WINDSCREEN CRACK REPAIR
Discussion
FFS.
Went for a blat this evening in the sun. Noticed that the stone which hit me which I thought I'd got away with has actually hit at the top where you can't see it when you're driving. It's a tiny impact crater and a crack about 1cm long. It hasn't gone all the way through as I can't feel it from the inside.
Anyone have any recommendations for a GOOD company to come and inject that glue into it. I had this done once before through William Loughran up North.
I'll be paying myself as I just changed insurer and don't want to blot the copybook.
B0llocks.
G T 3 said:
What about all that insurance you pay,wont they sort it.......sorry in anticipation.
Yes, the insurance company will usually pay; 98% of them are happy to be billed by approved or their own nominated repairers. Like with most things, you get good and bad. Knowing the difference is a good head start. It's alarming how much flannel comes from the mouths of people repairing / replacing glass. We've recently sorted out a CLK that Autoslags changed a windscreen on three weeks ago. The car belonged to a lady who sold the car to her son-in-law. Technically, the warranty was void as the ownership had exchanged hands. There was masking tape stretched halfway across the roof and broken parts had been glued down / together. Quality? Fit safety as standard? It was shocking.
If any of you guys are having any work done by a repairer that your ins co prefer to use, I don't mind running through what to expect and what not to accept. These nationals get away with far too much. For example, estimated cost of re-work / rectification / damage to cars by Autoglass is £1million pa. Ask any of their employees as they are penalised quite heavily to try and minimise / pay for this cost.
NB. To be fair, much / most of their work is faultless.
I got something identical on my Boxster S in the summer of 2001, when it hadn't done 200 miles. I got a specialist who came round in a van drilled it and fixed it. It was to all intents and purposes invisible, it never caused a problem, and it never bothered me from that moment until I sold the car two weeks ago. I'm not that confident of Autoglass. Under no circumstances would I recommend you to change a windscreen, particularly the original factory windscreen, unless you have to.
By the way, I covet your 996.
By the way, I covet your 996.
Edited by cardigankid on Tuesday 24th July 22:55
Ref. Autoglass, I had a mildly awkward experience with them in relation to another car. No names no pack drill. I found that the mobile independent I used very much better. It may have been the company you mentioned.
In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
cardigankid said:
Ref. Autoglass, I had a mildly awkward experience with them in relation to another car. No names no pack drill. I found that the mobile independent I used very much better. It may have been the company you mentioned.
In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
Re: "old way of doing it". Hmmm. The only time I saw anyone remove a screen in that way was about 12-years ago on a Chimera. I've been in the trade for approx 15-years and such methods are frowned upon by those who know right, wrong and in-between. The only other time a sheet is placed inside the car is when, or if, the screen is toughnened; these are very rare now and are only found on classic cars or early Protons, Micras and Nissan Sunnys.In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
As for getting a seal as good as the factory, most technicians (or glaziers) use techniques that are taught to them by trainers who may not have been top draw. Having said that, some are very skilled but all that comes with experience. Generally, and in my experience, there are better ways and techniques for windscreen installation but they are not practised by some, 70-85% of windscreen installers and TBH, in my 15-years I have seen some brain-dead idiots in the trade; the entry qualification for a beginner with someone like Autoglass and RAC is a driving license! And they take it from there.
Also, when you say 'seal', this is used more to describe an indirectly glazed windscreen / glass, i.e., one that sits in a rubber gasket that lips over the aperture. Directly glazed screens are bonded directly to the aperture.
Both will be 'sealed' as good as the facory depending on how experienced / technically competent the installer is.
Big companies competing for insurance company exclusivity; lower wage prospects and lack of interest from potential trainees are some of the reasons why quality can be so poor in this field.
Vesuvius
I recently had a crack on my brand new 997, right on the edge of the windscreen and the frame. Quite a big chip actually which I didnt spot at first because it was in the blackened glass section of the screen and out of view from the drivers seat. Naturally I wanted the best for my pride and joy and used a firm (by random google search) called Glass Doctors - think the chap came to London from the Watford area - really nice guy and he did a great job. He was very diligent and a bit of a perfectionist. Turns out he does a lot the work for Porsche West London and lots of Ferraris. Would recommend. I paid cash rather than trying to claim through insurance. If you want contact details let me know.
I recently had a crack on my brand new 997, right on the edge of the windscreen and the frame. Quite a big chip actually which I didnt spot at first because it was in the blackened glass section of the screen and out of view from the drivers seat. Naturally I wanted the best for my pride and joy and used a firm (by random google search) called Glass Doctors - think the chap came to London from the Watford area - really nice guy and he did a great job. He was very diligent and a bit of a perfectionist. Turns out he does a lot the work for Porsche West London and lots of Ferraris. Would recommend. I paid cash rather than trying to claim through insurance. If you want contact details let me know.
Maverick73 said:
Vesuvius
I recently had a crack on my brand new 997, right on the edge of the windscreen and the frame. Quite a big chip actually which I didnt spot at first because it was in the blackened glass section of the screen and out of view from the drivers seat. Naturally I wanted the best for my pride and joy and used a firm (by random google search) called Glass Doctors - think the chap came to London from the Watford area - really nice guy and he did a great job. He was very diligent and a bit of a perfectionist. Turns out he does a lot the work for Porsche West London and lots of Ferraris. Would recommend. I paid cash rather than trying to claim through insurance. If you want contact details let me know.
Thanks, Maverick.I recently had a crack on my brand new 997, right on the edge of the windscreen and the frame. Quite a big chip actually which I didnt spot at first because it was in the blackened glass section of the screen and out of view from the drivers seat. Naturally I wanted the best for my pride and joy and used a firm (by random google search) called Glass Doctors - think the chap came to London from the Watford area - really nice guy and he did a great job. He was very diligent and a bit of a perfectionist. Turns out he does a lot the work for Porsche West London and lots of Ferraris. Would recommend. I paid cash rather than trying to claim through insurance. If you want contact details let me know.
If you could find me the number I'd be grateful.
cardigankid said:
I got something identical on my Boxster S in the summer of 2001, when it hadn't done 200 miles. I got a specialist who came round in a van drilled it and fixed it. It was to all intents and purposes invisible, it never caused a problem, and it never bothered me from that moment until I sold the car two weeks ago. I'm not that confident of Autoglass. Under no circumstances would I recommend you to change a windscreen, particularly the original factory windscreen, unless you have to.
By the way, I covet your 996.
Well, come up with the right price and we can do a deal.By the way, I covet your 996.
Edited by cardigankid on Tuesday 24th July 22:55
Around 28k should do it.
Glassman said:
cardigankid said:
Ref. Autoglass, I had a mildly awkward experience with them in relation to another car. No names no pack drill. I found that the mobile independent I used very much better. It may have been the company you mentioned.
In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
Re: "old way of doing it". Hmmm. The only time I saw anyone remove a screen in that way was about 12-years ago on a Chimera. I've been in the trade for approx 15-years and such methods are frowned upon by those who know right, wrong and in-between. The only other time a sheet is placed inside the car is when, or if, the screen is toughnened; these are very rare now and are only found on classic cars or early Protons, Micras and Nissan Sunnys.In general, I worry about replacing windscreens. The old way of doing it was I believe to put a sheet inside the car and smash the screen, with the attendant risk of getting glass bits in the ventilation. Then, is it possible to get as good a seal as they did at the factory? Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't do it unless I had to, and I would much rather get a capable individual to do a glass repair, and personally I was impressed by the quality of the job I got.
As for getting a seal as good as the factory, most technicians (or glaziers) use techniques that are taught to them by trainers who may not have been top draw. Having said that, some are very skilled but all that comes with experience. Generally, and in my experience, there are better ways and techniques for windscreen installation but they are not practised by some, 70-85% of windscreen installers and TBH, in my 15-years I have seen some brain-dead idiots in the trade; the entry qualification for a beginner with someone like Autoglass and RAC is a driving license! And they take it from there.
Also, when you say 'seal', this is used more to describe an indirectly glazed windscreen / glass, i.e., one that sits in a rubber gasket that lips over the aperture. Directly glazed screens are bonded directly to the aperture.
Both will be 'sealed' as good as the facory depending on how experienced / technically competent the installer is.
Big companies competing for insurance company exclusivity; lower wage prospects and lack of interest from potential trainees are some of the reasons why quality can be so poor in this field.
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