anybody ever fix a cracked windshield?

[redrider90]

Anybody ever tried the windshield repair kits offered in auto parts stores?
I had someone come out and "repair" a small weblike crack with a central divot in a 2001 Honda that only has liability insurance. The whole area was about the size of a dime. The biggest issue is the crack is about 7 inched above the dash putting it in direct line for a thermal blast of hot air in the winter.
I paid the guy $50 (if it doesn't work the $50 will go towards a new windshield).
But today in the sun I could see that the resin had not completely filled the multiple veins in the crack. I'll be testing it shortly as winter weather is just 2 days away.
But I wondered if the auto parts solution works as well as the repair services for smaller cracks. 

[cruzziguzzi]

Never done it myself but have used "Safelite" several times with 100% satisfaction. Quick and cheap and will also do it free within a certain period of purchasing a replacement windshield from them.


Todd.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Just replace it.

[Bisbonian]

I've had several repaired. It always looks like the cracks are still there but they never spread afterward.

[Kev m]

We had a couple of cars that were magnets - including the Mini Cooper S on which we replaced the windshield 2x that's after multiple fixes some that worked, some that didn't.

We also had repairs done to the Baja, Impreza, Grand Cherokee, and Juke...all because the insurance co paid for them completely. All those repairs (some now 4-5 years old on cars we still own) worked perfectly, though the crack is forever visible (albeit reduced somewhat visually).

I think there were some repairs that I thought to myself "did the resin penetrate completely" but I don't remember any one of them specifically failing.

Lastly, the lifetime before that, when I was too poor to have insurance that would fix them for free I repaired a number myself using those kits at the auto parts store - the little suction cup and syringe... I remember having success with all but one of them (but luckily I had a brother in law who was a glass man at the time and got me a discounted windshield for the beater Chevy truck in question, and installed it with me on a sunny afternoon.

[Caffeineo]

I had a small chip with the web like cracks spreading out about 1/2 - 3/4 inch in diameter near the top center of my truck windshield. Used one of the $10 Permatex kits from WalMart. That was about 2 years ago. Really have to know where it is and look closely to see it now. Still working good after freezing Idaho winters and 100+ summers. I am really happy with it.
 

[ken farr]

I had a small chip with the web like cracks spreading out about 1/2 - 3/4 inch in diameter near the top center of my truck windshield. Used one of the $10 Permatex kits from WalMart. That was about 2 years ago. Really have to know where it is and look closely to see it now. Still working good after freezing Idaho winters and 100+ summers. I am really happy with it.

What he said, expect for the freezing winter thing......

kjg

[Tom]

I've used a kit that you can buy from the auto parts guys.  The main thing was to catch it early while small before it spiderwebs on you.  Dry and in the shade.  This was done in the PHX area.  So far, haven't done or need it in Kona.