mis3

I have to replace my windshield and probably go with aftermarket this time. Is there any brand(s) I should avoid?

I went to an auto windshield place and he gave me 2 choices of urethane adhesives. One is MB and the other one is Betaseal 418-HV. He would charge me $40 more for the MB urethane. He said the Betaseal is as good or maybe better than the MB. Not sure if I believe this.

Yidney

He ought to know what adhesives are good - it's his business to know that. Unless somebody has glass shop experience, it would probably be a rare forum member that has an educated opinion on windshield adhesives. Any windshield has to meet DOT standards, so I don't know that any particular brand is bad. But do pay attention to color - not just of the sun screen band but of the glass itself if that sort thing matters to you. If you stick a sheet of white paper outside with you inside, or vice versa, you'll see the glass is not actually clear. Some are green and some are blue.

mis3

I agree. Urethane adhesive brand is way too specific to ask in this forum.
Is the color of the glass important since all my other glass panels are all tinted?

Actually, I am kind of discouraged of my windshield. I owe this w209 for 11 years and this will be my 4th time to change it.

Rudeney

My advice is to get good glass. I had Safelite replace the front windshield on my CLK about 3 years ago. They used Chinese glass and it's not held up well at all; it is covered with pits and scratches. When the sun hits it, it's like a Swarovski ornament. Pilkington used to be the OEM for MBZ. I'd get their glass or a comparable brand name not made in China. Some glass shops will agree to use genuine MBZ glass, even with an insurance claim, if you claim you've had issues with the rain and light sensors with other brand glass.

mis3

I just checked and my current windshield is Sekurit. I was told this was OEM windshield, not sure if this is true. This windshield is 2-3 years old and it's also full of pits but no scratch.

I called the dealership, it will cost close to $1,000CAN to replace the windshield there. The parts are $540CAN for the windshield and $60CAN for the urethane.

I was quoted $400 from an outside auto glass store. I asked for the brand of the windshield and am still waiting for an answer. I may go for the cheap route because like I said before, it seems that I have to change the windshield every 2-3 years. This is a daily commute mostly on highways so stone chips are not avoidable......

mis3

Got an response from the auto glass store:
1. Sekurit $425CAN
2. FY. $375CAN

I read the FY is OE for some Asian car manufacturers and they are the better Chinese brand. Based on Rudeney experience, I am now leaning to Sekurit.

For the past 3 windshield changes, I use the same trims (top, left and right) around the windshield. Should I buy new ones?

Thanks.

Rudeney

Unless the outer trim pieces break, there is no need to replace.

mis3

The cap on the top left trim is loose. It probably comes with the trim. Do you happen to part number? I went to parts.com and found windshield trims only for the convertible.

Rudeney

I've checked EPC and can't find the part number. I think that rubber cap comes with the trim, though.

mis3

I thought so. I was actually asking for the part number of the passenger side windshield side trim.

Rudeney

I can't even find that trim piece in EPC at all! I am usually pretty good at finding these parts, but that one escapes me.

mis3

I am looking for a sticker with MB sigature.
I went to my dealers and he told me they are now very strict. No sticker if not windshield.

I may have to buy from eBay.

Rudeney

Just remove the sticker from your existing glass. Heat the glass with a hair dryer and it will peel tight off (use a razor blade to get it started).

mis3

I will try to finagle one from the dealership. Otherwise, I will buy one from OEDISCOUNTPARTS.

CLK350_ATX

what does the sticker do?

Yidney

It doesn't do anything. It's just a little clear vinyl sticker with a white script signature - Renaldo Benz or whatever his name was. Personally I don't like stickers in my windshield, so even when I got a genuine MB windshield i told them to leave it off. It was like $4 extra.

CLK350_ATX

so I'll be fine without the sticker if I'll need to replace the windshield not from the MB dealership...

Rudeney

Renaldo? Really? Yidney, we are revoking your driving privileges! You need to sell the CLK and get yourself a Hyundai!

There are two versions of the sticker. The older sold white sticker has Gottlieb Daimler's signature. The newer clear sticker has "Mercedes-Benz" in script. Personally, I prefer Mr. Daimler's signature.

Yidney

[QUOTE=Rudeney;6706354] Renaldo? Really? Yidney, we are revoking your driving privileges! You need to sell the CLK and get yourself a Hyundai!

I was just making a joke. I know it was Groucho Benz.

Rudeney

Now had you said Julie Benz...

CLK350_ATX

Have you got your windshield replaced? I'm curious what's the total cost and which brand did you end up using... Just got a used 2009 CLK, but the windshield is full of scratches... thinking about to replace it.

mis3

I chose Sekurit which is supposed to be OE. I paid $425CAN for the job which is very reasonable. I also checked the price of the dealership, windshield was $540CAN and the urethane was $60. With labour and tax, the job would cost $1,200 CAN.

The installer did a perfect job. As promised, they left my car inside a heated garage for a few hours so the urethane adhesive could cure.

CLK350_ATX

Thanks for the info. I quoted a local shop can do it for $350USD compared to the dealer price at $690...

Rudeney

Most dealers don't do windshield replacements themselves. They stock the glass, but they usually have a 3rd party company come and do the work. When replacing a windshield, the best thing is to do it on a dry, warm day (above 60F) and leave it parked for at least 4 hours after to let the urethane cure.

mis3

Agreed. This is why I insisted that after the windshield replacement, they left my car in a heated garage for a few hours.

Back in December, I saw someone near my house replaced the windshield of a Toyota on an outside driveway. I passed by after an hour and the Toyota was gone. It was a typical winter December, maybe -10C. There was probably not enough time for the glue to cure.