do i need a new windshield?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 151
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From: Newport Beach CA
do i need a new windshield?
I took a rock to the windshield and now I have a small chip in the glass. Do I need to replace the windshield? There are no cracks, just a chip.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
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Glass repair companies can do a good job repairing it to where only you will know it's there. If they can repair it, let them. For one it'll keep the chip from possibly spreading. Depending on your climate, heat can do a number on a chip that's been left alone. But if it's a small knick type chip those are considered normal wear and tear. Over time your windshield will eventually get peppered with them in more than one place. Some will argue it's because these cars are so low to the ground, which I'm sure doesn't help. But my last car was riddled with little knicks everywhere in less than two years. It was a lot higher than the Vette. I think it's just being at the wrong place and the wrong time, like being behind an 18 wheel gravel truck, etc.
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I feel your pain..I have the same thing....right where the HUD display is...
its small but I still see it everytime I drive the car
its small but I still see it everytime I drive the car
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach CA
Glass repair companies can do a good job repairing it to where only you will know it's there. If they can repair it, let them. For one it'll keep the chip from possibly spreading. Depending on your climate, heat can do a number on a chip that's been left alone. But if it's a small knick type chip those are considered normal wear and tear. Over time your windshield will eventually get peppered with them in more than one place. Some will argue it's because these cars are so low to the ground, which I'm sure doesn't help. But my last car was riddled with little knicks everywhere in less than two years. It was a lot higher than the Vette. I think it's just being at the wrong place and the wrong time, like being behind an 18 wheel gravel truck, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,757
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From: Portland Oregon
At the very least I would have it repaired for a couple reasons (check with your insurance as they might even cover the entire cost). First of all the chip might not be visable after the repair and second, there is always a chance of the chip spreading into a big crack if left alone.
You can still replace the windshield later if you find you are not happy with the repair, but i would try the repair route first before putting in close to a $2,000 windshield.
You can still replace the windshield later if you find you are not happy with the repair, but i would try the repair route first before putting in close to a $2,000 windshield.
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From: CHOCOWINITY NC
I've had both good and bad results depending. Worth a shot. Just fixed one on the wife's Element and it virtually disappeared.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
For about $45 one of those mobile glass places came out and took care of my C5 in my parking lot at work. I had a good stone chip the size of a dime right in the drivers side field of view. The repair consists of drilling a hole in the chip down to the safety laminate in the center of the windshield glass (two layers of glass and a thin layer of poly to keep the glass fragments in the event of an impact). They will then fill the hole with a two part clear epoxy using a little machine that heats the area and applies a slight pressure to force the epoxy into the crack. It becomes almost invisible when they are done. I would suggest this as in colder temps, your chip can start to form a crack or series of cracks (spider web) and then you will need to replace the windshield. This will likely prevent that from happening.
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I'm with Paul. Where it really benefits is keeping water out ... freezing water will expand and crack the windshield; moisture trapped and exposed to high temps will produce same effect. Have had success with this type of repair on three vehicles. 
Team Owner
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Yes, you need to repair it. Get one of those guys who does it because there's always the possibility that it will start spreading. And then you'll have a real mess on your hands.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Scenic (and snowy) New Hampshire
For about $45 one of those mobile glass places came out and took care of my C5 in my parking lot at work. I had a good stone chip the size of a dime right in the drivers side field of view. The repair consists of drilling a hole in the chip down to the safety laminate in the center of the windshield glass (two layers of glass and a thin layer of poly to keep the glass fragments in the event of an impact). They will then fill the hole with a two part clear epoxy using a little machine that heats the area and applies a slight pressure to force the epoxy into the crack. It becomes almost invisible when they are done. I would suggest this as in colder temps, your chip can start to form a crack or series of cracks (spider web) and then you will need to replace the windshield. This will likely prevent that from happening.
Had the same thing done to my Avalanche. Only visible if you know where to look. Just pay for it yourself as even the "free" glass repair/replacement goes on your insurance record.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 426
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From: Olathe Kansas
You need to get it fixed before it spreads...just because it's not a crack now doesn't mean it wont turn into one. Shouldn't be more than 50 bucks to have them fill in the chip. I used to repair windshields in college. It'll end up looking like a small bug hit your windshield in the spot after they fixed it. You won't even notice it unless you look really close. Most places will come out to wherever you have the car at and do it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Seattle WA
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
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I think the car being so low does have something to do with it. I also have a black coupe and I only have 3000 miles and 3 chips in the hood and 2 chips in the windshield. I did do museum delivery though and drpve back to California. How is your black coupe holding up? Any chips or dings on the hood or bumper? I had an 05 Mustang for 2 years and nothing, traded it in for the vette and all of these chips in 3 weeks!! Not complaining just curious if its bad luck or happening to others.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: San Diego CA
Had four big chips show up during the first 3K miles. After sitting in the sun, one chip exploded into a one inch crack. I had it fixed by one of the glass fix guys that my insurance paid for and it came out pretty well (the crack); but had them also try to fix one of the bigger chips which was directly in my line of sight and it didn't turn out so good. It was drilled and filled but it's now more opaque that the rest of the windshield so I still see what looks lihe a small bird crap splat directly in my line of sight. I guess eventually I'll replace the windshield. When the sun is just right, my windshield now looks like I'm looking out during a snowstorm. Never had a vehicle with this many pits/chips at 14K miles.
