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Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by Shatz on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 10:41 a.m.
Wouldn't you know it. I get in my car the other morning (live in the city, park outside) and here is a lovely circular ding in my windshield, driver's side, eyesite height. Very annoying. Reminds me of a BB shot hole, but much smaller with no visible or palable break on the surface.
I was told that it might be able to be repaired instead of replaced. They use some kind of resin. Any experience with this method, instead of replacing the entire windshield? Is the fix truly invisible and is it durable?
The car is in the shop being repaired from an altercation with a DEA agent's car (his fault), so this is an ideal time to have it repaired. Interesting encounter, by the way. If you ever are involved in a collision with one of these folks, you will find out they carry no real papers on the car. Even the plates are bogus. It was a little unsettling for a while, but everything has turned pretty smooth, given you are having to deal with the US government.
Re: Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by Jim Milam on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 1:00 p.m.
I had this done once on a crack rather than a hole and was not too impressed with the results. It did look a lot better, but it certainly was NOT invisible. I guess it could depend on the skill of the repairman involved, though.
Re: Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by David on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 2:23 p.m.
I own a '90 Isuzu Trooper (the older "box" on wheels model, I have this thing with boxier vehicles!) Anyhow, the windshield is almost vertical and is VERY prone to pitting and damage in general. I've had two windshields -repaired- not replaced and have been very happy with the results. The damage you descibed sounds exactly like mine. It's no good for cracks, but for dings I highly recommend it. Even if you have glass insurance, you never know when severe damage might occur. In my case I had the windshield repaired and within three months I had a fatal crack right in the drivers viewt. If I had replaced the glass for a slight ding and then for a major crack, I'm sure my insurance company wouldn't have been too happy with the $450 (x2) tag. Possible rate hikes...
As far as visibility is concerned, my initial ding was almost dead center and did not obstruct my view. I didn't even notice it (if it were in view I'm sure it would) The resin is injected at a high pressure and is almost seamless as far as seeing the slight cracks. The price I paid was less than $50.
Best of Luck,
David
'90 TrooperII 132k
'99/'00 V70 T-5 (still a _poor_ student)
Re: Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by Jim Ells on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 5:47 p.m.
Ditto on the repair thing. We've used "NOVUS" several times with excellent results on both the Brick and the Kraut Kart. (262C & 280C -Mercedes-Coupe) The fellow drives up to the shop and does the job in about twenty minutes for $40.00 US. Painless and saves time and dollars for when and if the big one comes.
Re: Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by Henry T. Mui on
Tuesday, 24 February 1998, at 4:12 p.m.
If the windshield is cracked than you have no choice but to replace it. I was
informed that certain windshield repair shops rather use the PPG made for volvo car style glass rather than the Volvo Pinkerton (not correct spelling I think.)
Most car insurance companies provide a windshield brakage built into thier policy where you pay such an amount of deductible and they pay the rest! If the
ding on the windshield is too close within the range of the driver's side view than the windshield repair guys would not patch up the ding for me because they
informed me that it may obstruct my view because you can see the repair that's been done to it.
Re: Windshield Repair Instead ?[ALL/1988] posted by Jim Pittman on
Wednesday, 18 February 1998, at 6:04 p.m.
As a former independent fire and casualty insurance agent for over 25 years,
I have had a lot of dealings with auto glass breakage. Obviously, the company
wants you to repair it if possible as doing this will save them a lot of money.
If there is a comprehensive glass deductible($50, $100, or $250) the companies,
have been waiving ie they pay the whole costs of repair if you elect this
route. Frankly after seeing so many replaced windshields leak, I have sought
the repair route first. This a good choice if the crack is clean(no dirt in
it), is not directly in the line of the drivers vision, and a component repairer is used. It has been my experience to see the resin process stop any
further cracking. If the crack was not stopped and the glass splits, the companies have always honored a later replacement. Remember, comprehensive coverage, for all practical purposes can be deemed an "all risks coverage"and
covers against almost any peril.