Windshield Replacement Question
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I am at a Safelite location right now waiting for my windshield to be replaced in my 2013 Rubi unlimited. You got me a little nervous so I am hoping for the best. The store manager told me that they replace lots of JK windshields and that he will see me again soon... Hope to prove him wrong.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Just met with another tech from Safelite who met me at my work.
I have to say, all the of the customer service I have received from them so far has been top notch.
He was very courteous and asked me to point out what my concerns were with the install. I showed him where the paint was and the gap. He admitted that the install could have been done better, but that it was never going to be "as good as factory" to have the windshield replaced. He mentioned about the challenges with the JK windshield design for replacement and I agreed with him.
Before he came, I spoke with Safelite's "Executive Service Team" and they said that I could get a quote from another body shop and should I choose to go that route that it would be covered at their expense. I told the tech this and he said that would be fine if I wanted to get a second opinion on the install. He said whatever decision I made would be fine with him, and that it was covered under my warranty. I'm going to take it to another local glass shop tonight after I get off work and get their opinion, and my body shop if I have time just to see what the consensus is. The one thing I will say is that they seem to stand by their warranty and want to make it right. Definitely A+ for customer service.
However, I still feel like the windshield reinstall could be much better, and on-par with the factory install based one what some of you have said here. Will report back my findings tonight.
I have to say, all the of the customer service I have received from them so far has been top notch.
He was very courteous and asked me to point out what my concerns were with the install. I showed him where the paint was and the gap. He admitted that the install could have been done better, but that it was never going to be "as good as factory" to have the windshield replaced. He mentioned about the challenges with the JK windshield design for replacement and I agreed with him.
Before he came, I spoke with Safelite's "Executive Service Team" and they said that I could get a quote from another body shop and should I choose to go that route that it would be covered at their expense. I told the tech this and he said that would be fine if I wanted to get a second opinion on the install. He said whatever decision I made would be fine with him, and that it was covered under my warranty. I'm going to take it to another local glass shop tonight after I get off work and get their opinion, and my body shop if I have time just to see what the consensus is. The one thing I will say is that they seem to stand by their warranty and want to make it right. Definitely A+ for customer service.
However, I still feel like the windshield reinstall could be much better, and on-par with the factory install based one what some of you have said here. Will report back my findings tonight.
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
My dad owns a glass shop and I grew up a shop rat at my grand dads body shop, from being a installer the last 8 years it should not look like that, nor should the paint get horrifically scratched a few tiny nicks yes they do happen, but nothing horrible. As for safe lite u r getting what u pay for and many going through insurance don't see that, as for aftermarket glass it is the same quality as mopar which is safeguard glass the company that produces all Chrysler glass. The only difference is with aftermarket you cannot get the jeep grill abover the rear view mirror made on the glass or the little jeep in the bottom corner. Now with that being said safe lite produces there own glass from there factories and it is in most all cases the cheapest and most likely to be low quality in the US. Also a good tip in many cases a local shop can do the work and save u money by covering a part of your deductible plus you are buying local and can talk directly to the shop owner and solve any issues.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Providence RI
I had mine replaced under insurance and they do offer the jeep grill and little Jeep in corner, But they said if it needs to get replaced again within the 1st year it will be an extra 45 dollars for the Grill or 0 for non grill under insurance.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Just met with another tech from Safelite who met me at my work.
I have to say, all the of the customer service I have received from them so far has been top notch.
He was very courteous and asked me to point out what my concerns were with the install. I showed him where the paint was and the gap. He admitted that the install could have been done better, but that it was never going to be "as good as factory" to have the windshield replaced. He mentioned about the challenges with the JK windshield design for replacement and I agreed with him.
Before he came, I spoke with Safelite's "Executive Service Team" and they said that I could get a quote from another body shop and should I choose to go that route that it would be covered at their expense. I told the tech this and he said that would be fine if I wanted to get a second opinion on the install. He said whatever decision I made would be fine with him, and that it was covered under my warranty. I'm going to take it to another local glass shop tonight after I get off work and get their opinion, and my body shop if I have time just to see what the consensus is. The one thing I will say is that they seem to stand by their warranty and want to make it right. Definitely A+ for customer service.
However, I still feel like the windshield reinstall could be much better, and on-par with the factory install based one what some of you have said here. Will report back my findings tonight.
I have to say, all the of the customer service I have received from them so far has been top notch.
He was very courteous and asked me to point out what my concerns were with the install. I showed him where the paint was and the gap. He admitted that the install could have been done better, but that it was never going to be "as good as factory" to have the windshield replaced. He mentioned about the challenges with the JK windshield design for replacement and I agreed with him.
Before he came, I spoke with Safelite's "Executive Service Team" and they said that I could get a quote from another body shop and should I choose to go that route that it would be covered at their expense. I told the tech this and he said that would be fine if I wanted to get a second opinion on the install. He said whatever decision I made would be fine with him, and that it was covered under my warranty. I'm going to take it to another local glass shop tonight after I get off work and get their opinion, and my body shop if I have time just to see what the consensus is. The one thing I will say is that they seem to stand by their warranty and want to make it right. Definitely A+ for customer service.
However, I still feel like the windshield reinstall could be much better, and on-par with the factory install based one what some of you have said here. Will report back my findings tonight.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Got two independent opinions from another glass shop and a body shop. Consensus is that it was installed correctly - but could have been done a little neater. Giving Safelite a 2nd shot (with tech that I met with on Tuesday) to reinstall it. They're doing it tomorrow. Will repost after with pics.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Harahan, LA.
Safelite did mine and they found a little rust from a previous install so he cleaned the rust and painted the entire windsheild channel with some rubber paint and it looks good because you don't see the epoxy. Living in the south sucks... Everything rust!!!!
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
The guy from Safelite just finished up a little bit ago. Took him an hour to complete.
Looks much better from the outside... Gaps are even around all the sides and I can't really see underneath.
HOWEVER ...
The channel between the windshield frame and the glass at the back of the dash looks like a gloppy mess! It wouldn't matter if you couldn't see it, but you can! I tried to take pictures with my phone and they really don't do it justice for how uneven it looks. I think the tech didn't clean off all the old stuff before he installed the new glass.
Weigh in guys -- Am I obsessing here? This just pisses me off. On the 2011+ models there is a plastic channel that goes between the back of the dash and the windshield, so you don't see this. I don't have this.
Looks much better from the outside... Gaps are even around all the sides and I can't really see underneath.
HOWEVER ...
The channel between the windshield frame and the glass at the back of the dash looks like a gloppy mess! It wouldn't matter if you couldn't see it, but you can! I tried to take pictures with my phone and they really don't do it justice for how uneven it looks. I think the tech didn't clean off all the old stuff before he installed the new glass.
Weigh in guys -- Am I obsessing here? This just pisses me off. On the 2011+ models there is a plastic channel that goes between the back of the dash and the windshield, so you don't see this. I don't have this.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 6
From: Orange County, NY
The guy from Safelite just finished up a little bit ago. Took him an hour to complete.
Looks much better from the outside... Gaps are even around all the sides and I can't really see underneath.
HOWEVER ...
The channel between the windshield frame and the glass at the back of the dash looks like a gloppy mess! It wouldn't matter if you couldn't see it, but you can! I tried to take pictures with my phone and they really don't do it justice for how uneven it looks. I think the tech didn't clean off all the old stuff before he installed the new glass.
Weigh in guys -- Am I obsessing here? This just pisses me off. On the 2011+ models there is a plastic channel that goes between the back of the dash and the windshield, so you don't see this. I don't have this.
Attachment 486428
Attachment 486429
Looks much better from the outside... Gaps are even around all the sides and I can't really see underneath.
HOWEVER ...
The channel between the windshield frame and the glass at the back of the dash looks like a gloppy mess! It wouldn't matter if you couldn't see it, but you can! I tried to take pictures with my phone and they really don't do it justice for how uneven it looks. I think the tech didn't clean off all the old stuff before he installed the new glass.
Weigh in guys -- Am I obsessing here? This just pisses me off. On the 2011+ models there is a plastic channel that goes between the back of the dash and the windshield, so you don't see this. I don't have this.
Attachment 486428
Attachment 486429
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
If it bothers you, maybe you can pick up one of the plastic channels for the 2011+ models and install it on yours. It sounds like you got a much better install this time around. Do you want to take a chance on a third install, not to mention your time involved? I say live with the goop or hide it. If it REALLY bothers you, I guess you'll have to take the chance on another install.