I wonder at times why so many run to the internet for supportive information yet never look at the origin of the content and who provided it? LOL
The provider buys from several sources and will not state whom they all are. And contacting the large company with several location only state that they employee several Certified Window technicians. They would not state specifically if author of their many articles has any? When asked specifically does that certification include how windshield glass is engineered and manufactured the answer is their certified learn all aspects of glass and installing it. When pressed again about the question specifically about how glass is formulated and the different qualities. When specifically asking the "expert" on the phone about optical clarity they gave a generic answer and almost didn't understand the question. They assured me that I would be happy with their service and glass installed and shifted to their warranty information LOL
When Ias said all that is great but what about the optical clarity again, I was placed on hold for several minutes listening to elevator music and then the line went dead. LOL This is typically what happens when I research and ask import qualifying questions. Or I get the "who are you"? and when I say I am just a potential customer they give me a song and dance sales pitch and never answer my direct questions. LOL


I do want to point out that if they or any glass shop had "certified glass technician" they would at least state where that certification was awarded.
Example ASE has a ASE Certified Glass certification that can be acquired to test and achieve the certification. But they must have a minimum of 6 month employment in the last 5 years at a licensed glass shop and specifically installing automotive glass to even test to get the ASE certification. You would think that because ASE Certification are the best to have that a company would boost about having their employees having it and even disapplying their certifications.
Come to find out many glass installation shops and chain service centers do their own training and awarding employees with their own in house certification.


This thread and some of the responses reminds me of the other threads on this and other Mazda forums of the "exploding" sunroofs that we don't read about anymore on any Mazda forum. What did that stop happening all of a sudden or did some find out that it was not a manufacturing defect as so many DIY claimed and placed the blame to get it warrantied? LOL

 

"I feel better. I'd like to go for a walk" Love it! just the sort of silliness i needed this morning : )

 

Not getting where this rant comes from. Are you saying you called the company I linked above and started questioning them? It seems "a bit" over the top for the topic of discussion in this thread. I didn't reference the company for anything other than the photos of the type of damage often seen to explain what I meant by a "star" type crack.

I mean, you can can buy a windshield from a place like Safelite and call it a day, or you can ask them to provide an OEM windshield if you want (I did that with a 2016 Acura RDX which it had a large crack within a few months of purchase). I argued I shouldn't have to settle for aftermarket glass on a car with a few thousand miles, which was agreed upon by the insurance company.

In any case, we are talking about repairs of chips, etc. in this thread (not replacement). Some types of damage are repairable, while others are not. Only the glass repair shop can answer the question (as Lobster said above), unless you want to try and DIY it yourself and see what happens.

It cracks me up how far some members on this forum go to make a point which isn't needed or wanted.

BTW, the sunroof failures do come up from time to time. They haven't mysteriously stopped. Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda/comme...nroof_explode/ The last post was 7mths ago (in that thread alone).

 

I clearly described what I meant by "chip" in my OP.
Chip meaning any flaw in my windshield caused by a foreign particle hitting it.
Not certain how I could be any clearer.
I would also point out the shop has AGSC (Auto Glass Safety Council) and NGA (National Glass Association) certified technicians.

 

RANT no fact checking your posted info as a source that seems you think are "experts.
I would not have called them had i not seen a picture of the "expert" on that site you provided. wow! lol
Call them yourself see what they tell you if you answer the tough questions.

Maybe you should fact check your info before using them is basically what I am attempting to make members consider.

If you actually knew how much GP most glass companies make by simply selling what their provider of the glass regardless of their quality is, you might consider owning an auto glass shop yourself.

Well you went back and edited out the info you posted... so I had to update and edit my response to you As for your info on the sunroof again check who the reports are from. When possible, look at the dates
Really spend more time find the facts and how they are derived instead of randomly looking for something that supports your responses.

 

You said "any flaw" which could mean many things. This isn't specific or clear as to what size/shape etc your damage was.

 

Nice glass joke! lol

moving on
The certification have This still has nothing to do with the quality of the glass in the manufacturing prosses itself?
Both the ones mentioned along with one I mentioned only have to do with installing the glass. I looked up both a it appears the NGA no longer does certifications but the AGSC does.
I also read in depth about the testing and training programs as well the level of certifications. I left with amazed and sort of chuckled. When you know the simplicity of learning how to "safely install auto glass you understand while I am smiling. I know some of us have done this long before certifications like door and rear window glass even windshield. Most is common since applied > Now I do understand the need for training with windshield with sensors.

I guarantee that if and I have asked many certified auto glass installer about the manufacturing process and the quality of the end product they always look at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. LOL
Many have been at SEMA shows and I have asked ... LOL

BTW next time any you all go to a glass shop have the salesperson bring out the different brands they carry and do a side-by-side comparison. Look at all the angles and finish edges carefully then return to this thread with some real-world information on what you find!
Now that I would like to read from some of you instead of web surfer and assuming how things are in a automotive glass shops no matter who you know work there family ,friends or just a person that treats you right as a salesperson!

For me when i need a windshield replaced I first call and ask how many in stock brands they carry. If they only have one I shop elsewhere. If they have 2 or more brands, then I ask how many do they have in stock. If they don't have at least 2 of each I shop elsewhere. It may seem like a PIA but then I find and pick out the best glass to be installed in all my vehicles. I learned a long time ago once its installed its hard to get them to exchange them out if you are not satisfied. most of the time their comment to me before I learned better was that the way they all are, or something similar. LOL
I also know how to handle my insurance company if they will claim only to pay for brand X windshield glass. If its on the market and is certified auto glass they pay for what brand glass i want. You just have to know the exact wording to use !

 

Callisto was having a temper tantrum because people were giving advice and ignoring what he wrote. He does this all day long every day because she has no job and probably never has. I demand a lengthy response too. Do what you are told mommas basement boy.