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Repairing road chips on windshield

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Berch1943, Dec 17, 2016.

  1. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    Hello , i have some few road chips that I had on my windshield for a while, I really would love to repair them. I heard that road chips must be fixed immediately after they occur, but I had my road chips for a while, at least for several months. Can I still get my road chips repaired? I really don't want to replace the entire windshield just for that.
     
    #1 Berch1943, Dec 17, 2016
  2. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    There are some good internet resource on glass repair, with illustrations. Google it.

    Chips are usually okay to leave, but cracks need to get repaired ASAP.
     
    #2 andrewclaus, Dec 17, 2016
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If a crack hasn't developed from a chip, the chip can be repaired. Some auto insurance policies provide glass coverage at no deductible, including chip repair. Obviously the insurance company would prefer to pay for chip repair vs. replacing the entire windshield.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Dec 17, 2016
  4. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    As to the age of the chip....does not matter if it was this morning or a morning two years ago. It can be repaired. The charge for chip repair is a bit steep at a lot of places.

    I wait until I have two or three and then tell them I will pay the full $49 if they will repair all of them at once for that price. They always have so far.
     
    #4 Stevewoods, Dec 17, 2016
  5. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    The chips don't look too large , I don't think they are cracks so I guess they could still be repaired, even after months from developing. I'll try to upload some pictures of them when I can. I was looking at this product from Amazon wondering if it's any good. a.co/ds3JkEc I prefer doing the work myself since I wouldn't trust any mechanic to do the work for me, unless it's a last resort.
     
    #5 Berch1943, Dec 17, 2016
  6. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The DIY chip repair kits require that you expose the repair to bright sun for several hours. One that I tried during the winter is just as bad as it was before the attempted repair. I think the pros use an ultra violet light that does a better job of curing the cement than just sun exposure. So if you want to use one of those kits, I'd recommend waiting till summer.
     
    #6 RobH, Dec 17, 2016
    Stevewoods likes this.
  7. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Yeah, they use something like my dentist uses for fillings. Of course, here in Seattle, that bright sun requirement means I can NEVER do it myself....LOL....
     
    #7 Stevewoods, Dec 17, 2016
  8. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    Are you talking about the sunlight or the weather? Here I get sunlight all the time even during winter. But if you're saying that doing it in cold weather would affect the result, then I could understand.
     
    #8 Berch1943, Dec 17, 2016
  9. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The vitamin D people tell me that if your shadow is longer than you are tall, there's not enough UVB in the sunlight produce any vitamin D. do not know what they'd say about windshield repair...

    Take your car to a dentist? :D
     
    #9 RobH, Dec 17, 2016
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