Cracked windscreen - how do I stop it....

[Paul In Ireland]

The FE front screen has a crack about 200mm long in the top passenger corner. Can I drill a small hole in front of the edge of the crack and will that stop it? I don't know how long it's there or how fast it is moving but I want to stop it as replacements are a bit hard to come by over here (the French hoard them all  ;)).


Cheers,
Paul
8)

[jack_fc]

Hey Paul; the French are supposedly known for their style and good taste - surely they would only be hoarding the FC windscreens??     ;) ;) ;)

[mc54]

Paul

I would contact an expert, they drill a small hole and fill with a clear resin.
like this place
http://www.autorisk.com/auto/Windshield%20Repair.htm

hope you can find one local.

Mike

[jack_fc]

Hey Paul,
what Mike says is the best way. A friend of mine is in the windscreen repair business - he recommends as Mike says....    (why is that not surprising???)
However, if this is not a viable option for you, he said you could try drilling the smallest hole possible (make sure it covers the very end of the crack) and fill with araldite or similar...  He stresses that this is the "bush mechanics" way, and COULD (maybe) prevent the crack spreading, BUT could also result in tears and anguish...   your call!

cheers jack

ps   He said filling the hole fully and without contamination or bubbles, and keeping the surrounding area clear of araldite may be a challenge for the amateur repairer. Understandably, he wasn't really forthcoming with more info - maybe others here can give more detailed instructions??

[mc54]

Paul

Just a one more thing. I am assuming that because there is a crack in the windscreen and it has not shattered that it is laminated.
This can be drilled. So can ordinary glass, but not toughened. I believe that toughened glass is heat treated which gives it a hard
coating on the outside which creates pressure, if the glass is drilled, chipped, or cracked past the hardening the pressure is no longer
even and it shatters. Something like that.

Regards

Mike

[DN2168]

Paul,  Find an insurance company that has a free windscren clause, wait a couple of months then let them worry about it  ;D ;D.

Dean.

[Paul In Ireland]

Already thought of it but I'd say they will baulk if I try it.

We spend a fortune insuring our cars but the bastards will never pay out!

[Paul In Ireland]

So, nobody seems willing to do this - so I'll attempt it myself.

My only question would be this - do I drill into the end of the crack or just barely past the end and let the crack "find the drill hole"?


Cheers
8)

[mc54]

Paul

Try this link
http://www.car-accessories-magazine.com/windshield-repair-kit.html

It has information on how to do it.

Regards
Mike

[crashbox]

g'day, :)

ok this seems bodgey, but it works!....grab sum heavy duty arledite type glue, gentley scrape chip/crack in screen, use masking tape around area so you dont make a mess, mix glue a throw it in crack... yes it works , my cuz has a chopped ford f250, got a new screen made , yep got a bad stone chip/crack fisrt outing and used this method, windscreen still in truck,crack has not got worse after 7months... and i ACTUALLY  saw it tonite ! ;)

wot have ya got to lose! ;D

mr c