Windscreen - repair or replace?

[JAD]

I picked up quite a bad chip to my windscreen on the recent Stuttgart blast which I need to address. My intention had been to get it replaced (I believe the excess is <£100) since new rather than repair seemed an easy choice but there seem to be all sorts of problems replacing windscreens.

Is it really so difficult or is it the usual Internet thing that only the horror stories get reported?

Is the Porsche screen particularly difficult?

Add to that the thread about a defective batch of windscreens and I'm thinking maybe repair is the way to go. What, if any are the down sides of a repair? Does it last as long or is there a degradation over time? Is it weaker?

It's a996 cab so there might be a bit more body flex than a tin top. Should the fact it's a cab make a difference to my decision?

All thoughts appreciated?

 

[MisterCorn]

I picked up quite a bad chip to my windscreen on the recent Stuttgart blast which I need to address. My intention had been to get it replaced (I believe the excess is <£100) since new rather than repair seemed an easy choice but there seem to be all sorts of problems replacing windscreens.

Is it really so difficult or is it the usual Internet thing that only the horror stories get reported?

Is the Porsche screen particularly difficult?

Add to that the thread about a defective batch of windscreens and I'm thinking maybe repair is the way to go. What, if any are the down sides of a repair? Does it last as long or is there a degradation over time? Is it weaker?

It's a996 cab so there might be a bit more body flex than a tin top. Should the fact it's a cab make a difference to my decision?

All thoughts appreciated?

I would like to think that a reputable repairer would only do the repair if it was safe to do so, depending on where it is and how bad it is I would be tempted to get it repaired if possible. When properly repaired you can barely tell and I don't like the idea of having jobs done which aren't really needed (unless of course they make the car go faster ). I have had windscreen chips done for free before, the Insurance companies will do it for nothing if it saves them a replacement in the long run.

MC

 

[Volley]

If the chip is longer than 10mm and is within the sweep of the drivers side wiper then a repair is illegal.

I had mine done by Autoglass recently and they did an excellent job at a time and place that suited me

 

[JAD]

So are there no down sides to repair?

 

[theogeor]

Not realy.. As you know I had a similar issue from our recent trip (not as big as yours) but now it has been fixed and happy with it...If it can be fixed then fixed it as is very likely you will get another chip soon. I had two replacement windscreens in 3 years as they were beyond repair but this time I was a bit luckier... I can see a small dot when screen is clean but other than that no concerns at all

Theo

 

[PaulPorsche]

Having the damage repaired should be your first option. You should also be aware that if you contact your insurer, your inbound call will more than likely be redirected to their nominated supplier; the call is usually answered with, "Glassline..." so you could be none the wiser about who exactly you're talking to.

This is where it gets interesting.

Some 'Insurance approved' repairers will invite you to sign a disclaimer before an attempt to repair the damage is made. From this point on is dependent on the type of damage; the position (on the screen) of the impact; the type of kit they're using, and the repair technician himself. It can be a bit of a lottery, but in the right hands, and with the right equipment using the correct techniques and procedures, it need not be.

One of the biggest misconceptions of windscreen chip repair is what the general public is led to believe. Most do not know what a good repair is because they've been lied to, or have had an inexperienced/poorly trained person attempt a repair. For example, if heat is applied from the inside of the windscreen, the glass expands and closes the cracks. For a short while, the 'repair' will look good... until it eventually cools down and the 'legs' reappear as the glass contracts. There will also be moisture present in the break; the majority of repairers do not address this (and most are unaware of the consequences of trapping moisture inside the break).

Overall, there are hundreds of repairs being carried out every day. Some look good, others look pants, but not many people know what a good repair looks like.

David at Glass Doctors is highly recommended.

http://glassdoctors.co.uk/