Home and Auto Windshield repair

**DaFace** · 03-21-2009, 03:45 PM

We took a rock to the windshield of our car on the highway today, which resulted in a small chip (maybe dime sized or so). Anybody ever used a do-it-yourself repair kit? Is it worth it? And anybody have an idea of what the pros charge to repair something like that?

ChiefsOne · 03-21-2009, 03:47 PM

The pros here charge $25-45 for repairs and it works really well. I haven't tried the do-it-yourself approach, but as anything else that's what the specialists are for.

**Bowser** · 03-21-2009, 03:47 PM

Antifreeze.

Now that that is out of the way, the local oil change place offers to fix windshield chips. I've never had it done, but I'd assume that the process isn't too hard or time consuming. Dime sized may be about the cutoff in size between a DIY and a trip to a glass shop.

**DaFace** · 03-21-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Antifreeze.

Now that that is out of the way, the local oil change place offers to fix windshield chips. I've never had it done, but I'd assume that the process isn't too hard or time consuming. Dime sized may be about the cutoff in size between a DIY and a trip to a glass shop.

I'm kind of leaning toward letting the pros take care of it as long as the price isn't too crazy. It's small, but it has a small crack coming out of the side, and from what I can tell from reading online the DIY kits are meant for chips without a crack. Everyplace is closed today, though, so I can't get a quote for the pros until Monday.

**chiefforlife** · 03-21-2009, 03:50 PM

Yeah, the last one I had done for a customer was 30.00. I wouldnt try it yourself, if you mess it up it could cost a lot more than 30.00.

stevieray · 03-21-2009, 03:52 PM

colorado is brutal on windshields.

MagicHef · 03-21-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm kind of leaning toward letting the pros take care of it as long as the price isn't too crazy. It's small, but it has a small crack coming out of the side, and from what I can tell from reading online the DIY kits are meant for chips without a crack. Everyplace is closed today, though, so I can't get a quote for the pros until Monday.

Check with your insurance company. I got a chip in my windshield fixed, didn't have to pay a thing.

PastorMikH · 03-21-2009, 03:55 PM

I did once while traveling in KS. It did hold. But when I got a chip in my Titan's windshield I went to the pros. My insurance pays for chip repair with no deductible. When I had it in the shop I told them about the van and they were really surprised that it held. They said the majority of the repairs with the do it yourself kits don't work.

For $35-$50 it isn't worth trying to fix yourself - especially when most shops have lifetime warranties on their work.

PastorMikH · 03-21-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm kind of leaning toward letting the pros take care of it as long as the price isn't too crazy. It's small, but it has a small crack coming out of the side, and from what I can tell from reading online the DIY kits are meant for chips without a crack. Everyplace is closed today, though, so I can't get a quote for the pros until Monday.

Can you put the car in the garage and leave it?

If not, don't run defrosters - the temp changes on the inside vs outside can make cracks grow fast. Try to keep both sides of the glass the same temp if possible. Also, make sure you keep it dry - one guy that came and fixed one of my windshields several years back recommended clear tape over the spot.

ChiefsOne · 03-21-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm kind of leaning toward letting the pros take care of it as long as the price isn't too crazy. It's small, but it has a small crack coming out of the side, and from what I can tell from reading online the DIY kits are meant for chips without a crack. Everyplace is closed today, though, so I can't get a quote for the pros until Monday.

Depending on the crack, I don't think they can fix those.

**DaFace** · 03-21-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Check with your insurance company. I got a chip in my windshield fixed, didn't have to pay a thing.

Yeah, I'm hoping that's the case. I've e-mailed my agent, so we'll see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

I did once while traveling in KS. It did hold. But when I got a chip in my Titan's windshield I went to the pros. My insurance pays for chip repair with no deductible. When I had it in the shop I told them about the van and they were really surprised that it held. They said the majority of the repairs with the do it yourself kits don't work.

For $35-$50 it isn't worth trying to fix yourself - especially when most shops have lifetime warranties on their work.

Agreed. The first place I found online to do an "instant quote" gave me $130 to do it. I have no idea why it was that high, but I found another that gave me $50 instead. Based on the guesstimates you guys have said, I think the pros are the way to go. Hopefully insurance will cover it for free, but if not, $50 is doable.

**DaFace** · 03-21-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsOne

Depending on the crack, I don't think they can fix those.

The quote I just got was for a "star break", so I think they can do it.

PastorMikH · 03-21-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsOne

Depending on the crack, I don't think they can fix those.

As long as the crack isn't too long they can. I think most places it's something like 6" though the one in town boasts they can fix cracks up to something like 24" long.

**DaFace** · 03-21-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

As long as the crack isn't too long they can. I think most places it's something like 6" though the one in town boasts they can fix cracks up to something like 24" long.

The crack itself on mine is probably about a quarter inch long, so I'm not too worried about it. I just want to make sure I get it repaired before it spreads.

MagicHef · 03-21-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

As long as the crack isn't too long they can. I think most places it's something like 6" though the one in town boasts they can fix cracks up to something like 24" long.

I think the rule of thumb is if a dollar bill can cover it, they can fix it.

03-21-2009, 03:45 PM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $-1883101	Windshield repair We took a rock to the windshield of our car on the highway today, which resulted in a small chip (maybe dime sized or so). Anybody ever used a do-it-yourself repair kit? Is it worth it? And anybody have an idea of what the pros charge to repair something like that?
Posts: 53,154

03-21-2009, 03:47 PM	#2
ChiefsOne Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $5058192	The pros here charge $25-45 for repairs and it works really well. I haven't tried the do-it-yourself approach, but as anything else that's what the specialists are for.
Posts: 2,284

03-21-2009, 03:47 PM	#3
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-208384	Antifreeze. Now that that is out of the way, the local oil change place offers to fix windshield chips. I've never had it done, but I'd assume that the process isn't too hard or time consuming. Dime sized may be about the cutoff in size between a DIY and a trip to a glass shop.
Posts: 106,880

03-21-2009, 03:50 PM	#5
chiefforlife Colorado Chief Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $5493147	Yeah, the last one I had done for a customer was 30.00. I wouldnt try it yourself, if you mess it up it could cost a lot more than 30.00.
Posts: 5,717

03-21-2009, 03:52 PM	#6
stevieray Most things I worry about… Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $-1324727	colorado is brutal on windshields.
Posts: 74,125

03-21-2009, 03:55 PM	#8
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9905087	I did once while traveling in KS. It did hold. But when I got a chip in my Titan's windshield I went to the pros. My insurance pays for chip repair with no deductible. When I had it in the shop I told them about the van and they were really surprised that it held. They said the majority of the repairs with the do it yourself kits don't work. For $35-$50 it isn't worth trying to fix yourself - especially when most shops have lifetime warranties on their work. __________________
Posts: 20,454