Disappointing Windscreen Repair

spurf on 08/07/2022 - 10:24

I copped a stone to the windscreen and got a crack to the passenger side. I got it repaired less than 24 hours after it happened but the repair looks pretty bad and am looking at a windscreen replacement now. The crack expanded during the repair which I understand is a possibility but the resin looks opaque rather than clear to me. It was raining on the day but was repaired undercover but am wondering if the appearance could have been caused by inadequate drying prior to repair. I paid a bit extra to get it fixed by one of the big repairers as I knew there was only one chance of getting it repaired.

https://imgur.com/a/eYPPuvi

Anyone have any experience with this type of repair?

Automotive

Comments

  • Hybroid on 08/07/2022 - 10:35
    +1

    Windscreen replacements are usually covered by your comprehensive insurance (or at most have minimal excess charge) and do not affect your no claims or premium. Check your policy and just get it replaced for safety.

    • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 10:59

      I've been very lucky as this is my first windscreen damage in 25 years so have never had windscreen cover. Seems fairly cheap to add for future but I am not sure about claims not affecting your future premiums. Are you 100% on this?

      • SF3 on 08/07/2022 - 11:24
        +6

        Are you 100% on this?

        Ask your insurer.

        • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 12:38

          I'm with Bingle and as far as I can work out there is no way to actually contact them other than to make a claim. This is from the Real Insurance website:

          "Keep in mind that any claim made on your insurance could impact your future premium at renewal"

    • AndyC1 on 08/07/2022 - 11:31

      The are an optional extra and if you drive mostly in the city are a waste of money, but if you drive allot on country roads that flick up rocks then it would be wise to pay the extra to get the windscreen replacement.

      Only earlier this year had a stone chip that required a windscreen replacement after 30 years.

      • Hybroid on 08/07/2022 - 11:42
        +8

        All insurances are a waste of money. Until you do need them.

        • lgacb08 on 08/07/2022 - 16:36

          No, windscreen cover probably $50 or $100 extra, if you drive a none fancy tech a windscreen replacement is always less than standard excess ($700). You'll be extremely unlucky to get a hit in city driving. I only got rock from truck falling into me once but it was a tiny chip not worth worry about. In fact in the last 10 years i only one of my friend who was unfortunate enough to have big enough pebble to cause damage needing replacement. Another friend commuted 150 daily on freeway regional town over 10 years and only have 2 chips on the windscreen (he did have windscreen cover however).

          • Domicron on 09/07/2022 - 15:01

            @lgacb08: $2k, including recalibrating all windscreen mounted sensors.

    • JimmyF on 08/07/2022 - 13:18
      -1

      Windscreen replacements are usually covered by your comprehensive insurance

      Only if you tick the box when taking out the policy.

      • lachhelix on 09/07/2022 - 16:08

        That's incorrect in most cases - they still cover windscreen damage but you have to pay your excess.
        By ticking the box you're paying a higher premium, but a windscreen repair/replacement do not incur an excess

        • JimmyF on 09/07/2022 - 17:01
          -1

          That's incorrect in most cases - they still cover windscreen damage but you have to pay your excess.

          LOL oh wow you got me…. Sure you pay your $800+ excess to get your glass fixed if you want to.

          The 'tick the box' we are all talking about is so you don't incur the excess for windscreen damage.

          • lachhelix on 09/07/2022 - 17:54

            @JimmyF: The comment you quoted mentions replacements specifically - I can tell you a good majority of new cars with ADAS or HUD cost a hell of a lot more than $800 for a windscreen….

            • JimmyF on 09/07/2022 - 18:43
              -2

              @lachhelix: LOL Oh smart you, caught me out again….. Sure pay you can pay your $800+ excess to get your glass fixed if you want. But I'll be 'ticking' the box so I don't have to paything.

  • AndyC1 on 08/07/2022 - 10:35

    I went to a small smash repair in the country when it happened and the guy who looked at it said it could be fixed, but it was not going to work properly as it was about 5mm too big and you would see it so I needed a new windscreen.

    I asked how many chips he repaired and he said it was allot due to the stones flicked up and not all of them could be repaired or they could, but due to cracks the repair would not last and it depended on the chip/crack and experience to tell if it would work or not.

    Sounds like you may have got a person who did not have the experience to tell if would last or not.

  • highon2str on 08/07/2022 - 10:38

    The resin needs UV light to cure, it should go transparent after exposure in the sun. Not sure about that crack though, looks like a fair bit of pressure was used in the repair process.

  • Fergy1987 on 08/07/2022 - 10:59
    +1

    I had the same with RACQ - had a small chip - got it filled for like 90 bucks and then 2 weeks later had a giant crack across my whole windscreen not even where the chip was, new windscreen. chip repair was not worth it.

  • apsilon on 08/07/2022 - 11:00
    +2

    No experience with repairs but IMO that crack will continue to spread over time.

    • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 11:02
      +1

      It's right at the passengers eye level and is really obvious so will affect resale down the track so definitely looking at a new one now. It's a pain as I here new windscreens are never as good as the OEM and they can cause other problems down the track if they damage the paintwork etc

      • JimmyF on 08/07/2022 - 13:20

        and is really obvious so will affect resale down the track

        Regardless of the location eye level or not, most RWC places will reject a repaired windscreen and force a new one to be installed as part of getting a RWC.

        • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 17:28

          The laws in NSW seem more lax than other states and seem to only matter for largish cracks on the drivers side

          • JimmyF on 08/07/2022 - 17:39
            -1

            @spurf: Fair enough then… In VIC it is pretty much a given for a new windscreen when doing a RWC if the windscreen is few years old these days.

  • jv on 08/07/2022 - 11:21
    +4

    It looks like all they did was add a drop of super glue.

    Also, did they glue the 10 cent piece there, or was it always there?

    • bobbified on 08/07/2022 - 12:30

      Also, did they glue the 10 cent piece there, or was it always there?

      🤣

    • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 12:36

      LOL. Just Blu-Tac for the 10c piece

      • jv on 08/07/2022 - 12:37

        Thanks for the tip…

        Will try it on wife's car this afternoon as a surprise…

      • SF3 on 08/07/2022 - 13:26
        +3

        You are doing it wrong, the 10c piece should be covering the chip. Chip is then gone.

        • RobBoss on 08/07/2022 - 18:23

          They had one job

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 08/07/2022 - 15:13
    +1

    IDK if it's worth it to repair glass like this. I looked into this a few years ago and a big name was charging 2x more to repair than a full replacement cost from a local windscreen business. In any case, it's glad you got photos.

    I think your best bet is to go in and say it's actually worse and you would like a full refund… Then spend less and go to a (non big-name) business. A lot of people feel awkward about this but you have to do it ASAP, bite the bullet. At least send an email… I'll type it for you. Tip: Don't go with Windscreens O'Brien or a big-name business, they will easily reem you with 2-3x the cost compared to a local place. If they offer to put the refund towards a new windscreen it still would be cheaper going to a local place than paying the difference. Just call a few and ask for an over the phone quote for your car.

    Windscreen Repairer
    re: Windscreen repair service / failed repair

    On the 1st of July 2022 I attended your business and paid $xxx.xx for a repair of a crack. On picking up the car the repair has resulted in the glass now being in worse condition and I am requesting a full refund as I am not comfortable having paid this amount for a failed repair.

    I have included before/after images.

    Regards,
    Spurf

    If all else fails, and after you have sent the email, call your credit card company and dispute the transaction on account of faulty goods.

    • spurf on 08/07/2022 - 17:34
      +2

      I've contacted them with something to that effect. Looking more at the after picture I'm pretty sure the dremel tool they used slipped when they were burring the impact point as part of the prep work. I was watching the person working on the car and they were leaning quite a bit over to reach the defect as they were petit. The new "crack" is easily felt with your finger and doesn't extend through the full thickness of the glass. It starts from the impact point and goes to the drivers side and then loops back, just as you would expect if you were working the dremel while leaning over the passenger side of the hood.

      • Heaps for Cheaps on 08/07/2022 - 17:38

        That's great news that you have made contact. I never would expect it ADD damage to the window, and those chip repair places do state "Our repair will always look better than the unrepaired damage"…

      • StingyBritches on 09/07/2022 - 13:15
        +2

        It looks like a slipped Dremel as I’ve never seen a crack travel back on itself (see the longer ‘line’ as it ‘hooks’ back at the end).

      • spurf on 11/07/2022 - 21:37
        +1

        They've agreed to refund for the repair but pretty miffed that I'm going to have to outlay now for a new windscreen after they duffed things up. I'm tempted to try to pursue my ACL rights but don't know how fruitful this would be given I would need to convince a lay person mediator that the damage was caused by carelessness on the repairers part. Quotes for the repair that I've gotten so far is $720 for an aftermarket or $1,171 for OEM. Recalibrating the assist camera is another $275

  • StingyBritches on 12/07/2022 - 09:16
    -1

    Damn!

    But, good on you for posting the final outcome. Have an upvote.

  • spurf on 25/07/2022 - 16:23

    Just a final update.

    I found a fella with excellent reviews to install an aftermarket screen for $595 and I am really happy with the result. New screen seems to be identical in tint and and states it is an acoustic screen and have noticed no extra road noise at speed.

    He spotted the damage the other mob (O'Brien) did immediately and even replicated the damage to confirm the theory with his dremel on the old screen prior to replacing. He also showed me how much freeplay the lane assistance camera has in its mount and didn't recommend recalibrating as there is no way the slight difference in windscreen mounting would be as large as the variation caused by the freeplay. I have noticed no change in performance since replacement so I am not going to recalibrate at this stage. From the limited information out there the important thing is to either not disconnect the wiring harness to the camera or avoid turning on the ignition as this may log a fault that forces a recalibration to re-enable the camera.

    I'm still not sure if windscreen cover is worth it given the uncertainty regarding impacts on future premiums and losing the choice of repairer.

    • lachhelix on 25/07/2022 - 17:36

      Glad to hear it!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join