How to Get a Good Repair

[jdrake4]

I just received a chip in my windshield and need to get it repaired. The chip is overall about the size of a quarter including the two cracks that extend pass the impact point. The chip is kind of in line with my vision so I really want the repair to be invisible. I have had chips before in other cars and I am never really happy with the results because it is always visible after the repair. I have tried do it yourself kits with mediocre at best results. I have had it done "professionally" with slightly better results. When I watch the marketing on repairing they always show it as the chip being completely gone. THey even show these huge cracks extending for several inches being repaired and inviible when done.

Once I had a repair done twice to the same chip by one of these guys who sit at a gas station. He saw my chip asked if I wanted it fixed. I said it was already fixed once. He said they did a terrible job, and he would do a much better job and the windshield would be smooth after his repair and he only charged me $15 since I already paid for it once. He came over drilled it out, then put the suction cup metal thingy on to finish the repair (No UV lamp was used). The repair took about 2 minutes and looked slightly better but you could still feel the impact point and see most of the spider cracks from it. Considering this chip was in the lower right corner of my windshield I think I wasted money on the second repair. My thinking is that a good repair takes more than two minutes and if you spend 15 minutes you should finish with a near invisible repair. I have even considered spending money on my own professional kit so I can get a good repair assuming good repairs take only time.

Anyways enough babbling about my life story on windshield repairs. My questions are:
1. Is it possible to make a small quarter size chip including the stringers or cracks be invisible after the repair is done?
2. what percentage of your repairs on cracks similar to mine are invisible after you repair it?
3. Is it possible to make the impact point flush and disappear?
4. How do I make sure I get someone who can perform a great repair (assuming this is possible)?
5. What do I say when they do the repair so I can make sure the job is done right (for example: should I say "hey where is your UV light?" or that stringer is still visible can you use your flux capacitor posting.php?mode=post&f=7&sid=81d3ac5e8 ... 6dabf2e0ac# to get that out?)
6. Or maybe should I just buy a new windshield when the chip/crack is in the line of site?

Thanks for your help!

[Mr Bill]

Where are you located?
How invisible the repair ends up depends on how bad the damage the damage was before you started.
Most repairs take me about 30 minutes.
Before the repair, ask the repairman if you need to pay if you are dissatisfied with the repair.
You usually only get one shot at a repair, so re repairing a bad repair is normally not an option.

[t4k]

I just received a chip in my windshield and need to get it repaired. The chip is overall about the size of a quarter including the two cracks that extend pass the impact point. The chip is kind of in line with my vision so I really want the repair to be invisible. I have had chips before in other cars and I am never really happy with the results because it is always visible after the repair. I have tried do it yourself kits with mediocre at best results. I have had it done "professionally" with slightly better results. When I watch the marketing on repairing they always show it as the chip being completely gone. They even show these huge cracks extending for several inches being repaired and invisible when done.

Once I had a repair done twice to the same chip by one of these guys who sit at a gas station. He saw my chip asked if I wanted it fixed. I said it was already fixed once. He said they did a terrible job, and he would do a much better job and the windshield would be smooth after his repair and he only charged me $15 since I already paid for it once. He came over drilled it out, then put the suction cup metal thingy on to finish the repair (No UV lamp was used). The repair took about 2 minutes and looked slightly better but you could still feel the impact point and see most of the spider cracks from it. Considering this chip was in the lower right corner of my windshield I think I wasted money on the second repair. My thinking is that a good repair takes more than two minutes and if you spend 15 minutes you should finish with a near invisible repair. I have even considered spending money on my own professional kit so I can get a good repair assuming good repairs take only time.

Anyways enough babbling about my life story on windshield repairs. My questions are:
1. Is it possible to make a small quarter size chip including the stringers or cracks be invisible after the repair is done?
2. what percentage of your repairs on cracks similar to mine are invisible after you repair it?
3. Is it possible to make the impact point flush and disappear?
4. How do I make sure I get someone who can perform a great repair (assuming this is possible)?
5. What do I say when they do the repair so I can make sure the job is done right (for example: should I say "hey where is your UV light?" or that stringer is still visible can you use your flux capacitor posting.php?mode=post&f=7&sid=81d3ac5e8 ... 6dabf2e0ac# to get that out?)
6. Or maybe should I just buy a new windshield when the chip/crack is in the line of site?

Thanks for your help!

Repairs are never invisible. They can and do look a lot better when properly repaired. I always tell my customers this prior to the repair:

"Having a w/s repair is like having a cut on your arm or leg, it leaves a scar but when it is repaired it looks 90% better and it is guaranteed to never crack from that location."

If the customer will not be satisfied with those results they need to have their w/s replaced not repaired.

[jdrake4]

Mr Bill,
Thanks for the response. I am located in Chandler, Arizona. You said that a repair usually takes about 30 minutes. So is it a safe assumption that the guy in the gas station who is trying to fix the repair fast will leave a more noticeable repair than a guy who takes his time?

Since you say I only get one shot at the repair. How do I know I have a quality guy working to fix it?
Also my current chip is considerablely smaller than a quarter like I previously said. It is about the size of a dime.

Thanks!

[Kgobin]

I just received a chip in my windshield and need to get it repaired. The chip is overall about the size of a quarter including the two cracks that extend pass the impact point. The chip is kind of in line with my vision so I really want the repair to be invisible. I have had chips before in other cars and I am never really happy with the results because it is always visible after the repair. I have tried do it yourself kits with mediocre at best results. I have had it done "professionally" with slightly better results. When I watch the marketing on repairing they always show it as the chip being completely gone. THey even show these huge cracks extending for several inches being repaired and inviible when done.

Once I had a repair done twice to the same chip by one of these guys who sit at a gas station. He saw my chip asked if I wanted it fixed. I said it was already fixed once. He said they did a terrible job, and he would do a much better job and the windshield would be smooth after his repair and he only charged me $15 since I already paid for it once. He came over drilled it out, then put the suction cup metal thingy on to finish the repair (No UV lamp was used). The repair took about 2 minutes and looked slightly better but you could still feel the impact point and see most of the spider cracks from it. Considering this chip was in the lower right corner of my windshield I think I wasted money on the second repair. My thinking is that a good repair takes more than two minutes and if you spend 15 minutes you should finish with a near invisible repair. I have even considered spending money on my own professional kit so I can get a good repair assuming good repairs take only time.

Anyways enough babbling about my life story on windshield repairs. My questions are:
1. Is it possible to make a small quarter size chip including the stringers or cracks be invisible after the repair is done?
2. what percentage of your repairs on cracks similar to mine are invisible after you repair it?
3. Is it possible to make the impact point flush and disappear?
4. How do I make sure I get someone who can perform a great repair (assuming this is possible)?
5. What do I say when they do the repair so I can make sure the job is done right (for example: should I say "hey where is your UV light?" or that stringer is still visible can you use your flux capacitor posting.php?mode=post&f=7&sid=81d3ac5e8 ... 6dabf2e0ac# to get that out?)
6. Or maybe should I just buy a new windshield when the chip/crack is in the line of site?

Thanks for your help!

1. Is it possible to make a small quarter size chip including the stringers or cracks be invisible after the repair is done?
2. what percentage of your repairs on cracks similar to mine are invisible after you repair it?
3. Is it possible to make the impact point flush and disappear?

No repair will ever be invisible. A good repair should stop the damage from spreading, improve the optical clarity of the damaged area, restore a smooth surface to the glass, and keep the original factory seal of the windshield in place.

4. How do I make sure I get someone who can perform a great repair (assuming this is possible)?
5. What do I say when they do the repair so I can make sure the job is done right.

When it comes to finding a good repair technician, I would inquire if they are in compliance with the ROLAGS standard, and if you are still weary I would see if you could view some some of their previous work or speak with any references that they have available. Lastly, I would ask that the Technician provide you with a step by step explanation of their repair process and if you feel comfortable then move forward with the repair.

6. Or maybe should I just buy a new windshield when the chip/crack is in the line of site?

The NWRA recommends that the following breaks should not be repaired. “No bulleye break with a diameter larger than one inch should be repaired, no star or combination break with a diameter larger than two inches (including legs) should be repaired, and no crack that is longer than 14 inches should be repaired” (NWRA).

[GlasWeldTech]

There will ALWAYS be some visible scarring left. Depends on the type break as to how much scarring will be seen. The ONLY way to make it INVISIBLE is REPLACEMENT. The best TECH in not a magician to make it DISAPPEAR.

[t4k]

Very well said Squirrel. I also judge customers prior to the job by the make of the car that needs the repair. An Explorer customer is happy with a repair because it doesn't crack....a Jaguar owner is unhappy because they can see the scar that was left from the repair.

[Glasseye]

I just received a chip in my windshield and need to get it repaired. The chip is overall about the size of a quarter including the two cracks that extend pass the impact point. The chip is kind of in line with my vision so I really want the repair to be invisible. I have had chips before in other cars and I am never really happy with the results because it is always visible after the repair. I have tried do it yourself kits with mediocre at best results. I have had it done "professionally" with slightly better results. When I watch the marketing on repairing they always show it as the chip being completely gone. THey even show these huge cracks extending for several inches being repaired and inviible when done.

Once I had a repair done twice to the same chip by one of these guys who sit at a gas station. He saw my chip asked if I wanted it fixed. I said it was already fixed once. He said they did a terrible job, and he would do a much better job and the windshield would be smooth after his repair and he only charged me $15 since I already paid for it once. He came over drilled it out, then put the suction cup metal thingy on to finish the repair (No UV lamp was used). The repair took about 2 minutes and looked slightly better but you could still feel the impact point and see most of the spider cracks from it. Considering this chip was in the lower right corner of my windshield I think I wasted money on the second repair. My thinking is that a good repair takes more than two minutes and if you spend 15 minutes you should finish with a near invisible repair. I have even considered spending money on my own professional kit so I can get a good repair assuming good repairs take only time.

Anyways enough babbling about my life story on windshield repairs. My questions are:
1. Is it possible to make a small quarter size chip including the stringers or cracks be invisible after the repair is done?
2. what percentage of your repairs on cracks similar to mine are invisible after you repair it?
3. Is it possible to make the impact point flush and disappear?
4. How do I make sure I get someone who can perform a great repair (assuming this is possible)?
5. What do I say when they do the repair so I can make sure the job is done right (for example: should I say "hey where is your UV light?" or that stringer is still visible can you use your flux capacitor posting.php?mode=post&f=7&sid=81d3ac5e8 ... 6dabf2e0ac# to get that out?)
6. Or maybe should I just buy a new windshield when the chip/crack is in the line of site?

Thanks for your help!

A1. If by invisible you mean returned to 100% optical clarity - no - even the best repair would be 90 - 95%

A2. See answer to question 1

A3. It is possible to make the impact point flush but not totally disappear ( see answer to question 1)

A4. Great repairs are possible, seek advice on this forum for someone in your locality.

A5. A good repairer will discuss the likely outcome of the repair before they start the process to agree expectations.

A6. Obviously repaired damage,in line of site, will always be the most noticeable. The initial discussion with the repairer
should provide you with enough information to make the repair/replace decision.

[jdrake4]

Thanks for all the input on my request.

I think my perception of the perfect repair comes from the marketing aspect of the repair kits both the consumer level and the professional level. When you see an advertisement showing the before and after and the after is "perfect" I expect to see a perfect repair. (I should really now better than to trust a marketing brochure!) The last couple of chip repairs I have gotten were done at a gas station where while you are filling your tank they try and fix your windshield on the spot. Both of these repairs took less than 5 minutes and the repair was far less than a 90 - 95% improvement. For my next repair I will do my best to get it done by someone who takes their time to do it properly. And thanks for helping set my expectations properly.

Thanks again for all the responses.

[Layne]

It has been my experience that the shorter the time devoted to the repair, the lower the quality of the workmanship. The customer deserves no less than your very best efforts!