[k9m]

Hmm ... that`s an interesting q ... anyways ... answer is YES .. I can
repair any length of crack .. BUT:

1) Practicality: Not advisable to repair such long cracks. Reason being the
alignment of the Windshield itself would have been out, top part or the
bottom part at the crack would be higher or lower. Just run your nail
across the crack from the start and you`ll know what I`m talking about. But
there are ways to mend this and more time needed to be spent repairing it.

Personally I tend to repair cracks within 10" to max about 1 feet. Coz,
$$$ is an issue, most ppl here are so particular about costing, replacing
would be a better deal??? If your windshield is difficult to get, for
example a F355 or a 993 Porsche, then repairing such long crack makes
sense, right? If its like for example a Wira or a Civic, you`re better off
replacing, just being pratical!

[OysVios]

Hi k9m,

Your assumption of windshield repair is better than replacement is that
the windshield is replaced by unauthorised personel / technician, but if
the windshield is replaced by the car manufacturer, I doubt the problem
will be there.

Somemore, I am afraid that repaired windshield may be more susceptive to
future breakage upon impact. If this is happens, the crumple zone of our
vehicle may get compromised. If the vehicle roll-over, the vehicle roof
may caved-in, since our vehicle today uses windshield as part of the
safety measures.

Correct me if I am wrong, most suggestions from various authorities
regarding damaged windshield is have it to be replaced by car
manufacturer, and never to repair it.

[k9m]

Hendrick:

"Your assumption of windshield repair is better than replacement is that
the windshield is replaced by unauthorised personel / technician, but if
the windshield is replaced by the car manufacturer, I doubt the problem
will be there."

- Not totally accurate but you're quite close. If at all the manufacturer
replaces your windshield, we'd still say the same as the 'process' of
replacement and 1st installation are two very different scenarios.

When you get your car off the assembly line, its pre installed with
windshield by the usage of 'robotics' (machines) and these kind of fitting
is always well measured. The amount of pressure the machines put against
your windshield (to press) is always consistent and its calculated in order
for NOT to get any INDUCED STRESS. The marginal alignment error of
installation is always to the negative as to NOT align your windshield
incorretly to the body.

But if you send your car in to the manufacturer for 'replacement', its
still done manually and NOT buy machines. Even though the products used to
replace are all of the original specification, there's still room for
'human' error.

" .. repaired windshield may be more susceptive to future breakage upon
impact. If this is happens, the crumple zone of our vehicle may get
compromised. If the vehicle roll-over, the vehicle roof may caved-in, since
our vehicle today uses windshield as part of the safety measures."

- No. Repaired area is in fact stronger than the Windshield itself. The
resin used to fill the break (damaged area) has surpassed the federal
required tests for the windshield itself which is the SAE/ANSI Z 26.1
Tests. Furthermore, independant studies have replicated the below tests
with repaired windshields and results show that the repaired windshields
surpassed the oirginal windshields results:

FMVSS 212 measures windshield retention in a barrier crash. Every make and
model vehicle is accelerated to 30 mph and crashed head-on into a concrete
barrier. The automobile must retain 75 percent of the windshield along the
pinchweld perimeter. Some vehicle manufacturers require 100% retention in
this severe crash test.

FMVSS 216 is the roof crush performance test. It measures the structural
strength required to protect occupants in the event the vehicle rolls over.
One and one-half times the unloaded vehicle weight or 6,000 lbs. (whichever
is less) of force is applied at an angle to the roof. The roof structure
can depress no more than five inches to pass.

Note: the windshield provides 30-70% of the roof strength.

FMVSS 208 occupant crash protection specifies equipment requirements for
active and passive restraints, including air bags. There can be no
separation of load-bearing safety assemblies in a 30 mph barrier crash.
This pertains to the windshield because the passenger side air bag deploys
off the windshield in order to perform its safety function.

"Correct me if I am wrong, most suggestions from various authorities
regarding damaged windshield is have it to be replaced by car
manufacturer, and never to repair it. "

- You stand corrected, as Windshield Repair protects and preserves these
safety standards (FMVSS) by preventing a windshield replacement from
altering the original factory installation.

The Motor Vehicle Act, Section 1397 (a2a) (United States America) states
"No...dealer...or repair business shall knowingly render inoperative, in
whole or in part, any device or element of design installed on or in a
motor vehicle." In plain words, replacement shops must restore vehicles to
their original, safe condition.

The National Glass Association (USA) states that, ”proper windshield
installation is as important to your safety as seat belts, airbags and
anti-lock brakes.” Windshield replacements per the Independent Glass
Association, National Glass Association, and ABC’s 20/20 and Fox News (All
from USA) are known to be done incorrectly 70% of the time.

All of the windshield lawsuits to date were from deaths and injuries caused
by so wel1Windshield Repair ... Why Not???cost of!1
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[ring]

k9m,

Base on your statement, I think u r a windscreen repairer.

My car has windscreen water leaking problem. Front as well as the rear
one.

Questios:-
1.How much does it cost to rectify this problem?
2.How long is the repair job?
3.Where is your office?

My car model is AE111 (Toyota '96Yr).Please advise.

[k9m]

Hi Ring,

Yes! I am a Windshield Repair Technician, but I only repair Damaged
Windshields ie, if there's a chip or crack. As for the leaking problem, I
am sorry I do not do that. Thanks for enquiring. Cheers!

[MrMamat]

Mr. k9m,

Last week my untint Wira front windshield got hit with a very small stone.
As a result, it leaves a cracking mark at about a size of 20 cents coin.
Till now, i never send it for repair or replace. Just leave it there like
nothing happened. So now my question is:

a) How much will it cost to repair the crack? Is it depands on how large/
How deep/ How many "cracks" in a crack?
b) Can it still be repaired eventhough dirts and everything got stuck in
it?
c) How long will it take for you to repair this kind of cracks?
d) What if its raining right after you repair it. Can it get wet? Can i
use my wipers?

Sorry if these are stupid questions. But i really need to know the answer
and some advice would be much appreciate... Thank you..

[k9m]

Mr. Manat,

The questions you posted are NOT in anyway `stupid`. Answers are as follows:

a) Yes, cost to repair depends on how big, and the number of damages. Depth
is not an issue. For a Star, a Bullseye or a combination of both, it
depends on the size and the number of damages. For cracks (line), it
depends on the length. My chargers start from RM80/= and to give you the
excact cost, I`ll have to see the damage 1st. I normally advise my clients
on what to do without any obligations.

b) About contamination (dirt, water, grim, dust), the faster you get it
repaired, the better the results. We normally use a vacuum cycle 1st and
then only pressure the resin into the damage area. So, the vacuum normaly
gets the dirt out but it also depends on how long it has been there. The
longer, the more difficult.

c) Repair time will be anywhere between 30 mins to 1 hour or even more
depending on the severity of the damage and this is done by the only 100&
fully computerized Windshield Repair System.

d) No problems at all if it rains after the repair. As long as the resin is
cured after the repair (4 minutes) it is safe to use you car. You can even
even wash your car!

regards,
Prasad

[MrMamat]

Mr. k9m,

Thank you for your time to answer all my questions.. You really did
furnish me with such answers (tepat dan padat) eventhough they're just
simple questions. Really appreciate it. Thanks!

[nocar]

how you repair the windscreen, from outer side or inner side of the
windscreen?

[k9m]

Mr. Manat - No problems at all.

Hi nocar,

Repairs are done on the outer side of the windshield. The only time we
touch the inner side of the windshield is to expand a crack or a
stubborn/difficult kind of damage where the resin doesn`t flow into the
damage area. But to explain the whole process is kinda long.

regards,
Prasad