2004 OEM Windshield Question

[MM75038]

Hello! I am getting my windshield replaced...I requested OEM glass...did the original windshield on the 2004 have the blue tint band across the top or not? My current windshield is a replacement (Ford Carlite glass) that does NOT have the blue tint band across the top but I can't recall if the factory installed glass had it or not...

[03Merc]

No blue tint, it's ugly anyways. Original glass will have Ford logo in the bottom center.


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[MM75038]

Replaced the windshield with after market glass w/o blue tint. OEM glass available had tint...that's for Grand Marquis and Crown Vic...

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Yes, it has the blue tint and dot matrix at the top.
My replacement is PPG DW506.


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[88LTDCV351]

I thought ours was dot matrix or something like that. I've had my windshield replaced a few times over the years but always went with Carlite. You usually have to ask for it otherwise they will give you their home brand or preferred generic brand or whatever. Can't remember what the original looked like.

[fastblackmerc]

04's have the dot matrix in place of the tint.

[offroadkarter]

IIRC when I bought two Ford OE logo Carlite windshields back in 2017, the dot matrix windshield was no longer available, only the solar tint which came on the 03's. Not sure if anything changed but my 04 now has the 03 style glass in it because thats all I could get that wasn't coming in from China.

[03Merc]

The other glass believe it or not is made in USA and has a Chinese name. Strange...


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[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Mine has both dot matrix and tint.
Earlier post shows PPG item #


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[Merc-O-matic]

Dot Matrix is crap.
Traditional blue tint is way
better!

[gdmjoe]

Merc-O-matic - Dot Matrix is crap. ...
The black band and spots on the windshield are called the frit. The frit is a black enamel band that is baked into the edges of the windshield glass, this is how the glass is bonded to the frame of the vehicle. When your windshield needs to be replaced or repaired, the frit is used as a bonding point between glass and frame. The frit not only seals the union, but it also has the advantage of providing a polished appearance as it conceals the adhesive.

The frit has a dual function. The inward facing side of the frit allows adhesive to bond to the windshield, while the outward facing portion serves as a UV radiation shield. This protection prevents long-term damage from continuous exposure to direct sunlight, which can damage or weaken the adhesion over time. The frit also provides some heat dissipation as the dots do provide minor sun shade.
.

[Merc-O-matic]

Frit is meaningless...
Sun shines through
the windshield where
you need shade the
most! Dot Matrix
is there for one reason only
to save Ford money!
Cheaper windshield ��

Gotta love it!