Community Forums

NC Rob · 06-13-2013, 12:04 PM

We have a Class A motorhome with the full windshield. Sure enough, during our last outing the windshield picked up a small chip (half the size of your small fingernail) on the passenger side lower right. Questions are:

1) Do you know of any companies that fix RV windshield chips? I called
Safelight and others and they only fix autos:

2) Do you know of any "films" that can be applied that you know works?
One product I have read about is "Surface Shield".

I have also heard in the past there is a company that sells the NASCAR
type of film that peels off and also just saw a commercial of a spray product from 3 M.

SarahW · 06-13-2013, 12:54 PM

Well, this is weird. Safelite DID repair our motorhome windshield about 7 or 8 months ago. We got a small "star" from a rock and they went to the storage facility to fix it. The poor repair guy had to borrow a very tall ladder from the storage maintenance guy because he didn't realize how tall motorhomes are.

TN Bill · 06-13-2013, 12:54 PM

Safelite repaired the one on my Brave a few years back.

Oldkarphart · 06-13-2013, 01:03 PM

If you go to a Auto Parts House, you can buy a do it yourself windshield repair kit (Permatex brand). I keep one on board for those times whenever you get a chip while on the road. They're easy to use and they work pretty darn good for the repair, but more importantly it'll keep the "chip" from growing into a full blown crack (don't ask me how I know this). It's nice to have in case you get a chip on your toad as well....Cheap Insurance for around $12.00.

Just My Opinion.

Darwin · 06-13-2013, 02:51 PM

Safelite repaired my windshield about 2 weeks ago. I called my ins co and they set everything up. My windshield was repaired a couple hours after I called. The Safelite loaction in Baton Rouge had a loading dock that provided the perfect height for repairs.

bdickson · 06-13-2013, 02:54 PM

I think Safelite locations are independent franchises so each may have their own rules about what vehicles they can work on.

stik · 06-13-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Rob

We have a Class A motorhome with the full windshield. Sure enough, during our last outing the windshield picked up a small chip (half the size of your small fingernail) on the passenger side lower right. Questions are:

1) Do you know of any companies that fix RV windshield chips? I called
Safelight and others and they only fix autos:

2) Do you know of any "films" that can be applied that you know works?
One product I have read about is "Surface Shield".

I have also heard in the past there is a company that sells the NASCAR
type of film that peels off and also just saw a commercial of a spray product from 3 M.

Call your insurance company, most, if not all, will waive your deductible and have the chip "repaired" for no charge to you.

If there were some magic elixir or system for preventing windshield chips, then Safelight and/or our insurance companies would be pushing it!

Wayne M · 06-13-2013, 08:10 PM

Bob,
There are many windshield repair entities out there. some are good, some are fly by night.

The best one I have had is the GlasWeld technician. Their technique hardly leaves a pin-prick on the windshield. See if there is one in your area. It's worth it.

Tomaso · 06-14-2013, 07:49 PM

Safelight repaired the bullet-chip in my windshield really well - to the point where I will use them again for any other repair.

Definitely call them in person and explain the situation - the online block-check wizard just messed things up and was not helpful.

NC Rob · 06-15-2013, 02:33 AM

Thanks everyone I received a lot of great tips. The Charlotte area Safelite office does not do RVs but I will reach out to other areas. My four point plan based on responses so far include:

1. Call my insurance company for ideas;
2. Call my local RV dealer which is Tom Johnson in Concord NC;
3. Check at auto parts store for a product called Perma Tex;
4. Re-call safelite and see if any other stores do RVs

Great responses....thanks again..

1ciderdog · 06-15-2013, 04:42 PM

A word of caution - A couple of years ago I had a chip repaired in Yuma and when I got home I wasn't satisfied with the repair so went to my favorite glass shop to have it fixed. They wouldn't work on it saying they had no idea what chemicals the person in Yuma had used and they were afraid of possible nasty chemical reactions. The Yuma repair was a "fly by the night" guy that wanders around truck stops looking for us.

wilco1 · 06-16-2013, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Rob

We have a Class A motorhome with the full windshield. Sure enough, during our last outing the windshield picked up a small chip (half the size of your small fingernail) on the passenger side lower right. Questions are:

1) Do you know of any companies that fix RV windshield chips? I called
Safelight and others and they only fix autos:

2) Do you know of any "films" that can be applied that you know works?
One product I have read about is "Surface Shield".

I have also heard in the past there is a company that sells the NASCAR
type of film that peels off and also just saw a commercial of a spray product from 3 M.

Rock chips appear to be almost inevitable. I'm not aware of any practical applications (films etc.) that might prevent them. Almost any auto glass company has the means to repair them along with many independent operators (of varying expertise). Some insurance companies will cover the cost with no deductible since it's much cheaper than replacing a windshield. If you get one, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent spreading and a much more expensive repair. I've had at least four repaired in various locations. Done at the RV Park in every case at a cost of $50-60. Repairs are almost never perfectly invisible if the sun is at a certain angle, but are mostly unnoticed in normal driving conditions. Beyond a certain size and if it's spread already, it may not be repairable but most are, if you get to it soon enough.

StevieD · 06-16-2013, 05:45 AM

We had a chip fixed, however we notice that coach windshields flex quit a bit. Does anyone know what percentage of chip failures there are on coach windshields?

We love our coach!!!!

Ed-Sommers · 06-16-2013, 07:10 AM

Over the years I have just used clear nail polish. It stops the ding from enlarging due to elongated cracks, or spider webbing, and is hardly noticeable.

Ed