Re: windscreens...

If a repair is possible many insurance policies cover that for a tenner and no affect on your no-claims bonus. You'll get a "professional" repair and less argument from the insurance co should the damage grow requiring a replacement screen.

I had a stone chip (with no visible cracks radiating out from it) repaired by a well-known repairer. The repair was virtually invisible. However a few days later a crack began which quickly propagated to the edge of the screen - so I called the repairer and they treated it as a high-priority urgent job, and the whole screen was replaced within a few hours at no cost on my insurance, because the initial repair was exempt from a charge and the screen replacement (which normally carried a cost on my policy) was a consequence of the original attempted repair.

That screen has now got a small chip which I'd have thought would fail the MOT, but because it's only about 2 mm diameter (less than a 5p coin, which I believe is the threshold size) is deemed to be OK even though it's in my field of view.

What UK law would that be ?.

'MOT' tests just designate the zones and diameters of damage.

And by 'chinky' I'm assuming he means a disrespectful version of 'Chinese'?

Are you sure. Both of daughters vans had long cracks in the windscreens but because they were outside the area swept by the wipers and:

"Failure for damage is only justified if the damage significantly affects the driver?s view of the road ..." they passed?

Cheers, T i m

yes but this stone hit damage has been on the windscreen for a good few MOT's and I don't suppose my insurance would be happy with them being landed with the bill rather than the prev owner....anyway I have done the repair and it looks quite good......

The cost for these repairs can be quite low as they save insurance companies from having to buy new windscreens.

I've noticed that in recent years the insurance companies I've used have started to apply a compulsory excess of at least £100 on windscreen replacement (more if you don't use their approved replacement company)

On the same subject, on a renewal quote that may have a reasonable premium watch out that the insurance company hasn't increased the compulsory excess amounts meaning that they are taking much less of the damage/loss risk when you renew your insurance with them.

The professional repair kit gets the resin right into the crack and then exactly flush with the surface afterwards. You can just about see the slight difference in the refractive index if you look carefully.

Unlike paint chips it isn't really DIY territory unless you like having your windscreen fail as a shower of glass fragments whilst at speed.

If it impacts the main area. A friend had one repaired and it passed the mot OK. Brian

When I had our Citroen Grand Picasso screen changed, it had to be taken away and the cars onboard electronics recalibrated as the camera which feeds loads of gizmos had to be moved.

Scaremongering. Windscreens haven?t failed like that since they stopped being simple toughened glass donkey?s years ago.

Tim

Except that it would probably break into a few large pieces that were held in place by the plastic laminate. Thankfully the days are long gone when cars had "toughened" windscreens which broke into a mass of glass "pebbles" which had to be punched out of the way if the screen broke while you were driving. I was surprised that my 1993 VW Golf had a toughened sunroof rather than laminated one - as I discovered when I found a 4-inch hole in it, glass pebbles everywhere and a puddle of evil-smelling liquid on the floor. As I lived under the flightpath for Heathrow, I think we know where that lump of ice (later a puddle) came from...

No.

Having watch how the professionals fix a 'chip' I don't think I'd even try. To do the job properly- and I mean so you really can't see it- not only takes time and skill but the right tools. I had a very nasty chip on the Honda and Autoglass turned up, repaired it, and it was perfect.

True, a few months later ANOTHER stone hit the screen somewhere else (why does it always happen twice?) and the chip was near the edge, almost immediately the screen cracked. (All no where near the previous chip).

If it is your Mustang I would thing getting a replacement screen with be a pain in the proverbial so, even if you need to pay, getting in someone like Autoglass is well worth it.

I always put a bit of clear tape over a chip ASAP until it is repaired. I was told this helps stop moisture getting it. Not sure if it works but, other than when the chip has been near the edge, Autoglass have always been able to repair any I've had (quite a few over the years).

Most fully comp insurance policies include free chip repair and windscreen replacement (sometimes any window) for a reduce cost (I think I paid £75).

If you have to pay yourself for a new windscreen, try a main dealer. (May be not for the Mustang.) Surprisingly they are often a LOT cheaper than places like Autoglass for non-insurance work. Year ago, when I first lost a windscreen and didn't appreciate the system, I got quotes and Ford dealer were a LOT cheaper than the local windscreen place. However, my insurance company wanted to use Autoglass and I assume got a 'deal' and it cost me nothing.

I reckon toughened had a longer service life. Laminated tend to chip and scratch far more readily due to the softer glass. I've had more screens replaced due to tiny stone chipping (not an MOT failure) than I ever had shatter.

They do if you have a head-on and come into contact with it, or through it, as was the case before seat belts and child safety seats became the law.

They did experiment with windscreens that are both toughened *and* laminated. (I remember a bloke on Tomorrow's World jumping up and down on one.) They were supposed to stop the skin of your face from being scraped off when you hit it and slid down.

Well, the fitter originally came to my house to do it. In the street. And I made him a cup of tea. And he showed me his paperwork. That said £650 for the screen. Rimmer price about £200.

Is there a 'retail' price for such things? Very few indeed DIY fitted.

BTW, Autoglass originally said they couldn't source a new screen. Heads up from a screen fitter on one of these newsgroups said they did have one at their central warehouse. Which they then claimed was for an SD1 Vitesse. Which has an identical part number (assuming the correct colour glass) on all S2 SD1. Had to shout at them to get it ordered up.

Yes- I fitted one to a Magnette. Same principle. But used the sealant the book said.