Tinted windshield judging

[Gene K.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Probably a real dumb question, but here goes. All of the tinted glass in my 1963 Coupe, except the tinted windshield, was judged correct. Is it possible to install a "correct" clear windshield and leave the rest of the car glass tinted? Was that a possibility in 1963?
Thanks for your help
Gene

[Donald H.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

I'm no expert, but I would say No is the answer to your question. I think the options were 1) standard no options was all clear glass, 2). Option A01 is Soft Ray Tinted Glass - all windows, or 3). Option A02 Soft Ray Tinted Glass - windshield.

So you could have a tinted windshield with option A02 and all other glass clear. But I don't think there was an option for clear windshield and all other glass tinted.

Don

[Edward J.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Gene, I agree with Don , Its as it left the factory, so all tinted glass or tinted windshield only or all clear glass.

[Gene K.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Thank you both, Thats what I was afraid of
Gene

[Russ S.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Originals even if they were to be restored(polishing) typically are badly faded. As far as I know the shading can't be restored.

I have not seen a reproduction tint band that could pass judging. There are other characteristics of the color /fading of original glass that sets it apart. Original good glass is hard to find and it most likely will be in need of professional restoration. You will be looking at $2000-4000 if you are lucky. The point deduction makes it worth on a high dollar car.

[Mark D.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Originals even if they were to be restored(polishing) typically are badly faded. As far as I know the shading can't be restored.

Russ,

You're right, some of the bands begin to turn gold with time while others do not. For me, they are still original and that is most important...for me. Reproductions are not even close. Thank goodness someone reproduces them. Many people prefer a nice clear reproduction and I support them in choosing what works best for them. Thing is, repops are non-typical. For me, I would rather have an original that has had a cinderblock thrown through it than have a repop but, that's me.

It's great there are choices but, in the end, original is real and repop ain't.

Mark

[Dino L.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Let me start off by saying I make windshields for a living, most information in this thread is correct, but....the trade does not use the term tint for the deeper colored top portion, it is called a shadeband. The shadeband of original LOF windshields have blue green glass and a deep blue shadeband which is extruded in the polyvinyl butyrl PVB. Originals turn bronze from UV light exposure to the blue. The manufacturing technique has changed from the 60's to current. Today the PVB is stretched and heated over a conical stretcher which makes the shadeband equidistant from the roof line....in the 60's this was not done thats why the shadeband is wide at the a-pillar and short at the center. I have asked Pilkington to stop stretching the PVB for a more accurate reproduction. No change yet from Pilkington.

[Jim D.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Dino, I talked with Pilkington at SEMA this year and they said they have corrected the shade band. I haven't seen one in person but here's what they show on the web site.

[Russ S.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Dino, If you make them doesn't that mean you can do correct reproduction windshields in all aspects?

Let me start off by saying I make windshields for a living, most information in this thread is correct, but....the trade does not use the term tint for the deeper colored top portion, it is called a shadeband. The shadeband of original LOF windshields have blue green glass and a deep blue shadeband which is extruded in the polyvinyl butyrl PVB. Originals turn bronze from UV light exposure to the blue. The manufacturing technique has changed from the 60's to current. Today the PVB is stretched and heated over a conical stretcher which makes the shadeband equidistant from the roof line....in the 60's this was not done thats why the shadeband is wide at the a-pillar and short at the center. I have asked Pilkington to stop stretching the PVB for a more accurate reproduction. No change yet from Pilkington.

[Russ S.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Mark, I understand your view and respect it however originals with a crack, (or cinder block thru them) are no longer original. (They didn't come that way) I have a nice extra original but the shadeline has turned goldish as you mention. I would have to recheck but I believe it is correctly dated for my car just don't know if I would be happy with it in the car.

Russ,

You're right, some of the bands begin to turn gold with time while others do not. For me, they are still original and that is most important...for me. Reproductions are not even close. Thank goodness someone reproduces them. Many people prefer a nice clear reproduction and I support them in choosing what works best for them. Thing is, repops are non-typical. For me, I would rather have an original that has had a cinderblock thrown through it than have a repop but, that's me.

It's great there are choices but, in the end, original is real and repop ain't.

Mark

[Dino L.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Russ, we don't make the DW636 because the volume is to low, we could make it correctly but the cost of thicker glass, LOF licensing, demand for logo date codes and lack of volume takes all the profit out, typical aftermarket issue for hi volume producer. pilkington looks like they have got the shadeband correct now.

[Mark D.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Mark, I understand your view and respect it however originals with a crack, (or cinder block thru them) are no longer original. (They didn't come that way) I have a nice extra original but the shadeline has turned goldish as you mention. I would have to recheck but I believe it is correctly dated for my car just don't know if I would be happy with it in the car.

Russ,

I would like buy your windshield, especially if it's just the gold that bothers you.

Thnx, man

Mark Donnally
859-612-9121

[Ara G.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

Jeez, i would use the original (if it is original) ALL day long before reproduction glass. There is MORE to judging a windshield than just the tint band. Chips and light scratches can be repaired, polished, etc...Mark, i am sure you know a guy who can do that. LOL. Unless it was so delaminated that you couldn't even see out of it, the original is the way to go. Again, just my preference/opinion....If perfect/clear glass is what you have to have, keep the original windshield in case you sell the car so the next owner has the option to put it back in....ARA

[Gene K.]

Re: Tinted windshield judging

On a 63 Coupe last year I got a 10 point deduct because my windshield has a tint band that is too sharp