Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was enjoying a nice cruise on the interstate in my vert yesterday when out of nowhere I heard the loud "pop" that something hit my car.

Sure enough, a rock must have shot up, grazed the front hood and nailed my windshield right in my line of site above the HUD on my windshield.

The damage to the hood is minimal and I should be able to buff the small mark out, however the rock chipped the windshield. It did not crack and it appears to have only chipped the outside pane.

My question is whether or not these various auto glass doctors/specialists, etc. can repair that type of damage. It bugs me because it's in my line of sight every time I drive the car. Sort of like a clear bug stain.

My daily driver took a bigger hit that formed a small crack which was then repaired by one of these auto glass repair firms. They injected a gel to prevent further cracking, however I can still see the repair.

I'm hoping whatever service they can perform will completely repair/eliminate the rock chip mark. Can it be done? Is there a special service or repair I should ask for? I thought there was a process where they can heat the glass to remove the chip and then remold it. Since it is a HUD windshield, any special precautions?

 

Sorry to hear - I had the same thing happen to my coupe, they were doing contruction on the Interstate and a loose gravel popped up and hit my windshield (passanger side).

I am not aware of any fix to completely eliminate the 'chip' I just got the injected gel as you describe because I know if the chip ran and turned into a crack, I wasn't going to be able to afford a replacement windshield, so I went w/ that.

Still bothers me that a chip is on my windshield, but I'd rather have a chip than a crack. I guess that's what happens when you actually drive them, gotta have some battle marks.

Best of luck w/ repairs and if you do indeed find a shop that can eliminate marks like this, please post up, as I'd be interested.

~ 5ltrEATER

 

Most of these windshield service outfits claim that all their repairs are covered automatically by our insurance. They even file the claim including a complete windshield replacement if necessary.

I don't think I need to go that far, however the chip is annoying.

When I had my DD windshield repair a few years ago, the window repair service indicated that if I wanted to replace the window for safety reasons, my insurance could not dispute the request. I think the law may be different by state, however in Florida window repairs/replacements do not count as claims against your policy. They still show up in the file (just to make sure you're not abusing the policy), however they cannot raise your premiums as a result of the claim. When I switched insurance providers last year, my original windshield claim was in the system, however it did not impact my premium.

 

I've never had that type of repair done that completely eliminates being able to see the chip, but it comes damn close. In any case, it's better than it would be if the chip was left alone.

 

I called my insurance company (Geico) and they indicated its a no-fault claim so I don't have to pay anything. They even coordinated Safelite Glass repair to come out to my house tomorrow (which is where I had originally received a quote of $125.00).

I will take some before/after shots and post them in case anyone else has this happen to them.

 

Great that it is covered.

I just got my car back last Monday with a new windshield in it because here in MA, we have all glass covered with no deductible/no increase in premium.

I joined the FRC and got a new top for free as well, well, I did pay for it through insurance so . . .

 

What kind of damage did you have to require a new windshield? I heard that is a tough repair that can only be performed by pros who really know what they are doing due to the seal and frame flex issues. Also, is a HUD windshield different than a non-HUD windshield?

 

I had what started out as a chip/bullseye that turned into a spiderweb.

Once the crack is larger than a $1-bill, they will replace the entire windshield.

I noted in the comments section of the glass repair place that I had an HUD windshield and got the same exact windshield that came with the car.

The place that replaced my windshield, JNPhillips, did an outstanding job. They knew that the replacement was a "project" and that they'd need at least 2-2 1/2 hours to do the job.

 

Good to hear. I had a buddy who replaced his windshield on his DD Toyota. His insurance hooked him up with some company to perform the work. About 2 months afterwards he realized that the windshield had a hard time defrosting and that rain tended to leak in near one of the corners. A really bad, shoddy job.

My chip is less than the size of a pencil eraser, however it bugs me because it right in front of my view when driving.

 

I'm lucky in that I've had good luck with all the windshields I've needed to replace.

The C5 just now, so far so good.

I had a windshield put in my 2004 Tundra back in early 2007-still no issues.

My wife had a windshield put in her 2006 Rav later in 2007 and again just a few weeks ago, no issues.

Perhaps we have better installers here in MA because we get no deductible/no points glass included with comprehensive AND that because of the extremes of the seasons, the installers need to know what they are doing or they don't last.

The JNPhillips company has an advertisement that they have glue/adhesive heaters installed in their mobile trucks and that even though it costs more, it is the right thing to do. Also, nice to have their lifetime warranty for the replacement/repair, that is GOLD!

I'll agree, a chip, right in the line of sight would drive me crazy. As it is/was, I could not wait to get a crack in my windshield from day1 so I could get a new shield, between all the small pitts and the hairline scratches from the windshield wipers, it was a horror driving at night. New Windshield=New Car.

 

Happened to me recently, but luckily just it was off to the left of my line of sight. Since it was the weekend, I picked up a kit from Autozone for around $15. It actually came out pretty good. My chip was small, around a 1/4". From the disclaimers that I've seen, there is no total clear absolute fix, although I am pretty happy even with my quick fix.

 

Pics of your result?

I have some small chips I'd like to fix up, but I'm not going to pay $90.

 

Thats usually one of the criteria for them to replace a windshield. Aside from having criteria about how big a "crack" can be in other areas, any imperfection in direct line of site for the driver can cause a distraction, they dont want that reported to them, not change the windshield and then have something happen.

 

Happened to me on the way back from Memphis after the St. Jude gathering. Rock got slung from an 18 wheeler.
Safelite repaired my windshield, for less than the over the phone quote.
I'd have to show you the area for you to spot it. I think you'll be happy with their work.

 

Have had company car windshields repaired by Safelite before, however; they would not make the repair if the chip was directly in your (drivers) line of sight.

If your windshield can be repaired, do it. I have had a leak before after windshield replacement.