Small stone chip in windshield, DIY?

N

NJSalsaRed

New member
It's a really small chip, like tiny, but it's right in my sight line. I was looking at some repair kits, 3M makes one, Stoner makes one. Has anybody used a kit and had success with it, if so which one? I'm almost tempted to put a small drop of crazy glue in it, just to fill it. I think it's the rough edges in the chip itself that make it visible. It's like the size of a ball point pen tip.

Thanks - Tom
 
Register to hide this ad
NJSalsaRed said:
It's a really small chip, like tiny, but it's right in my sight line. I was looking at some repair kits, 3M makes one, Stoner makes one. Has anybody used a kit and had success with it, if so which one? I'm almost tempted to put a small drop of crazy glue in it, just to fill it. I think it's the rough edges in the chip itself that make it visible. It's like the size of a ball point pen tip.

Thanks - Tom
Click to expand...

check with your insurance co - they might be able to send a professional to do it for free
 
What [MENTION=92800]mdogg[/MENTION] said. All the ins. cos. around here do it for free. Suggest you get it fixed - most windshield chips grow.

I've had two done over the years, and they both were invisible.
 
Have your insurance pay for someone to fix it, but be selective of who does it. So many windshield techs suck, and just don't give a S, and screw up basic jobs, which is ultimately a safety issue.

Find a certified technician, and you will have a much better chance at a proper install.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/repair-or-replace-your-windshield-the-right-way.html

SafeWindshields.org | Dedicated to providing information about proper auto glass replacements.

If the tech doesn't fill the chip correctly, the chip can actually spread into a crack, and then you would need a new windshield. Also, the sooner you get it fixed, the less dirt and stuff will get in the chip, and the more likely you will get a proper repair. I wouldn't wait any longer then a week or two.

I dread the day I get a crack in my windshield and need it replaced, I have seen so many botched jobs, I am beginning to wounder if there is anyone out there that can do it right.
 
Last edited:
I used a kit called Fix-A-Winshield by Rainex on my tacoma. Very happy with the results. The crack was a star shape about a nickle in size. There is a very slight blur where the crack was but if I didn't know better I'd never notice it. I'ts a suction cup with screw down vessel that presses the resin into the crack/chip. Youtube for tips and instruction, pretty cool tool, plus it's cheap!
 
NJSalsaRed said:
It's a really small chip, like tiny, but it's right in my sight line. I was looking at some repair kits, 3M makes one, Stoner makes one. Has anybody used a kit and had success with it, if so which one? I'm almost tempted to put a small drop of crazy glue in it, just to fill it. I think it's the rough edges in the chip itself that make it visible. It's like the size of a ball point pen tip.

Thanks - Tom
Click to expand...

Is it just a dull crusty white dot on the surface of the glass? Or has it actually started to spread with hair line cracks? From what you are describing it sounds like it's a tiny tiny dot that did not breach the 1st layer of the glass right?

I think those are more along the lines of just an eye sore...not sure if a professional repair place or insurance for that matter would consider that as a repair? Surely check with your insurance company first to see how small they are willing to repair, because what [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] said is absolutely correct for a lot of states; my insurance co. told me the same thing after I repaired a chip on my own dime, lol.

If you end up trying to tackle this yourself just get any DIY repair kit with UV hardening glass resin; put a tiny drop in the pit to let it "wet" the crusty looking glass and then pull the truck out and park it under the sun for a few minutes to let it harden. Then scrap it with a flat razor to level the resin bump. If that masks it good enough, then your job is done. If not you could try further polishing this resin dot to make it less visible. The UV resin is almost fool proof so don't be afraid to play with it :)
 
Yes it's a tiny dot which you can see the dull white in. I'll give the uv kit a shot, seems like the best one out there. All it needs to do is fill the dot so the white crust isn't visible anymore.

This is definitely not a job for an insurance company or glass company. It's so small, it's rediculous. On top of that I've got a Toyota employee lease on this truck from a family member who works at corporate. I don't want to put a claim into Toyota for anything that isn't necessary. The corporate lease deal is nothing short of amazing (includes EVERYTHING) and I don't want to jeopardize it in any way.

Thanks for the input guys!
 
Last edited:
Great thread - my 2002 has a couple of really small rock chips in the windshield and it's worth it to me to swing by a certified shop and get them resin'd. Cold temperatures and horrible potholes worry me - if the original windshield has made it this far I want to keep it for as long as possible.

Thanks again for the info!
 
Being in the line of sight might keep them from getting a repair done.


Before I sold my 2006, I had a chip about 4" below the rearview mirror. Took it into several places, they would not do it, as they said the repair could create a glare/prism in the drivers eye.
 
I have done it before on my 2002.

If its the size of a ball point pen tip, piece of cake. What I did on my repair was follow the directions and then before it had totally hardened I scraped across it with a brand new box cutter blade to get it totally even with the windshield.

Just go into it knowing that if its in your line of sight it will never be optically correct and may drive you nuts like Chinese Water Torture. Mine was at the base of the windshield so not an issue, I just wanted to keep it from spreading (freeze/thaw here in Colorado can turn a little star chip into a full crack across a windshield in days under the right (wrong) circumstances.... I've seen it happen.
 
Colorado here. Lots of chips.

If the temperature swings, a chip can turn into a long crack.

Just get someone to fix it ASAP.
 
Blitzkrieg said:
I have done it before on my 2002.

If its the size of a ball point pen tip, piece of cake. What I did on my repair was follow the directions and then before it had totally hardened I scraped across it with a brand new box cutter blade to get it totally even with the windshield.

Just go into it knowing that if its in your line of sight it will never be optically correct and may drive you nuts like Chinese Water Torture. Mine was at the base of the windshield so not an issue, I just wanted to keep it from spreading (freeze/thaw here in Colorado can turn a little star chip into a full crack across a windshield in days under the right (wrong) circumstances.... I've seen it happen.
Click to expand...

I have one on the passenger side of my windshield and it's bugging the shit out of me.

Where can I get one of these repair kits?
 
Awesome. I'll give that a try. I have a chip about the size of a pencil tip that's just bugging the shit out of me. I may give this a try.

Did you find that the straight edge razor was needed to even it out?
 
Many have suggested to have the insurance company fix it. This is what I have found out after talking to my insurance agent but we are here in the Washington DC/Baltimore area and things may be different.

My Insurance agent said I did the right thing by repairing it on my own dime. Yes it is fully covered but just like most types of insurance, the more, little reports you have the more scrutinizing other insurance companies will be if you switch. Or, worse yet your own insurance company will not offer to cover you the next renewal or make the price so high you go somewhere else.

Getting a windshield replaced on my 2004 4Runner cost me about $275.00 which was just $25.00 more than my deductible so that was kind of a no-brainer to do it on my own. I bet the insurance company even gets the glass installer to discount them the $25.00 difference so I was paying the full cost anyway.

However, I asked about the cost of a new 2015 4Runner windshield and the price went up to over $700.00 due to the windshield-wiper heater strip on the bottom of the windshield. If it gets to that I will have to submit that one to insurance.

I asked the dealer where they get their windshields repaired and they mentioned a shop across the street from them. for $85.00 a pop I have had 2 repairs but I paid for it myself. They did a good job too on the repairs.

It takes a reputable shop about 5 minutes to do the little chip repairs. Depending on your market area it should cost close to or less than the $85.00 I paid.

If it were me I would not go through insurance and I would find a reputable shop to do it. That way, the repair should be covered by the shop and you won't have to deal with the potential mess of dealing with the bonding agent and associated goop to do the repair yourself.

Good luck on the repair. Let us know which way you decided.
 
Depends where you live.

In CO you just buy windshield repair and replacement service on top of your policy.

I fix 2-3 chips a year and am on my third windshield in as many years.
 
I only charge $50 for one and $10 for each one up to 3 then I'll fix all for $70 plus tax where are you
 
Last edited:
19553f49f6e520c2fd5372ea87e14103.jpg
I'm in twin falls for the next month or so
 
Get a pro

When it comes to chips and cracks, I'd rather leave glass matters with the experts. Here in Colorado Springs, Tim at A chick and a windshield A Chick And A Windshield – Your Local Windshield Experts is my regular windshield guy because he can fix anything, no matter how damaged my windshield becomes. He ensures that I never have to replace my windshield; I've had a few stars from driving behind gravel trucks, but they never spread to cover the entire windshield, and once repaired, they are barely evident. Excellent service each time!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 346 (members: 1, guests: 345)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,307
Messages
3,554,050
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top