Hi,

Can anyone recommend a good DIY windshield repair kit? I have a very small crack in my windshield; Safelite AutoGlass came over, attempted to repair, but stopped when the crack started to spread a little. The crack is so small that it doesn't warrant replacing the windshield - a job that was quoted to me at a whopping $440 cost. Thanks.

 

My experience with cracks is that they eventually grow and result in replacement. If you really want to defer the inevitable, clear duct tape on the inside. But you’ll replace it eventually and the cost isn’t likely to be less in the future.

Have you asked insurance. Windshield is safety device and some will cover it without question. My locality also has regulations on specific areas of the windshield that cannot have cracks, bullet holes, etc.

 

Thanks Brian. Yes I have asked insurance. They will cover repair, not replacement. Replacement is $440, my deductible is $500 so I will try to either repair it myself, or wait until it grows larger, to replace.

For now the crack is way too small to draw the attention of any LEO.

 

You need better insurance coverage. quality comprehensive coverage will cover the replacement in most every state...

 

I don't think so ...

A few years ago I had a similar crack on my 2005 Max windshield. I had it repaired, and it held just fine until I traded it in a few years later.

One incident in several year does not justify thousand of dollars more in insurance over several years. Simple cost vs benefit.

 

Usually glass repair/replacement is not subject to deductible. Check again, or shop around for better insurance.

 

Glass repair is covered, replacement - not, at least not at the level I am covered, both with Farmers and AFA. Again, I am not interested in gold plating my auto insurance coverage at the cost of several hundred dollars per year to protect myself against an event that so far has happened to me once every 10 years, at a potential cost of $440. Just doesn't make any sense.

Guys, I'm not looking for advice on auto insurance. I was told that there are decent DIY repair kits out there. I was hoping I could get a recommendation.

 

When that happened to me, I just let it go until the crack started growing fast. Then paid for the replacement. In the long run that was faster and cheaper and a lot less hassle for me.

good luck with whatever you opt to do!

 

Great idea you have there! Professionals are unable to fix/repair your windshield, but you are under the impression that you can purchase a DIY repair kit and do what the professionals gave up on.

Allrighty then! Give it a GO!

 

With all the money you saved on insurance, you can afford to replace the glass...

My sister has had her van about 3 years or so, put over 100,000 miles on it. She's now on her 7th windshield. All covered under the comprehensive insurance. I have comprehensive on my vehicles, and have not replaced a windshield. Comprehensive also covers vandalisim, so if someone bashes your headlights in and spraypants the doors, that covers it with zero deductible typically.

 

Yes, indeed! Except that the same people who are in the business of repairing windshields are also in the business of replacing windshields. Guess which business is more profitable.

 

Wow, that's a lot. Seven times in 100,000 miles ...

If my stats were anywhere near that I too would get windshield replacement coverage. But, to put things in perspective: since 1994, my wife and I have owned a total of 10 cars. Think 1 million miles driven between the two of us. Of these 10 cars, one had a crack so big the windshield had to be replaced, it was an obvious decision. Another one, my 2005 Max, had a crack similar in size to my current one, which was fixed under insurance coverage. As for the eight other, zero incidents.

With these stats I still do not regret spending thousands of dollars more to cover windshield replacement ... sorry.

 

I had a huge rock on my old 2012 Maxima's windshield and called my insurance and they said "Replace and take it anywhere you want, have them call us at the number on your insurance ID card" and gave me a case number. I never saw or heard anything more about it after that. Sweet new Carlex an hour later. Good insurance will do that.

 

I used Rain X and JB Weld repair kits last year. Each has its pros and cons. For example the JB kit uses double sided tape where the Rain X uses suction cups making it more reusable. No issues with the chips spreading in the past year. Both repairs are nearly invisible.

 

OK, now that's one helpful reply, finally. Thanks Jay. Follow-up question: where did you buy them?

 

Napa and Wal-Mart.

 

Got it, thanks.

 

let us know how it goes. Regards

 

Thanks Rob, will do.

 

When looking into insurance costs on my 2017 Titan, the cost difference for me in comprehensive coverage between $500 deductible and $0 was $4/ month with my State Farm policy. I chose $0 since it was such a small difference and to cover any windshield issues as a result.

As for repairs, My mother's 2005 Maxima had a rock chip around 2006, and her insurance paid to have it repaired at no cost to her. That car still has the original windshield to this day, 13 yrs later with no ill effects from the repair.

 

Never had one repaired that cracked again in the same place..........

 

That’s very good to know. I should have been more clear... meant “if not repaired”. I’ve always been skeptical about windshield repair but have no experience with repairs... so in the future I’ll be much more open-minded. Thanks for that input! This is the kind of information exchange I really value on forums!!

 

I had good results using a kit from Permatex, purchased at Autozone. A word of caution...the repair wasn't completely invisible. I could see the resin, faintly, in the windshield. Had this been my car and not a family members I may have opted for replacement. It was directly in the sight line and probably would have annoyed the crap out of me.

 

Thank you all who have replied with suggestions and feedback -- this is very, very helpful. Including the cost of no deductible! This is very, very helpful

 

Most insurances will pay for your repair as well at no cost to you.....

 

This was a great video on showing how to fix cracks/chips in your windshield.

 

Thanks much, Blood.

 

sigh.
this is the socio-economic class of most Max owners.

bye bye.

 

Two people who joined the forum just to share a single post that is a promotion of the same windshield repair kit? Not fishy at all...

 

The tint guy blade put a thin spider web line in a space that catches my eyes when the sun hits it. What is recommended to get rid of this line?