I recently got a tiny chip knocked out of my windshield. I don't want the weakness to become a star and then eventually find it necessary to replace the whole thing.

Can anyone with experience suggest what alternatives I have?

Thanks

 

I had a little "ding" on mine as well......thanks to a passing 18 wheeler.......My Lexus dealer did his "thing"...some kind of heat appliance......That was about 5 months ago...so far, no 'spreading'......cost $50.

 

This happened to me on a 2000 bimmer - 3 weeks after buying, 2 large rocks hit my car - 1st rock took a nice chip out of the hood & 2nd rock chipped my windshield

Anyway, my insurance company has a policy to fix rock chips free of charge (makes sense for them to take car of a small problem before it turns into a bigger, and more costly, problem). They sent a windshield repair van to my work parking lot - took about a half hour for them to finish the job. Basically the chip is filled in w/ some type of "liquid glass/resin/epoxy", then polished. End result is very, very good - almost imperceptable - from the inside, if I looked very hard, the filled chip looked like a tiny, clear bug smear. If I didn't know it was there I probably wouldn't have ever noticed. I had the car for another year & a half and had no problems with the fix.

Ask your ins company if they will cover the repair for free. Even if they don't it shouldn't cost much to fix ($30 - $50).

 

I had the same thing happen to my LX. If the chip is less than in inch in diameter, any window shop should be able to fix it in less than 30 minutes. I had a local shop repair mine for $10 each (no need for insurance to get involved.) I actually purchased the unlimited repair card because I had 3 chips and the lifetime repair costed $35 dollars.

 

Ok, I havent done this myself nor do I endorse it...

However, if you are driving down a highway and see a truck without mudflaps jot don his info and plates. Call this place up saying a rock broke your windshield. It is in fact illegal for a truck not to have mudflaps of a certain length.

My friend did this, they guy said it has happened so many times he doesnt even bother going through insurance anymore. and matched an estimate he recieved to replace the winshield. I am not that sleezy, but I have gotten wacked pretty hard from trucks or buses were they dont belong on highways so I dont really feel sorry for them? Why are tow trucks always going mach-1 down the left lane of the highway?

 

>Why are tow trucks always going mach-1 down the left lane of the highway?<

Because they're driven by SC430 wannabe owners?

Thanks for sharing all your experiences, folks. Forearmed is forewarned - if a disreputable repair shop quotes $125, then I'll know what to say.

 

OK guys, I know there's not a lot of "hands on" folks here, but if you want to attempt a DIY, it's very easy.

In most auto stores, they sell "windsheld repair kits". They consist of a syrings type device, various rubber seals and a clear epoxy substance.

The syringe is filled with the epoxy and a special rubber band attaches to it. The syringe is then placed over the pock mark on the glass and held in place with the self sticking seal. The rubber band gradually pushes in the syringe and forces the clear epoxy into the hole in the pock mark. You have to leave it in place for several hours. When finished, you remove the syringe device and the seal, and all you have left on the glass is a very tiny pin head sized dot. The expoy also prevents the pock mark from "walking" (spreading cracks).

The kits go for about $10.

 

Larry my advice was much better and not only that, but it also can work for paint jobs, broken headlightss, dented license plates and all for the low low price im giving it to you at. You will all thank me one day........lmao

 

Yes Lex, your advice was much, much better. Too bad it would take a few months to do it your way. And of course we all know how easy it is to track down beat up trucks, call the company they are registered to and then get someone on the phone that speaks with an accent we can hardly understand.

Gee, do you have any other great advice fo us ?

(hey ! I'm glad I'm back to being my old sarcastic self again. I was getting too nice there for a bit)

BTW, if you call your insurance company to report an incident like this, the first thing they ask is if "you can identify the truck that caused the damage". Maybe you have something there afterall.

And Ed....doesn't "forewarned" come BEFORE "forearmed" ???

What's the Leaf report ?

 

>And Ed....doesn't "forewarned" come BEFORE "forearmed" ???<

Yes it does, Larry ... I was typing backwards.

 

NONONO Larry. You arent listening.......lol I said find a truck with madflaps and call that shop after you get their name off the side of the truck. My friend that did it got a check within a week. It must happen all the time because the guy wasnt even going through his insurance anymore. Sure you can buy that sealent kit, but a whole new windshield now we're talking lol.

And a little more advice as requested. Put a full tank of Super in the Hyndaui when selling it, as it quickly doubles the value.

 

Oh Lex, so you were promoting fraud. Now I understand.

It's the Daewoo I'm trying to unload, the Hyundai is brand new and I love it ! In fact, I just ordered a set of Eibach springs this morning for it.

By the way.............what're "madflaps" ? Will they fit on my Hyundai ??