Windshield chip: Should I/can I get this repaired?

[rg200amp]

While on the Highway 18 wheeler kicked up a rock on my windshield. It sounded very loud and I expected to see huge crack. However I only found a very small chip. There's no cracks around it and it is smaller than a grain of kosher salt.

Is it fine to leave alone, or should I have it epoxied by a windshield repair company?

Thanks!

 

[Danno]

If there are no cracks radiating from the damage, it can't be fixed and is more of a crater. Keep a close eye on it and if it starts to spread, call it at 1/4", get it fixed right away.

 

[RiceCake]

Looks like you just got a crater or a regular nick. Basically if it doesn't permeate the entire layer of outer glass its still structurally sound and shouldn't expand.

Like Danno said if it has cracks radiating from it, then there's stress fracture points that can grow, usually violently resulting in an instant huge crack...those are the ones you really need to get fixed.

 

[simple_gifts]

+1; I am assuming you do not have 100% glass coverage on your insurance?

 

[autodetailer]

just take it to a glass shop and they can take a round bit a drill in it alittle to round it so it will not spread

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
+1; I am assuming you do not have 100% glass coverage on your insurance?


I do. They cover repair for free. Replacement I would pay the deductible.

 

[JHZR2]

It is more of a divot so I would just get an auto parts store filler kit and use that

 

[Panzerman]

I wouldnt even worry about it. If it cracks thn just get a new windshield. I doubt there is a deductable on glass coverage. Depends on your insurance company, I suppose. I have State Farm and new glass is free. I dont worry about knicks only cracks.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
+1; I am assuming you do not have 100% glass coverage on your insurance?


I do. They cover repair for free. Replacement I would pay the deductible.
Glass outfits here will come right to the house or workplace. I'd have the insurance company arrange it.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
+1; I am assuming you do not have 100% glass coverage on your insurance?


I do. They cover repair for free. Replacement I would pay the deductible.


If you have no deductible on repair, then I would get it repaired.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I wouldnt even worry about it. If it cracks thn just get a new windshield. I doubt there is a deductable on glass coverage. Depends on your insurance company, I suppose. I have State Farm and new glass is free. I dont worry about knicks only cracks.


We have State Farm too. Wife got a rock chip in her windshield and our agent said they don't even bother with repairs, they just replace the windshield no matter what. They figure it's cheaper to replace it and be done with it rather than repair it and then end up replacing it later when it cracks anyway.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
+1; I am assuming you do not have 100% glass coverage on your insurance?


I do. They cover repair for free. Replacement I would pay the deductible.


If you have no deductible on repair, then I would get it repaired.


Yea, I was just seeing if it was even worth going to get checked.

I dont have a lot of free time with the new job.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I wouldnt even worry about it. If it cracks thn just get a new windshield. I doubt there is a deductable on glass coverage. Depends on your insurance company, I suppose. I have State Farm and new glass is free. I dont worry about knicks only cracks.


No way.. I do everything I could to save and protect my OE windshield. Some of the garbage made in Mexico and China stuff that the glass shops and insurance companies peddle is so horrid it makes my eyes hurt. Way too wavy.

 

[RF Overlord]

Wife's car got a small "star" in the windscreen. Safelite tried to fix it and it didn't take, so they replaced the glass and even took off the cost of the failed attempt. Props to them.

My company-owned work van has had a star in it for the last 6-7 years. Never got any worse and doesn't impede my vision, so there it sits.

 

[simple_gifts]

I had a chip repaired about 3 months after I bought my !echo! JN Phillips did the repair. Still holding after almost 10 years.

 

[simple_gifts]

OT: one of those "go to your business" windshield replacement places came out to my job to replace a windshield in somebody's topaz. He located a car with a cracked windshield and opened it up and started ripping out the old one. Problem is a light blue topaz on the work order is not a silver escort which he decided to work on. Owner of the car strolls up and asks "what are you doing?" Guy working on the cars says "Oh you're Weldon?" Owner says "nope....Weldon's care is over.... there"

Problem is the replacement shield was for a topaz and it was friday afternoon.... I ended up driving the owner back to his house, 40 miles away.

Monday, the windshield place showed up and replaced the windshield that they incorrectly destroy.... and then promptly tried to the get owner to pay for it.

 

[Danno]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS

We have State Farm too. Wife got a rock chip in her windshield and our agent said they don't even bother with repairs, they just replace the windshield no matter what. They figure it's cheaper to replace it and be done with it rather than repair it and then end up replacing it later when it cracks anyway.


FWIW I had a 2005 Uplander with 140,000 miles over 8 years and we get plenty of salt and sand laid on our roads. 3 repaired bullets, but the OEM windshiled stayed in until tranny issues sent it into the trade in pool.

 

[shell_user]

I agree with JHZR2, as I have 100% coverage on my 92' Blazer and my 03' Civic, and when I got a chip in my line of sight(all PA Inspection Mechanics like myself know what I am talkin bout) I got it fixed properly at my work, took bout 25 min and still dont know its ever been fixed.

skimp out of not fixing it if you want; but I would NOT.

adam

 

[Jarlaxle]

Get it filled. My work truck has, at last count, six repaired chips (I drive a Freightliner M2, it's a big target) and none have spread. The glass guy comes about once a month and fixes all the chips...according to my boss, that costs about $25 per chip and a windshield for the truck is almost $2000!