Stone chip in windshield
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Camillus New York
Stone chip in windshield
I found a small (about the size of a ball point pen)
looks like a stone chip in the very low point of my windshield. Is there anything that can be done to save it?
I hear say that these type of things will expand and crack the whole windshield if you do nothing. Maybe not today but sooner or later.
What can you experts tell me?
Thanks ...
looks like a stone chip in the very low point of my windshield. Is there anything that can be done to save it?
I hear say that these type of things will expand and crack the whole windshield if you do nothing. Maybe not today but sooner or later.
What can you experts tell me?
Thanks ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Is there a small crack in th outside layer? If so there is an injection process that can stabilize it to keep it from spreading.Mine had a very tiny star in it when I bought it last January. Drove it through the winter and still fine. If just a surface blemish Eastwood and other places sell chip and scratch kits to polish them out!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 309
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From: new zealand
No way, you dont need a new screen..
The injection molding fixes it good as new (only if small and hasnt spread). Insurance companies here pay for it without any question as is cheaper than a new screen. Takes about 20 minutes.
I just had it done on a 75 I'm looking after.
Also the replacement of the screen can result in bonding issues causing paint and adhesion issues if not done properly (leaks )
The injection molding fixes it good as new (only if small and hasnt spread). Insurance companies here pay for it without any question as is cheaper than a new screen. Takes about 20 minutes.
I just had it done on a 75 I'm looking after.
Also the replacement of the screen can result in bonding issues causing paint and adhesion issues if not done properly (leaks )
Last edited by tippi77; Aug 19, 2008 at 01:08 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I've had stone chips repaired a few times. On one occasion it was like new and you couldn't tell it had been damaged. One time it showed badly.
Most Insurance Companies both here in England and in the US will cover a repair for free. They use a clear compund and harden it with UV light
If you leave it too long, particularly in extremes of heat or cold, it'll crack.
Most Insurance Companies both here in England and in the US will cover a repair for free. They use a clear compund and harden it with UV light
If you leave it too long, particularly in extremes of heat or cold, it'll crack.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 316
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From: Pace/ Pensacola FL
I got a repaired chip on the center of the passenger side. Aggervates the hell out of me to see it. Kinda scared to replace it tho. Worried that the install process will mess something else up. Murphys Law and all.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '08
You can buy a kit to repair the windowshield yourself. You can find them in auto parts stores or at a Wal-Mart. The one that has 4 suction cups to hold the fixture is the best (Wal-Mart). The kits cost about $10. The repair is easy to do. You want to take care of it as soon as possible as the damaged area will allow moisture and dirt to plug up the crack and the repair will not make it invisible. If you repair it soon after the damage you usually get great results and in many cases it will become invisible and look like there was never any damage. I've repaired several windowshields over the years and most times it was very successful. Good luck! 
I've repaired several windowshields over the years and most times it was very successful. Good luck!
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You can buy a kit to repair the windowshield yourself. You can find them in auto parts stores or at a Wal-Mart. The one that has 4 suction cups to hold the fixture is the best (Wal-Mart). The kits cost about $10. The repair is easy to do. You want to take care of it as soon as possible as the damaged area will allow moisture and dirt to plug up the crack and the repair will not make it invisible. If you repair it soon after the damage you usually get great results and in many cases it will become invisible and look like there was never any damage. I've repaired several windowshields over the years and most times it was very successful. Good luck!
I've repaired several windowshields over the years and most times it was very successful. Good luck! 
The kits work very well of you take your time. Have one right in front of the rear view and unless you know exactly where it was hit you can't find it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
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I've had two windshield chips that I had filled with the resin injection by SafeLite Glass over the past year. Each repair cost $70 with tax here in NJ. They stopped any spread of the chip (there was no real cracking or spider web patterns), but you still can see the chip repairs.
I'm realistically going to need to replace the windshield soon... shouldn't too big of a deal though, since I don't have heads-up.
I'm realistically going to need to replace the windshield soon... shouldn't too big of a deal though, since I don't have heads-up.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Things to insist on per GM instructions, I forget the proper names but the side weatherstrip trim should be new because when they remove it, it has an adhesive backing and that is damaged and must be either cleaned of all material and new tape installed or replaced with a new part. It's fairly inexpensive less then $20. I think. It must have new weatherstrip.
If you have a HUD insist on a Shaded HUD Windshield.
As far as chips, best to get the glass companies to repair it because the stress can turn it into a crack. Most insurance companies prefer this before replacement if it is possible, and as with windshields these are covered under comprehension and should be zero deduct replacements/repairs.
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Contact an auto glass shop and ask them about repairing the chip - and most of the time your insurance company will cover it fully under the comprehensive portion of your insurance.
While you may still see where the chip was if you look hard, it does turn out looking good.
While you may still see where the chip was if you look hard, it does turn out looking good.
