~Purchasing Questions
1. What is flush mount glass?
a. Basically, a larger piece of glass, designed to fit within the OE opening leaving only a small gap. The new glass eliminates the need for trim or weather stripping and instead uses a FRIT band, primer and urethane adhesive to secure into place.
2. What makes/models of cars do you make flush mount glass for?
a. Right now Fesler makes flush mount glass for the following vehicles
i. 1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaros (also fits Firebirds & TransAms)
ii. 1970-1981 Chevrolet Camaros (also fits Firebirds & TransAms)
iii. 1967-1972 Chevrolet C-10
iv. 1973-1986 Chevrolet Squarebody
v. 1964-1966 Ford Mustang Fastbacks
vi. 1967-1968 Ford Mustang Fastbacks
vii. 1969-1970 Ford Mustang Fastbacks
viii. 1968-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
ix. 1961-1973 Volvo P1800
x. 1966-1967 Nova Hard Top (will not fit 2-door post or sedans)
xi. 1968-1972 Nova
3. Will you make custom glass for me?
a. Yes. Fesler charges $40,000 to mock up, prototype, mold, create and produce a custom set of windshield and back glass. You must provide the car to be used during prototyping at your expense. It will take anywhere from 4-8 months to produce the first sample. Fesler retains any molds made during the process as well as any right to use such mold in future productions. You will receive 5 sets of your glass to keep.
4. Can I get your glass without the Fesler logo?
a. No. The Fesler log is baked in and any attempt to remove it will damage to the glass. This sort of damage does not qualify as a factory defect.
5. Is the glass actually available for the models listed or is this a pre-order item?
a. If Fesler lists the glass as available then it is actively in production. We make every effort to stock at least 100 sets of each model at one time in our Phoenix and Ohio warehouses. Backorders do occur, but you will be notified of any backorders at the time of purchase and we will not take any funds until your glass ships.
6. How long until my glass ships?
a. Since all the flush mount glass is boxed and crated before being shipped LTL, it usually takes us 10-15 business days to prepare the package for shipment.
7. Can I buy the front and not the rear?
a. Yes. You can even buy the rear and not the front.
8. My project needs all the glass to finish. Can I buy side glass from you as well?
a. Yes, we actually recommend that if your car needs all of its glass that you buy every piece from us. This will guarantee you get the same tint and clarity on all your pieces. Some of the China-made glass that you commonly see at most retailers is scratched, dingy and tends to have a urine stained look to it. Gross!
9. What is your warranty?
a. Our glass does not come with any sort of warranty. We do offer a 7-day return policy on our glass from the DATE OF DELIVERY. We stress the date of delivery because it is your responsibility to check the glass for flaws when it arrives and notify us immediately so we can facilitate a replacement. If you wait a year to install it and find it is broken or cracked at that time, you are out of luck.
10. Do you have any dealers that stock your product?
a. Right now, Classic Industries, Ecklers and Vannetta Fabrications are the only dealers that stock Fesler flush mount glass. We are currently building our dealer network. If you are interested in becoming a flush mount glass dealer, please give us a call. You must have a storefront and buy at least 10 sets at a time to qualify.
11. Do you offer international shipping?
a. Yes. We can quote your international shipment on a case by case basis. We use specially made pallets and crates that are guaranteed to be pest free for our Aussie buyers. All international glass sales are final.
~Manufacturing Questions
12. Where is it made?
a. All Fesler Flush Mount Glass as well as Pilkington Classics glass is made in North Carolina before the flat pieces are shipped to Mexicali, Mexico for the float process.
13. You claim your glass is made in America but the sticker says ‘Made in Mexico’:
a. Since our glass is formed in Mexicali, Mexico and that was the last facility that touched it, it is labeled Made in Mexico. All of our glass is manufactured in North America and not China.
14. How is it made?
a. All Fesler glass is manufactured using the time honored Float Glass Process invented in 1952 by Sir Alastair Pilkington. Our manufacturing process and materials date back to when Libbey-Owens-Ford (LOF) manufactured most domestic automotive glass. Our glass is manufactured using the same process as OE manufactures did back in the day.
15. Is it plastic?
a. No. Fesler windshields are laminated safety GLASS. Rear windows are tempered GLASS.
16. Why is glass better than plastic?
a. Other than it being illegal? One word F I R E! Plastic windshields are not fire resistant, nor do they react the same way as glass in an emergency. When rescue crews are on the scene, they expect your windows to respond in a certain way when they are performing a rescue. When they don’t, things could get very dangerous. Plus, no matter what someone tells you, plastic fades, scratches and clouds over time. Glass, while not perfect, offers better clarity and longevity over plastic. Plastic windows are often times used in race applications for weight issues. However, as a rule of thumb, what passes on a racetrack doesn’t generally pass on the road. Plastic or Polycarbonate windshields are not DOT approved unless on a motorcycle.
17. What shades or tints do you offer?
a. Fesler only offers our flush mount glass in the original green tint. Not known to most but the green hue is what makes our glass officially recognized by the Skin Cancer Foundation for blocking 99.9% of harmful UVA rays. We do not offer smoked, tinted or clear options.
18. It looks like there is a dark visor tint applied. Is that true?
a. There is a slightly dark variation in the glass as it gets closer to the top of the windshield, however, this is usually only visible before the glass has been installed. Once installed, the glass has a uniformed tint.
19. Is your glass DOT certified?
a. Yes! Fesler is the only flush mount glass manufacturer that is DOT certified. Just because a company has a DOT number, does not mean they are certified to produce automotive glass. Some DOT numbers coincide with other aspects of a company’s business, like marine or motorcycle windshields.
20. Why is being DOT certified so important?
a. Windshields that are not DOT certified do not meet federal safety standards and should not be driven on the road. Basically, if you were to get into a wreck, you want to know your glass (the largest single piece of material, besides the roof, holding you in) is able to handle and protect you the way it should. Having the DOT certification means, we have gone through the necessary testing to ensure our glass is as safe as it can be. Once again, it is illegal. If your glass is not DOT certified, you legally cannot drive it on public roads. Plus, you run the risk of your insurance company dropping you or not covering your claim if you are driving it with ‘offroad use only’ parts.
21. But plastic is 17 times stronger than glass, so isn’t it better.
a. How strong does your glass need to be? If a rescue situation is ever upon you, wouldn’t you want your glass to break so you could be saved? Enough said.
22. What makes Fesler glass better than the competitors?
a. Fesler is the ONLY company that has Flush Mount Glass in active production. Therefore, we have no competitors to compare to. As soon as another company knocks off our stuff, we will update this answer.
b. UPDATE: There are a few retailers out there that claim to make and distribute flush glass. What they are actually offering is a crude attempt at oversizing OE sized glass from China, importing into the US and falsely selling as flush mount. Most of these retailers suggest sanding their glass to fit.
23. Can I buy directly from the manufacturer?
a. Yes! You can buy directly from Fesler. Fesler is the only manufacturer of the flush mount glass. While we have partnered with Pilkington to do the heavy lifting and produce the pieces in their 2,800-degree furnace, they are not selling the glass to the general public, REGARDLESS OF YOUR DEALER STATUS WITH PILKINGTON! You can try to buy from Pilkington but they will refer you directly back to Fesler.
24. When I look at my back glass in certain lights, I see “stripes”. Is this normal or a flaw in the glass.
a. What you are seeing is called a strain pattern also commonly referred to a tempering stripes or quench marks. A strain pattern is a common characteristic of heat-treated, tempered glass.
~Installation Questions
25. Can I install it myself?
a. Not recommended. Since Fesler glass is modeled and installed like late model glass, it is better to have a professional glass shop do the install. They have the tools, adhesive and primer necessary to get a proper fit. Flush glass is not as easy to install as OE glass so it is better to stick w/ a professional.
26. I still want to install it myself, what will I need?
a. A translator to read the above answer. Since we do not recommend doing the install unless you are a professional glass shop, we do not give out that information. If you are a professional glass shop, you already know what is needed.
27. Will I need a seal or trim to cover the gap between the glass and the body?
a. Not unless you prefer one. We suggest using black, weatherproof silicone to fill in the gap if you are looking for a seamless finish. Use a caulking gun to apply the silicone into the gap and then smooth out with a hard edge for an even application. Any silicone that oozes onto the glass or paint is easily cleaned off 24 hours later with a soft rag, Fesler All-N-One Detail Spray and a little elbow grease.
b. If trim is an absolute must for you, we do offer a thin, 16mm matte black “T” molding for an additional $75.
28. What comes with a set of Fesler Flush Mount Glass?
a. You will receive one laminated glass windshield, one tempered glass rear window and a great big giant pallet to turn into a Pinterest project.
29. Do I have to make any modifications to my car to install your glass?
a. In a single word, no. Fesler glass will fit directly in your OE opening without any modifications, however, if you are looking for a “absolute perfect” fit, you will have to include window channel work and possibly roof, fender or quarter panel work into your build to achieve that perfect look.
30. How do I test fit the glass when it arrives?
a. It involves a bit of tape, some 3/8” rigid hose (we use fuel hose), a few metal stops and team lifting. You can read in detail how we recommend test fitting the glass here.
31. I test fit your glass and it does not fit perfect. The gap between the glass and body is different, higher, lower, thinner, thicker from side to side. Why?
a. First, you must understand that few cars can survive for 50-plus years in showroom specification and many will have benefited from well-known modifications to mitigate period flaws or improve reliability. That being said, it is highly unlikely that your car is a “never-been-touched” original.
Back in the day, parts were built solely for manufacturing purposes, this means parts were built for daily use and not for show. These parts were made in very high-volume dies and were designed to be produced at the lowest cost possible. This means that your original body panels probably didn’t line up all that well to begin with and if it were not for the gigantic piece of trim holding your OE windshield in, you probably wouldn’t be too happy with its fit either. Basically, a perfect fit and finish takes hours of labor. Whether it is a door gap, body line or window glass gap, perfection takes time.
32. Can I sand/modify the glass to fit?
a. We would not recommend it.
33. I broke my glass trying to install it. Will you warranty or discount a replacement?
a. Bummer deal dude, but we warned you not to try to install it yourself. Fesler does not warranty any glass that is broken during install. We can send you a replacement and might even kick down a discount if your story is entertaining enough. We recommend giving us a call to discuss.
34. My car is already painted, can I still install your glass?
a. Sure, however, keep in mind that your window channel is currently covered with trim. There is a chance you could scratch your paint when removing the trim or the part of the window channel that will now be visible doesn’t look that great. There is nothing during the actual installation that could cause damage if you are using a professional to do the install.
35. There is a gap at the bottom of my a-pillar near the cowl on my 1st gen Camaro. Is that normal?
a. It is now. Before, that gap was covered by a giant piece of trim. Since we removed that trim, the gap is now visible. Some builders extend that pillar to fill the gap while others are fine with it visible. The choice is up to you.
36. Do I need to remove the OE trim clips and tabs in the window channel?
a. We highly recommend cutting those off. Since they are not needed anymore it is better to remove them (they could end up being an obstacle for the glass).
~Other Questions
37. At what part of my build should I purchase your glass?
a. We recommend getting the glass during the vehicle’s metal and/or paint-body work stage. That way, if you want to make any modifications, you still have a chance to.
38. I purchased glass from you but won’t be installing it for a while. How should I store it?
a. It is best to store the glass exactly like it came; upright and strapped to a pallet.
39. Does the windshield have a built in Antenna?
a. Most of our models have built in antennas in the windshield.
40. Where can I buy an antenna adapter?
a. Fesler sells antenna adapter cables that run from your windshield to your radio for $19.99.
41. The FRIT border on my windshield has dots on it but the back window is just solid black. Is that right?
a. Yes, we followed industry standards and gave the windshields a perforated FRIT band while the back windows received a solid band.
42. There is a scratch in my FRIT border. What should I do?
a. Unless the actual glass is deeply scratched, we recommend just installing the glass as-is. The urethane adhesive used to install the glass will be positioned right behind that FRIT band. Usually the black urethane masks any scratches you may see before install. Don’t believe us? Ask your install to lay some adhesive in that area first and see if you can still see the scratch from the other side.
43. The lower corners of my windshield look chipped. Can I get a new one.
a. Fesler windshields are laminated safety glass which is comprised of copolymer sandwiched between two layers of glass. This allows it to hold together when shattered. What you are seeing is the different layers and that they may have not all lined up perfectly. This does not affect the strength of the glass and is usually not seen after installation. If it is super bothersome, just run a razor blade along the edge to even out the layers.
44. If I get a chip or crack or get in an accident, will I be able to get replacement glass?
a. Fesler has been around for over 24 years and we don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon so we will have glass as long as there is sand to make it from.
45. Will my insurance cover the cost of your windshield?
a. This depends on your insurance. Classic car insurance generally covers the cost to replace most items on your vehicle including the glass. If it is a custom piece, you will probably need to mention that when placing your claim so they don’t assume you have OE glass.
46. Why is your glass so much more expensive than OE glass?
a. Well, a couple of reasons; 1. Unlike OE glass, there is only one mold for Fesler glass. OE glass has been around for over 40, 50, 60 years or more so more and more manufactures have cut molds to start producing the glass. The more competition, the less something costs. 2. It is made in North America, not China or Taiwan (like our competitors) and 3. It is DOT approved. Believe it or not, some of that foreign junk you have been looking at is not DOT approved for use on US roads or highways and most of it is bulk buy blems.
47. Can you send me a paper template of the glass so I can test fit it?
a. Um, no.
48. Is the glass weather proof, even without the trim or butyl?
a. Yes. The glass is held in with a very strong adhesive like what is used in modern late model cars and trucks. The adhesive completely seals the glass against the body.