Here's the deal on "distortion" in new windshields: Occasionally, when new windshields are delivered to glass shops and dealerships, they have a factory defect, which occurs during manufacturing. They just get by quality control because of the huge number of windshields made. They don't have a way to sit down and inspect every single one with scrutiny the way I would if I were about to put one in a Viper, or any other car for that matter. Most of the time, the glass installer will, after cleaning the windshield thoroughly on the bench, hold the windshield up on the table and give it a good looking over for just that....a distortion, a blemish, something that would otherwise mar a nice installation. You can see these things if you know "how to look" across the glass and through it. Rarely, one gets by you, and you just have to remove it and the manufacturer will take it back through the dealer or shop. No biggie, just an inconvenience really. Sometimes a glass installer can notice things even the customer would not, and the windshield is rejected. So, basically, it's the responsibility of the installer to check these things as well as they can before installing the glass. They certainly would rather find something bad BEFORE they install it and have to take it out again. If it makes you feel any better, you can always politely ask if they would give the windshield a good looking over before they install it, and they usually are happy to double check it for you. Pete the ex glass guy with more installs than I ever want to admit to.
