Ok, so I was not sure where to put this thread, so this may be the wrong forum, but here I am. Courtesy of a dual pick-up truck this morning, I got a nice new rock chip in the windshield (no, I was not following closely). Well here is the deal. It is just a small circular chunk that was taken out but it goes through the first level of the glass. Since I don't really want to have the whole windshield replaced this summer when it decides to spread (way too expensive with the integrated antenna, etc), what type of repair do I need to look at for the chip. I have a shop here that will "fill" it for $38, but that sounded a bit expensive for them to put a spot of some kind of glue in it and hope it holds.

 

I've already had a couple of these fixed this year. It costs about $24 for the first one and $10 for any others fixed at the same time....call around for a price. Most of these companies also participate on coupon offerings.

 

i had 1 large one and 2 tiny ones fixed yesterday for $40. he always charges at least $40 and did the 2 little ones for free. i wasnt sure who to contact so i called a couple dealerships. both my mazda/volvo dealer and the BMW dealer gave me this guys name. i figured that was excellent endorsments and it turned out i was right. he did a really good job and was really careful with the car. laid some really soft cloths on the hood/fenders so he could work and covered my seats when he got in the car. definetly worht the money.

 

Additionally, most insurance companies will cover this repair 100% with no deductible because a proper windshield repair will save them the cost of a new windshield claim (and you your deductible cost). Call and ask your insurance co. about their policy. They also won't "ding" you for the claim on your rates.

I've had numerous repairs like that over the years. They actually do a fair amount of work - they force an optically clear epoxy into the "star" on the windshield and then cure it with UV light (if it's a sunny day they focus a magnifier on it, otherwise, they use an artificial light source to do it). And it is PERMANENT. The chip becomes almost entirely invisible and it stabilizes the windshield from further damage.

The sooner you get it done the better. You won't have to replace your windshield at all.

 

Ya, this works really well in most cases. I have one star that wouldn't clean up completely.

 

Does anyone know of techniques for windshield scratch removal?

 

When they finish filling in a star crack, they top off the entire area with a "wash" of resin or whatever. It's liquid that dries and hardens, filling in remaining grooves and canals and smoothing out the surface. When it hardens, they take a razor blade and shave the area down to perfection.

Maybe you can have someone do that for the scratches. I don't know.

 

My car is on it's second windshield. The first one took a rock in the face when a semi I was behind decided to drive off the mountain road onto the dust and pebble covered shoulder and showered my car with rocks. I got a nice big old crack that spread 1" every time I touched it, so I had that replaced. Cost me $100 insurance deductible. Then, last weekend the smallest of small rocks hit me again and put a pit right in my field of view. You don't suppose something about this windshield design makes it extra susceptible to damage? I've never had windshield damage before in any car, and this one has been hurt twice in 1 year. I haven't gotten it fixed yet because I'm generally feeling disenfranchised by the state of my car due to the problems it's having, but I'd be interested to know how they repair these pits. If I run my finger across the outside of the window, you can't detect the damage. It's on the inside layers only. How would they fix that?

 

Not sure but this is the first sports car I've owned. I believe it's because the car is so low. Before the rocks would've hit the bumper or grill on my other cars.

 

I just wanted to add a comment that th 8 has about the most easily chipped glass I have ever seen. I have 8k miles and have lots of little nicks in the glass that produce a sparkle effect during sunrise/sunset.

Any others notice similar?

My insurance company will replace due to safety reasons but I get to pay the $50 deductable.

 

yeah, it really does- I've already had to get my windshield replaced. Since then (2 months ago) I haven't gotten a single one. Maybe it's the stock windshield...?

 

Do you have the invoice from the repair?
It might have the brand of replacement glass.
I would love to know if there is an aftermarket brand that is know to work.

 

My windshield was chipped by a rock from a tow truck exiting the interstate, two months after I got my car. My insurance paid for the repair. What a frickin joke! I had to have it replaced because the chip started to chip out! I only had to pay $100 deductible for the replacement.

 

I agree with the insurance posts. Check your policy. I know Geico covers it.

 

I thought so too. I figured it was cause the car is so low, but I find that hard to believe. I have been in equally low cars.

 

Hey Zoom44, I'm in Portland also and I need a couple chips fixed too. Can you send me the contact information for that guy? Sounds like he does a good job Thanks!

 

No, unfortunately. but it did take them 2 weeks to actually get it in- so they are apparently pretty hard to come by.

 

I wouldn't wait too long to have this repaired. Mine started out as a small star shaped crack and within a few days each point of the star extended out to the border of the windshield. It went from a $30 job to $700. My insurance would have paid the $30 but I had to pay $500 out of the $700 due to my deductible.

 

I have worried about this very problem with the 8 (i hope to buy later this year). We drive to work everyday on a very busy highway shared with semis. we've had to replace two windshields (on a jetta wagon and a civic so it's not just the 8) and my civic's current glass has a "star" in it as some call it. i filled the chip myself with some off the shelf goop for ten bucks. it's held a year now...
so i don't think it's the car, just those damned semis on the road!

 

Well, I got it fixed. Guy came out to my job site and drilled/filled it with the epoxy stuff for $35. He guarantees that it will not crack, but if it does...I get my money back. Lucky for me it was not directly in my field of vision, but over to the left right where the windshield wipers stop their wipe trail. It left a small dark mark, but he said that most of that will fade and become clear with time (not much sun around here lately). Not too bad, but since I am a perfectionist...it is still a little bit annoying.

I will agree that the car must sit lower to the ground because that was awefully high on the windshield where it chipped. It bounced off and chipped the paint on the door too, so I will incur an additional $4 for touch-up paint on the door.

 

Hey I just realized something. The integrated antenna is in the back glass...isn't it. Oh well, still sounds like it is pretty expensive to replace at the $700 somebody listed here.