Windshield inspections

[Dr.Chipster]

OK be nice LOL. How many of you techs check to see that you are working with original factory fitted windshields before you perform a repair. Today I was working on a windshield to a Honda Civic, nothing unusual, simple bulls-eye. I set up the bridge and injetor, loaded the resin, and started the first pressure cycle. Viola, it cracked out to about 8". I backed off and started the process to stop the crack, drill and pop, and it cracked out another 6". I thought holy smokes that shouldn't of happened. Yes, I did cool the windshield and was even under an awning in the shade. I walked around the car to check if it was a replacement windshield and it was. The darn thing was set so bad that you could barley read the VIN number. Writing down the VIN # on my invoice is usually the first thing I do, but since this was a vehicle on a used car lot I identify the cars I work on by stock # not VIN # . I am just glad the owner has a deal with a replacement co. for windshield replacements for around 115 bucks a windshield. We agreed to share the cost 50/50. Oh well, lesson learned.

[t4k]

I ALWAYS check the "label" before starting the repair. There are as many hacks replacing shields as there are trying to repair them. I have watched the replacement guys on the lots and I am always amazed at the degree of nonchalance they use on the installs.

[benswindshieldrepair]

I have learned this the hard way myself. I don't have near as much experience as a lot of guys on this board though I have had hundreds of successful repairs and only a couple of crack-outs. One thing I wonder is how one can tell that the impact is unstable and susceptible to crack out....Any tips?

[clearquest]

I have never bothered to check and see whether or not a windshield was factory or replacement before starting a repair. Makes absolutely no difference to me at all and as far as I'm concerened it shouldn't matter to any of you either. I see that as a non issue when it comes to doing my job, Just doesn't matter.

[clearquest]

Oh and yes I have experience having done somewhere around 15000 repairs. To me a windshield's a windshield and a repair's a repair.

[Eco Steam]

I would have to agree with clearquest, I don't check out the glass either, it doesn't make a difference to me whether its new, old, OEM, or a used windshield from a junk yard. I fix the damage and move on to the next one.

Some people get lucky and can go for years without a chip cracking out and then there are some that can 1 sec after the rock hits and its a 4, 8, 12" crack already.

I'm not gonna sit here and say that PGW makes better glass than Pilkington or vise versa, cuz I could care less.

I know what I see on a daily basis, and what I deal with....unfortunately, you just had a crack out, they do and will happen every now and again, it happens to all techs eventually, some more than others, it could boil down to technique (how much pressure you're putting on windshield).

I've had a few happen to me over the years, but it's rare, but they do happen ..... knock on wood

ATX

[Brent Deines]

I would have to agree with clearquest, I don't check out the glass either, it doesn't make a difference to me whether its new, old, OEM, or a used windshield from a junk yard. I fix the damage and move on to the next one.

Some people get lucky and can go for years without a chip cracking out and then there are some that can 1 sec after the rock hits and its a 4, 8, 12" crack already.

I'm not gonna sit here and say that PGW makes better glass than Pilkington or vise versa, cuz I could care less.

I know what I see on a daily basis, and what I deal with....unfortunately, you just had a crack out, they do and will happen every now and again, it happens to all techs eventually, some more than others, it could boil down to technique (how much pressure you're putting on windshield).

I've had a few happen to me over the years, but it's rare, but they do happen ..... knock on wood

ATX

Well said! I too have had very few crackouts and I agree with you and clearquest, the brand and who installed the glass doesn't change my approach in the least. I also don't shy away from old cars or high end cars. What does matter to me is whether or not the glass is heated, has a heads-up display, has a plastic inner-shield (I've only seen a couple of these), has a solar windshield, etc. Even these really don't pose a problem but they do have attributes should be aware of and they are expensive, so I like to inform the customer of any concerns before I begin the repair. If you crack out a customer's $1500 windshield he is likely to be less forgiving than if you crack out his $150 windshield. Fortunately I have yet to have a really expensive windshield crack on me.

[screenman]

I always inspect every damage for a few seconds before starting the repair process. I want to know which way the damage runs, moisture content, unconnected legs, etc. Part of this inspection is a slight flexing of each legs which helps me find out how stable the damage is.

No problems here with working on any type of glass, I think maybe this could be a smokescreen hiding a technique problem.

[clearquest]

Common sense tends to tell me if a particular damage is likely to be unstable. That could be on any windshield...old, new, factory or replacement. Follow proper procedures and get the job done correctly.

[t4k]

There you have it, Dr. Chipster, the general consensus is the crack out was a procedural problem on your part. Thinking a replaced W/S is any different than an OEM is just a smoke screen for not doing the job correctly.