First windshield chip, repairable?
 

Just got my first chip in the windshield - had a couple scares before but this is the first actual damage. Driving down the freeway and some Lexus doing 80+ cuts in and out of my lane briefly, as they moved into the lane I guess they shot a piece of gravel at me. What do you guys think, should I take it in to Safelite to get repaired, or does it need to be replaced? It's small but I'm worried that it's too deep - I don't feel a crack on the inside surface of the windshield but it's definitely close to being cracked all the way through. Location is just to left of center, about mid-height. Right where I had a nice view of it as it formed. If it needs to actually be replaced I'd take it in to the dealer for that so just deciding whether to make the Safelite appointment or dealer first.

There are fixatives that repair techs use, specific resins that hold it together. Other people use superglue. It'll never go away though!

Where are you?

Mountain View.

I had my widow replaced at Spider Glass on 10th St. San jose. It was $280 out the door and looks like new. Would recommend.

You may consider taking your car to one of those fellows under the little tents in the shopping centers. If you don't like the fix, you can always have the windshield replaced.


humfrz

If it was only a bullseye the fixit places work quite well unless it is in your line of sight. Because it has some star cracks it will continue to grow with repeated heating and cooling.
You can try a home kit if it is out of the way ,but know it will grow.

Would you expect it to grow if it were repaired professionally? I'm leaning towards replacement since I know having the visible flaw in the windshield post-repair will bother me but I'm still a little on the fence.

Got the same about 3 years ago, low and on the passenger side.
Got it filled at a window shop. They used something like a mini router maybe about a 3/32" hole in the outside layer of glass.
Filled with some sort of epoxy. Don't even notice it really.

Last year got another, low on the drivers side.
Took it to the same shop, but with a different tech.
That repair is not as good and some of the starring is still visible.
Not going to buy new glass though. Until I have to.

With the sun so low all day now, I had to do a thorough windshield clean inside and out.
Realized there are a whole lot of tiny little dings from sand size particles all over now and can be a bit dazzling in the wrong light.

Yeah, the main reason I'm still considering just getting it filled rather than replacing is because I kind of have to expect I'll get more chips down the years and I don't want to go out and get a new windshield every time. Might just get it filled and wait a while, see what happens, then if it does spread or I get more chips later on go ahead and replace.

I gave you the info. They have done many twins. Replace.

I'll have to make some phone calls tomorrow before deciding what to do, was at work all day today and most places were closed anyway since it's a Sunday so couldn't really do anything with this yet. Thanks for the input.

This ^ .
The chip is totally repairable and all would be fine if that was it. The small linier cracks coming off it are a whole different matter. The resin they use may stop them from spreading but that is only a may not a will. Like Ls said one extreme heat cycle and you could have a line right across the windshield all of a sudden.

BTW, Safelight estimate here was $499.99