Can a rock chip on a windshield be fixed?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Can a rock chip on a windshield be fixed?
Last week, I went upstate to pick up a Z06 titanium exhaust I bought for my baby. Its being installed tomorrow. On the way up there though, a pickup truck flicked a big rock at my windshield and when it hit, my heart almost stopped. Right in the middle, there was a big streak of concrete. I instantly thought the windshield would have to be replaced. Once I got to my friend's house who I was buying the exhaust from, I washed away the concrete streak and to my relief, only found a tiny scratch that etched the glass in a vertical way. (Thank goodness for the vette's aerodynamics). Has anyone ever had a rock chip like this fixed and have it look just as before. In the past, I've read about glass shops leaving the windshield opaque if they don't know what they are doing. Do you think I could get this fixed as good as new or should I just wait a while until I inevitably get a few more and need a new windshield? I'm extremely careful to always drive like 5 car lengths behind people. Unfortunately, other drivers will always see the gap and instantly try to prove something by getting in front of me. That's exactly what happened with the pickup truck and now my windshield has that speck right in front of me. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,280
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From: Sunny Venice, FL
Specialty shops may be able to "fix" it and reduce the appearance to almost 10-20%... I did it on a 2000 with HUD and there was just a small mark left. I'd say, do it, but again it's me...
Ken
Ken
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Joined: Jun 2003
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I think that chips can be filled and made to look pretty good, but I cant find anyone locally that will do anything for a scratch. I have heard stories about people getting scratches "buffed" and they end up with a larger are that is cloudy.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 394
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From: Evans GA
Go for the repair.
The replacement HUD glass can range from $1400 - $1000... ours just cracked a couple of weeks ago from heat shock (when adjusting the sprinkler system cold water hit the window during a 100+ degree day and cracked it)... of course insurance covers it...
The replacement HUD glass can range from $1400 - $1000... ours just cracked a couple of weeks ago from heat shock (when adjusting the sprinkler system cold water hit the window during a 100+ degree day and cracked it)... of course insurance covers it...
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
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From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Thanks guys, I'm gonna ask around tomorrow at a local vette shop if they know of a good company that can do such work. They restore and mod corvettes so I'm sure they've run across this problem. I'll let you know what happens. 
:
:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,387
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From: Chicago Burbs, IL
St. Jude Donor '03 & '06
Originally Posted by lager99
It's usually very good except for a pinhole sized white spot. Cheap too...matbe $35 bucks. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
I've heard that the HUD windshields are more easily chipped than standard, because of the special reflective finish. I had a chip in mine fixed, but it's still noticable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by brat01
Call safelite they do the repair work, and I know in NJ
they will come to your home or office to do the repair
they will come to your home or office to do the repair
I've had them do lots of repairs and they have always done a fine job! (Lots of rocks flying on Texas highways). DON'T go to a "cheap" place and any of these guys that set up on street corners. SAFELITE may be slightly more than "on the corner", but is well worth it!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Grand Ledge MI
Most autoglass shops in the area of Michigan I live can fix chips but not sure about scratches. For most insurance companies, this falls under the comprehensive portion and there is usually only a $50 deductible (at least in MI). Many auto glass companies will cover the deductible as well. You might want to just consider replacing it.
MFH
MFH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,707
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From: Eastern LI, NY
Alex,
I never had this happen to my Vette, but I had a stone chip on my Lexus. It had that "star" appearence.
Anyway, I have a guy that comes to the house. He repaired the windshield on the Lexus over 2 years ago, and its perfect. So perfect, that you wouldnt even know its there.
I hooked up with him via my boss. They are brother-in-laws. I see him occasionally and got to know him. As far as price goes, I couldnt say either way, but Im sure he will do a damn good job by you, if you are interested. If you are, shoot me a PM and I'll forward his info to you.
Later,
Rob
I never had this happen to my Vette, but I had a stone chip on my Lexus. It had that "star" appearence.
Anyway, I have a guy that comes to the house. He repaired the windshield on the Lexus over 2 years ago, and its perfect. So perfect, that you wouldnt even know its there.
I hooked up with him via my boss. They are brother-in-laws. I see him occasionally and got to know him. As far as price goes, I couldnt say either way, but Im sure he will do a damn good job by you, if you are interested. If you are, shoot me a PM and I'll forward his info to you.
Later,
Rob
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Many glass repair shops can make chips like these virtually disappear. Many times the insurance companies waive the deductible also.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,565
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From: Mechanicsville VA
St. Jude Donor '08
Most reputable glass dealers should be capable of handling this repair. Just had a chip fixed in mine along with 2 scratches. As someone said, there is a slight spot that shows if you look hard enough. The scratches were repaired with some form of liquid filler and it is impossible to see where they were. The guy that did the repair told me that most insurance companies will waive the deductible for this repair. Saves them money not having to replace a windshield. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,275
Likes: 19
From: Camden County NJ
Alex look for a local Safelite Autoglass and see if they can plug it, cost about $60 had mine done 2x's already. If and when it comes time for a replacement take a look at this place. Autolite told me thwy would charge 200 for the install if I'm not mistaken.
http://www.autobahnpower.com/product...ar+Windshields
http://www.autobahnpower.com/product...ar+Windshields
