I caught a rock in my windshield a few months ago and it chipped and then started to crack. Well, shoot... the replacement windshield was expensive and on back order, so it took a while to arrive. In the meantime, I had a huge crack right in my field of view.

Anyway, I really don't want to repeat this, so I bought a film kit to hopefully protect it. I've had it on for about a month, and so far I'm happy with it. My wife helped me install it, it was nice having a second pair of hands.

I bought it from this site: www.grab-gard.com

Overall I can't tell the film is on from inside the car. I haven't had any rocks hit the window yet, so I can't say how well it's working yet. But I've seen some reviews on jeeps and they seem happy with it, so I'm hoping it is similar.

 

Very cool thanks for posting. I had exoshield on my previous G and it saved me a few times. I know others have said Clearplex has been good.

 

Busted windshields are more a matter of "when" than "if". I've been thinking about ordering one just so it's available when mine goes pop.

 

It should come with the car instead of that useless spare wheel hanging in the back that never gets used.

 

Hey I've used that spare once. I happened to be driving by a tire shop when this happened. Went from normal to flat within a few minutes.

 

Now that's an idea!

 

Yeah, it's rough. I used to have a wrangler and I think they break for the same reason of that upright flat windshield.

 

Wranglers and F150s are available with "Gorilla Glass" upgrades for $500 - $1000 (I think some Euro imports offer it too). It's supposed to be more chip and crack resistant than conventional glass, but I haven't read about any personal experiences on the Jeep forum.

 

People seem to be pretty negative on the gorilla glass. Most of the posts I've read have people complaining that they still had a lot of broken windshields. People almost seemed to think it was worse, that they never got a small chip, but instead it turned into a full spider web crack immediately every time.

But we don't have the option of even trying it on our trucks (that I'm aware of anyway).

 

at least somebody is using it! Sorry about the flat.

 

A little late to the thread but thought I'd chime in on my experience with windshield films.
I started using Clearplex about 6 years ago when I was tracking an AMG GTS which doubled the windshield life. Prevented the dreaded rash you get with sand from desert circuits (Willow Springs). After a couple of years I removed it and the windshield was pristine. Replaced with new Clearplex at double the old price ($400). Didn't complain too much as it was the only thing other than race tear offs which are impossible to install on windshield with compound curves. The Clearplex degraded horribly. Seems Madico purchased Clearplex and reformulated the product and raised the price!

Moved to AZ and decided to put it on my G550 as the flat windshield takes a lot of hits. Still the film is not as robust as the earlier produced film. Took a rock on the edge of the film which did nothing to stop it and cracked the windshield. Could of been a perfect hit but I doubt it. Tried to find Exoshield in AZ and dealers have given up as it delaminated in the heat.

Next tried clear windshield tint with UV installed on the outside of the windshield. don't use your windshield wipers. Not good for a daily driver but works like a charm for track days (not my G550) preventing road rash and it's cheap.

I've got a new G63 I'm going to do nothing. AZ has a great law that glass claims are a zero deductible if you have comprehensive coverage! BTW, enquired about Gorilla Glass, Safelight installer said they have a high breakage on the install as they are thinner.
Jimmy

 

Wow, that sucks you didn't like it as much the second time around. A couple jeep friends of mine and one guy with a porsche had had good luck with the same brand of film here, so I am hopeful. The porsche friend has had it on for over 3 years now and one of the Jeep guys uses it on his daily commute so has almost 25k miles. So I'm hoping I'll have that kind of experience.

 

Thanks for the thorough analysis. I've always wondered about the efficacy of these films, never having had one installed. I surmised they would eliminate windshield damage from a haboob, but expected they wouldn't do much for rocks and other large road debris (my last busted windshield resulted from an airborne lug-nut on I-294). With G windshields costing $3K-$4K, and with several months lead time, trying to do whatever possible to avoid a replacement seems sensible. Insurance companies embrace all the ADAS technology that makes contemporary windshields so expensive and factor replacement costs into the premiums you pay, so when it breaks it gets replaced.

 

My first G wagon replacement windshield was $2500 and a three week wait. Second one was $900 and Safelite had it in stock! I guess the supply chain is no longer an issue.
Jimmy

 

Safelite is carrying an aftermarket option now. I tried Stek's version of windshield film, I think Exoshield is still the best option. Clearplex being the most difficult to install of the 3.

 

I've heard positive reviews about the Stek product and it's likely what I'll be installing on my 4x4, how has it been for you?

 

I'd say good. Wasn't so lucky recently, but I suppose if you get a rock in the right area (edges of the windshield) nothing is going to help.

 

You've got to be kidding me.... Shouldn't the film go to the edges? Feel free to PM me a photo if you have one, I'll check with my installer to make sure yours was put on properly. EDIT - talked to my installer & confirmed he goes to the edge. Curious to know more because this isn't a cheap addition.

 

It does cover to the edges but the windshield is most vulnerable on the outside perimeter. I've taken some pretty nasty hits in the central region and been fine, but anything on the lower corners is sure enough crack that spreads like crazy.

 

I have only a couple broken windshields on which opine, but agree that windshields do seem particularly vulnerable within 2"-3" of their outer edge.

 

Agreed. Just had to change out a windshield. The crack was in the top corner on the passenger side. No chips or anything. Went into the garage one morning and there was a 6-8" crack. For those curious it took 2 weeks for the new windshield to come in and cost of replacement was $3,049 for the windshield and $280 for installation.

 

2 weeks for me right around $2,000 from parts dept with wholesale discount plus $500 install. Interested in the aftermarket Safelite option, if someone can share quality etc. Assuming it won't have the "Mercedes" signature in the lower passenger corner.

 

Even though my OE windshield remains intact, I've considered swapping it out for an inexpensive aftermarket unit in order to keep Gottlieb Daimler's signature version preserved for when I sell the truck.

 

The kit I put on was clearplex and I put it on myself. It also cost half what I was getting quotes for stek and exoshield.

I got it from these guys:
https://www.grab-gard.com/products/m...s-2019-present

 

My exoshield protected me window for a year, working on replacement windshield now ;(