It's the glass. My 2016 Jeep Wrangler has been hit 4 times really hard and none of the chips will spread so I can have it replaced. My G was hit by a grain of rice and it spread top to bottom within 2 miles. The G cost $3400 to replace. The Jeep is only about $300 -- I might just pay for it myself at the end of winter.

 

My G 63 windshield got hit with a rock large enough that it caught my eye just before it hit (sounded like a gun shot). The windshield was undamaged (small marf in the film). But, I got hit a second time with a similar rock, and this time it cracked the windshield. My car insurance (State Farm $0 deductible comprehensive) paid for the new windshield. Still a hassle, but I would have had to do it twice without Exoshield.

 

Talking to different local detailers, seems like I have choices between Clearplex, Exoshield, and XPEL as mentioned above now has their own windshield protection film

Will definitely try one of the above after a 2nd glass replacement in as many years, and it being a pain to replace and then re-tint the windshield etc every time

 

Let us know what you learn about Xpel windshield film. I was interested in trying Xpel, but it wasn't available last year, so I wanted to use Exoshield again because I was satisfied with the performance from my previous G 63. But, the shop I was going to use had some kind of relationship with Xpel, and they discouraged them from using Exoshield. I ended up using Ultrafit because nobody near me had Exoshield at the time for some reason. I haven't had any rock hits...yet, so I don't know how well Ultrafit will work.

 

I wasn't aware of Xpel window film but have their PPF on couple of my cars - will have to try it on my next car. I have Clearplex on one of my Ferrari's and it has saved my windshield several times but the first install had major distortion so installer had to redo it. I think this was due to install and not the product itself. I have Expel on my Black Series and prefer it over Clearplex in terms of film being less obvious from driver point of view.

 

I've had Clearplex on my 458 Speciale for 10 years (and 7,000 miles). Perfect. No distortion at all. I like Xpel Stealth PPF on my G 63 Black Magno paint. I can't see the film at all, even though I know it's there! I was also very happy with Exoshield windshield film on my 2020 G 63 (perfect...no distortion). I bet Xpel windshield film will be good. It's been around for about a year, so there should be user feedback by now.

 

Talked with my XPEL detailer and he said for the G because the windshield is easy glass to work with, he actually recommends Clearplex above all other products for protection

Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside

 

After reading the thread, I didn’t see any mention of windshield sensors, and or antenna filaments. Wouldn’t those need to be addressed for these windshield film products?

 

No need for tint or clearplex. Doesn't affect heated windshields or sensors.

 

My local Exoshield installer does not recommend film on the inside and Exoshield on the outside. Said layering films can cause issues? Exoshield blocks UV like tint/film (protects dash) but does not block heat like tint/film (kind of a bummer). Anyway, if I have to choose, I'll be doing Exo

 

Good feedback. I had good experiences with ClearPlex, but it's sometimes difficult to find an installer. Same with Exoshield. Very good experience with their windshield protection film, but sometimes hard to find an installer.

 

I had Exoshield windshield protection film on my 2020 G 63 for four years, and I never had any issues at all. Everything worked fine.

 

Did your XPEL detailer not recommend the new XPEL windshield protection film?

 

My installer said no issues, can do both interior side ceramic tint and exterior side film protection FWIW

To my surprise I guess not but appreciated his honesty. Said it's individual to each car, but something to do with how easy the install is on the G windshield that makes him prefer Clearplex to XPEL's offering (I guess meaning the more angled/curved the windshield, the harder it is to install Clearplex)

 

I've had Exoshield and Clearplex installed and both are equal in my mind. I was going to look into xpel but maybe not based on sampelligrino's information.

 

Well, I have officially joined the cracked windshield club today. With only 392 miles on the odometer of my 2025, a small chip developed after something hit it on way home from Atlanta airport, and just looked again and it is now over 1 1/2 feet long. Just e-mailed my dealer service department to get information on replacement cost/logistics. Hadn't had time to get the exoshield with Holidays/travel/etc. Looks like I will be submitting my first insurance claim, ever.

 

I found out that I only had interior tint and no exterior protection! So having the XPEL dealer install it during my annual check.

Pretty nice, they are replacing all of the panels that have any bubbles in them. I have a couple in the crease areas. They are removing the entire piece and reinstalling. Then ceramic coating the vehicle. All under warranty!

Just paying for the windshield protection and where a rock went through the film on the passenger side A pillar.

 

I have exoshield for over a year. I don’t drive the G as often and can’t say if it has protected the glass or not from any rocks yet. But there is no issue with visibility and one can’t tell it is there. Only issue I ran in to was wiper chatter. That got solved by replacing them with windy wipers . Thanks to @dcarrer0 .

 

Still weighing this out and doing my own research. All Clearplex installers (which have said it is the best given all pros and cons) have said it needs to be replaced every 12-18 months which is pretty crazy to me, as UV light causes it to yellow and get opaque... no one has come out and said this is a great solution for Wagons, its protection vs cost of replacing this every 12-18 months and keeping it waxed for the wiper blades, etc... surprising!

 

I just had the XPEL film installed and was surprised to see that the wipers didn’t drag. It was lightly raining yesterday and the OEM wipers installed with my Service A the day before worked fine. I’ve ordered two sets of WindyWipers so I’ll have them in case this changes.

 

Untrue. Don't have to replace until needing replaced. Will not yellow. Oem or Windywipers will not scratch or streak. Oem will chatter regardless. They are terrible.

 

How much was the XPEL install and how long did it take if you don't mind me asking?

 

At the Houston XPEL company owned location, it was $695 less a 10% discount. My new windshield wipers from the Service A the day before work just fine. It was raining lightly and snowing on our 500 mile drive yesterday.

PS: same day to overnight. They said they needed make sure that they got the window spotless before applying the film including using a razor blade if needed.

 

Interesting, good to hear from you but I had no less than 3 different window tint installers here in SoCal all independently inform me that 1) they do not like installing these products for the most part and/or do not offer them at all because 2) those issues mentioned that especially if exposed to sunlight/UV, the windshield film can cause issues to the wipers, need to be waxed every 12+ months to prevent that, and be fully replaced every 12-18 months due to opaqueness and yellowing depending on how much time the truck spends in sunlight

YMMV, I'm just relaying what 3 different well reviewed shops told me over the phone, and now personally evaluating pros vs cons as I'm on my 2nd full glass replacement in as many years for a G63...

 

For those that might be considering XPEL. I have Clearplex and Exoshield on my cars and recently decided to give XPEL windshield film protection a try on my G63. So far I'm impressed - can't even tell that its there, either from inside or outside. XPEL did a real nice job with the product and the installation.