Solved rock vs glass

[joney]

^ I don't know which products work best and/or more cost efffective, but here are some out there. Example:
Amazon product ASIN B07CSYZBNN
You do not need to put their sealant on afterwards, would just end up like bare/new glass if there isn't damage too deep, like if there really was significant sand etching instead of surface contamination like I get on mine because I'm right in the path of an airport runway. In my case, something with a petroleum solvent in it helps to get the jet fuel residue off with less buffing.

If you have some plastic polish, for example something some people use in automotive to buff out their polycarb headlight lenses, that might work too. Another possible option is a polishing sealant like Nufinish, but with Nufinish in particular you have to be careful not to get it on trim or it leaves a crusty white residue. If after buffing it on, removal leaves a hazy film, strip that off with hot water and strong detergent solution, same as you'd do if stripping it off the paint.

Another option is just a blue scotch brite pad (do not use green or brown, these can scratch glass) like you'd get for dishwashing, strong detergent solution, and a lot of elbow grease. Depends on what it is, whether detergent will cut through it or if it needs a true polish.

When my '98 windshield was replaced, I think the damage started out as a tiny little chip, right behind the rearview mirror so I didn't see it, then a crack grew all at once on a hot June day. I suspect this because I hadn't even been out driving it recently, behind anything that would throw up a rock to do that. Looked fine one day, then come out a day or two later and see a big crack.

View attachment 433164

Thanks! Very helpful. Dunno what could be on my windshield, park under a lilac and get a little bird poop, but the majority of the stuff on my windshield was there when I got it 14 months ago!

 

[Mbrooks420]

Ammonia is great at cutting that long term crud. Also effortlessly removes rust stains from glass.

 

[Dennis J.A.A.]

I will pay a place like safe light to repair it I just wanna know if it's repairable in anybody's opinion before I go

I just had that happen two weeks ago and Safelite fixed it and my ins paid for it!
It looks great now!
Just read some of the other posts. IF you don't have glass ins then get it NOW!
See how the DIY stuff works and if it doesn't then tell the ins co your windshield is cracked if it gets bad!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Ammonia is great at cutting that long term crud. Also effortlessly removes rust stains from glass.

havent tried that but denatured alcohol is where its at imo LOL

 

[J_C]

Vinegar is also good for water spots and rust, but has to be kept away from bare metal, as well as ammonia having to be kept away from anodized aluminum.

 

[Robroy925]

I need suggestions
Is this glass repairable anybody out there know the answer
View attachment 433060View attachment 433061

You might get different opinions/answers, but I'm gonna say no. My explorer has a identical rock chip that ended up with the samecrack as yours. I had a good glass repairman look at it and he said no, no way. But if I'm wrong, I'd love to here about it cuz a new windshield is awful pricey.

 

[DintDobbs]

@donalds Sheesh, $325 for that? When I had the Sport's wind shield reseated and resealed by Eastern Auto Glass, I don't remember it costing anywhere near that much. I want to say it was around $200 for that, and they said for an extra $60 they'd throw on a new wind shield (mine had a tiny chip, and for that small difference, I went ahead for the new one). A company called Glass Doctor wanted somewhere in the scope of $350, without the new wind shield. I know your Ex is worth it to you, but that price diff could have bought you a tank or two of gas!

P. S. I know you were trying to help the little guy, but the big guys started as little guys too, ya know! Plus, the big guys often have a big name to keep clean, so they tend to have better gaurantees on their work, even if the work itself isn't always as good. Generally, I'll just help the guys least-badmouthed by the people I know who've used them, ha ha.

 

[Mbrooks420]

@donalds Sheesh, $325 for that? When I had the Sport's wind shield reseated and resealed by Eastern Auto Glass, I don't remember it costing anywhere near that much. I want to say it was around $200 for that, and they said for an extra $60 they'd throw on a new wind shield (mine had a tiny chip, and for that small difference, I went ahead for the new one). A company called Glass Doctor wanted somewhere in the scope of $350, without the new wind shield. I know your Ex is worth it to you, but that price diff could have bought you a tank or two of gas!

P. S. I know you were trying to help the little guy, but the big guys started as little guys too, ya know! Plus, the big guys often have a big name to keep clean, so they tend to have better gaurantees on their work, even if the work itself isn't always as good. Generally, I'll just help the guys least-badmouthed by the people I know who've used them, ha ha.

I’ve found the exact opposite. I’ve never gotten better service than from a mom and pop. They can’t afford the huge marketing campaigns. It’s much more important that they get word of mouth recommendations, because that’s mostly what’s keeping the phone ringing.

How long ago was this?

 

[donalds]

@donalds Sheesh, $325 for that

 

[DintDobbs]

@Mbrooks420 Somewhere in the scope of 18 months to 3 years ago, I don't recall exactly. It's likely that the CoViD-19 fiascos have jacked up the prices on these things as well.

@donalds I guess I was lucky or blessed that I had to get it done when I did! But it's good that you got 'er done, and had the money for it. Funny how it seems like some thing always comes up to use that little bit of extra money you decided to save one paycheck...

 

[donalds]

My daughter Teresa is leaving for college ECU
so that long drive with a cracked window no way
Cost a bit but I'm happy this didn't cut into my fun day with her
Its funny we drop her off on the 17 th
Its bitter sweet because she is leaving but did it really have to be on MY birthday
She is 18
My son is 19 he is a pro locksmith He has it so rough coming to the rescue of mostly women
to let them in when they lose their keys rescuing them from their car when they lock the keys in it
lets say he loves his job
He is a perfect gentleman

Like I said bitter sweet

 

[Fix4Dirt]

My daughter Teresa is leaving for college ECU
so that long drive with a cracked window no way
Cost a bit but I'm happy this didn't cut into my fun day with her
Its funny we drop her off on the 17
Its bitter sweet because she is leaving but did it really have to be on MY birthday
She is 18
My son is 19 he is a pro locksmith He has it so rough coming to the rescue of mostly women
to let them in when they lose their keys rescuing them from their car when they lock the keys in it
lets say he loves his job

Like I said bitter sweet

congrats on er college!

 

[DintDobbs]

@donalds Yeah, big congrats on ECU! I've been through that general area a few times, it is a magnificent college.

Now the cost makes sense, family is worth more than money. Look at it this way, Don - your daughter going to college on your birth day is her gift to you. My sister's gift to me was going to prison.

 

[donalds]

My sister's gift to me was going to prison.

5am and I'm rolling laughing

 

[CDW6212R]

LOL, good stories. I'm glad you got it fixed Don, I think that damage was just a little too big to repair securely.

I had a crack last year from a tree branch that fell while I was parked. I called Safelite and they replaced it about a week later. My insurance covered it all, but they said the price then was still about $200 without insurance. A few years ago I had one replaced and the representative said some glass like these Explorers was only $110 for the glass itself.

Obviously now prices are way up. BTW, how is the inflation only 9% when we can site things like homes etc, being up 50-100% or more? Are those not counted in the inflation statistics? There isn't much stuff that I buy, which is up less than 9%.

 

[410Fortune]

we have re defined what inflation is to keep the numbers low... you know similar to women now being called the "birthing parent"
High inflation numbers are hard to look at and might scare people, so simply change the definition!!!!!!!

 

[CDW6212R]

I call it fuzzy math, they ignore the statistics which they don't like, they just don't include that data.

 

[donalds]

Thought I'd follow up with a picture

One hard day .

 

[DintDobbs]

@donalds Well wrought! That's the future, right there!

 

[Kpar]

I've had several Safelight repairs, and the insurance paid for the entire repair (and it was only $50 to the insurance co.- no deductible for the repair, but there would have been for a replacement of the entire windshield). The repairs are next to invisible, even if in your direct line of sight. There is a limit as to how much damage can be repaired, and Safelight will tell you if it can be done.

If the crack has spread to an edge of the windshield, I'm afraid you are done. Safelight uses a vacuum to draw the air out from between the laminates, and fills the voids with a clear resin (the resin has the same refractive index as the glass, that's why most of the damage becomes invisible). If the crack reaches the edge, you cannot make a good vacuum, that is why it is best to get it fixed EARLY.