Windshield scratch repair?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Windshield scratch repair?
Last weekend I ran into some fairly heavy rain. When washing the car yesterday I noticed a scratch on the passenger side window. Apparently the wiper blade had come loose and metal rubbed against the glass.
Does anyone have an idea if this can be fixed? The scratch is about a foot long in a curved arc. You can feel the scratch at the bottom but not at the top. I looked at some repair kits at the auto supply store but they're mostly for rock chips.
Since it's not really bad, I'd rather try to repair it than pay the deductible on my insurance for a new windshield, which an auto shop told me was $1400.
Does anyone have an idea if this can be fixed? The scratch is about a foot long in a curved arc. You can feel the scratch at the bottom but not at the top. I looked at some repair kits at the auto supply store but they're mostly for rock chips.
Since it's not really bad, I'd rather try to repair it than pay the deductible on my insurance for a new windshield, which an auto shop told me was $1400.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Had mine replaced a couple of years ago for a crack and numerous chips. It's worth it to do a replacement if your deductable is reasonable. Mine cost me $50 for the replacement (yes, they are expensive, especially if you have heads up display).
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
I agree that if it were a rock chip I'd probably just bite the bullet and replace it. But this just doesn't look as serious...though I guess it might be if I can feel the scratch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,259
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From: Mt. Sinai NY
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 615
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From: st michaels maryland
I own a glass shop and it really needs to be looked at for some one to give you an answer.rule of thumb if you slide your finger nail or the edge of a nickel across it and feel the scratch [the nickel will have a ticking noise or feel ]then it will not buff out with out major distortion to the glass.the only success we have had is if the glass has an abrasion or haze on the glass.In order to remove a scratch you must grind the glass just beyond the depth of the scratch which would cause a concave shape in the windshield and smaller scratchs that would then need to polished out . Most of the time we replace not for the big sale,but because ultimately, the customer isnt going to be happy with the outcome of such a repair .good luck 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Since windshield repair is a safety issue, check your deductible. It's probably a lot less than your collision/comp deductible. It might be cheaper than you think to just get new glass.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,168
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From: Dyer IN
It's not. Repairs are free but replacing it will cost you your deductible. I got a chip from a rock falling from a damn truck the other day and just had it repaired about ten minutes ago. You can see it if you know where it's at but it really isn't that bad. I'll probably replace it eventually but not at this time. Repair is good enough.
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Drifting
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From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
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From: DFW/Long Island
It's not. Repairs are free but replacing it will cost you your deductible. I got a chip from a rock falling from a damn truck the other day and just had it repaired about ten minutes ago. You can see it if you know where it's at but it really isn't that bad. I'll probably replace it eventually but not at this time. Repair is good enough.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
I checked my insurance and the deductible for "Other than collission" is $250, so not too bad. But it didn't say if it has any special glass coverage so I checked the internet and it doesn't seem to.
Maybe I'll drop by a glass shop, though I've called two of them and they say it needs to be replaced. On the internet a lot of places say they can repair rock chips but not scratches.
Last edited by FunDriver; Jun 26, 2009 at 08:47 PM.
