and need to get the car certed before it was able to be registered. I'd expect that if the glass was weak, mishaped, etc, then the car wouldn't be up to safety spec.

Is there something in the insurance policy that says they can use any part they like? If your Michelin tyres get knackered in an accident, can they replace them with Linglongs the same size and spec?

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Oblivian

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#1373261 24-Aug-2015 17:19

Fred99:
Oblivian: All I suggest is sit in it. Look at objects outside before you take off. Carefully

Had mine replaced just today. And it seems these chinese windscreens are not all they cut up to be. Outside of the reinforced central zone, there are thickness ripples causing distortion! I feel like I have beer googles on driving in it, losing focus all the time as the eyes try and compensate.

Not convinced the rubber sealing that no longer meets the framework will also now be waterproofed. I need to take it back and see

I've seen this too and IMO at best that's a distraction and it could also be a safety issue.
When you say the rubber sealing, there's possibly a bead around the screen held in place by the polyurethane adhesive sealant that glues the screen to the frame - is it perhaps just this not popped in position properly or moved before the sealant cured?

I wonder what safety checks have been done on these cheap chinese screens? The screen is secured into the frame (since the '80s) with very strong urethane adhesive sealant, and it's integral to the monocoque body / roof bracing, the integrity of the whole car in the event of a crash. They get very titchy about other things, ie if you cut a small hole for a speaker in the rear parcel tray steel, you could be failed a WOF and need to get the car certed before it was able to be registered. I'd expect that if the glass was weak, mishaped, etc, then the car wouldn't be up to safety spec.

Is there something in the insurance policy that says they can use any part they like? If your Michelin tyres get knackered in an accident, can they replace them with Linglongs the same size and spec?

The original surround was a lot thicker and had more width. The replacement (he did mention as I dropped it in they often dont re-seal after being removed well) is a lot thinnner and not as flat so as to touch the metal body work at the roof. Theres gaps.

I'll need to check he policy. I actually get eye strain, I've worked out the view point where I look at the rear of cars (like you glance at to gauge distance and stopping at lights) is right smack dab in the middle of this laminate area and has both an X and Y distortion.

Oblivian

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#1373262 24-Aug-2015 17:20

nzkiwiman: I'll take some pictures of the factory glass this weekend and will defiantly be testing the new glass inside and out before signing anything at Smith and Smith.
Really don't want to give up my factory glass on a less than 1 year old car

Insurance job.. no paperwork :/

Well I didn't get any. All handled in-house. Called insurance, they got the call centre to ring me and arrange time