Where to start on cracks?

[texas jim]

I was talking with one of the locals and we did not agree on if you should start to fill a crack at the end after setting the bulleye. or where it meets the edge of the glass?

[ncglastech]

I would like to know this myself. Everybody does it different I guess.

[souchie]

I would start at the end to stabilize the the crack ,that is drill the end and pop a bullseye so as to keep it from running in futher when pressure is applied to the injector.

[vinyl-4ever]

You start filling crack at the impact point.

[Dave M]

Isn't this amazing! How do we get all these different answers? When we purchase our equipment don't we receive training from the manufacturers? Has there been one question on any of these forums that has had one and only one definitive answer? The forums are good forms of media for learning, but for someone looking for one correct answer and gets two or three different solutions, it's darn right confusing don't you think?

[texas jim]

Dave, thats correct lots of differant input. say i go buy my training. and i do. but a 16 year vet shows me work quality i cant in two years of windshield repair even get close too. but his method is not by the book. works for him but i prefer input from you guys with all your knowledge before i consider changing my method. i think its best first to take all this input and then decide. i welcome text book and by the seat of your pants advise. thanks t j

[grouselab]

How about this.. go to the wrecking yard, get yourself a windshield.. Practice in your garage and firgure out what best for you....

[SGT]

I agree. There is definatley a lot information to digest here from all sorts of people. This one does it that way, he does it this way, she does the other way and so on. All methods very well might get the job done. Knowing who is experienced and who is not is hard for sure around hear sometimes. Some have a clue and some do not.

That being said, if you are unsure about your crack repair technique, maybe a good place to start would be with your tooling MFG. If that is not an option then find someone who can show you what works for them(you can always refine as you need). Last case scenario, figure it out on your own with lots of practice.

Sure some ways are better than others but try not to get hung up on what is the best way. There is plenty of time to sharpen your skills. Concentrate on making sure all your repairs are structurally sound with what ever method you use then look for alternate methods.

Sure I could have provided you with another opinion of what works for us but then you would have to wonder if there was any substance to it.

Basics will always be the basics so get a good foundation.

[texas jim]

Sgt thanks for your advice. And will put it to good use. See I think im pretty good at this crack repair. But here came along this 72 year old man with 16 years of windshield repair experience and using methods that where with out a doughty just the opposite of what I was trained by my tooling mfg. and his work was flawless. Really. Just the best I have ever seen. Now I wonder if im really that good? Well I guess you’re correct with time I will always improve. Sort of a perfectionist on this side. It is nice to have everybody’s advise on this forum. Has helped me in the past and am sure will in the future. Thanks to all. Tj

[rescue]

I always start at the windshield edge. If the impact break is small I may just fill it with crack filler along with the crack. If the impact damage is substantial, I will cover it with a piece of black electrical tape (to prevent it from curing) while I do the crack repair first. After the crack is completed, then I'll complete the impact damage just like a normal chip repair.