Car windscreen has small chip/crack plus small bubble, can I repair it myself?

mcjordi

with a 20cm crack i wouldnt think you can repair it..

try areldite like one poster suggested.. probably would stop it getting worse.. but in the long run you need a new screen..
a local independant fitter should do one for about 60/70 fitted

Gordon_Hose

If it's a bonded screen you'll need all the right tools to cut out the screen, then lift it out. Then you'd need something to scrape away the old glue and solvent to clean up the sill where the new screen will sit. Then you'd have to have the glue and gun to evenly spread it out in the correct V-shape, all the while making sure there's no gaps. Then you'd have to lift the new screen in and make sure it's correctly seated on the bead of glue to prevent the ingress of wind and water.

It's not just a case of lifting one out and putting a new one in it's place. Probably take an experienced fitter with the correct tools half an hour/45 mins mins to complete the work.

mcjordi

i was lucky when i had a ford escort and had to break a window to get my keys back out.. (locked them in whilst getting xmas presents out back in 2004) went to the scrappy and a windscreen blokey was there gettingn some bits for his motor, he cut out the 1/4 light glass and glue'd it back on my car for £5 as even charged for the glass at the scrappy..

savemoney

My daughters car has a crack in there windscreen recently and had to have a new screen from auto glass they had it done under insurance and paid some cost towards it, dont think its effected there no claims as they just got a renewal and its a lot cheaper than last year as they are new drivers

I think it took two guys around 30 minutes to fit and they couldn't drive the car for an hour or so to let the glue dry

mkirkby

mcjordi wrote: »

with a 20cm crack i wouldnt think you can repair it..

try areldite like one poster suggested.. probably would stop it getting worse.. but in the long run you need a new screen..
a local independant fitter should do one for about 60/70 fitted

it's not a 20cm crack. It's a chip 20cm in from the side of the screen. You *can* repair it. As a previous poster said, buy a kit off ebay. One with 4 suckers on. The idea that it takes an expert is wrong. I've done 2 like this before. both still perfect. The injected resin will fill the original chip, flow down the slight cracks and alos flow into the 'bubble'

redmandarin

Sorry for the delay, I was mad busy before Christmas, then raced about yesterday visiting all the rellies! Anyway, back to business!

Thanks very much for your replies. Unfortunately, the day after my last post I noticed 3 more tiny chips in a little triangle nearer the passenger side, but very much smaller this time!

Although I have no experience of DIY car jobs (only easy stuff like changing bulbs or wipers) I'm tempted to go with frugalmike's advice about the 4 suckers kit, watch some YouTube, and give it my best shot! Although it could be some time before the sun comes out (and for long enough) here in the rainy northwest! Also, mkirkby's suggestion that the resin will fill the original chip, flow down the slight cracks and into the bubble sounds hopeful. If it doesn't work then it's only a few quid wasted and then I can go with the man & van option or try scrap yards to get a replacement windscreen fitted.

Fingers crossed for a cheap and satisfactory result.

Big thanks to everyone.

Red

torbrex

Before you go spending cash on self repair kits or scrapyard options, have a word with your local Kwik-fit dealer and ask if it can be repaired to MOT standard and get a quote, it will give you a good starting point on what price you might need to pay for the other stuff.

mcjordi

mkirkby wrote: »

it's not a 20cm crack. It's a chip 20cm in from the side of the screen. You *can* repair it. As a previous poster said, buy a kit off ebay. One with 4 suckers on. The idea that it takes an expert is wrong. I've done 2 like this before. both still perfect. The injected resin will fill the original chip, flow down the slight cracks and alos flow into the 'bubble'

just re read the op. i just saw radial cracks lol. and 20cm

my apologies.. you can get a windscreen chip repair kit in halfords for about a tenner.. maybe cheaper of the bay..

grizzly1911

I had a noticeable chip , with no cracks, in the centre of screen but out of "Line of sight", went through MOTs for a few years, then I got another smaller one near the bottom and it went horizontal, perhaps 15cml in minutes.

It was for a Picasso, done under insurance by one of the big firms. Fitter left some paperwork behind which showed a "retail price" of close to £600.

That was the second car I had go, like that and I would recommend you "repair" it sooner rather than later.