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Repairing windshield damage

GeodGeod swim, swim, hungryRegistered User regular
edited June 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
So after I got off work today, I headed to my car, opened the door, and swung my backpack over to the passenger seat. In the process, this knocked an item that I had hanging on my rearview mirror. This item, swung out and struck the windshield, making a dent with cracks in it. I researched it briefly online, and it looks like it can be repaired... has anyone had this done before? I'd rather get it repaired than buying a brand new windshield. Does it matter that the initial damage was done from the inside, rather than the outside like a rock?

Thanks guys!

PICS:

The windshield:
IMG_2269.JPG
IMG_2270.JPG
IMG_2280.JPG

The object in question that did the damage:
It indeed pierces the heavens... or at least my windshield.
IMG_2279.JPG

Bonus: If you're in the NoVA area and have had a repair, where'd you get it at?

Geod on

Posts

  • B:LB:L I've done worse. Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    That's why hanging items on the rearview mirrors are usually rubber or fuzzy.

    Any decent auto-shop (like AutoZone) sells windshield repair kits, which is a sort of resin super-glue-like substance that can be applied to seal the cracks and prevent further damage. Don't use actual super glue.

    It's intended for minor cracks, though. Yours looks quite large so I'm not sure if it'll do the job.

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  • FatsFats Corvallis, ORRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Yeah, that's outside the scope of any windshield repair kit I've seen. Does the vertical crack go all the way to the top of the windshield, or is that just the lighting?

    Fats on
  • GeodGeod swim, swim, hungryRegistered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Fats wrote: »
    Yeah, that's outside the scope of any windshield repair kit I've seen. Does the vertical crack go all the way to the top of the windshield, or is that just the lighting?

    It goes all the way up D:

    I don't trust myself with fixing something like this... I'll see if any repair places are open tomorrow and call them.

    Geod on
  • illigillig Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    i had a star crack repaired with epoxy (one of those mobile windshield repair places), and it turned out pretty well, but it was by no means a seamless repair... you could still see the center of the chip in the right light... cost about $25 a couple of years ago

    some things to think about:
    1) some states do not allow repairs to damage in the direct line of sight of the driver (NJ didn't... i had to bribe the dude to do it)
    2) some states require insurance to cover a replacement windshield at no cost to you (i know at least FL does it... NJ didn't)
    3) a replacement windshield isn't that expensive ~$200/installed

    illig on
  • proXimityproXimity Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    If you're not going to replace it immediately, get it fixed how ever much you can as soon as possible to prevent it from spreading much more, because it will.

    proXimity on
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  • WileyWiley In the dirt.Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    I'm not sure it can be repaired if its that large. Regardless, like was stated above you need to check soon or it'll spread.

    Wiley on
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  • DuffelDuffel jacobkosh Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Probably going to need a new one, dude. Windshield cracks aren't like cuts or bruises, they aren't going to get better (or even stop being worse, really) no matter how many band-aids you put on them. At least not one that size, anyway.

    Fortunately new windshields aren't that expensive - it's been a while but I've replaced mine a couple of times and it's just about $150-$200 including labor (although granted that was a few years ago and probably on "friend" pricing; my dad knows a lot of mechanics and stuff).

    You might be able to put it off a little longer since the crack is on the inside and not the out, but it's going to eventually need replacing. Bite the bullet as soon as you can scrape up the money and get a new one.

    Duffel on
  • ImprovoloneImprovolone Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Rather than just going to any car repair place, go to an autoglass place specifically.

    Improvolone on
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  • blanknogoblanknogo Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    That amount of damage is beyond repair. I had a much smaller star crack on the outside and once it starts spreading it's done, especially spreading as much as yours has (and in the middle of the glass too). Don't waste money on a repair - they won't guarantee it and it won't do anything. You're better off putting the $20 it'll cost towards a new windshield.

    blanknogo on
  • ThanatosThanatos Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    A friend who used to work in a glass shop told me that anything any larger than a dollar bill is considered a total loss.

    Thanatos on
  • FyreWulffFyreWulff YouRegistered User, ClubPA regular
    edited June 2009
    Get it replaced. It won't be too long until the crack spreads and the only thing holding your windshield together is the lamination.

    FyreWulff on
  • grrarggrrarg Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Like others said, it's new windshield time. Those do-it-yourself kits are intended for chips, not major cracks. A pro wouldn't be able to do anything either. Your cracks are longer than the diameter of the suction device they use to spread and smooth the epoxy filler.

    grrarg on
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