Just got a small crack in my Subaru Outback front windshield. About 1/4-inch long, width is negligible -- maybe the thickness of a credit card. On passenger side, about 18 inches in from the passenger side edge and a third of the way up the windshield. Depth -- really shallow, maybe around thickness of credit card ... No effect on the main viewing area of driver. Anyway, I have used Permatex repair kits in the past with great success. So, brought one home and started to go to work when I noticed the instructions said for bullseye damage only. Huh/ My local glass guy retired a year ago and moved to Arizona.The other glass guy in town is not my fave. There is a decent shop about 50 miles away.... So, any experience here? Should I ignore the bullseye warning and go ahead with Permatex? Should i ignore it all together? --- If it were not an Outback, I would just ignore it, but if it runs, replacement windshields approach $1500. Or wait until I take a roadtrip and pass the area of the remote glass shop? I really sort of doubt this crack will grow -- but I sort of hate to gamble $1500 USD. Of course, maybe the Permatex will work despite not being a bullseye. Oh, no, I do not want to make an insurance claim. My rates are relatively low. Hate to do anything to upset that apple cart. I never consider making a claim unless we are talking in excess of three grand.
My understanding is that cracks without bullseyes need a small amount of glass drilled on the side that the crack will grow towards to prevent it from growing. The glass repair kit without the drilling might work, but less likely. Note: This might be outdated knowledge from my auto body shop days 45 years ago.
In my experience; once they start moving - they will usually continue until they reach the edge of the glass. I would just check the inner glass, to make sure it didn't punch through. Since it's not directly in your field of view, I'd simply ignore it until the inner glass cracks or it just gets on your nerves. I usually just drive the car around until I catch a chip within my field of view or there's a glass sale or coupon to replace it.
