Tahoe Windshield Damage - Repair or Replace?

sgiangregorio · April 25, 2003

While on my way to work yesterday, a nice sized rock nailed my windshield and left one of those "bullseye" spots in the lower center/driver's side of the window.

I talked to my insurance company and they felt it was a great candidate for a repair job rather than a replacement. I'm sure they want to save money, but honestly, I was relieved to hear that. The thought of the windshield being torn out of my truck, that's only 8 months old, was sickening. So I set up the appointment for the repair, and they said if I'm not satisified, as the repair will leave a small "blemish", I can get it replaced afterward. Again though, I'd rather not.

Has anyone had a windshield repair done of our style trucks? What were the results? Was it a better solution than having the glass replaced, and dealing with the issues that can create (leaks, whistleing, etc)?

Here's a pic of the damage:

BlueRado · April 25, 2003

Yeah, I can sympathize. My '99 rado was 2 months old - still had a lot of new smell in it, and got a bad spidery hit right in the middle of the windshield - sounded like a 22 cal. going off!!

Well, they replaced the windshield and it never leaked at all, but I lost the new car smell. (I know wah, wah! )

The worst part is about 3 weeks later got a small one almost exactly like the one you have, and the shop also said repair - it had a slight blemish in it, but I lived with it for 3 1/2 yrs till I got a bigger one from a truck in Utah.

I'd say don't worry about the small repair blemish as long as it's not directly in your line of sight - better to have the OE windshield in and still have the new car smell - well maybe, after 8 mos, I don't know? The replacement windshields from good repair shops are the same ones supplied to GM, BTW and I could specify PPG or LOF (my OE was LOF).

sgiangregorio · April 25, 2003

Thanks. I was moer thinking that the removal of all the moldings and stuff just can't go back together as good as it comes from the factory.

How bad was the "blemish" post repair, compared to how it looked when the rock hit the window?

Shaners · April 25, 2003

Windshield repairs are pretty good quality these days.

Also your insurance will most likely repair it for free, where-as if it were a replacement windshield, you would most likely have a deductable..

seadoons · April 25, 2003

My brother acutally worked for one of these places you see on the side of the road with signs for free windsheild repair. He did it on his and it turned out really well. They say that 90% of what you can see now will be gone. What they really do is drill into the glass and and use a high pressure device to inject a substance that crystallizes when it comes in contact with sunlight. This is supposed to keep the thing from spreading across your windshield. I will also say that getting a replacement windsheild isn't a bad idea...I have had/seen a few replaced and they never leak. Good luck.

-Nathan

Markeaux · April 26, 2003

I would try the repair first; but, regardless I would not have any problem with a windshield r&r - I had a mobile unit do one on a LeSabre and it turned out fine.

sgiangregorio · April 26, 2003

Thanks Guys. I've had windshields replaced before without problems, but just the thought of pulling all the moldings around it, the air deflector where the wipers are, the rearview mirror (with compass and stuff), etc...it just feels so intrusive on my "still new to me" truck.

99silveradoz71 · April 26, 2003

Was driving one of our cruisers back from a warrant pickup when a semi tractor kicked up a fist-sized rock. Well I never saw it hit the window, but it sounded like it hit the lightbar and scared the crap out of the other officer and me. Turns out it hit right on the top molding and left the start of small crack downward from there. They ended up having the windshield replaced.

QuinnyQuad · April 26, 2003

I have an identical situation to you (same size and location) that I got on my Silverado. I'm having it fixed in place (injection) tomorrow. Anything the size of a quarter or smaller they can fix to look like new. Insurance is paying, so no co$t to me.

sgiangregorio · April 26, 2003

Quinny, this is about the size of a nickel. I hope you're right! Would you let me know how it comes out? The earliest appt I could get was 5/12, two weeks. I don't think it will get worse as it was a clean hit (no cracks present).

BlueRado · April 26, 2003

Thanks. I was moer thinking that the removal of all the moldings and stuff just can't go back together as good as it comes from the factory.

How bad was the "blemish" post repair, compared to how it looked when the rock hit the window?

Hardly noticeable at all, although mine was more dime-size or a little smaller.

I had the company do my 2nd replacement in my driveway after the Utah rock hit the '99, and in terms of the molding, etc, I was impressed how well it all fit back together - looked like new!! But I know what you mean about the "new to me" feeling.

sgiangregorio · April 26, 2003

Well, I hope it comes out good. It's like the truck is being "violated" when the window is ripped out.

sgiangregorio · April 26, 2003

Well, I was able to get an appt for this Tuesday, Good.

carguru · April 26, 2003

The bullseye spots will repair very well. You will only be able to see it if you look for it. It is just the ones with the cracks that don't do very well.

sgiangregorio · April 26, 2003

Excellent! :thumb:

So how does it work, anyone know? The exterior point of impact seems so small, almost like a pencial point size, but the inside of the glass seems the most affected. It is bluish in tint and not clear anymore. Is that just refraction of the light or because air got in there? I'm amazed that they can fix these spots that welll.