Windshield repair - snake oil?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Has anyone on here actually used one of those windshield repair places with good success? I just had the unpleasant experience of having a second windshield get busted on my Mercedes (second one in two months due to rocks getting kicked up). I can either replace it for $350 or try "repair" for about $100. I've always thought those "repair" places were kind of scams but if anyone has a testimonial here where they did it and got good or "like new" results, please let me know before I go eat another $400 windshield.

Thanks.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I just had the unpleasant experience of having a second windshield get busted on my Mercedes (second one in two months due to rocks getting kicked up).

Although I haven't had to have any repairs done...I just wanted to comments we feel your pain about two windshields. My wife just had to have the windshield in her FJ Cruiser replaces. Fo rthe second time in two weeks. Rock busted it exactly a week after it was replaced...to the 1/2 hour....

They did try to do a repair, but coulnd't since the break was right at the seal.

[Mule]

It does work but it's not perfect. They drill a hole to the plastic or glue, whatever it is, between the glass plates, vacuum the air out & inject some "goo." The goo hardens & the polish it smooth. Almost perfect but not quite.

[aigel]

I have had it done. It is a band aid. It may help to prevent a crack from forming out of a small chip. The service was much less though - $50 or so. It worked well on windshields that had no crack started.

The problem with windshield chipping is the fact that we have trucks with third world wheel enclosures riding on roads that are falling apart. There should be better laws regarding enclosing the wheels on trucks. The mud flaps aren't cutting it. Look how it is done on European trucks.

George

[Steve Carlton]

Sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't. Some places won't charge you if you're not happy with the result. You only want to do it if the crack isn't in your line of sight. If there's a big chip, it'll never look perfect. Also, your insurance company will usually pay for repairs with no deductible. If it will work, it's the environmentally friendly thing to do.

A lot of times cracks or chips right after replacements are due to second rate windshields.

[dhoward]

I've had good success, as long as a crack hasn't started.

[Joeaksa]

Have tried it twice and neither were good repairs. My insurance replaces windshields for free as AZ is covered without risk due to all the rocks being thrown up around here.

[Oh Haha]

I've had the repairs done to a few of our vehicles, including the 911. I had a new ws installed shortly after the purchase and within 2 months I had a rock hit it. Called the local shop we use for our fleet trucks and they came to the house and filled it. Only noticeable if you really look. I think it was $50. The tech even laid towels across the hood and top so he wouldn't scratch the paint.

[Tobra]

You can get a similar effect with super glue and a razor blade.

I have two rock dings that have not spread in about 10 years of parking in the sun. Original damage was in Laredo back in '98, in my '98 integra, GD Mexican truck with no mudflaps. Got some of that super glue, squirted it in the crack, shaved the excess off. Damn chip never got any bigger, worked twice. I keep the stuff in the car now, I think the key is to do it right after you get the ding. Would probably prevent doing other repair though.

My dad had some chips taken out of the windshield of his tahoe, they polished it somehow and left it wavy, sort of distracting at night, especially if there is precipitation

[Sapporo Guy]

just a thought, if you falling victim to multi-windshield repairs because of your location, this might just be better because you're more likely to get nailed again.

[sammyg2]

A local company (a dentless repair and windshield repair company based in Huntington beach) showed up at an autocross one day. They advertise in the local PCA region's monthly newsletter.
I had a 3/8" long crack coming from a small pit so I gave them $50 and they went to work.
15 minutes later I had a 3" long crack and a lighter wallet. I called BS and he said, "sorry, that happens sometimes". No refund.
As a comparison I tried one of those do it yourself kits from pep boys many years ago and got better results than the so called expert.
did. I bet they get a at the most a 1 hour training session to become experts.
I would do it myself before I paid them to screw it up again.

[gprsh924]

If it is just a small chip and the crack hasn't extended past 1/2" or so, they do a pretty good job. My mom got a chip in her Lexus three years ago, we got it filled with the glue, and the crack hasn't spread. The downside is that it doesn't look perfect because you are still left with the appearance of a slight crack.

[Halm]

In NC, USAA does the repair for free. So I tried them on my former '80 SC. It wasn't too bad a ding to start with and the repair did make it better. And it lasted until I sold it a year later. I'll try them again when needed.

[masraum]

I've had cracks, spiders, and funnels repaired. It's a huge improvement over the problem, but not 100% perfect. In the right light you can usually still find the original problem. All in all, if the problem is not in the middle of my view, I'd gladly use a repair again.

For the dings that look like funnels, I've even had good luck with the DIY kits from autoparts stores.

[Dave L]

I got a small crack in my replaced windshield. They used a type of epoxy or glue to fill it but warned me that the crack might get a little bigger because of the process. The crack did increase in size from about 1/2 an inch to 1 inch but the repair has lasted for quite some time now. $100 sounds like too much, I typically see places do it for about $50