Does rock chip repair prevent windshield crack propagation?

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mike - 07 Mar 2005 20:24 GMT

Got a nasty rock chip in my windshield. Three impact divots connected
by a crack about 1.5" long. Short star pattern at each impact.
It's well out of the normal field of view, but I'm very concerned about
the crack propagating.
Googling informs me that the rock chip repair people are good at filling
in holes, but there's a lot of hemming and hawing about whether they
can keep a crack from propagating.
I hate to blow $60 on a chip repair and have to replace the windshield
next month anyway.

Any chance that a vacuum pump and superglue will help? The kits you buy
at the auto store show examples of fixes other than cracks.
Doesn't have to be pretty, just not crack more.

Direct personal experience?
Thanks, mike

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Al Bundy - 08 Mar 2005 13:46 GMT

What happens to that crack is almost completely variable. I can say
repairs CAN work though.
This is just anecdotal, but I cracked my windshield on the lower left
driver's side with the 4" crack headed straight up. I put epoxy on it
first, then switched to clear silicone. That patch pulled the crack
sideways over to the edge. It looks like a park sticker there now and
has been good for five years. If your crack is more in the middle of
the glass you have more difficulty stopping the crack. If you trust the
place I'd take the $60 chance. Sometimes they stop the crack by
drilling a tiny hole beyond the end of it. That's risky too. There are
no guarantees that drilling a relief hole won't cause a crack.

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sdlomi2 - 04 May 2005 17:44 GMT

> What happens to that crack is almost completely variable. I can say
> repairs CAN work though.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> drilling a tiny hole beyond the end of it. That's risky too. There are
> no guarantees that drilling a relief hole won't cause a crack.

Good reply. I'd like to add that having had somewhere around 50-75
windshields "fixed" accordingly, resulted in all successes except one
Lincoln Town Car--that little chip 'ran', producing an alternative-solving
scenario: now, no doubt about it, replace the w-shield. The 'fixer' at
least did not charge me for his attempt. IIRC, they don't guarantee against
such failure, and it fails on the spot, rather than several days, weeks,
months later. I'm happy with the batting average I experienced. HTH, s

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