Windshield Repair Forum

Freaky things happening. This one has happened to me a few too many times. I might need you guys' help. You know the chips that are chipped out on the surface to begin with besides other normal type damage inside. It seems that I can get these looking fairly decent just like any repair, but sometimes when I go back a month or two later there's been shrinkage or whatever, so it looks funny and also the shine from the polish is dull again. I've been using Premium Bond and another brand I can't name (both have done the same thing) and for pit resin Delta's plate glass resin.

You should not see this happen in a month or two, but I suppose that depending on the weather conditions and the vehicle usage it is possible. Although many manufacturers won't admit it, all resins shrink as they cure, some more than others, but the plate glass resin you are using has very minimal shrinkage and cures to an extremely hard surface, so it has proven to hold up far longer than other resins we have tested.

However, it is very important that the resin is fully cured. Delta Kits recommends a full 5 minute cure with a high quality light, and even longer with most battery operated lights, but we find very few technicians actually allow that much cure time. Part of the reason we recommend the extended cure time is to make sure that the resin down inside the break that is semi-protected by the solar green glass is fully cured, but also because if you shorten the curing process the pit filler, or plate glass resin in this case, will continue to shrink until the resin is fully cured. Fully cured does not just mean the resin is hard!

Then there is how the vehicle is used. Some vehicles are kept in the garage and or only driven a few thousand miles a year. If properly cured a repair on a vehicle like this will likely stay looking clear and smooth for many years. Other vehicles are left out in the elements, and may be driven 100,000+ miles a year. Even the best of repairs will begin to discolor if exposed to the elements long enough, especially if they are constantly being exposed to road grit and grime and the wipers are being used regularly.

The desert heat is going to discolor resin faster than cooler climates, just as it does with paint, vinyl, leather, etc. Even the PVB layer between the glass discolors and deteriorates much quicker in extreme heat.

Car washes are another factor that affect how long a windshield repair will stay looking good. The chemicals used are sometimes very harsh, and the brushes quite abrasive.

Windshield repair resin is an acrylic product so although it is pretty tough, it will weather and wear faster than glass.

Wear and tear on resin is unfortunately a fact of life, but luckily on those few vehicles that show signs of discoloration or wear it only takes about 6 minutes to resurface them and make them look new again. Kind of like replacing a filling in a tooth I guess.

Thanks Brent. That helps.