Small 1/16 of an inch chip in windshield, no spidering, just chip. Leave alone or repair? If repair, how?

 

They have a way of grinding it down and filling. Works quite well actually. but it sounds so small you should maybe leave alone.

 

absolutely do not leave it alone no matter how small. over time the chip will expand and eventually you will have to replace the windshield. i suggest tending to it asap. i've used this product with good results, and at $15 you can't go wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/Fix-Flat-Winds.../dp/B000EA5WLS

given how small your chip is, even if you're not thrilled with the results (cosmetically), you can take comfort that the resin will prevent the crack from spreading, which is the most important thing.

 

My windshield was chipped the second day I owned the car after I bought it last June. The rock that came off the truck to my left/front was big enough that I actually saw it coming, giving me time to say, "Sh..!"

Thankfully it didn't hit the frunk.

I had the car at the dealer for some service shortly thereafter, and they called in their glass guru to see if he could 'fix it'. He did some work on it (I didn't see what he did), but it didn't really help all that much.

Unless there's a visible crack in the glass, the resin epoxy fix will be a waste of time. There has to be a crack that's deep enough for the resin to get sucked into in order to keep the crack from spreading. My chip is just that, a chip (actually two, side by side). Resin won't help.

I've learned to live with it, and now it doesn't bother me. Hey, with my luck I'd pay to have the windshield replaced and the same thing would happen two days later...

 

Had mine repaire by a 'glass specialist' and you can stiil see it. My insurance company said that I reserved the right to have it replaced if I was not happy so that is the route I am going. Florida has the sunshine law here so I can replace it under insurance without touching deductible or affecting my claim history.

 

http://www.safelite.com/

 

I had a local guy fix mine. Basically then inject some sort of resin into the glass to keep the crack from spreading. As mentioned above, your auto insurance will probably take care of the cost.

 

Insurance is zero deductible 100% payment. My concern is sometimes when you try to fix a little tiny thing, you end worse off. Sounds like mixed bag in terms of outcome and it is so small I can't see replacing whole windshield and ending up with a leak given my luck. May go by the dealership see if they have any thoughts since they do not do this type of work themselves.

 

If you don't fix the glass the crack can get even worse the next time you do something as simple as clean your windshield. Been there, done that.

 

windshield is laminated. if you see a dark spot like an inclusion between the glass layer, then definitely have it repaired with resin.

if it's a surface chip that doesn't penetrate the first layer of the glass (usually a nick like 1mm), then resin wont do anything.

if you have a crack, definitely fill it. if you aren't sure, take it to a glass shop. repair kits are cheap and work fairly well.

 

I'm on the fence with a definite answer . A lot depends on the chip itself . I have done both (replaced windshield vs leaving it alone).

1) Replacing windshield .. insurance covers it but the car stinks like glue for a few days . Horrible smell .

2) Leaving it alone .. it could crack (mine didn't on that car) and no matter what you will always know it's there .

It's a lose/lose --in my opinion .. and like i said .. it depends on the actual chip.

 

do you have windshield replacement from your insurance company? if you do I'd probably get it replaced..

 

This has been a helpful thread. I wasn't aware that DIY kits were available. I have a small chip on my windshield and already ordered a kit. Thanks!

 

Number 2 just surface chip. But will have it looked at.

 

Funny - took my wife's DD in for annual service. Tech found two chips, about the size of a pin head (the back, not the tip). Took about 5 minutes to find them.... wanted $60 each to fix. I think I'll wait...