Tight Star Break

[Coitster]

DO NOT DRILL A HOLE AT THE END OF EACH CRACK! You just drill a small hole at the center of the break. Drill about 1/3 through the first layer of glass and tap. Remember lightly tap, and then fill. You might have to slightly flex and hold each crack, no big deal. The reason you don't use a lighter is because as you heat the glass the crack will close up pushing the resin out of the break. You will have an optical illusion that the crack is filled when it isn't. I used a lighter for years until I learned that it was far, far, far better to not use one. I havn't carried a lighter for years. Hope that helps.
David
Coitster

[Shepard]

Thanks David, what DO you use to remove moisture?

[Coitster]

Removing moisture with heat and heating a windshield to fill a crack are completely different. I use a moisture evaporate on the outside and I also make sure the windshield cools down before I start the repair. When you use a torch or a lighter on the inside when the chip is under pressure from your equipment is a great way to snap the windshield. So yes heat is ok to get ride of moisture but not to fill it.
David
Coitster

[Starburst Mobile WR]

Great information guys, this is sure to help me in the future. I've always used a lighter but I can see what you mean about the legs closing and pushing the resin out. I'll try not using one on my next repair and see how that works.

[CV Windshield Repair]

What was the viscosity of the resin that you used on that star break?

[AGSS]

DO NOT DRILL A HOLE AT THE END OF EACH CRACK! You just drill a small hole at the center of the break. Drill about 1/3 through the first layer of glass and tap. Remember lightly tap, and then fill. You might have to slightly flex and hold each crack, no big deal. The reason you don't use a lighter is because as you heat the glass the crack will close up pushing the resin out of the break. You will have an optical illusion that the crack is filled when it isn't. I used a lighter for years until I learned that it was far, far, far better to not use one. I havn't carried a lighter for years. Hope that helps.
David
Coitster

David,

At what point do you decide that you that you need to drill and tap ( from above quote) do you do this on all stars? or on some that you have problems filling. And do you run into any problems with a half filled star that now has to be drilled?

[Coitster]

I always try to fill first without drilling. If it won't fill (only 2 out of a hundred) then I will drill and pop. No problem with resin being in there at all.
David
Coitster

[wilz]

I feel that if you were to drill first than fill, you'd have a quicker repair. Just my two cents worth.

[Coitster]

Wilz,
You are correct. If you drill you do have a faster repair. However I prefer to have the absolute best possible repair possible. If you have no drill hole and you have filled the chip completely it will be GONE! When I stopped drilling and started spending a few more minutes on my repairs you wouldn't believe the results. I know this is hard for lots of people to understand because all they care about is speed. I know I come across those kind of repairs all the time.

I beat this topic like a dead horse but I can make chips almost completely disapear. I am not kidding here. Customer's 9 times out of 10 can't find the chip I repaired for them. This is why when I fix a chip for someone I am their repair tech for LIFE. So yes you can drill but I choose not to for the outstanding results I get with my repairs.
David
Coitster

[wilz]

I know this is hard for lots of people to understand because all they care about is speed. I know I come across those kind of repairs all the time

by Coitster.

I have been using your method prior to drilling than filling. However, unfortunately for me my failure rate is quite higher compared to yours. The frustrating thing about this method is it just prolongs the repair, reloading the injectors with resin and puts you under unnecessary pressure if the owner of the vehicle is standing right there beside you. Drilling into the pit area for me is a sure thing.

The difference in repairs, i never really noticed. My repairs through this method has also been outstanding as the way you mentioned yours. I am going back to my lab windshield to check on this one.