Crack in windshield, easy fix?

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,032
1,132
126
had a rock hit the windshield and put radial cracks from the center, about the size of a quarter. Is this something I can fix by buying some resin from a store and applying? Or should I call in a professional? When I looked at an online quote, it was $100.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Probably not but I'd check with a few windshield repair places. If it can be fixed they can usually do it for about $40. If it's cracked you will have to replace the windshield, if it is chipped you can repair but only if the chip isn't in the direct line of sight of the driver.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,218
17,893
126
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.
 

nickbits

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2008
4,122
1
81
Call your insurance company. I didn't have to pay anything to get mine fixed even though the repair amount was less than my deductable. They'd rather pay a small amount to get it fixed then to replace the whole window. And I disagree with the other guy who said don't fix it. If you don't fix it, it will likely get larger and then you will have no choice but to replace the whole thing.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,218
17,893
126
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.
 

mooseracing

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2006
1,711
0
0
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I've fixed 3 this way and never had them spread more. It's important to follow directions though, iirc it's nearly a 24hr process.

 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Yeah use the resin on it - what's the worst that can happen? You'll probably have to eventually replace it, but if it isn't spidered or spreading out, you'll probably get away with it. I don't think that stuff is that expensive.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,218
17,893
126
Originally posted by: mooseracing
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I've fixed 3 this way and never had them spread more. It's important to follow directions though, iirc it's nearly a 24hr process.

Where are you located? I am up here in igloo country and it didn't work all that well.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I disagree...and so do most insurance companies. My insurance company will pay to have a chip repaired at no cost to me.
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.

big? i got my rear windshield replaced for under $200 when it was smashed by a truck's rear door (freak accident, trucking co covered it). i bet a front is even cheaper since it doesn't have the heating elements in it.

little rear quarter window that was smashed by a thief cost more to replace.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.

big? i got my rear windshield replaced for under $200 when it was smashed by a truck's rear door (freak accident, trucking co covered it). i bet a front is even cheaper since it doesn't have the heating elements in it.

little rear quarter window that was smashed by a thief cost more to replace.

Windshields are different from all other windows on a car. They are made of a laminated safety glass so that when they are hit and compromised they stay intact and don't fly into tiny pieces like door glass does. Because of this they are also typically more expensive than door glass or rear window glass is to replace.

I've seen and heard of windshields costing from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the make and model of vehicle.
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.

big? i got my rear windshield replaced for under $200 when it was smashed by a truck's rear door (freak accident, trucking co covered it). i bet a front is even cheaper since it doesn't have the heating elements in it.

little rear quarter window that was smashed by a thief cost more to replace.

Windshields are different from all other windows on a car. They are made of a laminated safety glass so that when they are hit and compromised they stay intact and don't fly into tiny pieces like door glass does. Because of this they are also typically more expensive than door glass or rear window glass is to replace.

I've seen and heard of windshields costing from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the make and model of vehicle.

I had to replace the windshield on my 97 Maxima. It was like $250. It wasn't that bad.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: OdiN
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.

big? i got my rear windshield replaced for under $200 when it was smashed by a truck's rear door (freak accident, trucking co covered it). i bet a front is even cheaper since it doesn't have the heating elements in it.

little rear quarter window that was smashed by a thief cost more to replace.

Windshields are different from all other windows on a car. They are made of a laminated safety glass so that when they are hit and compromised they stay intact and don't fly into tiny pieces like door glass does. Because of this they are also typically more expensive than door glass or rear window glass is to replace.

I've seen and heard of windshields costing from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the make and model of vehicle.

I had to replace the windshield on my 97 Maxima. It was like $250. It wasn't that bad.

I have a friend who had to replace the windshield on his Porsche 911 and it cost him almost a grand.

A rock chip can typically be repaired for around $40-60.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,218
17,893
126
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I disagree...and so do most insurance companies. My insurance company will pay to have a chip repaired at no cost to me.

They will also replace the windshield when it cracks. Which do you think they perfer?
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I disagree...and so do most insurance companies. My insurance company will pay to have a chip repaired at no cost to me.

They will also replace the windshield when it cracks. Which do you think they perfer?

They prefer whichever will cost them less in the long run. If getting it fixed costs them $50 now but they'll still have to pay $250 to replace the glass a few months down the road they wouldn't do it. They're trying to save money and that wouldn't make sense.
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: OdiN
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Insurance companies love to fix this stuff because they view it as cheap protection against a future big claim.

big? i got my rear windshield replaced for under $200 when it was smashed by a truck's rear door (freak accident, trucking co covered it). i bet a front is even cheaper since it doesn't have the heating elements in it.

little rear quarter window that was smashed by a thief cost more to replace.

Windshields are different from all other windows on a car. They are made of a laminated safety glass so that when they are hit and compromised they stay intact and don't fly into tiny pieces like door glass does. Because of this they are also typically more expensive than door glass or rear window glass is to replace.

I've seen and heard of windshields costing from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars depending on the make and model of vehicle.

I had to replace the windshield on my 97 Maxima. It was like $250. It wasn't that bad.

I have a friend who had to replace the windshield on his Porsche 911 and it cost him almost a grand.

A rock chip can typically be repaired for around $40-60.

That would just be a Porsche tax.
 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,908
19
81
i just got a repair kit @ autozone and did it myself. It was quick and easy, and helps to not spread the crack. It was about a 3 hour process.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,218
17,893
126
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: sdifox
don't bother. Either replace the windshield or leave it alone. Do not pay the so called 'pros'. they just bought a kit online.

Windshield is glass+plastic+glass, so the outer layer glass is broken.

If you are going to replace under insurance, wait til all road construction is done. I have 3 new chips this last quarter.

Don't bother repairing it? Why not? I had a rock chip in my windshield years ago and my insurance company paid to have it repaired instead of replacing the entire windshield. It didn't cost me a penny and I'm still driving around with that same windshield almost 5 years later.

A chip can easily develop into a crack over time. Repairing it will usually prevent it from spreading.

Because it's just a resin fill that probably will not stop the spread anyway.

I disagree...and so do most insurance companies. My insurance company will pay to have a chip repaired at no cost to me.

They will also replace the windshield when it cracks. Which do you think they perfer?

They prefer whichever will cost them less in the long run. If getting it fixed costs them $50 now but they'll still have to pay $250 to replace the glass a few months down the road they wouldn't do it. They're trying to save money and that wouldn't make sense.

Even if 5 out of 10 stone chip repair did not pan out, they are still ahead.
 

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,032
1,132
126
Yea, I went through insurance. No cost to me and it's hard to tell now where the chip was. They only billed the insurance $55, so it would have be worth it even if I had to pay of it.
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
6,628
7
81
I replaced the windshield on my Mazda Tribute for $190. Be sure to call around though, because my first quote was $330. I have no experience with getting it repaired, so I can't comment on that.