Windshield cracked - repair or replace???

[DanHammer]

Bummer ... my winshield got hit last Tuesday and left a nasty crack in the middle of the windshield :cry . Now, I'm undecided whether to replace it or have it repaired. The crack is about the size of a quarter with a star-like shape. I am told that it can still be repaired ... just don't know if this process is okay in the long run ... or just have it replaced. I did price a new windshield with HUD for C5 97 - 04 at around $479 and up ... too expensive:cry .

For those who have had this experience ... can you shed some light into this and if repairing it instead of replacing is a worthy choice and cost. Any recommendations which glass shop to take it to ???? ... thanks.

Dan

 

[Eric]

Dan,

I was talked into getting a chip just a tad smaller than a quarter "repaired" once about five years ago. From the outside it looked and felt perfect, couldn't even see where it had been. But in traffic on I-66, when the sun was bearing down it was this muddled, sometimes light refracting, distraction. It was clearly visible in the right conditions. I think that's why they aren't supposed to repair anything in the driver's field of vision.

Financially, it was no different for me since I hve $0.00 deductible on my comprehensive. If you're paying for a window outright, I can see where you might want to forsake just a bit of clarity.

I ended up getting the windshield replaced.

As for who to use, my insurance company sent me to Banner. I've also used another one, ??????lite, can't recall the first part of the name. Both shops came to the car instead of making me come to them.

 

[gmjunkie]

SafeLite Ind.!! The home of Distorted Glass!! Just as well have them repair it!! gmjunkie!!

 

[DanHammer]

Thanks for the response guys. Eric, have you heard of this glass place at Alexandria, VA ... Harmon AutoGlass ... somewhere in Eisenhower Ave. I have never heard of this place ... if possible I just want it repaired for now to keep everything original. Definitely would want them to come to me.

I will probably check with my insurance and I know I have no deductible on my comprehensive. Thanks and hopefully I can get this fixed ASAP. Was planning on going to your 10th annual cruise in Manassas, VA ...but wife had sudden change of plan to go to Rehoboth, Delaware. Will try again next year.

Thanks ... Dan

 

[gmjunkie]

Thanks for the response guys. Eric, have you heard of this glass place at Alexandria, VA ... Harmon AutoGlass ... somewhere in Eisenhower Ave. I have never heard of this place ... if possible I just want it repaired for now to keep everything original. Definitely would want them to come to me.

I will probably check with my insurance and I know I have no deductible on my comprehensive. Thanks and hopefully I can get this fixed ASAP. Was planning on going to your 10th annual cruise in Manassas, VA ...but wife had sudden change of plan to go to Rehoboth, Delaware. Will try again next year.

Thanks ... Dan

Harmon Auto Glass is a chain and are Rep. they are all up the coast From Miami to???!! Nc,Sc,Ga,Va,Fla,Miss,Ala,Tn,Wv,Oh,Ky!!! They will treet your car Fine!! gmjunkie!!

 

[DanHammer]

Thanks a bunch gmjunkie ... I will get with them to hook me up next week.

Later ... Dan

 

[Eric]

Was planning on going to your 10th annual cruise in Manassas, VA ...but wife had sudden change of plan to go to Rehoboth, Delaware. Will try again next year.

Thanks ... Dan

Dan,

I can't take credit for the Cruise-In, it's the passion of a husband and wife team who live and breath Vettes, and it's the 16th this year....and bigger every year. So we'll see you next year!

- Eric

 

[KANE]

Bummer ... my winshield got hit last Tuesday and left a nasty crack in the middle of the windshield :cry . Now, I'm undecided whether to replace it or have it repaired. The crack is about the size of a quarter with a star-like shape. I am told that it can still be repaired ... just don't know if this process is okay in the long run ... or just have it replaced. I did price a new windshield with HUD for C5 97 - 04 at around $479 and up ... too expensive:cry .

For those who have had this experience ... can you shed some light into this and if repairing it instead of replacing is a worthy choice and cost. Any recommendations which glass shop to take it to ???? ... thanks.

Dan

Dude- I FEEL FOR YOU!!!

The glas on the C5 AINT cheap. I had to replace the windshield because the crack (yes- it was HUGE!!) ran from the wipers to the center of the glass.

I'd replace it if you are really "retentive" about stuff. If not, you'll only notice it when the car is spotless from inside the car. When you get a few bugs on the glass... you really can't tell.

 

[Ed02]

Believe it or not, I was in the process of making the same decision. Last Monday when we were coming off our our 2600 mile trip up north, 10 minutes from the house a rock chipped my windshield. About the size of a quarter, bottom right hand side about 2 inches from the bottom. Called State Farm and they hooked me up with Interstate Glass (they may be local). They came out and filled it, but told me if I was unhappy they would replace it. I don't think you would notice it if you didn't know it was there, and like they say looks like a bug. Since it's gauranteed for the life of the windshield, we'll see how well it does. I'd rather wait for a bigger reason to replace the windshield than this little nick. But I did notice one thing. If the resin they use was tinted, it would make the fix much less noticable.
Ed

 

[DanHammer]

Thanks so much for the info guys. Yes, I do want to retain the factory windshield. I called the Auto glass service ... Harmon AutoGlass and they will come by this Friday ... and repair the chip. The price is not that bad either ... repair is $59.95 an dprobably for mobile service another $35.00 , that's not bad at all. Will let you all know how it turns out when they repair it.

Dan

 

[bobby1]

Dude- I FEEL FOR YOU!!!

The glas on the C5 AINT cheap. I had to replace the windshield because the crack (yes- it was HUGE!!) ran from the wipers to the center of the glass.

I'd replace it if you are really "retentive" about stuff. If not, you'll only notice it when the car is spotless from inside the car. When you get a few bugs on the glass... you really can't tell.

Yes good idea. Keep bug s--t on your corvettes windshield!:W

 

[c5vetter]

can't understand why anyone would CHEAP when it comes to safety!? at any time, that CHEAP repair could fly apart and potentially kill you or someone else - think about it!

FYI - same way with folks who refuse to put tires on their cars - there are reasons that GM selected the tires they did for the OEM tires - check some of the archives from folks such as HIb when it comes to tires

 

[ls6454]

DanHammer,

I operate a franchise called Superglass Windshield Repair, which is a mobile service that only repairs windshields. If the damage you have can be completely covered with a quarter than it should be an easy fix. If the hit is filled in all the way than you shouldn't be able to notice any imperfections, unless your face is a couple of inches from the glass and in the sunlight. There's no way you would notice it while driving, it's like having a bug on the windshield at most. The best thing to do is put some tape over the damage to keep dirt and water out of it. You have to be careful who does the repair. If it isn't filled in all the way the first time, it makes things a lot harder, if not impossible to fix it later and then it will be visible. Superglass gurantees their work for life and I usually charge $30 a windshield, no other service fees and we come to you.

c5vetter,

There isn't really a safety issue here. Even if the repair isn't done right and it fails later, a windshield is made from two layers of glass that are laminated together, so a rock cannot come through the windshield period. What do you mean by cheap repairs and flying apart?

 

[DanHammer]

ls6454,

I wish I have known about your franchise before I made the service call to Harmon AutoGlass. They are already set to come to me this Friday. I would still like to know how to get hold of you in the future ... in case I am faced with the same scenario in the future. Please email me with the info. Thanks.

Dan
ddelanoche@msn.com

 

[gmjunkie]

DanHammer,

I operate a franchise called Superglass Windshield Repair, which is a mobile service that only repairs windshields. If the damage you have can be completely covered with a quarter than it should be an easy fix. If the hit is filled in all the way than you shouldn't be able to notice any imperfections, unless your face is a couple of inches from the glass and in the sunlight. There's no way you would notice it while driving, it's like having a bug on the windshield at most. The best thing to do is put some tape over the damage to keep dirt and water out of it. You have to be careful who does the repair. If it isn't filled in all the way the first time, it makes things a lot harder, if not impossible to fix it later and then it will be visible. Superglass gurantees their work for life and I usually charge $30 a windshield, no other service fees and we come to you.

c5vetter,

There isn't really a safety issue here. Even if the repair isn't done right and it fails later, a windshield is made from two layers of glass that are laminated together, so a rock cannot come through the windshield period. What do you mean by cheap repairs and flying apart?

I know where Gray is!! just to North of me in Tn. not far!! Do you Buff wiper mark's out? I just got a 95 that need's some Attn.!! Please Give me a Call 828-668-4738 ask for Jesse or the Junk!! gmjunkie!!

 

[74bigblock]

In Illinois, if the crack is in the line of site (read as anywhere within the wiper blade movement on either side) the windshield cannot be repaired by law.... it must be replaced. Your insurance will cover it less your deductable. Get it replaced... not worth it spidering later on.

 

[ls6454]

gmjunkie,

Yes, I also buff wiper arcs. May I ask where you are located? I usually work around Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and Elizabethton.

If you want to know more about this or where other Superglass members operate you can find out at sgwr.com and it gives their phone numbers as well. Mine is 423-737-4528. Talk to Jerry.