Best windshield & glass repair tools according to redditors

1- Buy this windshield repair kit for $10.

2- Print out flyers that say “windshield chip repair, I come to you, help me save for college, satisfaction guaranteed, blah blah blah”. $10 one-time cost.

3- Start in your neighborhood. Check out windshields in driveways and on the street. When you see a chip on a windshield, knock on the door.

4- “Hi sir, you have a chip in the windshields of two of the cars in your driveway. For just $20 per windshield, I can seal those right up and save you from a costly new windshield!” Bat your eyes. Say something about saving for college. Also mention you accept Venmo or Apple Pay.

5- if they didn’t answer the door, leave the flyer.

6- Fix the windshield (learn from a YouTube video.)

The kit you bought will fix about 7-8 chips. At $20 per chip, you turned a profit of $150 on just a Sunday afternoon. Do it two days per week for $300 profit. Do it every day after school for 2-3 hours and you’ll make more than an entry level college graduate.

Everyone gets chips in their windshield. People love to see kids working toward something instead of sitting on their phones. If you approach someone about their chip, I’d put my bottom dollar that 7/10 of them give you $20 to fix it. It’s the same reason everyone stops for the lemonade stand. They don’t really want cool-aid, they want to help an ambitious kid doing something productive.

Traditionally, the two clips are to make sure it is level before it is attached to the wall.

Most mirrors are held to the wall with dabs of silicon adhesive in many spots all across the back. To get it off in one piece you need to cut that stuff. I use a windshield wire cutting tool:

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell%C2%AE-Handle-Window-Windshield-Remover/dp/B00EK6M7L0

Had this in my 2011, design issue with the third break light. The gasket around the third break light goes bad. Water comes in also may rust out camera connection. You can fix it by taking the light out and getting some windshield auto glass sealant https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Glass-Sealant-Adhesive-Butyl/dp/B071H3NWDW and roll it thin and replace the bad foam gasket around the third break light. Takes about an hour to fix. Hasn't leaked since. Using the auto glass sealant allows future access if you need to change the bulb in the future.

If the crack isn't obstructing your vision, do you think a $10 repair kit might be worth trying? Something like:

https://www.amazon.com/Rain-X-600001-Windshield-Repair-Kit/dp/B00IPS4APU/

Actually it's a wall, the whole bathroom is mirrored. Replacing it isn't an option. Quotes on that glass are around $1200. I was thinking a kit like this: http://www.amazon.com/Crack-Eraser-Windshield-Long-Crack-long-cracks/dp/B00ANWBESC/ref=zg_bs_15707241_10

Thoughts?

You can always try car scratch remover but the severity of the scratch is going to depend on how repairable this is. https://www.amazon.com/GP21005-Windshield-Polishing-Removes-Surface/dp/B001RAQGXC

A vibrating lap is the ideal, but apparently some people just use an oscillating palm sander. You would use silicon carbide wet/dry sandpaper, and a steady drip of water to keep it cool and to prevent rock dust in the lungs. Harbor freight sells a variety pack of carbide sandpaper that is cheap and usable, although more expensive paper lasts much longer. Depending on how smooth the slab saw left the cut, you would start with coarse or medium grit and work your way to fine- at least 1500, preferably 3000. Make sure to remove all traces of coarser grit before moving to finer polish. Then, you would use a bit of canvas or suede to carry a mix of 1 part cerium oxide to four parts water. This is cheap, $10 worth will polish at least a dozen slabs. Some auto parts stores will carry it to buff out scratches in windshields, although it won't be cheap there. The 3M wet/ dry sandpaper used to finish auto paint is money though.

Oscillating sanders are rough on the wrist, and it will take some time, I don't think you will want to polish too many this way. I would start with a small section, and work toward getting a perfect polish on a square inch, before trying a whole slab. You have to develop a sense for how much grinding with fine grit it takes to remove scratches from coarse grit, it is very hard to see them until final polish.

You can do it yourself, but you need to get the right kit for it. You can't just dab epoxy in the hole and hope for the best.

Something like this would do the trick:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-5198-Windshield-Repair-Kit/dp/B005I4ZBXE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410888240&sr=8-1&keywords=windscreen+chip+repair+kit

Link of 10$ item

Far Cry 3

/u/janiichan so! finish any good games lately? XP

If it is a small chip, I've used this with success: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Star-your-Windshield-Yourself-Repair/dp/B004GFS2C8/
Most of the negative reviews are from user ignorance and error. It's a great product for small chips.

My car is invincible.

https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Polishing-Types-Windshield-Scratches/dp/B001RAQGXC

They can get worse. I have used this kit many times. It works, its cheap, it comes with clear directions, and above all else, its very easy to use.

http://www.amazon.com/Windshield-Yourself-Repair-Cracks-Bullls-Eyes/dp/B000EA5WLS/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1419358630&sr=1-1&keywords=windshield+chip+repair+kit

>http://imgur.com/gallery/4Zinog9

This is for the windshield, but try this ASAP as a temporary solution to stop the crack from spreading.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Rain-X-600001-Windshield-Repair-Kit/dp/B00IPS4APU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3Q2H6N5P84106&keywords=windshield+repair+kit&qid=1562089166&s=gateway&sprefix=wind%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-3

I don't think that'd work. I was thinking more along the lines of this tool http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31NqFg6GcDL._SX425_.jpg

But it'd have to be shorter than that for the sedan side window, since it's a smaller triangle piece about 9" tall by 5" wide.

I also saw this on Amazon, so maybe this will work better? I just don't know how I would use this?

http://www.amazon.com/Tool-Aid-87900-Windshield-Removal/dp/B0002SRDR8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1463258138&sr=8-4&keywords=windshield+removal+tool

https://www.amazon.com/Raniaco-Car-License-Plate-Frame/dp/B01H01L18G

The white inserts is what is supposed to go in those holes.

That can be repaired. There are even kits that you can do the repair yourself.

Professional kits will probably yield better results but they run over $250.

Maybe something like this?

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPS4APU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IPS4APU/

You could try a windshield repair kit like that: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IPS4APU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1452282215&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=windshield+repair+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51XO%2BTbhxSL&ref=plSrch . If you use the right dose it should be not visible anymore

You could try using something like the windshield repair kit that Rain-X makes. It's a UV cured resin repair. I've had good luck using it to repair small chips before.

Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IPS4APU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KYcYCbYC9QMKR

WARNING: I have Not tried this on my Vita, and I do Not know for sure how it would effect touch screen functionality, if at all! It’s only something I thought of as a possible means to repair my OLED Vita, before ultimately getting a tempered glass screen protector that seems to hide my scratches all together. Consider this idea at your OWN RISK!

There is a type of epoxy-based windshield repair kit available at several local car parts places, department store automotive sections, and online:

Permatex 09103 Windshield Repair Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ALJ4MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.mS5CbS8SEM39

There are other brands, but this is the one I used on my car. Essentially it’s a liquid adhesive and application kit that is applied to car windshields, injected under some pressure, hardening and leaving excess that must be scraped off with an included razor blade, which then partly to mostly hides said damage and smooths the surface of the glass in a semi-permanent-to-permanent fashion.

Here’s a quick video on how it’s used on a windshield https://youtu.be/5hsaj_0cZ3g

FYI, I used this on one of my cars once after it was damaged by a falling sheet of ice from a rooftop. It filled the chip in my windshield, leaving the surface smooth to the touch, reducing the appearance of and hiding the chipped area by about 85%, and preventing further damage or cracking that can occur via ice and expansion.

Anyway, it’s possible this method could work on a glass-screened Vita, IF the scratch were no longer than the application area opening of the kit, and IF the liquid epoxy is able to penetrate and fill a comparatively small scratch, and IF the surface of the screen is in fact actual naked unadorned glass and could thus be scraped clean of excess epoxy with the razor blade without risk of further scratching or somehow hurting the touch screen mechanism.

Lot of “IF’s” that I don’t know the answers to, but again, it crossed my mind.

I would suggest LOTS of research before attempting.

But in theory, it could work.

EDIT: After posting, I decided to google around and see if anyone else had tried this. I found a video of someone using elements of a similar kit on a cracked smartphone touchscreen, and the results were NOT promising. Granted these were deep cracks and not chips or scratches, but it doesn’t instill a great amount of confidence. Anyway, here’s the video https://youtu.be/Bf5sY6FxPHc

EDIT 2: An article about other various DIY touch screen scratch repair methods attempted with dubious results, with the writer ultimately recommending a screen protector https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/how-to/a7466/how-to-fix-a-scratched-touchscreen-6643768/

Permatex 09103 Windshield Repair Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ALJ4MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_9bXHwb6Q34Y89

I've used the kit 3 times now and as long as you follow the instructions it works quite well.

Have you considered fixing it yourself?

I used this and honestly forget I even had a chip until I see posts like this one... and it was somewhere in the driver's line of sight if I remember correctly. I'll have to see if I can find it. Worked great and I had never done it before. $10

I'm not sure why Safelite wouldn't repair but I have had great success with chips in my wife's car using this kit. The chip won't be noticable after. The kit also claims it'll be stronger than before the chip (sounds dubious though).

Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IPS4APU/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_h0rHDbDSJYYZM

I wouldn't use JB weld. This stuff goes on perfectly clear and any excess is pretty easy to scrape away.
https://www.amazon.com/Rain-X-600001-Windshield-Repair-Kit/dp/B00IPS4APU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522882631&sr=8-3&keywords=glass+repair+resin

This

What they do is apply a vacuum to remove the air, and whatever else is in the crack, then they inject a plastic that has a similar refractive index to the windshield glass. The guy running the equipment is as much a wizard at their work as the 19 year old Best Buy Geek Squad worker is a computer scientist. You can buy a DIY windshield repair kit on amazon that works the same way, it just doesn't come with professional level equipment.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-09103-Windshield-Repair-Kit/dp/B000ALJ4MY

RainX Fix a Windshield Do it Yourself Windshield Repair Kit, for Chips, Cracks, Bulll's-Eyes and Stars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EA5WLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Db8kDbJVCZ1Y0
I used it on my Model 3 although it wasn’t as big, it still stopped it from spreading.
Hope it helps!

Home Depot, Amazon, just about any auto parts store; several places carry it and something called cerium oxide (also a gentle polishing compound for glass).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TKQILCY/ref=biss_dp_sa1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R69W9A?psc=1

Okay, in that case I'm pretty sure they're both urethaned in. This tool you posted might work from the inside, if you remove the trim panels. Otherwise you could use a flexible putty knife like this with sharpened edges to cut through it, also from the inside of the car.

A friend of ours just solved it. It's a windshield removal tool. Thanks for the effort!

There are do-it-yourself repair kits but none of them gets great reviews.

It's really hard to say without seeing it. If it's just a small chip you can easily have it filled/repaired or you can do it yourself with something like this which I've had really good luck with.

If it's deep or has spider characteristics you're better off consulting a professional as it will likely need to be replaced before it spreads.

Also, a lot of insurance companies cover glass replacements and repair so it's worth checking your policy to see if it's covered.

Something like this maybe.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Star-your-Windshield-Yourself-Repair/dp/B004GFS2C8/ref=sr_1_1_m?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1383097275&sr=1-1

Assuming you've got a glass tank and the scratches are light enough that you can't catch your fingernail on them, I just went through the same thing. I successfully reduced the appearance of my scratched tank using a cordless drill and a automotive glass repair kit (cerium oxide) - $25 on Amazon. I need to sit down and share the post, but I basically did what Joey does in the second half of Vid 1. I cleaned thoroughly with vinegar first, spent about 5 mins buffing each section, and rinsed clean with vinegar again. It's hard work holding the drill steady to apply even pressure, but I found the result to be worth it. I'll post my pics tomorrow if I can find time.

Vid 1.

Vid 2.

Vid 3.

Having some success with this. I used the included pad and a battery powered drill (only thing I had) per the instructions and it has drastically reduced the swirls.

I also tried Griot's garage 3 inch glass pads with the polish from the kit and although the Griot's pads are coarser than the ones with the kit, they seem to work well when used with a random orbital polisher.

Griot's 6 inch glass pads are softer than the 3 inch ones and seem to work well also. There are still some small scratches, but the swirls can no longer be seen from a distance which was my biggest concern. Now I need to find a way to buy more of the polish itself since I have everything else. I might try ceriglass instead and will be sure to share the results.

https://www.amazon.com/Gordon-Glass-Cerium-Oxide-Oz/dp/B007KOC19C/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=glass+polish&qid=1555975028&s=gateway&sr=8-13