Stone Chipped Screen

[Max (Allan)]

Don't have much luck with my Ace. Taking the car on infrequent outing yesterday stone hit the windscreen right slam bang in line of sight. Can probably be repaired but because of position would prefer new one. Is it a Sierra MK2 screen? Bonded? Has anyone experience of having replacement fitted? Should I consider repair?

[Nev]

I have repaired two chips the other day, and done many more over past few years, using the kits like this:
https://www.frost.co.uk/car-care-clean-detail/automotive-windscreen-tools/glass-chip-repair-kit.html

You can also get them from other shops.

If repaired, then it will stop it getting worse, and can always replace later.

My insurances all have an excess for chip repairs, so cheaper to buy these kits and fix as needed.

[paho]

Read through the following thread. Gives details on replacement windscreen (Sierra Mk2).
https://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3727.msg27131#msg27131
BR /Paho

[Max (Allan)]

Thanks Nev and Paho for the info. (I should have remembered screen info from Hard Top thread last year).

Whilst always keen to save money ;D, my concern attempting repair is a) force of impact created a "star" rather than chip and b) position of damage is directly in my line of sight – will it be noticeable?

I assume having new screen fitted hasn't produced issues?   

Max

[Exowner]

One thing to be aware of is the problems with repairs on screens that have been treated with Rain-X of similar products.
My Aceca screen's stone chip could not be successfully repaired as I'd used Rain-x in the past.
I would have thought that the first question that a repair man would ask is 'Has this screen ever been treated with Rain-X or similar?' When my attempt was made, the 'specialist' didn't ask and I wasn't aware of the associated problems - so I had to pay him even though he knew of the problems with treated screen. When it was unsuccessful he then casually asked 'Haven't used Rain-X or anything like that, have you'
Specialist Ha!

Glenn Burnage ACOC member

[Max (Allan)]

Never used Rain-X (didn't know it existed until now), but according to Autoglass website damage greater than 10mm requires replacement screen. Damage to my screen measured to edge of "star" cracks is 15mm, so looks like new one required!! :'( >:(

[Max (Allan)]

Having inspected the damage National Glass say chip is too large to repair, so replacement screen is necessary. The fitters confirmed its a Sierra Mk2 screen but couldn't identify the rubber surround, which will likely be damaged during removal. They suggested an alternative seal which is slightly wider than original. It might look okay but I would prefer to maintain originality. Does anyone know which car the seal originates from?

[Exowner]

I have had two screen stone 'star' chips repaired in the past (other than the Aceca non-repair). Both successful repairs were well over 10mm in size, one nearer to 20mm. Both were were successfully repaired (so that you couldn't really see them!) by different repair firms and neither mentioned that there was a 'maximum' size beyond which it rendered a screen non-repairable.
Maybe things have changed, but maybe the small repairers do all they can to save a perfectly good screen that has suffered a stone chip, whereas the bigger companies would rather sell a new screen ????
cynical?  -  I don't think so.
Glenn Burnage
ACOC member

[Max (Allan)]

Glen - you might well be right in suspecting the big companies want to flog new screens rather than repair. I will contact a local repairer and get second opinion.

But in the meantime I would like to track down the source of the original screen surround. Anyone any ideas?