she's already wounded!


a week old screw....and on the way home tonight a damn dually with a hog trailer spit a rock at me and put a nice spider on my windshield. Its not *huge* (the size of a quarter) but its ugly. Do any of you know about modern windshield repair technology? My wife claims her dad gets them all the time and theres a shop he goes to that cuts that part of the windshield out (as long as its small) and fills it with some goop that dries and you cant even tell anything happened. Has anyone else heard of/tried this? Im hoping I dont have to already replace the windshield after all the money I spent on audio stuff this weekend!

 

Happens all the time to me, sorry it happened to you too. There are several companies that offer windshield repair, using a clear epoxy. Most repairs are completely invisable, some you can notice a little, depending on the damage to the windshield and how soon you get it repaired. Most insurance companies will waive your deductable for windshield repair. Get it taken care of soon, dirt and contaminants will make it more likely that you will see the repair. If it's in your direct line of sight than you probably need a new windshield. Let us know what you find out.
BD

 

That happened to me, but my truck was a month old! Called insurance company and got hooked up with the Glass company that came to my house and put a new windshield in. About 1 hr

With a week old truck, why mess around? Get a new windshield.
This is why I have Glass coverge on the policy.

 

Totally agree with Madd. On a truck that new, I would demand a new windshield.

 

Never heard of anyone cutting out a portion of the windshield. That would destroy its integrity. I have had windshield stars patched though...they inject epoxy into it and you can hardly tell its there. It cannot be in the line of sight (driver's) or they will not replace it. Also a lot of insurances will waive your deductible for getting it patched.

 

Be careful choosing who replaces your windshield. According to auto and insurance industry stats more than 3/4 of the windshields replaced are unsafe. Here's a link describing the problems. You may not agree with the title (they have a product to sell so they are somehwat biased), but it summarizes the problems pretty well.

http://www.gilainc.com/access/edgeguard/factory.htm

I have personally seen several videos of deploying airbags blowing out improperly installed windshields during insurance company tests on replaced windshields from a variety of repair shops. Not pretty. The bond around the windshield is crucial for airbag deployment and helping to prevent roof crushing. Even the slightest dirt or oil from a service tech's fingers, for example, will weaken the bond. Some outfits don't even bother to use the correct epoxy.

I saw undercover video on an investigative TV show one time where they purposely cracked a bunch of vehicles' windshields then took them to several shops and filmed undercover to see the quality of the repair work. It was appalling.

I have had approximately 10-11 windshield chips and cracks filled with epoxy on 4 different vehicles. The results were quite satisfactory in every case. Don't delay though, the cracks can grow quickly.

 

A recent survey concluded that approximately 83% of all cracked windshields are caused by an edge crack, with impact points less than 3 inches from the edge of the windshield

Hmm?
Hard to believe!

Most companys try to use aftermarket inferior windshields so make sure it is a factory Ford windshield.

 

I have had to have the windshield repaired in my 2002 S'crew and although it isn't "invisible", it is garunteed not to crack worse. They pull a vaccuum on the point of impact and while under vac., they inject the acrylic or whatever so that it is pulled into and fill the crack. I have had this done to several vehicles and have had good luck. As mentioned in other "Posts", some insurance companies will pay for the repair to keep from replacing the w/s. Good Luck!

 

I suppose insurance stuff may vary state to state, but I had a spiderweb about the size of a 50 cent piece on my previous truck. A rock came from nowhere and knocked the crap out of the windshield. Sounded like a .22 rifle!
Anyhoo....drove straight on over to my local State Farm Insurance office and in 10 minutes we had made arrangements to have a company called "GlassCrafters" to come to where I work the next day that I was going to be at work and repair my winshield. I only had to park in a spot where the glass mechanic could open both front doors fully. Winshield replaced with a new one at no cost to me while at work. Can't beat that!