So I noticed a very small chip in my windshield and I checked out Safelite to see about getting it fixed and they want $168.00!

What about those do-it-yourself windshield chip repair kits? Do they work and which brand is the best?

>>28488534 (OP)
that spider webbing is not repairable.
check with your insurance, some have windshield replacements without a deductible.

you can give it a try yourself, but again, you cannnot fix the long cracks and attemptoing to repair might make them grow as you need to drill out the glass a bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fxxfZDOD1U

>very small
The chip looks fixable enough, but the crack extending from it is pretty long.
Does it reach the edge of the glass, where the windshield's glued into place? Some shops won't even try to fix damage like that because of how easily it'll break again, and it might be too structurally compromised to pass inspection in many countries anyway.

While you figure out what to do, you might want to clean the glass around the chip carefully and put some transparent tape or something there to keep dirt and water out.
Had a chip like that (minus the crack) fixed a while ago for 55 €. The shop said they usually don't fix chips larger than a coin or so.

>>28488544
>>28488551

That's just a pic I found online, mine is pretty small to the point I just noticed it the other day.

>>28488564
call your insurance provider.

>>28488564
>just a pic I found online
Yeah, noticed just after replying. If there's no long crack and it's overall smaller than a coin, it should be fixable enough, but $168 seems crazy high to me.
If your insurance doesn't cover that, are there any other shops you could ask for an offer?

>>28488534 (OP)
>can't afford $168
I think you have more pressing concerns than a chip.

>>28488576
this. holy shit poorest board on the site.

>>28488576
>>28488583
yes goy, just pay the price. dont ask questions why you're being charged $168 for a $20 repair kit that take 20 minutes to complete, no the tech is being paid $250 an hour. but yes, you must pay the $170, no that price doesnt include an onsite visit, you have to come to us and pay us. yes of course are only open 9-5, yes you have to waste your entire lunch period or take time off work, yes its still $168. good goy, pay up now.

>>28488534 (OP)
Project farm has a video about windshield repair kits. If you want to pick one up maybe start there

>>28488534 (OP)
Clean it out with a razor blade and inject some chip repair solution into it. You can find the kits for like $10-$20
My gf drives a BMW X3 and I didn't want to buy her a new windshield. It has help up without spreading any further for 3 years now.

They don't work. If $169 includes proper laser treatment, do it

>>28488534 (OP)
If you repair the crack that day, you can get away with these cheap kits.
I probably patched dozens of rock chip hits before they become issues.

If you wait too long, the spider webbing isn't really repairable.
Check with your insurance company and see what deductible you have for windshields.

>>28489119
These kits notnfucking work. You can't get the air out. You don't have proper light after treatment.

>>28489119
>>28489122
There isn't really a point in felling it in with epoxy either. Either it won't spread, or it already has spread and some glue wont' fucking do anything.

Leave the windshield chip alone, replace the entire thing if the crack gets too big and draws attention to you from police.

>>28489122
Don't some kits come with a plunger thingy that might be able to force the glue in and get at least some of the air out in the process?
Think I'd rather leave it to someone who's done the job before, though.

>>28488534 (OP)
>OI VEY $168!
dude how broke are you?

>>28488590
You're also paying $168 for them to not fuck it up where (you) would, pork dorkus.

>>28488534 (OP)
You might want to consider shopping around a bit. Safelite replaced my windshield about a month ago and they broke some of the trim around my rearview, and they fucked up installing the rain sensor twice. See if you have any local shops with a good reputation.

>>28489122
Any decent kit will have a thing to pull a vacuum on it. UV light is free and the sun is a very good source of it.
I just think /o/ is full of lazy soft handed pussies these days.

>>28488534 (OP)
Find a local shop if you don't want to do it yourself. The best shop near me charges $60 for the first time (including tax) and then for the next year each additional chip fix is cheaper.

The big factor for repairability is whether it reaches the inner layer of glass. If it's only the outer layer, it's usually fixable unless it's already spidering too much.

>>28489165
what car?

>>28489343
23 GTI

>>28489122
>>28489135
The cheap kits work fine.
I've used them to fill chips on tons of cars
You just have to hit the crack ASAP.
The epoxy kits work, unless ur retarded I guess.
.t local roads are basically sand blasters for windshields.

>>28488534 (OP)
why fix? just let it do its thing

>>28488569
>call your insurance provider.

It's a 2009 Saturn Vue (with less than 50K miles, previously granny owned) so I've just got PLPD.

>>28489144
>a plunger thingy

Yes, I've seen those also and presumably they're better than just a tube of epoxy or whatever?

>>28489430
they are a total nigger to remove the camera cover without breaking anything. dont know how they fucked up the rain sensor though

>>28488534 (OP)
Broke as nigga

>>28488564
Call your insurance anyway.
Insurance will often cover 'cheaper' preventative measures if it means it prevents more expensive claims
i.e. pay a couple hundred to repair a chip rather than triple or quadrupedal that to replace the entire windshield when it cracks the entire windshield.
Especially on newer cars because sensors often have to be recalibrated when the windshield is replaced which adds to the cost.

>>28490135
Yeah, I've heard as much. I wanted to hook up a fitcam that uses power from the rain sensor but was worried about breaking the cover, even the install tutorial I watched had the guy break a part of it. Now that ship has sailed, so I went ahead and ordered one.
I think the sensor issue was something to do with the stuff that goes between the sensor and windshield. Safelite used some sort of disc made of a transparent rubbery material along with some kind of gel. After a day or two it looked like pic rel. The wipers would go apeshit out of nowhere till I got it fixed. The next shop I went to used just some gel (I assume a different type) and so far so good.

>>28491063
>Call your insurance anyway.

It's a 2009 Saturn Vue, I've got PLPD not full coverage.