Windshield has chip- options?
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: FL
Windshield has chip- options?
I’m buying a used 2015 RX 350 and the windshield has a chip. Not enough of safety hazard to have dealer fix it but they gave me a few hundred off. Where should I get this fixed? At dealer? Safelite? Auto body shop? Repair or replace? Clueless here, thanks.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
May not be news to you that the dealer does not perform the repair. They sub it out. They most likely will call mobile repair to come out to the vehicle either on their lot or at a point of your choosing.Advantage is that dealer is expected to stay in business , but the repair sub may not.
I would opt for the repair as I think the quality of glass and workmanship from factory is better and driving around the streets and roads [atleast here in Cetral Texas], the probability is fairly high to get another chip.
Get the repair done sooner that later.
Salim
I would opt for the repair as I think the quality of glass and workmanship from factory is better and driving around the streets and roads [atleast here in Cetral Texas], the probability is fairly high to get another chip.
Get the repair done sooner that later.
Salim
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: FL
So you are saying take it to the dealer even though they will be acting as the middleman to the place that I could go to on my own, because the quality of the repair will be better? I've honestly never dealt with this before so I just don't know.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
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From: Austin, TX
Salim
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Rookie
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Sofia
I have 2 chips "repaired", just to prevent them to continue expanding.
One of which was fixed 1 hour after I got it, so it is pretty much impossible to see, after the fix.
The other one was during the winter, so water went inside the crack, so the fix is visible.
Overall those fix work only if you fix them right after the chip is made, and need the glass to be clean.
The whole process is simple, they just put some liquid glue under pressure in the crack.
One of which was fixed 1 hour after I got it, so it is pretty much impossible to see, after the fix.
The other one was during the winter, so water went inside the crack, so the fix is visible.
Overall those fix work only if you fix them right after the chip is made, and need the glass to be clean.
The whole process is simple, they just put some liquid glue under pressure in the crack.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
Replacement: They remove ... usually by sawing through the rubber seal. Replacement requires new seal and is essentially glued in place. There are plenty of threads about aftermarket, OEM equivalent and OEM glass.
Repair: As long as the crack is small and many times it is a chip at the outside and crank between layer [glass is 2 layers with a transparent medium sandwiched in the middle]. The shop uses a spike or a drill to make an access hole through the outside glass. Then they use evacuation pump to create low pressure down the hole and then release the glue/epoxy through the gadget, which is sucked in due to vacuum.
Salim
Repair: As long as the crack is small and many times it is a chip at the outside and crank between layer [glass is 2 layers with a transparent medium sandwiched in the middle]. The shop uses a spike or a drill to make an access hole through the outside glass. Then they use evacuation pump to create low pressure down the hole and then release the glue/epoxy through the gadget, which is sucked in due to vacuum.
Salim
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 603
From: NC
Check with your insurance company before your repair guy shows up. Most glass chip repairs are covered under your Comprehensive insurance. I have been covered by different insurance companies at various times during the past twenty years and I have never had to pay out-of-pocket for a mobile glass repair company (Safelite) coming to me to perform a glass chip repair.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: FL
Check with your insurance company before your repair guy shows up. Most glass chip repairs are covered under your Comprehensive insurance. I have been covered by different insurance companies at various times during the past twenty years and I have never had to pay out-of-pocket for a mobile glass repair company (Safelite) coming to me to perform a glass chip repair.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NH
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
From: FL
I am hoping Safelite is okay for this chip. The only thing I'm worried about is the tint. Am I going to have a clear spot now?
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 603
From: NC
As others have stated, the quality of the repair depends upon several factors including the skill of the repair tech, the age and condition of the chip, and how clean / moisture-free the chip can be made before it is filled with resin. I have chip repairs that are invisible, and I have chip repairs that can still be seen. None of them are spreading into cracks and I would much rather live with a chip repair that is visible than run the risk of replacing the factory windshield.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
If you believe in ratings, that can be a good guide for shops in your area.
Salim