Windshield - dealer or aftermarket?

[BlackbirdXX]

I worked in the automotive glass industry for 32 yrs. As long as your windshield has an AS1 rating , it's good to go. Having said that I always preferred windshields made by either PPG or Pilkingtons. Better fit, less occurrence of visual distortions. Tons of windshields are now produced offshore and are extremely cheap (price and quality). Lots of installers are using them because of this. I could always request a dealer supplied glass if the insurance company was willing to cough up the dough, or the owner wanted to pay the difference. Just be sure it's installed with urethane.

 

[MOMSPH]

I have never heard of a clear film that can be applied to a windshield to protect from rock chips. Yes I'm familiar with such films for the front end body panels of cars, but I've never heard of them being available for a windshield.

I've been using this http://www.clearplex.com/ for the past few months and it seems to hold up to stone chips.