The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - What's the latest w windshields: Pilkington or Crinamex?

Dirt's72 · 06-19-2018, 06:41 PM

Just want to share my experience with a replacement windshield to maybe help others. With info gathered here on the forum I wanted to use a precision gasket. I found a local guy in town whom was only one of two recommended to install mine. First guy whom I've been told is the best was too busy to do mine and will only do for dealerships and one restoration shop in town. Slim pickings for experienced glass installers on classic vehicles with the stainless trim. I provided the installer a precision gasket. He wanted to use the original gasket but I said just use the precision as I already had a water leak along the floorboard and kick panel on the driver side so I wanted to rule out the windshield as well the original gasket was sun beat and stiff. (Leak turned out to be from the door gasket). He did mention the steel brand rubber was the best and is what he uses. He did say precision gaskets were good just that he preferred the steel brand. He installed it with an unknown brand of windshield and the original stainless trim with the Precision gasket. It came out looking nice with trim lined up well but I noticed the gasket I could grab it with my fingers and it had a lot of play in it. First rain we had it leaked down the side and top of the glass inside the truck. I took it back and asked if we could try a Pilkington glass. He said ok fine but pointed out at the time of installation how thin it was. I thought well its a Pilkington so it should be good... Well after that was said and done it leaked water even worse. My windshield is the one posted in post #1 of this thread and reads crinamex by Vitro. I assumed it was a Pilkington like I had asked and he had said he got but I never looked till Pete had asked me if it said Pilkington on the glass. And no it didn't stupid me I should have figured something was wrong when he showed me how thin it was. He did say that's how all the windshields are nowadays.
So back at square one here I need to go to a plan C. I bought Pete's glass out of his Blazer which is an oem older thick style tinted just has a small scratch and not to standard for his build.
That's my story to be continued.

06-19-2018, 06:41 PM	#28
Dirt's72 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1,106	Re: What's the latest w windshields: Pilkington or Crinamex? Just want to share my experience with a replacement windshield to maybe help others. With info gathered here on the forum I wanted to use a precision gasket. I found a local guy in town whom was only one of two recommended to install mine. First guy whom I've been told is the best was too busy to do mine and will only do for dealerships and one restoration shop in town. Slim pickings for experienced glass installers on classic vehicles with the stainless trim. I provided the installer a precision gasket. He wanted to use the original gasket but I said just use the precision as I already had a water leak along the floorboard and kick panel on the driver side so I wanted to rule out the windshield as well the original gasket was sun beat and stiff. (Leak turned out to be from the door gasket). He did mention the steel brand rubber was the best and is what he uses. He did say precision gaskets were good just that he preferred the steel brand. He installed it with an unknown brand of windshield and the original stainless trim with the Precision gasket. It came out looking nice with trim lined up well but I noticed the gasket I could grab it with my fingers and it had a lot of play in it. First rain we had it leaked down the side and top of the glass inside the truck. I took it back and asked if we could try a Pilkington glass. He said ok fine but pointed out at the time of installation how thin it was. I thought well its a Pilkington so it should be good... Well after that was said and done it leaked water even worse. My windshield is the one posted in post #1 of this thread and reads crinamex by Vitro. I assumed it was a Pilkington like I had asked and he had said he got but I never looked till Pete had asked me if it said Pilkington on the glass. And no it didn't stupid me I should have figured something was wrong when he showed me how thin it was. He did say that's how all the windshields are nowadays. So back at square one here I need to go to a plan C. I bought Pete's glass out of his Blazer which is an oem older thick style tinted just has a small scratch and not to standard for his build. That's my story to be continued.