Windshield cracked... what are my options?

[TX-Dennis]

I looked into getting Exoshield windshield protection film. I was quoted $500.
I've watched the install videos and it takes them maybe 30 minutes. So if you take into account the cost of materials, they are charging about $950/hr to do the work.

My deductible to get a new windshield is also $500. So I think I'm going to get a $15 Permatex windshield repair kit (I've used them before and they work great for minor damage) and keep that in the glove box.

I have a chip and small crack that I filled with the kit about a year ago. It has not spread. I won't be replacing the windshield until it gets another or that one spreads.

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[AZMikeL]

$0 deductible by law here in AZ!

 

[BreezyNVegas]

5 years just 1 chip, this week driving to Colorado from Vegas. I didn't even make it out the state before a rock hit me. Sounded like someone hit it with a baseball bat. Then on the way back it spread about 10 inches, then I got another rock about 4 inches over the steering wheel. FML I'm not even home yet. Got 6 more hours tomorrow. Fun fact don't lift the back half when it's 11 degrees. I need a new rear passenger side plastic window.

 

[Kilo]

Had mine replaced a while back with the OEM glass. Had Geico at the time so no "out of pocket cost" but it does show up on a CLUE (comprehensive loss underwriting exchange) report as a claim which will result in higher policy cost. Probably just better off paying the $1,000 or whatever it cost.

I just recently found out it is marked as claim on insurance. Have you thought about a protective film? I’ve been using Exoshield ultra. So far it’s been great!

 

[CarGuy]

Exactly 3-years to the day I purchased the Bronco a rock hit the window and left a very small chip and 1/4" hairline across the chip perfectly centered on the windshield. Went to SafeLite to get it filled and they said it was very small and didn't want to open it further to get the resin in...of which I agreed. Fast forward one week to yesterday. We had some very cold temps in NJ over the last week, but it really dropped last night (in the negatives) and came out to a horizontal crack across the entire windshield - right across the middle.

I have windshield coverage on this vehicle and will be getting it replaced soon. I've never used SafeLite for a replacement and read the horror stories. My brother-in-law had his Bronco glass replaced by the dealer for the recall and they scratched the truck.


On the fence on who to use. How difficult is the camera re-calibration? Thanks.

 

[Brian_B]

$0 deductible by law here in AZ!

You pay for it, nothing is free

 

[Brian_B]

How difficult is the camera re-calibration? Thanks.

Camera calibration is easy peasy - just drive around for a few minutes with a laptop. It just need the software to run it.

I have heard Forscan can do it but haven’t tried it. I did it when I had a FDRS license.

 

[82-T/A]

So, I've been meaning to make an appointment... but we've received TWO more star-shaped cracks in just the past week. One was last night, as we were driving down the road passing a large semi truck, and I saw a rock come up and slam right where my face would have been... big crack.

In all my life, I've never seen anything like this. I have a 2009 Ford Explorer which has a similarly raked window angle... is this just really thin windshield glass?

 

[Fast Eddie]

I know they changed the glass for 2025's and it now says soundscreen on the drivers side. Has anyone with a 25 noticed they are also getting easily cracked windshields? I know I'm jinxing myself but I now have had 3 major direct hits on the highway with 2 of the rocks so big I can see them coming. One rock was so large it left 3 distinct chips (each like the size of a sesame seed) spread about 2". No stars or cracks from those hits. I'm wondering if the new windshields are substantially improved.

(knocking on wood just in case)

 

[Desmolicious]

I just recently found out it is marked as claim on insurance. Have you thought about a protective film? I’ve been using Exoshield ultra. So far it’s been great!

It doesn’t get scratched up using your windshield wipers?
they say to keep your wiper blade clean, but not sure how you could do that off roading in muddy conditions when you’d use them the moment you hit a deep puddle.

 

[Kilo]

It doesn’t get scratched up using your windshield wipers?
they say to keep your wiper blade clean, but not sure how you could do that off roading in muddy conditions when you’d use them the moment you hit a deep puddle.

During muddy situations mine did not scratch. The only time mine did was with a lot of silt and sand on the windshield. This was during the Rebelle Rally and I had no choice but to use my wipers and continue on. The scratches are very minor and don’t bother me while driving. Again, this was 10+ hours a day of off-roading for 8 days straight.

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