MTFCA Forum

I'd like to hear people's experiences with windshield glass from Mac's. I have a '25 runabout with plate glass that I'd like to replace with AS1 laminated and maintain the use of the original nickel-plated brass strips/channels. Mac's is the only vendor that lists it to my knowledge. I have inquired locally (Kansas City metro), and it seems that local custom AS1 will be very similar in cost to the Mac's glass (Mac's is currently about $250 shipped for my '25).

Mac's is 1/4" AS1, which I believe is the thinnest that AS1 is made (two 1/8" plates with a very thin membrane in between). As an aside, AS2 would likely be cheaper and fit better (thinner), but really isn't intended for this use. Mac's mentions tint options, but I'm pretty sure they provide clear, too, which is what I want. I measured my existing glass thickness, and one is 7/32" and the other 3/16". Here are some specific questions:

1. Were you happy with Mac's quality (no scratches, nice edges, proper chamfers where appropriate, good packaging)?
2. Were you happy with Mac's fitment dimensionally?
3. Were you able to maintain the original brass strips/channels with the thicker 1/4" glass?
4. How recent was your experience (suppliers sometimes change over time)?
5. Was your experience with '23-'25 open car glass or another year/model?
6. Does the Mac's AS1 have any glass markings on it (manufacturer, AS1, etc. - I would prefer not)?

Thank you for any feedback! I'd also welcome any additional leads on KC area glass shops you've been happy with for this type of work.

https://www.macsautoparts.com/windshiel ... 731-1.html

I think I would go with a glass shop in your area. In that way you can deal with them directly about any questions or issues. Since it’s flat glass it won’t be that hard to cut and fit.
I have a 21 Touring with a flat glass windshield. I cleaned up and repainted the frames and hand polished the nickel plated glass filler strips myself.
I then took the windshield to the shop and had the glass cut and fitted in the windshield.

I had it made at my local glass shop for a fraction of the price of buying from Mac's and having it shipped.

All they needed was my old glass for a pattern. My lower glass was missing so I left the frame with them...no problem.

Don and Steve, for AS1? If so, either glass went up or I need to locate a different shop, because what I'm hearing from local is very similar to Mac's price-wise.

I would find another glass shop. I replaced both pieces of glass in my late ‘13 Touring with new safety glass about 5-8 years ago. I took the old glass to them and they used it for patterns and charged me around $50 for both pieces.

I had a local shop cut mine--haven't installed it yet, but one thing I did when I got the glass home was to put masking tape on sides next to the open edges (the edges that face each other when the windshield is assembled)h. I then use Wet n Dry sandpaper wet to smooth out and polish that visible edge think I quit at 600 grit, but you can go finer. The tape protects the glass faces from any "Oooops" events with the sandpaper. Ended up with a nicely polished edge, like you see on glass shelves.

David, how did that work with the lamination line? I assume it is pretty visible now? Any trouble with the water weeping in? Did you seal the edge? Both of my plate glass edges have the bevels but are more frosty than polished.

I dropped the lower frame from my 25 RPU off at the local glass company today. I did not ask the price, but I can let you know when I pick it up.

When you polish the edge, the plastic almost disappears. A little oil on the edge also helps.

Thanks, all. I think I have a lead from a buddy on a shop that was about $40/piece for AS1. That aligns a whole lot better with your experiences.

I picked up my lower windshield from the local glass company yesterday. The cost installed was $99.77.

Good deal you got it back.
Does you car have the nickel plated glass channel? If it did hope they didn’t dent it up.
.

You are all very lucky !!
I am getting quotes here in Australia for 1/4" $400-$700 to fit safety glass into my tourer brass windshield frame.
Auto glass fitters were on the high end where house safety glass fitters on the lower end. Not good !

I’m with John with this as my local big name glass supplier struggled with the variation of the original imperial size width
of the glass and charged a fortune for it. I did end up with a good job and it had the AS (Australian Standard) logo and information mark discretely in the corner of the screen. Shipping glass across Australia isn’t an option for me
Alan in Western Australia