My windshield has a very small crack in it, and I was thinking about using one of those repair kits sold at local parts stores. It's about 1/4" long, and in a lest noticeable location. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!
David

 

David
Haven't tried to DIY since the pros have always been rather inexpensive. However, here are 3 suggestions:
1 - Before you finish reading this post go put a piece of tape over the crack. Whether you DIY or have it professionally filled, dirt in the crack will make the repair much more noticeable.
2 - Get it fixed as soon as possible. Tiny cracks have a nasty habit of spreading due to vibration, contraction, etc.
3 - Check w/your insurance agent. Many companies will waive the deductible & pay to have a crack fixed rather than buy a new windshield.

 

Out here in Pittsburgh, have experienced many of these cracks. Have used these kits several times with good luck on SMALL cracks (no wider than a quarter). Follow the instructions and pull the car out into the sun for the filler to dry when you're done. Best to NOT drive it if it's raining until after it's cured in the sun (can use an ultraviolet lamp in lieu of the sun).

 

David, I tried one of those store bought repair kits on a van I have and couldn't get it to completely fill in the crack even though I followed the instructions to the T. The crack hasn't spread since so I may have gotten enough juice into it to stabilize it. But the crack is still very noticeable. I didn't attempt the fix right after it happened so some dirt may have infiltrated the crack and foiled my attempt.

I had a professional come to my home to repair a crack I got on the 993 a month ago. It was covered completely by my insurance company like Dan mentioned. In the right sunlight you can see where the crack was (is) but no one else would ever know it was there. It took the man a little less than 1/2 an hour to do the job.

 

Kim,
All of those small chips that all of us 993 owners have we are stuck with; unless you want a new windshield.
The repair man I talked to said that there was no way to get rid of them. He is only one direct source I have but he was very knowledgeable.

 

David,

I have used the Permatex windshield repair kit which costs less than $10. It takes only a few minutes of effort followed by an hour of curing. My experience on circular crater impacts is that the optical defect is improved by better than 90%. The distracting white crater becomes a tiny crater with a few tiny cracks radiating.

In summary, it is a cheap, easy repair that makes major distraction into minor distraction.
You have little to lose by trying this repair yourself.

Good luck!

Regards,
George
In sunny AZ

 

Thanks everyone. I'll try the kit first, and see how it works.

I remember being told that the original glass is relatively soft and therefore very prone to getting those tiny pits. Apparently the american ppg replacement is harder and less likely to get them. From past experience, I'd guess that the ppg won't fit quite as well as OE glass though.

Thanks,
David

 

[quote]Originally posted by David Edwards:
<strong>I remember being told that the original glass is relatively soft and therefore very prone to getting those tiny pits.</strong><hr></blockquote>


<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=002070" target="_blank">Regarding windshields... </a>

 

Late to the party. I tried to fix mine myself and I just ended up getting the goop all over the windshield. I called an automotive windshield repair place and tehy came out to my office with their fancy drills and air powered suckers and fixed me right up. Fixed two bad cracks/divots for $60 and now I am the only person to see them since I know where they were before.

E. J.

 

I used the 3M kit a few months ago on my Land Rover Series...lawn folks must have picked up a rock. Fiddly, but very happy with the result. I'll be doing the same on our 993 in the Spring. I like the 3M kit better than the Permatex one.

 

My experience was the pro came to my house and fixed a 1 inch crack in @ 40 minutes.

I could track him on my phone as to when he would arrive - very convenient..

I can't tell it was every there. The cost was @ $80.

I am a big DIY person, but in this case it was a no-brainier to me.

 

Does anyone have experience with those windshield buffing/polishing kits sold on Amazon? My windshield has hundreds of tiny specs on the windshield, probably sand from being driven down the coast at a reasonable 96 C4S speed over 25 years. More an annoyance than anything and definitely not worth a full replacement.

 

Those little tiny chips plague all windshields with age - you can't fill them in (too small) or polish them out.

You have to decide if you want a new windshield or not.

If it impairs vision, it will be covered under insurance in most states.

The challenge will be finding a shop with 993 experience who will do it correctly the 1st time.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Only reason I'd really like to keep the windshield is the signed "Approved and driven by Hurley Haywood" Brumos Porsche sticker on it.

 

There is probably someway to salvage the decal/sticker and re-use it in the future if you had to - steaming it off?

If it can't be reapplied and you need a new windshield, just save it for documentation purposes, and if desired, have a repro made.