Repairing a windshield???

[Bubba1235]

Caught a rock the other day and made a fair sized "chip" in the windshield. (About the size of a quarter) I contacted the insurance agent to see about having it replaced and he told me they prefer to "repair" the glass instead of replacing it.

I've never had this done before and I am a bit concerend about the idea of repairing glass. Is it weaker after the repair (compared to new). Is there a chance of the repair coming out? What are the effects of ice/snow? Any thing else to be aware of?

FYI: This is on my truck.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

well, if it's just a rock chip about the size of a quarter, the repair guys like novus are actually quite good. It won't be invisible, but it won't run either. If you know where it is and catch the sun just right you'll still see a little hair outline of the chip.

Basically they pull a vacuum on the chip and introduce a resin (looks and smells like super glue to me) and let the chip/crack suck the resin into it, dry it with a UV light, and scrape off the excess. I probably have 5 or so repairs on one of my cars, some professional, some i've done myself, all have held up through hot summers and cold winters.

 

[Splat]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

The term repair is a bit misleading. It should be called stabilizing. What they do is pull a vacuum on the chip, then fill it level with a uv stabilized epoxy. The chip will always be as visible as it is now, repairing will just help keep it from cracking from either thermal shock, or water getting in there and freezing.

Depending on where the chip is(in your line of vision or not) will more than likely determine if it can or should be repaired rather than replaced. I have one in my windshield I just had repaired, its dead smack center of the drivers side, but low enough it doesn't bother me.

Also, normally your insurance will cover the cost of the repair, however it does count as a no fault claim against you. It probably won't raise your rates but it will be a claim against you. Around here I was quoted anywhere from $45-76 to just pay outright to have a shop repair it. They did it while I waited, took a whopping 20min.

Bill

 

[Splat]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

Lol Philip must type faster than me....

Bill

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

I don't think the claims count against you in any way, it's cheaper for the ins. co. than to let it run and pay a replacement claim.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

Lol Philip must type faster than me....

Bill

.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

I've had several rock chips repaired. Like philip said, they are not invisible, but I never notice them while driving. As far as strength goes, I do not really know if it makes a big difference. The repair companies claim that it is just as strong as glass, but you have to consider the source coming from them. I have never had problems with the repaired area cracking, or any other issues.

You may also want to consider the age of the truck. Windshields get a lot of small scratches and chips on them over time, and a new one looks a lot clearer after it is installed. If the windshield has 100k or more miles on it, it may be worth changing it.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

I've had several rock chips repaired. Like philip said, they are not invisible, but I never notice them while driving. As far as strength goes, I do not really know if it makes a big difference. The repair companies claim that it is just as strong as glass, but you have to consider the source coming from them. I have never had problems with the repaired area cracking, or any other issues.

You may also want to consider the age of the truck. Windshields get a lot of small scratches and chips on them over time, and a new one looks a lot clearer after it is installed. If the windshield has 100k or more miles on it, it may be worth changing it.

A good point, all those little pits really suck when you're driving into the sun and you can't see

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

A repaired windshield is just fine. I have had one that was nearly invisible when done, I currently have one that still looks like a spider crack, but hasn't spread in the 2+ years since it was repaired. I have had several repairs done on more than one windshield and they never broke. I have a glass shop a block from my house and he charges $20 for a small chip, $40 for a big one. (He wouldn't charge me for the one that still looks like a spider, because "that doesn't look good, I can't charge you for that." (Even though he said it was "repaired" and he assured me that it wouldn't spread.)
No need to involve your insurance company at all, for the low cost of repair versus replace.

 

[DJ]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

I've had several repaired.

My insurance company states that they prefer to repair rather than replace, with one exception.

"If the repair is in the line of normal driving sightlines, we will replace".

Apparently, most repairs are quite invisible. However, they have had some complaints about repairs affecting night driving. I suspect light refracts differently through some repairs.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

I've used the repair kit for quite a few chips, works quite well and cheap, takes maybe 10 mins??

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Repairing a windshield???

... However, they have had some complaints about repairs affecting night driving. I suspect light refracts differently through some repairs.

I've never had that issue. Maybe those are repairs of actual cracks, and not chips?