do DIY windshield repair kits work?

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

i have a tiny chip in my windsheild that i need to repair before it starts to crack, etc. i called GEICO because they'll fix it for free, etc and when i asked they said it *probably* wouldnt effect my rates at all. so wtf.

so maybe ill give DIY a shot. any experience? its so small i almost dont notice it now and its right in front of my face.. so a big glob of sealant would be a problem. but do any DIY kits work nice and are really transparent? How are they different from what a pro would do?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:21 am

DanDurusky wrote:

i have a tiny chip in my windsheild that i need to repair before it starts to crack, etc. i called GEICO because they'll fix it for free, etc and when i asked they said it *probably* wouldnt effect my rates at all. so wtf.

You have GEICO? You're kidding right?

Emmett Willis · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:30 am **Posts:** 69

My experience with do it yourself window repair kits was so so. It did keep the crack from spreading but was not transparent at all. It looked like someone just dropped a blob of epoxy on your windsheild.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:10 pm

I've had good luck with these kits. As long as the crack is fresh and not too large, it will repair easily. If it's been collecting dirt for a while, your results may reflect that.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:24 pm

If it's just crack repair and not windshield replacement, there is no way your insurance will go up. I get comprehensive for a reason on all of my cars. I replaced an entire windshield on the Protege and small chip in the Celica. My insurance never went up a dime.

A professional is going to do a better job too, there is no doubt about it. For most insurance companies, a fill, not replace, has zero deductible too.

Do yourself a favor and get it done right. If they crack the windshield while doing it, most will replace it without the deductible. - AB

PJ Aspesi · **Posted:** Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:27 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

DanDurusky wrote:

i have a tiny chip in my windsheild that i need to repair before it starts to crack, etc. i called GEICO because they'll fix it for free, etc and when i asked they said it *probably* wouldnt effect my rates at all. so wtf.

You have GEICO? You're kidding right?

whats wrong with Geico?

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:10 am

PJ Aspesi wrote:

whats wrong with Geico?

Geico provides many police municipalities with radar/laser speed guns for free. On top of that, you better hope they don't find out your autocrossing. If they do, expect to get dropped. - AB

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

ive heard the same about every other major company. shouldnt be surprising

David Spratte · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 4:17 pm

I don't think Cline Hall would drop you.
Or my agent for that matter since he's been to a couple of events with me.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

i meant about the police sponorship,etc. dunno about the autox thing.

who does cline hall work for?

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:07 pm

Google Says wrote:

Cline Hall Agency

George Bright · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:21 pm

Comprehensive insurance claims will not raise your rate. The only thing the campany can do is decide not to renew your comp coverage. I have seen one former customer have this problem. She had her windshield replaced because of chips every 6 months for 3 years on a $0 deductable comp policy. Her company finally decided to drop her coverage. Most companies will waive the deductable for a repair because the repair is cheaper than their part of the glass replacement if you let the crack run and need a replacement.

I do the repairs as a part of my job. They do not dissapear but will improve in appearance. We do not like to do repairs if the spot is right infront of the driver but we will if you insist.

Also you get one shot at a repair. If it comes out badly you have to live with it. My company offers a repair waranty.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Dec 17, 2005 11:18 pm

so the windshield on the bmw is pitted to hell. should i drop a rock on it and get it replaced? i beleive i have a $50 deductible. i had a tahoe that got three new windshields. i think some cars are just destined.

Mitchell Moore · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 3:11 pm **Posts:** 197

steve remchak wrote:

so the windshield on the bmw is pitted to hell. should i drop a rock on it and get it replaced? i beleive i have a $50 deductible. i had a tahoe that got three new windshields. i think some cars are just destined.

Just keep doing track events and it will crack without any help. Mine has a crack in the lower left hand corner that happened at Rockingham. The windshield in a E36 is qlued in, so guess what gives when the frame flexes.
I wonder if a X brace and a strut tower brace would have kept it from happening?

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

my gf found two more chips in my windsheild yesterday! damn so thats three chips..

will that effect how my insurance co feels about this? could i try for a whole new windsheild?

if so, is there a difference between OEM and aftermarket windsheilds?

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