Fix windscreen chip?

[Silvia]

What's the current thinking on this? I got a stonechip today...typical star shaped one about 10mm at widest point , right in the middle and so not in line of sight. Do you wait and see if it spreads, call the windscreen fixers, ask for a new screen?
Are repairs any good?
Windscreen replacement is a part of my insurance (I made sure of that)....

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

I had a minor chip repaired. Sounds more minor than yours. The repair was not cheap - from memory somewhere between $50 and $100. I don't think the repair did anything in reality. The man just put some snake-oil into the crack with a silly machine. The crack hasn't got worse, but I don't think it would have in any case.

IMHO, if your insurance will cover it, may as well get a new screen.

[hks_kansei]

If the chip has any cracks radiating from it, it generally can't be repaired.

If it's just a round chip, it probably can.



Generally the actual chip itself is minor and the main issue is that the impact has separated the outer glass layer from the plastic laminate inside.

The process is:
Drill a small hole into the centre of the chip.
Apply a vaccuum
Apply a resin/glue (gets sucked in via the vaccuum)
more vaccuum
let glue set
remove excess glue from screen

It usually works really well, you'll still have a tiny pinpoint mark, but it shoudl stop it getting worse.



Also, $100 is ridiculous.

My last repair cost me $10 (was a mate, so he only charged a small amount)

$100 is a ripoff for what is about $5 materials, and about 20mins work (most of which is waiting for glue to dry)


If you've been quoted $100, I would shop around.

[hks_kansei]

Another option is the DIY repair kit available at Autobarn/SCA/Repco/etc

I think it's about $50 for the kit.


IIRC it's made by "Permatex" or something.

[MINX]

I got a nasty one on the weekend
I booked into ObRien to fix tomorrow - but i think i might just do a bit of shopping around
They rang back and quoted $135 !!!!! For one stone chip about size of 10 cent piece, incl the extending cracks

[zero00]

I got a nasty one on the weekend
I booked into ObRien to fix tomorrow - but i think i might just do a bit of shopping around
They rang back and quoted $135 !!!!! For one stone chip about size of 10 cent piece, incl the extending cracks

Same for me Stu!! Had the black Corolla all ready to sell and on the way home WHACK!! Called the same people as you, $135 later and I must say I was NOT impressed with the job at all!! And a few days later taking it to get washed? WHACK!! another!! Almost 4 years with none and then 2 in a week

If you aren't selling it then forget it!! I copped one between Toowoomba & Goondiwindi just before the floods in the MX5, saw the trucks coming, pulled over and STOPPED and still got whacked all over!! It's still there and I don't notice it really

Soon as the 86 arrives I will arrange for a replacement screen with the insurance - just in case!

[MINX]

Cancelled my booking with OB,
RACQ members get chip repiar $80 at your home.
Told OB that is reason for cancelling - they just said "ok" and hung up. $135 is ripoff(and they charge $155 if at your home)

[Silvia]

Thanks for that....
I'll check and see what the ticked "optional windscreen cover" means on my Suncorp Ins.

....they said I have one free windscreen per year . Seeing I've just renewed (of course) the year is from now to next Nov.
so they advise, best to leave it as long as I can in case there is another chip.

[MINX]

Well it was 88 (8 for gst !)
But was done at scheduled time- in my garage, in about 25mins
He used a dremel to clean out the crumbs, and filled with resin. Hardened with a UV light.
They dont use the superduper vacuum machines that OB have, but i have been told the power of those machines often cracks the glass necessitatinga new screen

Anyways, reasonably happy with the job - can still see it, but hopefully it will prevent further cracking.
It is still quite noticable looking from inside to out

Before and after