Did my first windshield chip repair.

[Jess from VA]

I've had windshield chips and dimples fixed professionally a number of times over the years.  They come to your house and when finished, you can't even see anything at all. 

A local company is the best.  It's not SafeLite, who because of their incessant TV commercials I would not call if they were the only company on the planet. 

The big Promaster windshield is a hard target to miss and I got a tiny chip down near the wipers that didn't even go through, just a surface nick that has not grown in size or cracks for many months.  If it was worse, I'd have called the pros.

So I went on the computer, and a solid majority of the blogs and opinions was that the RainX brand offered the best kit of the several available.  Not at Autozone, not at Advance Auto, and I got the only one left at Walmart.

The instructions don't cover it, but the computer told me you want it to be above 50* and that the windshield and the kit resin should be within 10* of each other.  So I had to wait for it to warm up.  But when I went out to clean the shield/chip, the direct sunlight had the shield very warm, despite the cold temps.  Then I had trouble finding a spot in the shade to do the repair.

I followed the directions and did the best I could.  Covered the repair with the UV strip and parked in sunlight.  I got full coverage of the little chip and a smooth surface with the razor blade, but it didn't disappear at all.  Not that you even notice it's there from the driver's seat. 

Harry Homeowner strikes again.   

[Hook#3287]

Hope the fix takes.

When I put a sheet off plywood through the back window of my truck, I called Safelite.

The service and service dude were excellent.

Course, the back windows are not the same as the front windows in construction and added do-dads, but it does have heat strips and the new one works fine.

[Chrisj CMA]

I’m sure it varies by region. People can be people lol. However, I have used SafeLite before and found them to be outstanding. If I need another repair or replace I will be calling SafeLite

[F6Dave]

My experience was interesting. I'd been using a local glass place that did a good job fixing cracks for $35. Then my insurance agent told me they covered the repairs for free with no deductible. So I called the claim number and talked with an adjuster. She wanted to know the time, date, location, speed, weather, and size and color of the rock that hit my windshield! Finally, after a good 20 minutes of interrogation she scheduled a guy from Safelite to meet me in the parking lot of my office.

The repair guy had worked for another glass company Safelite had just acquired, and he wasn't happy with his new employer. He complained a lot and fixed the crack, then found 2 more tiny cracks to fix and add to my insurer's bill. I didn't cost me anything and I did get a free can of glass cleaner so I figured all was well. Until it rained.

I was running my wipers and noticed a streak in one place. I took a closer look and saw that the repair hadn't been trimmed properly and still had a sharp edge that cut my wiper blade. So I trimmed it with a razor blade and replaced the wiper. Maybe Jess should repair mine next time!

Actually I'm sure Safelite is just fine. They're a big company with stores everywhere and now and then you'll get a guy having a bad day. And windshields have become so complex and expensive, with integrated cameras and heaters, that it's good to have the option to repair rather than replace.

[Jess from VA]

I'm wasn't really trying to save money, just thought I'd learn and do it myself for a simple small repair.

The cosmetics didn't work out, but I think it's a complete fix for getting worse.

Companies that fill the airwaves with repetitive, irritating, insulting, dancing and singing with studded tongues adds do not get any business of mine, even if they're the best at what they do.  Piss off!

[klb]

My wife's Corolla got a pretty bad quarter sized chip with a few short lines coming from it. I also used the RainX repair kit and after the first try it was almost gone but I could see a little spot so I did it a second time and one would never know where the repair was. Nice for something to work as advertised every once in a while.

[Jess from VA]

My wife's Corolla got a pretty bad quarter sized chip with a few short lines coming from it. I also used the RainX repair kit and after the first try it was almost gone but I could see a little spot so I did it a second time and one would never know where the repair was. Nice for something to work as advertised every once in a while.

Yeah, I think I'll go back and do it again just to see if I can make it disappear more.  I hardly used but 3 drops the first time. 

I will wait for the 3 days of rain to pass first.   

[Hook#3287]

Jess, I agree on your take on repetitive irritating commercials.

I kinda like the Safelite jingle 

It least they don't use a emu and some dude.

And, men over 40, don't really give a crap. At least real men over 40.

[RP#62]

We quit using Safelite.  In our area, there are a lot of rocks on the road.  They get stuck in tire treads and it is not uncommon for them to sling out at highway speeds and hit your windshield.  When the truck was new (Xterra) the windshield took several hits over a couple of years until it finally cracked to the point where it had to be replaced.  We had Safelite come out and do it in the parking lot while I was at work and was really pleased with the service. 

A couple of months later, a small rock hit the windshield dead center, about 3 inches from the lower edge.  It made a small chip, which within days had grown into an 8" crack.  No problem, had Safelite come out and replace it.  A couple of months later, same thing happen.  After my 4th Safelite windshield, it was becomming a joke. I told my wife that the windshield was getting dirty, its about time for a new one.  We started to suspect the quality of Safelite windshields.  Evidently, they make their own.  Next replacement we called somebody else and my wife asked them if they used Safelite windshields as replacements and the guy started laughing and said no, we use replacements that are equivalent to OEM.  When he took the Safelite out, you could see that it was noticeably thinner than the one he was putting back in.

That replacement has been in place 4 years now and has taken multiple rock hits without a problem - one so loud, we thought we had been shot.  If you're not in an area where rocks are a problem Safelite is probably OK, but never again for us.

RP

[Hook#3287]

We quit using Safelite.  In our area, there are a lot of rocks on the road.  They get stuck in tire treads and it is not uncommon for them to sling out at highway speeds and hit your windshield.  When the truck was new (Xterra) the windshield took several hits over a couple of years until it finally cracked to the point where it had to be replaced.  We had Safelite come out and do it in the parking lot while I was at work and was really pleased with the service. 

A couple of months later, a small rock hit the windshield dead center, about 3 inches from the lower edge.  It made a small chip, which within days had grown into an 8" crack.  No problem, had Safelite come out and replace it.  A couple of months later, same thing happen.  After my 4th Safelite windshield, it was becomming a joke. I told my wife that the windshield was getting dirty, its about time for a new one.  We started to suspect the quality of Safelite windshields.  Evidently, they make their own.  Next replacement we called somebody else and my wife asked them if they used Safelite windshields as replacements and the guy started laughing and said no, we use replacements that are equivalent to OEM.  When he took the Safelite out, you could see that it was noticeably thinner than the one he was putting back in.

That replacement has been in place 4 years now and has taken multiple rock hits without a problem - one so loud, we thought we had been shot.  If you're not in an area where rocks are a problem Safelite is probably OK, but never again for us.

RP

That's something I was not aware of, Safelite making or sourcing the windscreens to a less quality than OEM.  Sounds like a business plan that insures repeat customers. 

DOT's, either federal or state, must have regulations that are required to be followed.

Guess if I every need a new windscreen, which hopefully I won't, questions on quality and glass thickness will be asked.

Thanks for the info