Shiny crack?

[kennycrane]

Today I repaired a star break with 1 inch legs in both directions. At first it did not seem to be filling the legs but I tried to be patient which is not easy for me, I allowed the full five minutes on pressure cycle, vaccuum and pressure 2 min. a few times. Yet, at certain angles I could still see shiny in the crack. I was reasonably sure resin had feeled the crack yet there was still shiny from certain angles. I went ahead and cured it, turned out to be one of my best fixes yet. The customer could not even find it when she came back. Why was the shiny still there, which I thought was air but after curing it was gone?

[screenman]

Resin if I am correct has a slightly different refraction index when uncured as it does when cured.

[GLASSTIME]

I agree with screenman,

Also remember in sunlight or light in general and at certain angles you may still see a slight blemish as light passes through the break. I have had two of my friends whom have had multiple repairs done to their vehicle. I have been having them update me periodically on them. What I get alot is "Chad, it looks like a "NEW" crack has formed or "Is that supposed to be that visible?

Welll quiet frankly It is a solid repair. It isn't going to spread. Again what they were seeing is light passing through the break. As they moved their vehicle to a more shaded area the blemish had vanished.


I am confident your doing everything RIGHT! Patience is a key factor in this and with time it will come to you naturally. Continue to do a Great job!

Till next time!

[Brent Deines]

Cracks will nearly always be visible from one direction or another, even after filled, but it is true that they should look better after curing as the refractive index resin is for the cured resin. Air will generally look black in the crack, but from certain directions will appear shiny. Be sure you look at the crack from all angles before you start and as you fill. You should be able to find an angle from which you see the air (black) disappearing as the crack is filled. What you will then see is a thin line that may appear shiny, watery, or like a light colored hair in the glass. After you cure the line should be less noticeable, but still detectable from certain angles.