windshield repair kit - do they work well? I have a small impact on my on my windshield from a rock the size of a pencil eraser along with a hairline crack about 1/4 inch long. I want to have the windshield repaired so the crack doesnt grow. Most places want $50 to repair it. My car is old and I plan to get rid of it in the fall. I noticed that Permatex and Loctite make repair kits for about $10 that include a syringe and a crazy-glue like adhesive that supposedly fills the crack. Can anyone attest to the effectiveness of these kits and the difficulty in using them properly? Thanks
Re: 67 Shelby Windshield Question It sounds too large for a good and safe repair. The crack will probably get worse when the temp gets warmer, especially when the car is sitting in the summer sun. chips bigger than a BB shot usually look distorted when repaired. I would recommend you go the safe route with a new windshield whether you are selling or keeping the car.
Re: 67 Shelby Windshield Question I have used those Permatex kits for cracks and impact circles for the last several years. I fixed one as large as a quarter (conical fracture with one small crack) and it sealed it fine. You can still see it faintly, but it was fixed 3 years ago and no problems.
Re: 67 Shelby Windshield Question Not sure if you have required annual inspections on your vehicle as we do here. A repaired windshield as you describe would not pass. If the car were purchased and brought here, the windshield would need replacement. Something to consider if the car is to be sold. B)
I've tried them several times, practicing first on cheaper cars (was a dealer). Never graduated to more expensive cars, as my expertise was lacking. One really needs some specialized equipment(magnetized arms to position magnifying glasses, proper heat source, proper light sources, vacuum devices, glass-drills and training to fix them--esp. those having a short crack. That short crack can run full width of w/shield before you know it. Plus, I never could make the spots & stars virtually disappear, like the pros could do. Answer: pay the extra for a pro--the pencil-eraser-size would fade to the size of the lead-pointed end; and the crack quite often is hidden and they very seldom "run"--pros drill/fill the end of the crack to stop its running. If it were me, I'd pay the $40 difference and feel as if I was gonna get my $'s worth! Luck, whichever way you go.