Got a stone chip Today. Can anyone recomend a repair shop near central NJ. Is the a DIY? I think i saw a article in the PCA magazine a few months back,but i cant remember the product. Does anyone have any thoughts if this need to be repaired right away? Thanks

 

Is it just a chip (a small divot)?
Or is there any sort of a crack - with a linear extension out from the area of impact, possibly through to the other layers of the safety glass - along with the chip.
Take a really close look, preferably with some sort of magnifier, before you decide what to do next.

 

Do you have full glass coverage? I would contact your insurance and get it replaced. The freeze/thaw cycles in the Northeast in the Winter will have a field day with a chip/crack.

 

That's a pretty healthy chip. Check with your Porsche dealer and see who he recommends in your area. A good glass shop can vacuum inject a resin into the crack that will practically eliminate it, and in most cases will keep it from spreading - even during hot/cold cycles. Most insurance premiums will cover the cost of the repair - which normally runs about $50.

I'd at least have it looked at before I had the windshield replaced.

 

at this point its just a small divot, only felt with fingernail. My insurance policy does not cover glass. Has anyone heard of Alternative Chip Repair of NJ? I was thinking of giving them a try.

 

I'd double check on the glass coverage -- i thought it's mandatory.

Either, iI'd definitely treat it with resin since that will at the least stop in from spreading can only improve its appearance -- it's really a question of how much. Either DIY (Fix a Windshield available on Amazon, I've had great results and so-so results) or professional (Safelite or whomever -- IMO they are all the same and will be under $100). I think you will be pleasantly surprised how it looks afterwards. That black in the photo is trapped air between the two sheets that make up the windshield -- that will get pressed out with any pressure clamp. Good luck!

 

Check the comprehensive on your insurance policy. That should cover you glass repair

 

You typically need to purchase glass coverage separately. If you haven't purchased, chances are you don't have it. It is separate because it also typically has very low or no deductible

 

My insurance company covered my repair through a company called safelite ( http://www.safelite.com/ ). They did a good job. Before I saw how this was done by the technician who conveniently came out to my house, I thought this was a simple DIY job. However they have special materials and equipment including a UV light device that cures the resin/adhesive. They are trained well and do this every day.

The repair is extremely smooth to the touch and completely flush with the windshield. However there is a slight discoloration imbedded in my glass, due to microscopic rust colored debree from the rock that hit my windshield. (This may not be your situation, though). Before he performed the work, the technician told me that no repair is 100% invisible, so you should *not* expect it to completely disappear. But a casual observer wouldn't notice the repair.

As you know, the important value of repairing a chip is not cosmetic; it is to prevent the glass from cracking. I had ignored a very small windshield chip once on a different car. One winter, the entire windshield just cracked spontaneously when the warmed windshield contacted the very cold air, as I pulled out of my garage. So do this repair ASAP!

Safelite will come out and RE-repair the windshield if you are not satisfied with the original work. They will also let you know if the chip is repairable (size should be smaller than a quarter). I was pretty happy with their professionalism and equipment. It wouldn't hurt to give them a call to see how much it will cost.

Finally, did you actually *call* your insurance company to verify they don't cover this repair? I'm surprised they don't, since it would cost them much more to replace the windshield once it cracks.

 

For the record, I had my windshield replaced twice this summer. The first when the hotel valet returned the car with a huge crack in it. I did not put that through my insurance. The hotel picked up the tab to the tune of $1,800.

 

Sorry I missed the pic in your post.
That looks like a pretty healthy crack, not a chip. Definitely a job for a pro. Best to get it done asap.

Even if you did have full glass coverage, a windshield replacement is not without risk.
If it's not done 100% perfectly, that can mean real trouble in a crash. It's part of the structure of the cab. Search this forum to see how replacements go wrong....and sadly how often they do. That is one repair that I would supervise. Every move, every second. One misplaced (bare) hand on the edge of your new glass or a bit of uncatalyzed sealant and you're in trouble without ever knowing it.

Good luck.
BTW, those wheels look great on your car.

 

I recommend safelite as well. It won't be invisible though!

 

I live in NJ and I have a great guy that does that perfectly and knows what he is doing, his name is Joe (732) 921-0693 or (866) 705-5550. I found him years ago when I restored my '68 Camaro SS when I replaced all the glass. He's super neat, excellent prices, and does a lot of work for all the porsche dealerships in south and central jersey. I had some really bad experiences with Safelite and as far as I'm concerned i'm not having some inexperience guy touch my glass. Just an FYI he does go to your home or business. Good Luck!

 

Thank you. Does Joe do repairs or just full replacments? Do you happen to know his Business name?
Larry

 

Larry he does both, I pulled his contact info straight from my phone and I have him just as Joe the Window/Glass Guy. He is located in South Jersey but goes everywhere in NJ. PM me because he replaced my '08 Boxster RS and his price was awesome.