Windshield Repair Forum

Today here at the firehouse… A buddy here who I work with let me use him as my Ginny pig to do my first repair since training. It was a star break that happened about 6 months ago. I probed the damage to find it did have moisture and it felt/looked as I wasn’t going to be able to get the resin in the damage.

So first I used the moisture evaporator to remove the moisture, let cool, then drilled into the break … I made my first boo boo here, the drill bit slipped and I scratched the glass. Was I right or wrong for not trying to see if the resin would penetrate first before drilling? With the scratch, I was able to get rid/fix it with the pit resin. Was this luck, or can you usually fix small scratches like this?

I can say the repair turned out the "80% or better"

I try to get some pics later on…

I know it’s tough without pics, but thoughts or comments?

Thanks!

I will wait on the pictures before commenting on the repair. Can I ask how many repairs you have carried out on a practise windshield before attempting a real live one?

screenman wrote:I will wait on the pictures before commenting on the repair. Can I ask how many repairs you have carried out on a practise windshield before attempting a real live one?

Sure... All the ones Delta Kit had us do in their training and about 8-10 more on my own.

autoglass,
a few questions:
1. did you practice drilling at the training class and then again on your practice windshield.
2, Before you drilled...You decided to drill because you did not think the resin would fill/flow...How did you come to that decision?

"Sure... All the ones Delta Kit had us do in their training and about 8-10 more on my own." All wet one's I hope, sorry but I personally feel this is no where near enough before going live. I ask guys to do 100 knowing that with luck they may do 30 or 40 at most, trouble is each poor repair you carry out on a mates car leaves you with less confidence than before.

Hurry up with those pictures and maybe we can get you back on course.

robert n wrote:autoglass,
a few questions:
1. did you practice drilling at the training class and then again on your practice windshield.

2, Before you drilled...You decided to drill because you did not think the resin would fill/flow...How did you come to that decision?

1. We did practice drilling and making making bullseye in class. When I got back I also did this 5 or 6 more times.

2. Well when I probed it, there was really no opening or pit at the impact point. Again, I could have been totally wrong here, but I felt and saw nothing.

Screenman,

I agree that I may not be ready to be let lose yet, but I explained what could happen and the guys knew my situation. That's why I said they let me use them as my Guinea pig. I actually did three repairs yesterday, but just have pics of the first repair I mentioned above.

About the pics, I just came here to load them up, but I went out to my truck and the camera is not there. I guess I left it at work when I got off this morning. I'm going to run and get it tomorrow, so I hope to have the pics up sometime tomorrow. Once I get the pics up and you all critique my repair, maybe I can explain my second repair and we can talk about that...

Thanks for all the input guys!!

Eric

Auto Glass Rescue wrote:

robert n wrote:autoglass,
a few questions:

2, Before you drilled...You decided to drill because you did not think the resin would fill/flow...How did you come to that decision?

2. Well when I probed it, there was really no opening or pit at the impact point. Again, I could have been totally wrong here, but I felt and saw nothing.

Eric

Eric, I understand about the drilling...it happened to me too. It is difficult to drill on a smooth piece of glass. It is easier if you have the pit or hole in the windshield to put the drill burr in. Recommendation: make sure you are using enough pressure to keep the drill burr from "dancing off" the glass, keep you the dremel perpendicular as possible to the glass and make sure your burrs are sharp. I only use mine around 5 times before I replace it.

" Well when I probed it, there was really no opening or pit at the impact point. Again, I could have been totally wrong here, but I felt and saw nothing."

There must have been an opening. How else would the air get into the crack?
Try using a magnifier to see better.
If you do drill, try using both hands to hold the drill steady.
Hold the drill at a 45 degree angle to the glass. Gently touch the edge of the drill point to the glass until you can make a small starter hole, This will stop the drill from wandering. Once you get the starter hole you can drill normally.
I would never drill unless the chip wont fill. Dont just assume it wont fill. Try it first.

Drilling and slipping, practise and practise until you master it. Make sure at least one of your hands holding the drill is anchored to the glass.

Which ever way you drill make sure you have a starting point, either in the description above or by placing the bur on the glass and twisting it back and forth with your fingers. Twisting in one direction only will make the bur walk across the glass, so back and forth just small amount at first and longer as you create a divit.

Well guys, It's going to be a bit longer for the pics, now Thursday sometime. I stopped by the firehouse today for the camera and could not find it. I for sure thought I lost it. Well about 20 mins. ago, one of the guys found it out in the bay. So I work tomorrow and will be able to get it, but our computers there will not let you upload pics on them. So, sometime Thursday after I get off. Sorry!