Stop windscreen crack from spreading

Freethy · 10-10-2010, 04:48 PM

A crack appeared in my windscreen yesterday, on closer inspection there must have been a small stone chip which started it (never seen it before), its driver side but low down and near to the side - the crack is about 3 inches.

I've booked the replacement windscreen but wanted an OEM one so its gonna be about 7-10 days before its done.

Since I agreed to wait for an OEM one, I've become concerned that the crack is gonna spread and although I didn't measure it im sure it has grown a few mm

Is there anything I can do just to stop it going mad for the next week, after a quick search I found something suggesting nail varnish.

willhollin · 10-10-2010, 04:51 PM

Cover the windscreen in gaffer tape, that should stop it.

Freethy · 10-10-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Cover the windscreen in gaffer tape, that should stop it.

All of it?

kaishang · 10-10-2010, 05:40 PM

A less extreme solution would be to tape only the crack

Jobu · 10-10-2010, 08:51 PM

There are crack DIY filler kits out there, but I haven't tried them.

When I got a chip, I opted for the no-deductible repair option by Autolite. Replacement glass never seems exactly like the original, IMHO. My insurer, Liberty Mutual allows me to switch to OEM glass anytime I want, if I don't like the repair.

The repaired chip wasn't totally invisible. But since it was on the very far passenger side, right where the winshield gets "blacked out" I don't notice it at all.

I'm very happy with the repair!

m1bjr · 10-11-2010, 01:57 PM

We always have the same options over here with UK insurance companies Jobu.

There is no solution to a crack though, except drilling a small hole at the end of it through only one layer of glass.
That should stop it propogating, you have nothign to lose.
Its laminated anyhow, two layers with a polythene film between them, so just live with it

NotNormal · 10-11-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1bjr

We always have the same options over here with UK insurance companies Jobu.

There is no solution to a crack though, except drilling a small hole at the end of it through only one layer of glass.
That should stop it propogating, you have nothign to lose.
Its laminated anyhow, two layers with a polythene film between them, so just live with it

You don't drill down all the way through the first layer, just 1mm or so, then you create a damage (controlled) and carry out a screen repair on it, this, if done well will stop it and hold it
You can also back fill the crack and make the appearance better

Hope this helps

Regards

Tom
Windscreen Repair Service
07855 308512

m1bjr · 10-11-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotNormal

You don't drill down all the way through the first layer, just 1mm or so, then you create a damage (controlled) and carry out a screen repair on it, this, if done well will stop it and hold it
You can also back fill the crack and make the appearance better

Hope this helps

Regards

Tom
Windscreen Repair Service
07855 308512

The OP said it was "low down and near to the side"

I always understood you guys couldn't get near to the edge of the screen to fix it - maybe because the suction cups wont fit?

S.

NotNormal · 10-11-2010, 05:19 PM

No, we have the technology

can do them pretty much anywhere on the screen

Freethy · 10-12-2010, 11:24 AM

I can just imagine me drilling a massive hole through the windscreen

The crack actually starts at the edge of the screen and spreads inwards for 3-4 inches.

It hasn't got any worse so as long as I avoid any 'Bullitt' style jumps i should be ok until its replaced.

m1bjr · 10-12-2010, 01:24 PM

Years ago, my pal had a big spider crack in his transit window.

Whilst I was driving him as a passenger I convinced him I could see it cracking as we drove to work.
And so I dabbed the brakes whilst he was having a good nosey at it. Couldn't resist....
It got pretty bad when he buried his face into the screen lol

10-10-2010, 04:48 PM	#1
Freethy Private 2 Rep 74 Posts Drives: E92 325i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Stop windscreen crack from spreading A crack appeared in my windscreen yesterday, on closer inspection there must have been a small stone chip which started it (never seen it before), its driver side but low down and near to the side - the crack is about 3 inches. I've booked the replacement windscreen but wanted an OEM one so its gonna be about 7-10 days before its done. Since I agreed to wait for an OEM one, I've become concerned that the crack is gonna spread and although I didn't measure it im sure it has grown a few mm Is there anything I can do just to stop it going mad for the next week, after a quick search I found something suggesting nail varnish.
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10-10-2010, 04:51 PM	#2
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Cover the windscreen in gaffer tape, that should stop it.
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10-10-2010, 05:40 PM	#4
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	A less extreme solution would be to tape only the crack
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10-10-2010, 08:51 PM	#5
Jobu Private First Class 5 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2006 911 Carrera S Join Date: May 2007 Location: NE New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 911 Carrera S [0.00] 2007 E92 335i [0.00] 2003 530i [0.00]	There are crack DIY filler kits out there, but I haven't tried them. When I got a chip, I opted for the no-deductible repair option by Autolite. Replacement glass never seems exactly like the original, IMHO. My insurer, Liberty Mutual allows me to switch to OEM glass anytime I want, if I don't like the repair. The repaired chip wasn't totally invisible. But since it was on the very far passenger side, right where the winshield gets "blacked out" I don't notice it at all. I'm very happy with the repair! __________________ 2011 X5d Platinum Grey/Oyster/Bamboo/+lots of stuff 2006 911 Carrera S - 6MT - Seal Grey/Black/Sport Seats/Sport Exhaust/Sport Chrono/Nav Gone: 2007 E92 335i - 6spd - MontegoBlue/Black 2003 E39 530i - Auto - Black Sapphire on Black Gone: 2001 325Ci - 5MT- TopazBlue/Black Trackday Count: 10
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10-11-2010, 01:57 PM	#6
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	We always have the same options over here with UK insurance companies Jobu. There is no solution to a crack though, except drilling a small hole at the end of it through only one layer of glass. That should stop it propogating, you have nothign to lose. Its laminated anyhow, two layers with a polythene film between them, so just live with it __________________
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10-11-2010, 05:19 PM	#9
NotNormal Lieutenant 33 Rep 573 Posts Drives: Audi A6 Avant 3.0TDi Quattro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (3)	No, we have the technology can do them pretty much anywhere on the screen
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10-12-2010, 11:24 AM	#10
Freethy Private 2 Rep 74 Posts Drives: E92 325i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I can just imagine me drilling a massive hole through the windscreen The crack actually starts at the edge of the screen and spreads inwards for 3-4 inches. It hasn't got any worse so as long as I avoid any 'Bullitt' style jumps i should be ok until its replaced.
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10-12-2010, 01:24 PM	#11
m1bjr LSD - No, you're not seeing things 72 Rep 3,302 Posts Drives: Baby F36 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Plymouth UK iTrader: (4)	Years ago, my pal had a big spider crack in his transit window. Whilst I was driving him as a passenger I convinced him I could see it cracking as we drove to work. And so I dabbed the brakes whilst he was having a good nosey at it. Couldn't resist.... It got pretty bad when he buried his face into the screen lol __________________
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