Windshield Repair Forum

Im just starting out and ive been using a "practice vehicle" in my back yard. I used a crack maker (rubber band with weight in the middle style) to make a new chip. I slowly pulled it back more and more with no results until finally a large (5 inches across) star appeared. I was fine with that till I realized that the outside glass was not even nicked and all the damage was on the inside! What did I do wrong and is there anything to do about it? I am gona try to upload a pic. Thanks in advanve for any help.

I would suggest you get a "practice windshield" from a junk yard or an autoglass shop instead of practicing on a WS attached to a car. I hope you can fix it.

I don't have the answer to your question but it reminds me of the time I was called by the local RV repair shop to repair a 5-6" crack (less than the size of a dollar bill) in the lower corner of an RV windshield right on the curve. The owner wanted to use his insurance so I drove to the owners home a couple miles away to explain the process to him and call in the claim and then back to the RV shop to do the repair.

I drilled and popped the bulls-eye just beyond the end and then started filling it. The bulls-eye filled fine but none of the resin would flow into the crack. What the hey? Then upon closer inspection with my probe I realized that the crack was actually on the inside layer - most likely caused by stress. I finished repairing my bulls-eye and then drove back to the customers home to explain why it couldn't be repaired and to cancel the claim. The owner said he understood but since I had gone to so much effort to communicate with him personally, he wanted to let the claim continue so I would get something for my time.

Thats a common break you see when a wiper arm snaps down while changing the blade the steady pressure from a wiper arm comming down or in your case the rubber band transfers through to the second layer. Rather than trying the rubber snap method try drilling a hole place a probe in the hole and pop it or launch something at it with the rubber to get a real world chip. as far as the comment about a practice shield its always better practice on one in a car you are learning how to work the angles etc at the same time good luck

Might try to warm up a spot before you zap it. It shouldn't take near as much of and impact to create a chip and any lines should be confined to the warmer spot. Also get a spring loaded center punch and grind down the end so it's not sharp and try that. The impact can be varied by adjusting the cap on the other end.