Windshield repair kit

[Formerjeeper]

I have three separate chips in a windshield, each smaller than a quarter. Safelite quoted $220 to repair. Thinking about just buying this repair kit for roughly same price:

Clearshield Windshield Repair Kit - Window Rock Chip Repair Kit - Cracked Windshield Repair Kit - Auto Glass Repair Kit for 200+ Repairs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HKXQ9D8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Any experience with something like this? How easy/hard to get it right? also do the resins go bad over time? Can’t imagine I would use it more than once or twice a year after the initial triple repair.

Thanks for advice!

 

[doctordirt]

Just had two windshields installed, deductible was 250. Ford escape was 210 and gms Sierra was 230. I do not think I would mess with the kit.

 

[Formerjeeper]

Unfortunately this is a Land Cruiser with a fairly involved windshield requiring rivets and ideally factory glass to keep it properly watertight. Hoping for a solution that doesn't involve a $1,000 factory glass replacement.

 

[jacked_72]

safelite is the kmart of windshield replacement. Look to someone else if you go that route.

 

[unslow1]

Check with your insurance company many pay all or part to keep from having to pay for an entire windshield under comprehensive.

 

[Nutria]

I've actually had pretty good luck with the cheap little injector kits.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Look up sixtyfiveford on YouTube. He has a couple videos on chip repair

 

[toolmiser]

What's a k-mart?

Somebody had to say it.

 

[bcschief]

Safelite is an OEM glass manufacture for FORD. In Florida if you have Comprehensive insurance your windshield can be replaced for free not sure about the limitations but you could always make a stone chip to big to repair

 

[toolenthusiast]

Safelite is an OEM glass manufacture for FORD.

[citation needed]
Go ahead an use Safelite if you want a real crack team working on your car

 

[619DioFan]

For small chips like you posted I have used the permatex kit available at every auto parts store. won't go so far as to say the repair was invisible but the chips never spread. my vehicles are older so I worry more about keeping them mechanicaly sound vs pretty.

 

[Ign]

My wife uses the Rain X (I think?) kit from Walmart. Of course I'm sure it's sold elsewhere. I was surprised at how well it's worked for us on three different occasions

 

[Kscardsfan]

I've actually had pretty good luck with the cheap little injector kits.

Same here. I make sure to clean the hell out of it and follow the instructions to the letter though.

 

[foghorn1966]

Shop around for your quotes. That price is crazy. Here in N. Alberta Canada. The last chip I got repaired a month ago was about $60.00 tax in. Most shops here will do a second & third at the same booking for a much discounted rate.

 

[FMB4]

I've seen successful use of repair kits going back to the mid '80s. The last chip that I did ~ 3 years ago still looks very good (Permat*x). Imo, replacing a WS due to a small chip is not always a good idea due to the risk of ending up with leaks regardless of who replaces it. Note: Permat*x kits are about ~ $16 USD (I kit is good for 3-4 repairs).

 

[finn]

I got a rock chip in the windshield of my Ford Transit / Coachman Beyond Class B on the third trip out. I opted for a repair kit as a cheaper alternative to paying the comprehensive deductible. I really didn’t want to mess with sealing a replacement windshield, either.

Ordered a couple off kits from Amazon. Used the Permatex kit, although both were substantially the same.

Still holding after ten months, and the process was simple. Saved a few bucks over going to a major or back alley glass shop, too.

 

[Walkers]

You shouldn't need to pay more than $50 at the most for a kit. It should include a burr, you can just use any battery drill.

 

[Steve_P]

Safelite is an OEM glass manufacture for FORD. In Florida if you have Comprehensive insurance your windshield can be replaced for free not sure about the limitations but you could always make a stone chip to big to repair

Safelite makes glass??? Years ago, Carlite was the Ford glass subsidiary.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

If this is an over the road vehicle then your insurance is legally obligated to cover the chip repair, usually with no deductible. I tried one of these kits previously and applied slightly too much pressure to the windshield causing a crack, I wouldn't try it again unless it was an off road vehicle.

 

[ttpete]

The pros use a device that puts a vacuum chamber over the chip area and it ***** the adhesive into the chip. I've seen places that will do it for free, and they collect from your insurance company.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

your insurance is legally obligated to cover the chip repair, usually with no deductible.

Maybe in your state. I am in Va and i have USAA coverage. When i went for the annual inspection the guy took offense at the 8 chips and one 4” crack, failed the inspection. I called USAA, they said i did not have specific coverage so my deductible applied. $500 deductible vs $450 for the windshield. I have now added coverage for $5/mo.

 

[Citation]

I don't recall which repair kit I used but I think it has been stable for 2-3 years. Rick hit the windshield and started to spider. The total size was about that of a nickel. The cracks are much less visible and they haven't grown. The impact point is just as visible as it always was.

 

[Ign]

I don't recall which repair kit I used but I think it has been stable for 2-3 years. Rick hit the windshield and started to spider. The total size was about that of a nickel. The cracks are much less visible and they haven't grown. The impact point is just as visible as it always was.

I would definitely stop hanging out with Rick

 

[Citation]

I would definitely stop hanging out with Rick

Damn phone Swype errors

I'm going to get a rock and kick Rick's....

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I'm going to get a rock and kick Rick's asp.

 

[herrygeorge]

In the case of three small chips I think I would use the kit if they are not spreading. It appears that the critical thing is cleaning the glass and giving the resin sufficient time to fill and cure. I would also ensure the expiration date of the resin before storing the kit. In the case of Charlotte auto glass, the location and depth of the chip should also be taken into account, along with the size. Did Safelite confirm that the three chips could be repaired?

 

[signcrafter]

I bought a kit a few years ago, don't remember the name but it was around 350 if I remember right. It works good but do your homework because there are some tricks and you don't want to grind too deep.

Mike, Zmotorsports has a few posts on using them in his thread in the fabrication forum that you can search for and see how he does them.

 

[JradM]

I've used a few different chip repair kits. Follow the directions and the result is pretty good. However, not always as good as a professional repair.

I imagine that's what you're contemplating. I.e. the repair I do to my 2003 F150 doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to prevent the chip from spreading. The windshield already has lots of tiny chips anyway and I'm just procrastinating a replacement. If you have a NICE vehicle though, I assume you want your windshield to appear as clear as possible and might be offended by a slightly cloudy dot.

Perhaps your expensive kit would make the difference? That appears to be a pro-looking application tool. There's a Project Farm on this topic - is that not one of the kits he used?

I still wouldn't choose that for a one-time repair, but I imagine a secondary consideration is that you may get more chips in the future or use it to repair other vehicles. In that context, it can make some sense.

What multiple people are hinting at is that some of the $15-25 kits actually give you decent repairs. Perhaps not pro-level, but inoffensive and durable. Most kits can do multiple chips too, so they're extremely cost-effective. Permatex is one of the good ones in my experience.

In that context, the step up to a $200+ kit is pretty extreme - but I don't think it should be ruled out if you're willing to spend 10x more for a 10% improvement. On this site, aren't many of us doing that exact thing with our tools? E.g. the Stanley socket set might work fine, but Koken is cool.

 

[rust in the eye]

A caveat regarding the DIY kits.
The last one I used employs a bridge attached with suction cups to the glass. The bonding liquid is injected through a syringe in the center of the bridge which must be snug against the glass. Overtightening this part can(and did in my case)make the crack run.

 

[JradM]

A caveat regarding the DIY kits.
The last one I used employs a bridge attached with suction cups to the glass. The bonding liquid is injected through a syringe in the center of the bridge which must be snug against the glass. Overtightening this part can(and did in my case)make the crack run.

That's a really good tip actually! It reminded me of my experience with that style of kit (there are also versions where you use a double-sided sticker that surrounds the hole and attaches to a syringe if you're worried about worsening a crack).

When you're tightening down the bridge-type tool, you only need to squeeze the rubber against the glass. Once it deforms, it has sealed. That's all it needs to do. Pushing harder can cause a leak or flex your windshield.

You can see it more easily from inside the car, but that's hard to do as one person unless the chip is near the edge and you can poke your head inside while reaching around to slowly tighten it. It's still visible from the outside if you're watching the rubber tip closely.