Fixing cracks in windshield yourself?

[smkied]

I tried searching around whether this was posted in the forums before but I couldn't find anything, so I hope it hasn't

I was wondering, you know how they have those little tent stands in the parking lot and they fix your cracks in the windshield for like $20.00 or whatever. How hard is it do just do that yourself? Can you buy the equipment at the local store like Canadian Tire or something? Lately it's been raining a lot and it seems those stands aren't really up, and I've already got a small crack in my new 5th get LTD, so I want to fix it as soon as possible before it starts spreading.

Having my own kit at home would be ideal, since I'm always on the highway just about every weekend so it would make it really easy to keep up with taking care of those crazy things!

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[Antman]

Most Auto parts stores sell the kits- but, check with your insurance first. Alot of agencies will repair the chip for free- saves them from a new windshield down the road...

 

[smkied]

Oh I declined glass insurance (ie. glass damage not caused by an accident) so definitely they wouldn't be covering this.

Are those kits effective? I assume if used properly they're good?

 

[Antman]

I used one about 20(!) years ago when they first
came out and it did the job and lasted. I'm sure they have improved over time as well..

 

[darkandshiny]

I own a chain of auto glass stores and I can say with some authority that the do-it-yourself kits are certainly adequate - but not the best choice. The best way to get your windshield repaired is to go to a professional shop (I'm not a big fan of the tents in parking lots operations). The cash price should be somewhere in the 20-30 dollar range and additional chips progressively less. I wouldn't pay more than 40 bucks total. Full coverage insurance should be no cost to the customer.

Find a technician that has done thousands of rock chip repairs. Each chip is a little different and if you don't know what you are doing you could ruin the windshield e.g cause a crack to run down or across your whole windshield.

Repairing rock chips as soon as they happen is the best way to prevent windshield replacement. A 2010 4runner windshield currently costs more than $500 bucks.

 

[hiker_jon]

Hi,
Last month on a trip I got a 3 inch crack in the top left corner of my windshield from a rock on the freeway.
I got a repair kit at Walmart, but did the repair in a hurry and couldn't get the resin all the way into the crack. So some of it still shows. Is it possible to redo the repair? Or is it smarter to just let it be. Is there a solvent that will dissolve the hardened resin?

Jon

I own a chain of auto glass stores and I can say with some authority that the do-it-yourself kits are certainly adequate - but not the best choice. The best way to get your windshield repaired is to go to a professional shop (I'm not a big fan of the tents in parking lots operations). The cash price should be somewhere in the 20-30 dollar range and additional chips progressively less. I wouldn't pay more than 40 bucks total. Full coverage insurance should be no cost to the customer.

Find a technician that has done thousands of rock chip repairs. Each chip is a little different and if you don't know what you are doing you could ruin the windshield e.g cause a crack to run down or across your whole windshield.

Repairing rock chips as soon as they happen is the best way to prevent windshield replacement. A 2010 4runner windshield currently costs more than $500 bucks.

 

[darkandshiny]

Hi,
Last month on a trip I got a 3 inch crack in the top left corner of my windshield from a rock on the freeway. 
I got a repair kit at Walmart, but did the repair in a hurry and couldn't get the resin all the way into the crack. So some of it still shows. Is it possible to redo the repair? Or is it smarter to just let it be. Is there a solvent that will dissolve the hardened resin?

Sorry for the delayed response. I've been out of town.

Anyway It looks like you've got your crack to the point where it won't run or spread further. There are lots of other tricks to fill in the rest of the crack, but most of them involve drilling a small hole exactly on the point where the crack ends and filling resin from that end. Obviously that would be a task for a pro as specialized equipment is required. The good news is that I think it is unlikely that the crack will spread. I'd leave well enough alone.

DS