I have a question about the windshields that Toyota installs in their Solara.  There are about 25 posts on the Solaraguy.com forum of Solara owners with fragile windshields.  They complain about how easily the windshields crack.
 
These windshields are factory installed AP brand used by Toyota.  I am told this is a quality brand. 
 
I was driving down the interstate today and as I was going through a construction zone with my Solara, it sounded like I caught some dirt on my windshield.  I didn't think much about it except I should get away from the surrounding trucks.  A little further up the road, I noticed a crack running up my windshield.  I stopped and examined it seeing only a gnat sized chip with the crack running through it. 
 
Could it be possible that a bad batch of windshields were produced?  Maybe the glass used was too soft.  I have been driving for 50 years and gotten lots of stone chips.  In the past autos I have gotten a stone chip, you could hear the impact making a loud bang.  This was like someone threw sand against my windshield and it broke.
 
Could this windshield be manufactured with bad quality glass?
 
Thank you.
 
Gary D. Oliver

Hi Gary...

Please post this in the forum at solaraguy.com

Dear Solaraguy users.

My name is Ray Albrecht President CEO of Hometown Glass Corporation located in washingtonville ny. A Solara car owner sent me the following letter below, inquiring about a broken windshield on his solara and those broken by many users. I have been in the business of auto glass replacement glass for 25 years. So I think I can answer some of the concerns of you owners. The Glass put into the Solara is made OEM by a company called AP TECH. This is a USA manufactured windshield, and by quality standards, one of the best in the industry.

As year go by, I find that there are many year make and model cars and trucks that are high volume windshield replacement. Some of which included the old ford Taurus, ford Explorer, Toyota Camry, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, to name a few. There is a good reason for this and it is not due to the quality of the glass.

In many situations it is due to the aerodynamics of the wind flow going into the car or truck. Some models, example the Chevy Cameron, the wind flow of the car blows over the top of the roof, thus when a rock is bouncing off the road, the car will at times send the rock flying over the roof rather than hitting the windshield. It is amazing that a rock no bigger than 1/8 of an inch large and a car doing 65mph, colliding, will cause a stone bruise on the windshield. That bruise can cause the windshield somewhere down the road, a month, 6 month or never break the outside of the glass.

A windshield is two pieces of glass with a plastic lamination in the middle. It is called safety Laminate. It serves two purposes. One, to redirect any impact, stone, brick, debris from coming into the car, and will keep you alive when you have a front impact hit when the airbags go off, and is used as a cushion for the airbag when deployed. When a small bruise is created, it is a weak spot on the windshield. Any possible expansion (windshield defroster in the winter, and heat of the summer) or contraction (the cold of winter) will cause this bruise to snap. Thus the outer piece of glass brakes.

To get to the point about the Solaria in general, I have found that of all the cars made, USA and Foreign, that it is not a high breakage windshield. I would put this windshield made from 2004-up as an average replacement. I would put in 8 Toyota Camry windshields, which I consider high breakage, to 1 Solaria windshield. However, here is my option of this car. I love the convertibles. I own a Sebring and would consider the convertibles as my next option. One thing I would suggest on lowering the breakage of this windshield is to put a wind guard in the front grill, thus the rocks will hit the guard saving a windshield. Also, boys, try to keep the speed limit under 85 :)

Hope this answered any of your questions.

If you guys like to contact me, please feel free to go to my website at

www.auto-glass.com

Yours

Ray Albrecht

At 10:57 PM 3/14/2007, you wrote:
 

Subject = Store

Comments = I got not only the piece of glass I needed and couln't find anywhere else, but the best service I have had the pleasure to receive in quite a while. I am very impressed with this company and will recommend it to anyone who would need their services. I left a phone message and was called back in less than an hour on a Sunday evening! THAT'S SERVICE. Thank you for everything.

MessageType = Yes_testimonal

Username = Lisa Jarrell

UserEmail = lids62@comcast.net

      Thanks very much, glass arrived in perfect condition, have it in

the  stove up and running appreciate the  quick delivery

sincerely James Bacon

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In Feb. I ordered a piece of glass for my pellet stove.  I sent a template to Internet Glass Network because the piece of glass I needed was an odd shape.  Within 4 days I received the glass but it was not the correct cut.  I emailed the company (Ray Albrecht) telling him my problem and wanted to return the glass for the correct one.  A few minutes later the mail came and I received the correct glass for my stove.  Ray had already discovered the problem and corrected it immediately.  He replied to my email promptly acknowledging there was a mistake and the new glass was on the way.  I had already received it.  The prices were the best I could find and the service outstanding.  I would highly recommend this company to anyone.    Sue Barrow - California

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Thanks again for the excellent service.  I will recommend your company to everyone I know who needs glass.

Sue Barrow Oakley, ca

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Thank you very much for the alternative option, but I believe in this case the 3228h is what would work best because the glass itself is shattered.  The enclosure is all intact, the electronics work, and the leads appear to have just come undone.  The $65 plus shipping is alright.  Thank you for all of your help, I'm impressed with your customer service.

 

-Peter Bender Zionsville, in

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Hi Ray, great job with the Lincoln Mirror, it arrived here today, thanks for the prompt service   John Goth -saint Petersburg, fl

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Ray,
The mirror fit perfectly.  Thank you.  -Chris

ray albrecht wrote:

Yes..we have the replacement glass in stock. Please fill out the credit card order so I can ship

 

Ray Albrecht

 

www.auto-glass.com/carmirror.htm

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Hello Ray,

I received my wood stove glass today and it is perfect. I wanted to thank you again for all of your help!

Steve -laurel springs, nj

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Hi Ray,        

    The subject mirror was received yesterday I just popped it in place. Works fine. Thanks again. Enjoy your winter.

                                                     Roy Rosenblum from CORAM, NY

PS Warm up with Brotherhood wine.

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Thank you for the mirror, it fit perfect and saved me about $500.00

from going to GM.

Brian Capps PLANTERSVILLE, TX

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Thanks, I received my order, installed the mirror and it is great!

Dave Van Nice
Land Board Advisor
for Montana State Auditor, John Morrison

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Thank you for a good product at a fair price and fine service. I won't hesitate to recommend you.

 

 

                                               Dave Glim Downers Grove, IL

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Received my glass and glue….ya wouldn’t know the difference…thanks a bunch…Don

Eldondo ®

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Hello,

I received my mirror today and it fit perfectly.  I am very pleased with your service and would just like to say thank you.

Thanks so much, Ken Harris.Vancouver, WA

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Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that the model (glass) for the 2001 Alero looks like it should fix perfectly. I am going to get it put on today but it's looks like everything will fit great. Thanks, great service!

Corrinne

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Thank you for your prompt service and price this will work great in my stove.

 

Boyd D Redington II Brigham City, Utah

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Internet Glass,

I just wanted to say "Thank You!" for the quick service and

great pricing.  I place my order last Tue Dec 6th and

received my glass on Dec 12th (4 business days).  The price

was half what it cost locally and they wanted 2 to 3

business days.  Great service!!

Thanks again,

Darren Jones - Fort Lawn, SC

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Invoice looks fine.. I should have capitalized MA but its not important.

Thank you for the phone call and the heads up about the Chevy mirrors. I followed your instructions with hair dryer and putty knife and it took great patience to remove the glass but the deed is done.

thank you
Bruce Orange, ma

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Subject = Web Site

Comments = the price was nice and alot lower than having to go through the dealer

MessageType = Yes_testimonal

Username = Rosalyn Litzza

UserEmail = rozlitzza@iwon.com

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already received this order in the mail and my credit card had been charged accordingly.

The glass I received fit perfect, no problems

Thanks Chris

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Ray thanks for the picture it appears to be the replacement "1098 Flat" for my 2004 Ford Sport Trac electric driver side mirror. I will be spreading the

word about your alternative to Dealership's cure replace the complete mirror at the tune of $350.00.

Have a good day as you have greatly improved mine! Lisa

Lisa Sellars -Waller, TX

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ray

 

just got the mirror today and i thought it didn't fit so I called and left a message at your company.  dummy me.  I didn't realize the mirror was reflective on both sides.  it fits like a charm.  sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

thanks

 

Tom

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Thanks a ton Ray - I will remember this kind turn by

you and certainly do what I can to drive business your

way in my own little way

Mr. Ravindra Dani

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Hometown:

 

I received the mirror and installed it as you instructed and it works great! Thanks for saving me a bundle of money replacing the entire mirror assembly!

 

Don

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The mirror glass arrived a couple of days ago.  Well packaged too.  Fits

perfectly.  Many thanks for a job well done.

Gerry Armstrong

Newman Lake, WA

P.S. you have my permission to use this as a testimonial.

Gerry

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Thank you for your prompt service and price this will work great in my stove.

 

Boyd D Redington II Brigham City, Utah

---

Internet Glass,

I just wanted to say "Thank You!" for the quick service and

great pricing.  I place my order last Tue Dec 6th and

received my glass on Dec 12th (4 buisness days).  The price

was half what it cost locally and they wanted 2 to 3

buisness days.  Great service!!

Thanks again,

Darren Jones