Hello Everyone,
There are several sources for Reproduction Window Glass for Classic Cars, but does anyone know who actually manufactures the glass? I can't believe there would be more than one or two large companies (PPG, DuPont, Etc.) who actually manufacture the glass. If anyone has ordered replacement glass from OPGI.com, for instance, their catalog says the glass is drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer . . . so presumably there may be a return name and address for the manufacturer.
If anyone knows the answer . . . or has an educated guess . . . would you please reply and let me know.
Thank You!
Regards,
David Brubaker
Just to clarify . . . in my post above, I am talking about relatively modern window glass that is tinted and curved, not just "flat" glass. Thanks.
From what I have been told most of it is made in China . Usually when they drop ship items there are no markings on the box showing the actual source .
Float glass is made by several large manufacturers (Saint Gobain, Pilkington, Asahi, PPG, Guardian) among others.
To convert Silica sand and soda ash into glass is a large scale process, with lots of automated controls and lots of energy. Quality is tight controlled.
But to turn those to Auto Glass is the work of the ''converters'', which also a few of the large companies who make the float also convert themselves.
In the conversion that you will find middle/small players. I can't see any of the large converters doing batches for old vehicles today. It takes a lot of effort and time to change the tooling and racking to cut,grind, kiln or laminate a whole line for few pieces that are low volume.
I been to several float plants and large converters for many years at my previous career.
Cheers
Julio
I don't think PPG makes auto glass any longer.
Hi guys!
When I bought my 1955CDV 20yrs ago the front windshield was cracked so I bought a used one from Texas and installed it my self. Well, I overtorqued the special nut that the wiper shaft comes thru and cracked the glass! So I found that the only new ones were "made in South Africa". The replacement glass isn't the same quality as GM. (WHAT IS?) In my case, I have tiny specs that look like chips....and I have quite a few. I may not like them but have to live with them....walt...tulsa,ok
I order mine from here,
https://www.pilkington.com/en/us/automotive/pilkington-classics
and it ships from there. They also date code
Chuck
:) From the bottom left corner of the Pilkington site ---
Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
Head Office - 3-5-27 Mita Minato-ku Tokyo
Quote from: cadillacmike68 on February 05, 2020, 05:52:11 PM
I don't think PPG makes auto glass any longer.
You're correct, Mike. PPG sold their glass business a
few years ago. (I live in Pittsburgh). They wanted to
concentrate on their paint / coatings business.
Mike
i just bought 13 pieces of glass for my 36 .I have not had it installed yet but all looks perfect.I used Auto City Classics very reasonable will also date stamp .If interested #763 444 5880.Located in Isanti MN.I have used once before this and i was very satisfied.Charlie M.
Quote from: 35-709 on February 06, 2020, 08:58:02 PM
:) From the bottom left corner of the Pilkington site ---
Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
Head Office - 3-5-27 Mita Minato-ku Tokyo
Just mentioned ordered from there and they ship from there, in US. as an FYI, they do manufacture glass in Mexico and then it is shipped to their US location vs Tokyo ;) As an example, if I ordered vent windows for my '66 which they have in stock, they would ship from US and I would have in a few days. Chuck
Quote from: Mike Josephic CLC #3877 on February 07, 2020, 12:51:48 AM
You're correct, Mike. PPG sold their glass business a
few years ago. (I live in Pittsburgh). They wanted to
concentrate on their paint / coatings business.
Mike
Correct. Architectural glass was sold to Vitro and auto glass was sold to LKQ.
The replacement glass for my windshield of my 68 Cadillac has a label from PGW, Solex, Laminated.
I bought it through the bodyshop, and they got it from an importer. But I guess the company Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) is the manufacturer and their website: https://www.pgwautoglass.com/ (https://www.pgwautoglass.com/) and https://www.buypgwautoglass.com/splautoglass.asp (https://www.buypgwautoglass.com/splautoglass.asp)
Best regards,
Nicolas
PPG renamed their auto glass arm PGW (Pittsburg Glass Works) around 2006. It appears as if post-acquisition, LKQ is still offering the line under the PGW banner.
I just had to have the windshield in the 1996 Fleetwood replaced. GM labeled glass is non-existent, PPG no longer makes the Sungate windshields, Pilkington did not have it either. The only source for the Sungate / solar film windshield was Fuyao Glass, but at least this part # is made in the US. It looks fine, bet even the solar glass needs a mild tint down here in FL. t actually looks nice and clean for a change. The original glass was spotted from hard water over the non blade swept areas.