Thread: H.U.D. Replacement Windshield

Posted on GM Inside News in their Tech Forum, also.

I'm looking to replace my windshield with the right H.U.D. replacement windshield. The one that was replaced is the correct one. It reflects too much of my dashboard in the glass. It interferes with the visibility at times. The Glass I have is a PPG, but it seems that it lets in 10% more light then normal.

Do anyone know what glass originally came with my '06 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP or what's the proper type of glass to install in it. I can use the help or advice.

On 20AUG08, my care was thrashed with a hail storm of stones and gravel from a milling job on I-95 South here in Philadelphia while I was on my way into work. The paint was chipped on my vehicle and the windshield was cracked. The party responsible for not cleaning up the the stones and gravel left behind from the road work did replaced the windshield, but the company they used put in a H.U.D. windshield, but not like the original.

It's annoying at times seeing the reflection of the dashboard and it becomes an obstruction and a distraction while I'm driving during certain times of the day.

Here is some information about the Glass that was in the HOW To section

http://www.grandprixforums.net/glass_part_numbers.php

Abrasive is the man when it comes to auto glass, I would shoot him a PM about it. I am sure he can answer your questions.

webracin

I have heard this complaint before. I can say that all glass (no matter the manufacturer) has to meet pretty stringent guidelines due to the safety aspect of the windshield. That being said, there are still brands I won't install due to fitment issues primarily. Now, on with your problem. I have heard this complaint about too much reflection of the dashboard maybe a handful of times in the fifteen years I have been in the business. The simple fact is that PPG, LOF, and Vitro (Crinamex) were original equipment manufacturers for GM. All of these are top quality manufacturers. In '06, Crinamex was GM's primary supplier. The windshield, since you have PPG and they are a leading glass manufacturer, should be exactly as it would have been from the factory. On 97-03 GP's I actually prefer PPG to any other brand and generally request that brand when ordering one. What I have found is usually the cause of this "problem" is the fact that your windshield is now completely devoid of any defects. Light scratches, pitting, stains... all a thing of the past. All of these things, even if on the outside of the glass, contribute to a less than perfect reflection, even if they are so minute that they are not immediately visible with the naked eye. Now that the glass is brand new and probably the cleanest it has ever been since leaving the factory when the car was first built, the reflection is a lot more pronounced. I have found that this is more of an issue with people that take better care of their cars than most ordinary people. Reason being is the dashboard is generally cleaned and/or shined regularly rather than letting dust settle. Not saying that you should not keep your car clean, but the a clean dash also makes for more of a glare in the brand spanking new glass, especially if you use a cleaner that shines rather than a satin or matte finish after it dries.

The HUD windshield also plays a slight role in this because in our cars, the slightly better reflective quality is in the ENTIRE windshield rather than in a small patch like they used to do when HUD was first introduced. The reason this is done now is so that you can not visually see a difference in the glass like on some where you could actually see a very noticable patch just above the HUD projector which was found to be distracting in itself.

Hate to tell you, but I suspect the "problem" is just a combination of things mixed with a fresh, clean windshield now 100% defect free on the surface. If you are using a gloss interior protectant on the dash, try switching to a satin finsh cleaner for a while and see if that helps you. If you are absolutely dead set on having it replaced, I would venture to say that Crinamex is the brand used at the factory. A replacement will say Crinamex on it and not have the little square GM logo in the bug. Only reason for that is GM's copyright does not allow it on the glass for aftermarket replacement even though it is the exact same windshield produced by the exact same manufacturer in the exact same glass plant. I've even gotten them from time to time where you can faintly see the GM logo where it has been polished off by the manufacturer. LOL