Windshield Cracked on me today... OOOPS

[StarQuest]

lordstanley13,

I work the same area as you do and will admit that when temps drop below 40F I consider all damage to have moisture present. This time of year I will dry out everything regardless of absence of snow or rain. Are you currently drying out everything? Not sure if that's what caused your break out but like Screenman stated, air will compress and water will not. Could've been a number of things that caused yours to fail.

Have I had any customers upset with me in the past over a crack out? Yes, not very many but a few! Have I ever paid for a shield replacement? Only once so far and it wasn't even my fault (2001 Honda Element with defective manufacture service bulletin on windshield) Why did I pay this one? Only because customer made such a big stink with insurance I feared I would loose TPA referral rotation. At the time, I was receiving 5-6 daily.

[lordstanley13]

Now that I think of it, It might of been too much pressure.... I do remember seeing the resin coming out of the crack by the break right after it happened... That would be one sign of too much pressure correct????

[StarQuest]

Originally Posted by lordstanley13

Now that I think of it, It might of been too much pressure.... I do remember seeing the resin coming out of the crack by the break right after it happened... That would be one sign of too much pressure correct????

It would definately be a sign that a sub surface crack then turned into a surface crack. Sub surface cracks won't leak resin! Could too much stem or probe pressure cause that? Yes it could. Didn't answer my dry out question yet? Do you dry out repairs this time of year? If not, please start doing so because they all contain moisture.

[lordstanley13]

I will definitely start drying them out from here on.... No I did not dry that break out. I did inspect with probe before starting job and did not see visible moisture in the break. But I definitely will take it in consideration on the next couple I have lined up in the next day or two. (Depending on the weather) here in Michigan. I was suppose to do them today but after that crack I got gun shy and canceled the other appointments till the end of the week.

And you being from Michigan can see we are in for a bunch of snow the next couple days..

[lordstanley13]

what are you using to dry out your breaks?

[InventorOfDryStarPatent]

Originally Posted by lordstanley13

Well, when I told him 160.00 for replacement, he said that was alot better than 1,000 deductible... But then he threw in the comment like: " Well I (HE) didn't crack it.) I merely stated to him that it was cracked and I was trying to fix and save something that was already broke.

When I do retail, thats what I tell them also, except I told them before I start.
Its cracked now, it will get worse and you will need a new windshield, unless I am able to repair it, it may break while im repairing it, if it does, you lost nothing, I will not charge you anything and will refer you to my glass shop for a discount on a brand new glass.
They aways agree.
I only broke a couple of them over 20 years and no one got mad.

[StarQuest]

I use both the Drystar and Weller heat pen for moisture removal. Really depends on the conditions. Sometimes one works better for me than the other.
The important message to deliver is to always make sure damage is dry of moisture prior to filling resin.

[SGT]

Originally Posted by lordstanley13

I
Has anyone ever had that happen, Yes. and has the customer ever gone APE BANANAS????? No. What were your steps in making it right for them???? I did not buy a windshield. My first step in making every broken windshield I attempt to repair takes place before I ever touch the glass and that is customer education which includes there current situation, speculative future issues if left unrepaired, what a repair is, what a repair is not, what to expect and I have the customer(retail) sign a waiver which also authorizes me to operate there vehicle for the purpose of making repairs. I have a feeling that this has been the first time it has ever happened to me, but it might not be the last... You might be right but it might not if you exercise all precautions during the repair you will greatly reduce your odds. It happens to the best technicians so you are not alone. We as techs are dealing with broken glass, an unstable environment to begin with and you might at some point even if you do everything right have one that cracks out.

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