Windshield Rock Hit Repair

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Aug 23, 2013 | 11:31 PM

ZeeOSix

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From: PNW

Windshield Rock Hit Repair

Got a nice rock hit on the windshield going in to work this morning ... put a nice ~3/4" dia starburst and a small center crater in the glass. Took it to Novus right away and they filled it. Came out pretty decent, but I can see a white area in the center of the repair, probably due to the thickness of the filler resin in that area since they had to prep the center crater some. I thought the resin was supposed to be crystal clear?

Is there any way to make it more clear ... maybe buff the surface or apply Rain-X as maybe it turned white-ish due to the tech leveling it off with a razor blade after the fill?

First major/damaging rock hit ... just turned over to 24K miles.

Oh well, only cost me $20 (half price promo), so at least it will help keep the starburst cracks from growing and make it way less obvious. Way better than replacing the whole windshield for this hit IMO.

Last edited by ZeeOSix; Aug 23, 2013 at 11:33 PM.

Aug 27, 2013 | 11:46 AM

TEXHAWK0

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From: Longview Texas

You might try polishing the area, but you need a material like cerium oxide that will polish glass and be fine enough not to leave scratches.

Aug 27, 2013 | 01:39 PM

wcsinx

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Quote:

Originally Posted by TEXHAWK0

You might try polishing the area, but you need a material like cerium oxide that will polish glass and be fine enough not to leave scratches.

The resin fill isn't nearly as hard as the glass around it. It could probably be buffed with a fine-cut buffing compound.

Aug 27, 2013 | 01:44 PM

ZeeOSix

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From: PNW

Thanks for the tips ... wondering if anyone has tried to polish the resin to see if it actually clears up some.

Don't want to get to crazy on it as could cause a slight depression in the surface where the resin is on the surface if it's that soft. Might try putting some Rain-X on it to see it that makes any difference.

Aug 27, 2013 | 01:57 PM

wcsinx

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeOSix

It's not "soft" in that sense. You're not going to squish it down nor out of that hole once it sets. It's softer than the glass the same way aluminum is "softer" than titanium.

Thus you might be able to polish it with stuff meant for automotive paint.

Aug 27, 2013 | 03:07 PM

ZeeOSix

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From: PNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcsinx

It's not "soft" in that sense. You're not going to squish it down nor out of that hole once it sets. It's softer than the glass the same way aluminum is "softer" than titanium.

Thus you might be able to polish it with stuff meant for automotive paint.

Got ya ... I didn't mean to imply it was gooey soft. Might try some paint scratch remover (lightly) and see if it makes any difference if the resin is like the hardness of paint, then maybe it will polish up some. Think I'll call Novus too and see if they have any tricks.

Last edited by ZeeOSix; Aug 27, 2013 at 03:17 PM.

Aug 27, 2013 | 03:39 PM

wcsinx

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeOSix

Also one thing to keep in mind the resin might have a slight haze until it fully sets. I would just leave it be for a few days in the sun before you mess with it.

Aug 27, 2013 | 04:40 PM

ZeeOSix

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From: PNW

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcsinx

Also one thing to keep in mind the resin might have a slight haze until it fully sets. I would just leave it be for a few days in the sun before you mess with it.

Thanks for the tip, I won't mess with it for a few days.