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Picked up a stone chip yesterday. The chip is about the size of a 5 pence piece and I suspect is an MOT failure. Rather annoying as it's an old Bentley and only does about 500 miles a year. Replacing the screen is not very attractive given the age of the vehicle. A number of companies claim they can repair the damage (the screen is laminated). They do warn however, that the process has a risk of cracking the windscreen. Autoglass claim the unique chip repair system will give an almost invisible repair (£70), while national windscreens (£45) don't make such a claim. Any comments on your experience would be most welcome.
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Ive had chips repaired before with no problems & it was FREE because I have fully comp insurance.
I had 2 bad experiances with Autoglass & I made a complaint to Tescos insurance about them.
Try RAC Autowindscreens, They do a very good job & I recommended them verg highly!
Any Autoglass people want to get in touch with me, feel free!
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Can recommend http://www.shatterscreen.co.uk/ we use them at work and they are always good
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Dixon Motors advertises a similar repair facility for £30:
www.dixonmotors.co.uk/carcare/smartrepairs.asp?top...n
There are also details of other types of minor repairs that its dealerships will undertake on the same link, such as dents removal, paint stone chips and upholstery repairs.
There's also this website's various links on the subject:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=23
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I had a windscreen chip "repaired" by National Windscreens.
At first I was told "I wouldn't bother for one that size, but if the insurance is paying..... the chip will disappear"
Half an hour of waiting and I am told they couldn't get the chip to be invisible, it looks worse than before, but its smooth now.
The CIS insurance wrote a week later to enquire if I was satisfied with the repair, I said the quality of the work was disappointing, I was told the only remedy would be a new windscreen.
I said I didn't want that, and was met with a "why did you complain then?" I said it was just if they have had other complaints they may like to look into them.
If I had another chip, I'd take it to someone else next time.
Ben
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I work for a vehicle hire company and we've got a chip repair system - cost 500 quid. For the last year it's being gathering dust in a corner of the workshop. Why? because most of the time it doesn't work. It's ok for small cracks that would pass unnoticed anyway, but for repairing MOT failure sort of damage it's useless. I've managed to 'invisible repair' a couple of screens but most repairs end up being just as noticable in a different way.
GP mentioned the possibility of cracking a screen during the repair process. This is because a hole sometimes has to be drilled in the outer skin of the (laminated) screen and the final part of this process is to use a very fine punch to break away the last few molecules of glass - to prevent the drill from piercing the membrane. Sometimes heat has to be used to drive out any air in the crack / damage and to enable the repair resin to flow into the damaged area. As you can imagine it takes a lot of care and patience to repair even the smallest of cracks.
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All,
I had a similar (circa 5mm stone chip on driver\'s side) experience some 4 weeks ago (Saab 9.3 TiD 2001) and checked my insurance policy.
On \'phoning them, they arranged a return call from Autoglass who agreed to take a look. They offered to travel to my home or office to inspect the damage. Insurance company agreed to pay total cost if repairable, presumably pre-empting a claim for a full windscreen should the chip turn into a crack. (This would have meant a £40 excess payable by myself but I understand the replacement cost for a Saab screen is in excess of £500)
Was duly repaired and I have to say, very pleased with the result which is a slight \'frosting\' on the repair site. Certainly no more than than a slight blemish !
Autoglass then \'phoned me 24 hours later to complete a questionnaire to assess my satisfaction covering such things as the repair itself to the quality of the cetre\'s waiting room.
Hope that this is helpful
AI
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As with any service of this nature, customer satisfaction or otherwise with the finished product mainly rests on the ability, experience and training of the individuals who undertake such tasks for their employers.
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In the fullness of time, let us all know what you decided to do GP and how you got on.
AI
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Got a crack in the windscreen of my used Galaxy the day I bought it! With comprehensive insurance, I was put in touch with Autoglass who came to my place of work to sort out a repair. I was told that the repair was with a clear substance, and as the glass was tinted, I would still see a crack line but there would not actually be a crack. If not satisfied, there was a time limit over which I could claim a new screen instead (ISTR about 14 days). I had the repair done, took about 15 minutes, and as warned, the glass is smooth but there is a line visible within it. It's almost at the front passenger's pillar so well away from my sight lines and I am pleased with it. Was also phoned a few days later and asked to comment on standard of repair and technician's approach/attitude. Gave top marks for everything.
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IIRC they use resin to fill a crack/chip.it isnt optically perfect.warnings are given as resin heats up before it sets.so the risk of further cracking.though its unusual it does happen.almost invisible is right.would stress almost.if in line of sight driving would suggest new screen.nothing more annoying than a screen having a patch that is not perfect to see through.
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Was mech1
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All,
Many thanks for your comments. Happened to be passing an Autoglass yesterday with the car. They inspected the chip and in their opinion it should repair pretty well given that it is a 'clean' chip with no periphary cracks. They emphasised that it's best to get it done sooner rather than later as dirt in the chip will be harder to remove and make it more noticeable. Had a frank discussion with the engineer who said that all companies pretty much use the same process. The degree of success seems to be down to the skill and care of the individual operator. Checked my insurance today and it's free if I go with National Windscreens. A replacement windscreen isn't very attractive given the age of the car and hopefully a repair will look less noticeable, even if it doesn't go completely. I think I'll book it in at the next opportunity.
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My experience is with an original deep chip about 3 to 4 mm across plus wider radiating cracks which were ground away and filled by Autoglass. The best part of the repair was the radiating cracks disappeared meaning damage was within size limits to still pass the MOT. This left the deeper chip to be filled by resin to prevent ingress of water to lamination. Resin was left proud of the glass by repairer and most of it seemed to fall out after a few months. Some may still be left in the chip as after several years the chip hasn't caused the lamination to go milky coloured.
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The chip-repair system was actually invented by the company that owns Autoglass (Belron) so therefore they own the name GlassMedic which is the actual name for it. The chip repair systems used by other companies are therefore not as reliable as Autoglass. It is highly unlikely that the rental company a gentleman on here was talking about that he worked at actually owns a GlassMedic system as they retail at around £1500. The real GlassMedic system actually uses a glass resin that is infact carciogenic meaning that it causes mutations and possibly tumors. Therefore the use of the system requires specialised training and precautions in order to be operated safely and properly.
In definition there are actually around 8 different types of chip that occur on a windscreen. Some are easy to get rid of flawlessey, some not so. For example a "radial impact chip" is a chip but has impact rings around it making it a big challenge to remove completely. The more experienced the technition the better chance of a successful repair.
To the owner of the Bently, in spite of your car being old, I am very confident in Autoglass's ability to obtain a windscreen for you. Autoglass actually fit the replacement screens for the TVR race teams so they have alot of experience in rare vehicles. Personally I actually own a 1972 Dodge Charger which they managed to get hold of a windscreen for.
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Contrary to what alimck says, windscreen chip repair was NOT invented by Belron, this is a lie. It was invented by Novus in the US and now carried on in the UK by Glass Doctors. The system used by another well known national company consistently produces the worst results normally encountered as the training is virtually non existent and the system is used on a rote basis without any judgement or skill called for by the operative. They are also banned from drilling the glass which is essential for some types of damage. It normally takes about a month to train to do windscreen chip repair to an acceptable level. As you will notice when windscreen replacement companies are involved, all roads seem to lead to a new screen.
funny that...
contrary to certain opinion it is possible to repair ford heated windscreens, you can do a repair less than 50mm from an edge and it is certainly ok to do a chip in the drivers vision (as specifically advised in the MOT testers manual by the D O T.) you can do more than one repair on a screen (again within 50mm from another). most repairs don't crack out when the repair fixture is put on the screen unless you do it in a reckless way to cause it to intentionally crack and make the customer buy a new screen. I hope anyone reading this will now be wise to some of the tricks of the trade employed by some leading companies, and be able to spot the con before it happens.
This well known company recently advertised on Talk sport radio saying they could repair your stone chip if it failed the MOT, however when you ring them up or go on their website you will find that they refuse to do any chip over 10mm in the drivers vision area ( A zone), which is exactly the size a chip has to be to fail the mot, ! therefore there is no actual intention to ever repair the chip as the advert claims and it is merely a ploy to sell you a new screen. This is a con and it is presently being investigated by the advertising standards authority.
Edited out naming of company in accordance with site policies
Edited by Honestjohn on 19/10/2007 at 21:25
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Glassdoctors now on HJ's FAQ on minor repairs.
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I've had a chip repaired by Auto Glass before and been perfectly satisfied with the result. The rule of thumb is if you can cover a chip in the 'driver's area' with a pound coin they can repair it.
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i would disagree, just look at their site and follow the prompts and you will be offered a new screen. also ring them up and say that you have a chip over 10mm in the drivers vision (this would be a normal MOT failure) in the"a zone" i think you will find that they will refuse to repair it as it is not "their company policy" to repair such damage. Dont take my word for it, try it for yourself
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i dont know which company you are talking about but i will tell you what i know
the wife has a fiesta with quick clear, when i bought it it had 2 small chips which i had my local man repair,last month she got a proper size bolly hole from someone overtaking where they shouldnt,anyway,i told her to claim this on her windscreen insurance and to do it first thing in the morning before any damp got into the elements,a mobile company came out to her (well known and they advertise on the telly) at work, gritted his teeth ,said it could just be repaired and the job is now done,a get out clause is some guys will tell you they may crack the screen as they slightly drill out the outer glass,but in all the repairs ive had done over the years ive never had any fitters break the glass but the standards of repair finish do vary.
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It is a common misconception that the "quick clear" heating element wires are exposed when a chip occurrs to the screen, they are actually within the laminate layer and therefore buried from harm unless you are dozy enough to drill too far when attempting to repair a screen. Drilling is perfectly safe if you know what you are doing and only drill just enough to allow the resin to flow into the break or just clear away crushed glass or dirt. NEVER drill into the plastic layer as this will weaken it in the case of an accident and could cause the occupants to be ejected from the vehicle or items to enter the interior of the vehicle through the weakened plastic layer. The outer layer of glass is about 3mm thick and it is normally necessary to only drill to a depth of 1mm.
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Yes,it does work if the chip is small enough.As someone mentioned,if it`s smaller than a pound coin,then most of the time it will repair.
I had one done about four years ago.Cost to me? niente! Had another one done recently by a chap who came all the way from Chester-about 100 miles away.Again completely free.
AFAIK if it`s left too long the screen is liable to break since it will have a stress point in the chip`s location.
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hurrying on- to a receding future
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I had my windscreen replaced by Autoglass due to a chip crack but am now wondering if it could have actually been repaired due to the small size of it. Have since spoken to a local company www.automobileglassrepair.co.uk about another windscreen repair and they reckon it could have been repaired. Is there an maximum size limit they can't repair or am I just being cynical?
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I got a small accident last week and my car's side glass got damaged. I had no insurance for my car. Now I am looking for a proper glass for my car. Please share some good auto glass company.
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auto glass
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I got a small accident last week and my car's side glass got damaged. I had no insurance for my car. Now I am looking for a proper glass for my car. Please share some good auto glass company.
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auto glass
Side windows are rarely laminated thus just shatter into thousands of pieces, you are lucky if they stay together, simply not repairable.
When you say you had no insurance I sincerely hope that is not the case and you mean you are not insured for glass. Driving without insurance is simply not acceptable (as well as being illegal) and costs us properly insured motorists money every year when we renew our policies.
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I dont recommend it,but you could do it yourself,several places sell it so it might be worth a go.... http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatalog/Windscreen_Scratch_.html
Most DIYers make a right hash of it,but no worse than some expert companies
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I got a small accident last week and my car's side glass got damaged. I had no insurance for my car. Now I am looking for a proper glass for my car. Please share some good auto glass company.
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auto glass
There are plenty. try admiral.com
Get fully comp insurance and your windscreen replacement is covered as well as you driving legally!
If an uninsured driver ever got into a collision with me - i'd be straight onto the phone with the police. Making sure he/she was proseuted. Many others would do this too; and rightly so
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Insurance companies may cover windscreen some have a first 75ukp which you pay yourself but its a side window that the poster has broken not many insurance companies cover that for free.
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I really don't see what the age of the car has to do with wehter you replace the screen or not.
Have you tried talking to Flying Spares about a new screen
http://www.flyingspares.com/
We had a chip repair on my wifes R25. Next time I'm going to hit the screen hard with the side of my fist to ensure the cracks propogate far enough to warrant a new screen. The resin has smeared across the screen and makes it all smeary when using wipers - blooming terrible.
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Over the past 15 or so years we have had 5 repairs carried out. Originally they were free, the last one cost me a tenner. After repair only one has cracked and needed replacement but since the repair cost nothing no reason to complain, the repair is garanteed thus they deduct the tenner from your excess if replacement is needed later. The degree to how invisible the repair was has varied but all have been more than acceptable and we have never had an MOT issue. Never had an issue with resin being smeared on the screen, the repair people have always ensurred that any excess has been removed with a sharp blade and have then polished the screen.
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