TheSamba.com :: View topic - Chinese Fuyao vs Mexican Vitro Windshields

Wed Aug 15, 2018 4:45 pm

After struggling with and ultimately breaking a Mexican-made Vitro windshield, I tried a Fuyao windshield. I ordered it through Greg Hark in the Samba classifieds, and picked it up in Tampa. Ordering and pickup was very straightforward. The Vitro glass was notably taller, and much tighter in the upper corners. The Fuyao glass had an even 3/16" gap on the sides, and did not touch the upper retainer lip when I test-fit it into the opening without the seal. The Vitro glass overlapped the upper seal retainer by 1/16" when test-fit. I ground the Vitro glass down considerably on the upper edge and the upper corners, but was not able to get it to seat properly. The bottom edge popped out when pressure was removed, and I eventually cracked the glass when attempting to force it in.

By contrast, no trimming was required on the Fuyao window. I discarded the wooden handles from two plungers (plumber's helpers) and substituted a 4' length of pvc conduit on each of them. I braced them against the garage door and used them to place up-and-in pressure on the bottom of the glass, and roped in the seal top first, working my way around both sides to the bottom. A small amount of dishwashing soap was the only lubricant.

Working slowly and alone, I was done in 30 minutes. I highly recommend the Fuyao glass and a soft new seal from West Coast Metric.

Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:03 pm

Interesting! I was told by my glass guy that every batch can have tolerance issues, so when you get a good one, note the batch numbers!! Can you please post yours? My dud is below…

My FYG (Fuyao) glass was about a half inch too far out on each lower corner, and a half inch too "inside" on the upper inner lip.. The professional couldn't get it in, then he had me press both corners simultaneously while he did some magic with two ropes at a time. I couldn't believe he got it in without cracking it! The glass doesn't sit correctly in the chassis, and there's a cosmetic gap between the excellent WCM outside seal/paint, but it's watertight on the inside until I can get the cash for a new one.

Robbie

Do Not Buy.

Wed Aug 15, 2018 6:14 pm

Go buy a lotto ticket, you must have gotten the only good one they ever made, I too have had edge curve issues with those, and on other make and model cars as well, YMMV.

Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:00 pm

My FU glass fit perfectly. Used the best CIP german seal that was available. Installed in under 10 minutes after proper rope placement, lots of lube and careful alignment/placement in the window frame. Total time 30 min.

Helps too that the bus has never had a front end hit or any rust repair to the window channel.. 6 years and counting. No leaks.

Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:10 pm

pittwagen wrote: My FU glass fit perfectly. Used the best CIP german seal that was available. Installed in under 10 minutes after proper rope placement, lots of lube and careful alignment/placement in the window frame. Total time 30 min.

Helps too that the bus has never had a front end hit or any rust repair to the window channel.. 6 years and counting. No leaks.

Post your mold numbers if you get a chance please!
Robbie

Wed Aug 15, 2018 9:22 pm

I know many of you prefer to DIY everything possible, but for windshields please consider hiring a pro. If the window breaks as they are installing it you get a free windshield.

Wed Aug 15, 2018 10:20 pm

Can't speak for anything but what I worked out... not sure if this helps the discussion or not. The windshield I got was perfect and easily installed:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8573470#8573470

Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:23 am

My glass numbers look the same as others that have had difficulty. Maybe the variation is in the opening, and not the glass? I'm not sure, but two members so far say they have no trouble with the Fuyao product. The member I bought the glass from, Greg Hark, claims he installs several of them per week. All I know is it was way better than the Vitro product.

As for DIY vs professional, that's an individual decision. I did break one windshield, but that's one out of five that I've attempted. So I think I'm still in the black on total return. My point in this post isn't to recommend the DIY approach, but to mention my experience with a specific product that was key to my DIY success. To each their own.
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Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:30 am

My glass fits well, I'll post info later today when I go out to my car.

Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:31 am

I need a windshield for my '73. The original had a couple cracks and was badly hazing along the edges so I bought one frmo someone parting a bus.

And cracked it upon install. I think I nicked an edge of the glass cutting it out of the old bus, and then hit that nick while using a rubber mallet to seat the glass.

I've read these threads on the "crappy" new windshields and they make me nervous, so I haven't done anything with it yet.

I also recently got a small crack along the top of my '78's windshield. That makes me sad because there are 10 years worth of State Park passes on the corner that I"d like to preserve, but that would be basically impossible.

Thu Aug 16, 2018 6:42 am

All you need is one teensy nick and the rest of the thing will break. Ask me how I know. :oops:

Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:35 pm

I just put my Fuyao windshield in my 1969 Westy. It was my second attempt. The first night was a bear, it kept popping out at the corners and side to side. I ran out of patience and called it for the night.
The next morning I researched The Samba and found this thread. Two things I discovered and did differently.
1) measure and mark the center of the windshield and the frame on the top and bottom. (Thanks Pittwagen!)
2) When you put the glass into the frame, set it over the bottom lip and then push it in starting at the middle top. With a little soapy water (I used palmolive - just to keep my hands nice and soft) you should be able to push it into the frame, and then start the "roping in" process from the top and do a little bit side to side. (Thanks GhiaNut)
Worked like a charm and had it in in less than 30 minutes! Fits and looks great.[/i][/b]