hondabert

Question for you all...

A rock hit my windshielf and created a small, half inch crack. Someone told me that I needed to do something to prevent water from getting into it and then freezing and further opening up the crack. Is this true?

xviper

1/2" crack may be too big to do anything with. Usually, the "Novus" system of repair will only work with "stars" of a certain size.
You live in L.A. Why are you worried about freezing anyway? Let's say it will freeze, it's not the water that gets into the crack (as hardly any will) and expanding when frozen. It's the vibration of the car going down the road in conjuction with the use of the windshield defroster that will most likely extend the crack. Just imagine freezing cold on the outside and hot air blowing on it from the inside combined with the jarring motion as you drive down the road.
Any cracks I've had in my windshield has only extended during the times I've used the heater regardless of whether or not the windshield ever had any ice or water on it.

hondabert

I just moved to Chicago, need to change my location hehe. So what's the Novus system and should I try to fix it or just wait to see if it'll get much bigger?

xviper

"Novus" was the original repair system. There are others now. The "star" is covered with a small sealed chamber held onto the windshield with suction cups. The crack is then put under vacuum to get all moisture and debris and air out. Then a resin is injected into the crack. Because it was under vacuum, the resin gets sucked into all the little nooks and crannies of the crack to fill it. The sealed chamber is then removed. The excess wiped off and the damaged area is subjected to UV light to cure the resin. Done! It costs about 20 - 30 bucks per crack. You'll need to see if 1/2" is still workable. The sooner you get it fixed, the better. If it runs, you're toast.
Phone some windshield/glass shops to see who does this.

LT'S S2K

my insurance covers the front windshield. if it's too big to be fixed for free, it only cost $50 to replace it. Some kind of mechanical something coverage. check w/ your insurance company as well, just in case, it's covered.

hondabert

Thanks for the answers guys

SoDakS2K

Yeah, what xviper said. I work for a courier and we pick up glass at a few glass companies. They fixed my crack for free. It took about 30 minutes.

s2ksimon

the "star" is what I'd recommend as well