2008 Gallardo Superleggera rear side window replacement

The rear side windows of the 2008 Gallardo Superleggera

are made from polycarbonate rather than glass. A little bit

of weight savings... plus a cool sound when you knock the

window with your knuckle... but not so good when it does

come to longevity: if the top protective layer ever starts to

delaminate, then virtually nothing can stop it; the damage

simply keeps on growing over time, regardless of whether

you drive in the rain or just maintain a garage queen.

 

Often the initial damage comes in the form of a tiny rock

chip. While trying to clear bra the polycarbonate windows

can help minimize such damage, it doesn't help with large

debris, and it introduces the risk of damage to to top layer

when the time for clear bra replacement comes.

 

My left rear side window started to show this damage a few

years ago. Eventually it grew into two large spots; the total

size was about half a credit card. I pondered clear bra, then

vinyl. I pondered trying to re-coat it, either with clear coat,

or hard-to-come-by Lexan repair chemicals. And I pondered

getting the windows replaced, of course.

 

Fast forward to August this year, and a 3,000 mile road trip.

Yup, right rear side window -- same thing: the disheartening

sound of a rock chip impact... and, two days later, damage

that had grown to the size of a finger nail.

 

Alright... it was time to tackle this. No more procrastination.

 

I got both rear side windows replaced while the car was at

the shop for its 90k service anyway.

 

I went with the standard glass windows, not polycarbonate.

 

Why? A couple of reasons. First and foremost, I simply don't

want to deal with this problem ever again. Second, it's much

less tricky to successfully glue in glass, at least based on my

experience a few years ago, when my engine cover window

got replaced due to the same basic problem (de-lamination):

back then it took a second round of glueing. And third, cost.

While glass windows are hundreds of USD a piece, the poly

versions are ~10x that -- you can get an idea by looking at

the various price lists on-line.

 

Since I was extra anxious about this repair job, I watched it

in person. As a result I have a ton of pictures. A few of them

are attached; if you find yourself in need of more (because

you face this same repair), then drop me a line.

 

Last but not least, so far I am very happy with the repair job.

 

The work was contracted out from LGLC to George from San

Jose -- he is knowledgeable, meticulous, detail-oriented, and

professional... and he charges a reasonable price.

 

So thumbs up from me -- CA rainy season, here I come! :-)

Good information and, almost more striking, 90K miles?! Wow!

Thanks for the great info and post. Hubby has a SL and this is useful info for him.