Windscreen Stone Chip Repairs
Windscreen stone chips can quickly spread into larger cracks if left untreated, if this happens you will have to have the windscreen replaced. A Service 8 replacement windscreen costs on average 3 times more than a stone chip repair.
The good news is windscreen stone chips can be repaired by means of resin injection. The process takes only 20 minutes and it saves you money over a replacement.
People ask us lots of question regarding windscreen stone chip repairs, here are few of the most common ones.
A National Windscreen Repairers Said their system is best and other repairer use outdated system. Is this true?
In a word no.
There are several different types of windscreen repair systems used by professional repairers. One system uses a compressor to generate pressure and inject resin into a stone chip, the other uses hydraulic pressure. Both system are very good.
The Delta Kit Hydraulic System used by Service 8 is one of the best selling professional windscreen repair kits in the world and we guarantee you will not get a better quality job from any other kit on the market.
The compressor kits used by nation repairers are designed to look more complicated, this gives the impression to consumers they are getting a better quality job. When a technician shows up at your door with suitcase that resembles a doctors medical kit, it justifies charging you twice as much for the same job.
How do you repair the windscreen?
When we repair a stone chip we inject resin into the damage and then cure the resin with UV light. The resin cures very hard and restores the windscreens strength, this prevents the chip from spreading.
What size windscreen stone chips can you repair?
Generally speaking the Delta Kit used by Service 8 Auto Glass will repair chips up to the size of a 50 cent coin. Compressor kits used by national repairers will repair up to a dollar sized chip.
If you are told a dollar sized chip is the maximum standard allowed this is not true. This is limitations of the compressor kit, it is designed to have you replace rather than repair you windscreen. See bottom of page for RTA standards.
After the repair will I still be able to see the chip?
The visibility of the chip after a repair depends on how quick you were to have it fixed. Stone chips can get contaminated if left untreated and this effects the clarity of the final repair.
Typically you will be left with a very small mark on the glass that can hardly be seen. Remember the stone chip is still there only it now has resin injected into it. Service 8 ™ uses the latest technology from Delta Repair Systems USA. This ensures you are getting highest quality professional windscreen repairs in Australia today.
Will the windscreen damage spread afterwards?
No, once the windscreen has been repaired the strength of the glass is restored and it will not spread. If the damage does get worse we will give you the cost of the repair off a replacement windscreen from Service 8 ™ so the repair will have cost nothing. This however is extremely rare.
Will my vehicle pass roadworthy after the chip has been repaired?
This is good question and very important to clarify.
Service 8 ™ does not perform RWC's so we can only give you general windscreen advice based on the Australian RTA Windscreen Standards. If you require a road worthy and have windscreen damage we recommend you take the vehicle to the roadworthy inspector first and ask them if they will pass it or not. The reason for this is we find the roadworthy industry to be very inconsistent, what one mechanic will pass another will not. We know customers who have passed with large cracked windscreens and others that have failed with tiny chip in the corner. Don't be afraid to challenge if you feel you have been given the wrong advice.
Refer to the RTA Windscreen Standards if you feel you have been given the wrong advice from an accredited RWC inspector. Most inspectors are very good, however be aware that some inspectors may work closely with windscreen shops to contract extra work that may not be required. Its best to find your own windscreen repairer rather that let a RWC business refer you.