DIY windshield repair

crustydragon wrote: ↑ I have multiple tiny rock chips on my windshield and finally last week a crack developed from one of them. Do DIY windshield repair kits work to prevent further crack?

This one keeps showing up on my FB feed but I am always suspect of such promotional advertising on FB:
https://samsara-shop.com/products/magic ... repair-kit

There are others like RainX and BlueStar. Seems like if one has realistic expectation and follows instruction these kits can make them less visible?

Thank you.

Yes, and yes. I've used cheap ones off amazon or CT. Even used it on a cracked tablet screen.

I repaired one last year with a kit from Canadian tire. Hasn't cracked yet so im on the, yes it stops cracks side of the fence as or right now.

I'm 3+ years in on one from Canadian tire. I'm satisfied.

At this point with the amount of sandblasting the windshield has taken, I'm almost ready for new glass, except I always prefer to maintain the factory seal.

They work very well to prevent further cracks.

Using them with skill so that it makes the chip/crack look almost invisible is usually a lot harder. But to prevent additional cracking, definitely.

I highly recommend GT tools for windshield repair.
Great tools, very durable. Heard good things about their "vanish"

I've been using the Permatex windshield repair kit from Canadian Tire for years with 100% success. I've gotten so accustomed to it, I do the whole repair without even reading the instructions.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/perm ... 0027p.html

I also have a UV light to cure the filler without needing to park the vehicle outside for natural sunlight but on nice days, I just park outside for 30 minutes and it's all good.

Good videos on the WatchJrGo youtube channel where he does chips with the readily available parts store kits.

Yes. Definitely use a DIY to stop any further cracking. I've tried the kits from CT and they worked fine. Just make sure the windshield hasn't been exposed to rain recently, as the crack needs to be dry.

I've used the kit from Canadian tire and had pretty good results and although you could still see the stone chip, it never cracked after.

With my last Lexus I had a slightly larger one and someone recommended an old guy who had a stand in the parking lot of the Canadian tire on Mavis. He did an excellent job and was completely invisible after. Not sure if he is still there.

FYI windshield cracks and chips are generally covered through comprehensive insurance in Ontario without affecting premiums. Company submits directly to insurance company. At least that was the case for me.

Edit: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/m ... tes-go-up/

Appreciate all the replies! Will look into if it's covered by my auto insurance in Alberta without affecting premium and if not going to try to DIY it. Thank you.

I'm on year 2 of my DIY windshield repair on my jeep with a CT kit. If you catch the crack/chip early enough and before it spreads it should work if you follow the instructions.

In regards to insurance covering windshield repair or replacements, yes some will but the repair will show up as a claim. Most insurers forgive 1 or 2 claims before raising your rates but eventually that cheap chip repair may jack up your repairs. I try to stay from making any claims as I've also suffered through 10 years of jacked up rates (I.e. double insurance costs) after my mother had a minor fender bender with my minivan (~$1k repair).

I waited until the windshield cracked and was got it replaced for free by insurance lol

Daijoubu wrote: ↑ I waited until the windshield cracked and was got it replaced for free by insurance lol

It was replaced because you continued to pay them and they used some of that money to replace it. Also, a claim.

Well that's my reasoning, I should get some of that money back that I have been paying them for years, had no claims prior or after lol

Daijoubu wrote: ↑ Well that's my reasoning, I should get some of that money back that I have been paying them for years, had no claims prior or after lol

Further. Factory windshield will always have the best seal. I have no desire to have a windshield changed and break that seal when a <$20 kit deals with the issue.


Edit: further. My last windshield was $260 cash (granted, no heat strips or rain detection etc). How much is your insurance getting soaked if an installer is willing to pay your deductible.

True that, my car was an old beater and the chinese windshield was rather cheap, $400 installed iirc, but I'm glad it was replaced, it was so damaged that it ate through wipers
If you had a more recent vehicule or a small chip, definitively repair it.

My deductible for non collision claims was $50, the $100, $250 and $500 deductibles only saved a couple of dollars a year so I didn't bother.

KevinM56081 wrote: ↑ Further. Factory windshield will always have the best seal. I have no desire to have a windshield changed and break that seal when a <$20 kit deals with the issue.


Edit: further. My last windshield was $260 cash (granted, no heat strips or rain detection etc). How much is your insurance getting soaked if an installer is willing to pay your deductible.

In most cases, I'd agree the factory seal is best. If the job is done properly, it can be equal or better. The problem is a lot of installers don't take pride in their work and a lot of customers shop by price only. If you want a cheap job, they will have to take shortcuts somewhere. Whether it'd be cheap glass, materials or labour. Gone are the days of <$300 windshield jobs unless you drive a vehicle with no tech on the glass. With current tech and covid, prices have soared.

BTW, the unwritten rule for windshield claims is two in six years.

If you have tech on your windshield then it may also require re-calibrating at the dealer for hundreds of $$$.