Safelite Windshield Repair

[Al G]

Over the years I've had several chips repaired by Safelite. Every time the repair process started by drilling a small hole in the center of the chip before filling with resin. In every case the damage practically disappeared, leaving only what looked like a smudge where the hole was drilled.

Yesterday I had a new chip repaired. Safelite has changed their process. No more drilling. The tech simply put a suction cup over the damage and pressed a button. The system supposedly forced resin into the chip/crack. The problem is the damage looks exactly like it did before the repair. The tech said that's how they all come out now. Even the paperwork now says the objective of the repair is to stop the damage from spreading, not improve the appearance.

I'm glad this chip is on the passenger side and generally out of my sight line. Also glad I didn't pay for it.

It appears Safelite has sacrificed quality for a process a trained monkey could perform. Or they've chosen a process that will generate more windshield replacement business as customers aren't happy with the repair.

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[Windshieldfarmer]

Good to know…I have a repair scheduled for next week. I elected to use the 70 year old guy I’ve always used rather than Safelite which was recommended by my carrier. American Family will pay either vendor….

 

[Heimkehr]

Over the years I've had several chips repaired by Safelite. Every time the repair process started by drilling a small hole in the center of the chip before filling with resin. In every case the damage practically disappeared, leaving only what looked like a smudge where the hole was drilled.

Yesterday I had a new chip repaired. Safelite has changed their process. No more drilling. The tech simply put a suction cup over the damage and pressed a button. The system supposedly forced resin into the chip/crack. The problem is the damage looks exactly like it did before the repair. The tech said that's how they all come out now.

I'm glad this chip is on the passenger side and generally out of my sight line. Also glad I didn't pay for it.

It appears Safelite has sacrificed quality for a process a trained monkey could perform.

Coincidentally, we just had Safelite repair a chip in the windscreen of my wife's Honda, using the [apparently] new process bolded above.

The chip was in the driver's direct line of sight, so we'd have noticed if it was still evident after the repair. It isn't. Buttressing this is the fact that the vehicle just passed the annual State safety inspection, which occurred just after the chip repair.

More to the point, and from personal experience, PA's Vehicle Code language is very prescriptive as it concerns windscreen chips and cracks. Said differently, we can't have either one, lest the vehicle in question fail the annual inspection and/or earn a citation if the plod notices and decides to light us up while driving. This reality has informed our decision to include no-deductible Comprehensive line item coverage on our auto insurance policy, which provides fully funded glass repairs.

With respect, I'd suggest that individual chips or cracks may or will be different, and thus have different outcomes with the repair or replacement process. We've no complaints regarding our recent service experience with Safelite. ?

 

[ag4ever]

I just had a nasty quarter sized star chip fixed by a local company. Originally went to safelite, but was quoted $160 for a repair. The local guy was half that cost. Now there is only a very small dot visible.

On another note, I got the rock chip driving 20 mph in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic. I also had a protective film on the windshield hoping to prevent rock chips.

If the repair does not work and it starts spreading, the cost of the repair is applied to the replacement of the windshield. Said that would be around $300.

I don’t know how safelite can justify $160 for a crappy repair when replacement is less than twice that cost.

 

[gsbrockman]

Of all the repairs I’ve had done, mostly on my RAM Cab & Chassis trucks, they (Safelite) have never drilled the windshield.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

It appears Safelite has sacrificed quality for a process a trained monkey could perform. Or they've chosen a process that will generate more windshield replacement business as customers aren't happy with the repair.

Honestly it sounds like you got a clown for a tech. If they can't make it near invisible there is no reason to try. The systems have not changed at all, at least not here.

Never seen them drill myself.

 

[Al G]

Coincidentally, we just had Safelite repair a chip in the windscreen of my wife's Honda, using the [apparently] new process bolded above.

The chip was in the driver's direct line of sight, so we'd have noticed if it was still evident after the repair. It isn't. Buttressing this is the fact that the vehicle just passed the annual State safety inspection, which occurred just after the chip repair.

More to the point, and from personal experience, PA's Vehicle Code language is very prescriptive as it concerns windscreen chips and cracks. Said differently, we can't have either one, lest the vehicle in question fail the annual inspection and/or earn a citation if the plod notices and decides to light us up while driving. This reality has informed our decision to include no-deductible Comprehensive line item coverage on our auto insurance policy, which provides fully funded glass repairs.

With respect, I'd suggest that individual chips or cracks may or will be different, and thus have different outcomes with the repair or replacement process. We've no complaints regarding our recent service experience with Safelite. ?

I'm glad you had a better outcome than I did.

 

[Pinion]

Over the years I've had several chips repaired by Safelite. Every time the repair process started by drilling a small hole in the center of the chip before filling with resin. In every case the damage practically disappeared, leaving only what looked like a smudge where the hole was drilled.

Yesterday I had a new chip repaired. Safelite has changed their process. No more drilling. The tech simply put a suction cup over the damage and pressed a button. The system supposedly forced resin into the chip/crack. The problem is the damage looks exactly like it did before the repair. The tech said that's how they all come out now. Even the paperwork now says the objective of the repair is to stop the damage from spreading, not improve the appearance.

I'm glad this chip is on the passenger side and generally out of my sight line. Also glad I didn't pay for it.

It appears Safelite has sacrificed quality for a process a trained monkey could perform. Or they've chosen a process that will generate more windshield replacement business as customers aren't happy with the repair.

Smack it with a hammer next time and get a new windshield.

 

[JJ_WA]

We had one chip and one crack repaired on my wife's Cherokee this past Friday. Both are out of direct line of sight, but the crack has the potential of spidering up and out in front of the driver.

Safelite did the same process - the tech explained it uses both suction and pressure to force the resin into the crack and/or fill the chip. When he was done both were smooth as the windshield.

I'm pretty satisfied with the repair and technician. Hopefully your repair will last and be good, too.

 

[AlgUSF]

I DIYed using the rain-x kit from Wally-Mart and I can't even find the chip even though I did the repair. Florida is deductible free repair/replace with comprehensive but I wasn't satisfied with the repairs done recently and they usually ended up cracking anyway. I didn't want my factory windshield pulled out of my new Jeep unless absolutely necessary so I DIYed and it has worked out well.

 

[AlgUSF]

Never seen them drill myself.

Me neither, seems like drilling is counterintuitive.

 

[The Chubbernaut]

I'm familiar with the drilling technique. By turning the chip into a hemispheric divot it's easier to fill and tends to be less noticeable afterwards. Kind of like when you cut an easily measurable square around a hole in drywall so you can patch it with a new piece.

I haven't seen anyone take a drill to a windshield in 20 or 30 years though. Skilled labor isn't really a thing anymore.

 

[Jeep4Win]

If it’s just a chip the DIY kits on Amazon do an excellent job for future reference.

 

[Spank]

A lot of insurance companies are starting to get stingy with the OEM windshields for replacement, too. They're much more inclined to use the aftermarket ones now. Granted, the glass isn't any better or worse, but they don't have position pins and the molding is garbage and looks terrible.

 

[gsbrockman]

A lot of insurance companies are starting to get stingy with the OEM windshields for replacement, too. They're much more inclined to use the aftermarket ones now. Granted, the glass isn't any better or worse, but they don't have position pins and the molding is garbage and looks terrible.

Years ago….I had to get a windshield replaced in a Dodge Neon. Insurance company went aftermarket. It looked like a fishbowl on the passenger side.

From that point on……I‘ve always demanded OE glass for replacement. If there’s an up charge….I pay it and go on.

It’s less of an issue on my 2022 RAM 5500 Cab & Chassis, as I run commercially with it and due to the miles I accrue, there seems to be somewhat frequent repairs or glass replacements.

Since Progressive charges me $9,210 annually for my commercial policy, a few OE windshields is just a grain of sand on the beach based on what I pay them annually.

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