4th Windshield Cracked... Windshield Protection Film?

[ToJTornottoJT]

My 4th windshield just cracked at 3,320 miles. I live in the metro Phoenix area and drive my Gladiator daily for work. I drive on lots of gravel roads, freeways, and in road construction areas. I don't follow what I consider to be close anyone in front of me. At least two hits have been from oncoming gravel trucks. I know about the Gorilla Glass but haven't been able to get my insurance to spring for it yet.

My question is has anyone used a film that you put on the outside of the windshield to protect it? Like these?

https://www.getexoshield.com/

https://www.diamond-shield.com/windshield-protection-film

https://madico.com/automotive/windshield-protection

If so, which one did you go with? Does it work?

Thanks!

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[Hipbilly]

Jeep Hyperformance® Tough Windshield (HTJ-DW02668) | HGP - Hyperformance Glass Products

What are you paying extra in premiums for insurance to keep buying the same glass?
How many more will you be breaking? How much of YOUR time are you losing at the glass shop?
I didn't have any glass protection when I broke my first windshield.... I didn't have to think on it very long before I sprung for the HPG glass out of my own pocket. I'm really glad I did.... I've taken some pretty serious hits on the road and it doesn't have so much as a scratch.

Plus it has a 2yr warranty, so that's fun.

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

Jeep Hyperformance® Tough Windshield (HTJ-DW02668) | HGP - Hyperformance Glass Products

What are you paying extra in premiums for insurance to keep buying the same glass?
How many more will you be breaking? How much of YOUR time are you losing at the glass shop?
I didn't have any glass protection when I broke my first windshield.... I didn't have to think on it very long before I sprung for the HPG glass out of my own pocket. I'm really glad I did.... I've taken some pretty serious hits on the road and it doesn't have so much as a scratch.

Plus it has a 2yr warranty, so that's fun.

I have full comprehensive coverage which includes glass coverage and they can't increase my premium due to a glass claim. Something about Arizona law. I have had the same insurance company for 25 years.

I agree on the time issue, what they are doing is dumb. I have heard that the Gorilla Glass still chips the same, but doesn't crack.

 

[hemigeno]

I applied the Racing Optics film after fixing a couple of chips in the first few months of ownership. The film worked pretty good overall and did take some hits, but I would still note:
> It won't protect against "serious hits" (using Hipbilly's terminology). See photos, which was with all 3 layers of the film in place.
> It scratches fairly easily. I ended up having to clean the windshield with a microfiber towel, since pretty much anything else would leave visible marks.
> My insurance agent advised against filing a claim for the cost of the Racing Optics film when replacing the windshield, as I was told it's not "glass replacement". So, I spent the money for the film and got 4 months of use. YMMV.

After replacing the windshield, I'm going without the film this time. Unfortunately, HPG doesn't currently offer Jeep windshields for models with Adaptive Cruise. I called their customer service, and the (very helpful and honest) response was that they probably won't have ACC-capable glass available until after the first of the year. I'll buck up for the HPG glass once it's released and the inevitable happens with another Close Encounter of the Rock Kind.

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

I have owned CJ's, YJ's, and TJ's all with similar upright windshields and none of them had this problem.

 

[AZCooWhip]

Feel your pain. Have not looked into those. Our insurance covers all glass replacement. No matter how many times. Small small monthly add on to insurance.

We have the routine down pat. Cracked windshield. Call insurance agent. They send a mobile unit to home or office. Done in a day or two.

Worth every penny we pay to insurance.

 

[pbrevo64]

I have heard of people using the films, and they seem to like them. To me it still doesn't change the impact force, just might distribute it some. I have Diamon Fusion on mine and love it. I work for a glass fabricator and we use it on showers (basically rainx on steroids that permanently bonds to the glass), but it actually works as a sacrificial layer that prevents scratches, and also has a much lower coefficient of friction than raw glass. My dealer had it as a dealer installed option for around $1000 (which is ridiculous for 30 minutes of work and $15 worth of product, thankfully I was able to do it for free at work). So far after 40k miles of crappy Michigan roads, its held up great and havent had any chips or cracks.

 

[foo.c]

My ppf place said they've experimented with a couple different products but they all had problems and won't do them anymore.

 

[ermutigen]

Jeep Gorilla Glass https://www.mopar.com/en-us/shop/parts/gorilla-glass.html

 

[brianinca]

Yeah, the windshield in my YJ is so old it has vertical drip stains.

Ironically, it's the improved aerodynamics of the JL/JT compared to the old Jeeps that make this SO common.

And yes, in 10 months, my HGP glass has taken hits and kept right on being a windshield. Totally worth it.

I have owned CJ's, YJ's, and TJ's all with similar upright windshields and none of them had this problem.

 

[River2016]

I have heard of people using the films, and they seem to like them. To me it still doesn't change the impact force, just might distribute it some. I have Diamon Fusion on mine and love it. I work for a glass fabricator and we use it on showers (basically rainx on steroids that permanently bonds to the glass), but it actually works as a sacrificial layer that prevents scratches, and also has a much lower coefficient of friction than raw glass. My dealer had it as a dealer installed option for around $1000 (which is ridiculous for 30 minutes of work and $15 worth of product, thankfully I was able to do it for free at work). So far after 40k miles of crappy Michigan roads, its held up great and havent had any chips or cracks.

Oh I get a nice premium on shower glass with diamond fusion. I always offer it.

 

[Jim-HV]

I live in AZ as well. I am on my second windshield. I now have 3 chips since replacement. I won't replace this one until these new chips turn into larger cracks. Coincidentally most of my chips occurred on the 10 near Phoenix, but a couple occurred in more rural areas, closer to where I live. Staying away from gravel trucks doesn't seem to help. The gravel left behind still finds it's way to me. I used to hate the bugs on my windshield, but those are an easy fix.

 

[davey]

just ordered mopar triple layer protect film was $207 my guy said he will put on for $45 OTHERS AROUND HERE SAID ITS A WINSHIELD SAVER..

 

[clydebolt]

I have full comprehensive coverage which includes glass coverage and they can't increase my premium due to a glass claim. Something about Arizona law. I have had the same insurance company for 25 years.

I agree on the time issue, what they are doing is dumb. I have heard that the Gorilla Glass still chips the same, but doesn't crack.

 

[clydebolt]

I can tell you this for a fact - I just replaced my gorilla glass - from a massive rock hit. - the glass was —840 in texas. Was it worth the price. ? Time will tell.

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