For consumers, glass from original equipment manufacturers fits better in the vehicle opening, so there is less likelihood of wind noise, leakage and appearance problems. Attention to detail and rigid quality assurance requirements ensure the high level of optical quality they expect of an OEM windshield.

Study finds replacements parts from OEM suppliers are better

PPG's automotive glass quality assurance department undertook a study to compare replacement glass made by OEM manufacturers with that made by vendors not supplying automakers directly. Replacement parts from OEM suppliers were found to be better, especially in these areas:

Safety

Windshields are safety glass designed to retain occupants after a vehicle collision. To meet ball-drop test requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205, windshields must resist penetration by a steel ball dropped from a height of 12 feet, which simulates human impact. Because strength is a function of vinyl thickness, PPG uses the same vinyl thickness in OEM and replacement windshields. Not all aftermarket-only suppliers do.

Surface contour

A windshield's exterior shape is its surface contour. During production, PPG production and quality assurance personnel measure inboard sag, which assures surface contour meets tolerances, especially critical on larger, more complex windshields. If surface contour deviates from design tolerances, a vehicle's wipers won't sweep smoothly across the glass, but pass over dips and hop over bulges. Surface contour inconsistencies were found in several parts made by aftermarket-only suppliers.

Optical distortion

Surface contour also affects windshield optical quality. PPG processing assures consistent heating during laminating for windshields with superior optical characteristics. All aftermarket suppliers do not use these techniques or equipment. Cosmetic visual defects, including scratches and bubbles, were found in parts from aftermarket-only vendors at a higher incidence rate than with OEM-supplier parts.

Solar control performance

Many of today's vehicles have windshields and tempered windows with coated or substrate glasses that provide solar control, reducing solar heat buildup inside a vehicle, improving passenger comfort and lightening the load on air conditioning systems. As a result, smaller cooling systems are able to meet vehicle's requirements, resulting in improved fuel efficiency.

If the proper solar glass is not installed as a replacement, cooling capability of a vehicle is compromised and occupant comfort sacrificed. Fuel efficiency may be reduced, and the cooling system can be damaged. Some aftermarket "solar" glasses were found to be little more than tinted glasses.

Other characteristics

The study found cases of poor edgework than can lead to early part failure and breakage. Parts from aftermarket-only suppliers had variations in peripheral contours that may affect their fit. There were even cases of "counterfeit" glass in which a producer applied another company's trademark without its consent.

Good Housekeeping Seal

Only PPG automotive replacement glass has received the Good Housekeeping Seal. That tells you that our automotive replacement glass meets the quality standards of one of America 's leading consumer authorities.

OEM benefits for PPG

ARG customers

Because PPG makes OEM parts, installers and consumers of PPG automotive replacement parts get these benefits:

-Parts are produced with OEM-style tooling, assuring tighter and more consistent tolerances for better, more consistent fit.

-Parts are checked for bend and size conformance with OEM-style check fixtures. Check fixtures are re certified regularly.

-Ceramic paint has been tested by PPG and certified by the automaker as meeting all urethane adhesion and ultraviolet requirements.

-PPG uses lead-free enamel in all U.S. made automotive replacement glass and is working toward all automotive glass parts, reducing environmental concerns.

-Clear border and dot patterns match OEM paint band requirements for correct appearance and trim coverage.

-Windshield mirror buttons are applied using OEM-approved application process and adhesives, minimizing button failures in the shield.

-PPG and other OEM suppliers are suppliers of true encapsulated parts, often available mainly through dealers.

-PPG bonded parts meet strict requirements established by the automakers adhesion and dimensional characteristics of the attachments and location on the glass.

Don't sell yourself short. PPG is North America 's largest supplier of automotive replacement glass and one of only six automotive OEM glass producers supplying replacement windshields. Like our OEM parts, PPG ARG parts meet demanding specifications.

Demand the best: PPG