Windshield Star Crack

[Seahawk]

Unfortunately on the Land Cruiser, in the "blue" tinted area near the top of the windshield.

I am willing to replace the glass but am wondering if anyone here has done the repair instead.

There is, of course, volumes of data online but any hands on experience is appreciated.

Best.

[Steve Carlton]

I think the chances are good you'll wind up with a clear spot the size of a dime to a quarter which will stand out like a sore thumb.

[A930Rocket]

I have a 3/8 to 1/2 inch star on the right side of my F150 windshield. I tried one of those self repair kids, but either did it wrong or it just doesn’t work. Since I have a clear UV tint and a dark tint at the top, I didn’t want to pay to get it replaced. Maybe later.

[David]

I'd get it fixed. I've had several windshields fixed over the years by the same woman. She sets up in front of a strip club in Houston and she's been there for probably 25 years. Everyone new assumes she has something to do with the club but as soon as you see and meet her you realize she doesn't. Usually you can't even see the crack when she's done except for a little spot where she grinds into the crack to get the glue to get deep into the crack.

She used to charge to insurance but now she prefers to just get paid outright. I think it's about $40-50. I had her do a really bad one on the 911 last year because I didn't want to replace it but I also didn't want it to get any worse.

One tip from her: only get it fixed on a dry day after noon when any moisture has had time to evaporate from the crack.

[rfuerst911sc]

Call a pro and get an estimate . I think the pros have a way to pull a vacuum which sucks their epoxy into the damaged glass .

[Rtrorkt]

Since there are so many cracked windshields in AZ, my State Farm guy has arranged for a local shop that does most of his work to fill star cracks for free. Have had many done and most are invisible when complete if done right

[Seahawk]

I'll try the non-replacement fix first.

As a former pilot, the star is in my sight line and drives me nuts.

Pro call tomorrow. Thanks, Gents.

[GH85Carrera]

My insurance company paid for the windshield repair on my El Camino. It is not totally invisible, but it was easier and faster than a full windshield replacement. My 911 has two places from two different hits in different states. Both are just minor imperfections. After the next one on the 911, I likely will seek out a new windshield, hopefully not a Chinese one as it is getting a bit sandblasted after many miles on the road.

[masraum]

There are kits that you can get at FLAPS. The kits say that they only work for the round spots, but not the stars. I tried one on a star once and it did a pretty good job, but it wasn't perfect. I recently got a combo spot-star on the boxster. I'll probably use a kit on it.

[JackDidley]

I did a small 3/8'' star on my truck. 90% gone. I wish I had done it when I first saw it. I think it may have done better.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

I did a small 3/8'' star on my truck. 90% gone. I wish I had done it when I first saw it. I think it may have done better.

Scale of 1 to 10 for using the kit.

Remember, I am an idiot so you need to grade on a curve

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Scale of 1 to 10 for using the kit.

Remember, I am an idiot so you need to grade on a curve

Very easy. Just follow directions. Clean it good first. Then inject the filler, cover with tape and wait. When the time is up, remove tape. I used a razor blade for trimming it because I had a high spot. I think that is normal. Its been a couple years but I think that covers it.

[David]

I used a kit and am an extreme DIY’r, I pay a pro

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by David

I used a kit and am an extreme DIY’r, I pay a pro

This, pay a pro. The have the practice and the knowledge to do it right. Preparation is a large part, and the pros I have used have special vacuum pumps and practice practice practice.

[JackDidley]

Local glass place wanted $100. Kit was less than $20;

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Scale of 1 to 10 for using the kit.

Remember, I am an idiot so you need to grade on a curve

Originally Posted by JackDidley

Very easy. Just follow directions. Clean it good first. Then inject the filler, cover with tape and wait. When the time is up, remove tape. I used a razor blade for trimming it because I had a high spot. I think that is normal. Its been a couple years but I think that covers it.

Yep, exactly that. My experience was the same, mostly got rid of the star (just the a couple of the tips left).
THe process was easy, 1-10 with 1 being easy, probably 2-3. You stick a thing to the windshield, insert a syringe, and pull it and let it pop back under vacuum a couple of times. Then you let it sit a bit and dry and then take it of and scrape the top with a razor to scrape off any extra "glue".

[Flatbutt1]

IIRC if the crack is larger than the size of a quarter then the repair may not work / hold. IIRC

[Scott Douglas]

If the star is in the sweep of the wipers your comprehensive insurance may cover having the windshield replaced. Cost would depend on your deductible.
I learned the hard way to always have $0 deductible on comp when I ended up having to replace a windshield in our station wagon once. That $350 would have bought a lot of $0 deductible.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

If the star is in the sweep of the wipers your comprehensive insurance may cover having the windshield replaced. Cost would depend on your deductible.
I learned the hard way to always have $0 deductible on comp when I ended up having to replace a windshield in our station wagon once. That $350 would have bought a lot of $0 deductible.

But whether you want to make an ins claim for a windshield probably depends upon where you live and your insurance. I've heard (here on the board) that there are places where insurance will mostly just replace your windshield and it's no big deal.

Years ago, I called our insurance and they said "it doesnt' work like that here in Texas." But then they said that they'll cover having cracks/stars fixed. So we did that, both of our cars had multiple stars/cracks/spots, so we took them to a place. I think the total was something like 125 for one car and 150 for the other car. We turned in the claim and they paid it. As Paul Harvey would say "and NOW for the rest of the story..."

We then had another claim (I don't remember what) that same year, I think due to one of the kids. The next time our ins was up for renewal, they cancelled us for "3 claims in a 1 year period."

Saving the $275, just wasn't worth the hassle of switching insurance.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I'll try the non-replacement fix first.

As a former pilot, the star is in my sight line and drives me nuts.

Pro call tomorrow. Thanks, Gents.

In bold... In this case I'd just "bite the bullet" and get the screen replaced.