DIY vs Professional Glass Repair – Which is Worth It?

[kawaiiitakko]

Hi everyone,

I’m debating whether to tackle a cracked window myself or hire a professional. On one hand, DIY repair kits are cheaper and convenient, but

I’m worried about safety, long-term durability, and potentially making the problem worse.

On the other hand, professional repair seems more reliable, but it’s costly and might involve long wait times.

I’d love to hear your experiences: Have you successfully done DIY glass repairs?

Were professionals noticeably better or worth the extra expense? Any tips for deciding when to DIY versus call an expert?

 

[kawaiiitakko]

Hi everyone,

I’m debating whether to tackle a cracked window myself or hire a professional. On one hand, DIY repair kits are cheaper and convenient, but

I’m worried about safety, long-term durability, and potentially making the problem worse.

On the other hand, professional repair seems more reliable, but it’s costly and might involve long wait times.

I’d love to hear your experiences: Have you successfully done DIY glass repairs?

Were professionals noticeably better or worth the extra expense? What are the risks of improper repair, and any tips for deciding when to DIY versus call an expert?

thanks in advance for any help

 

[mdc1990zr1]

thanks in advance for any help

Check your insurance policy. I had comprehensive and collision on a previous vehicle and glass was covered with a very low deductible

 

[Magfan2]

My position is for anything less than catastrophic, pay out of wallet. Saves on insurance rates in the long run. Stone chip? Just had one done. Major cracks? Replace professionally. With the newer trucks, match OEM to VIN. How you pay depends on your wallet and philosophy. Best of luck!

 

[Burla]

Check your insurance policy. I had comprehensive and collision on a previous vehicle and glass was covered with a very low deductible

some states it is free by law as well for ins claims, and one claim wont raise ins on comprehensive. My wife two claims in 3 years most hitting stuff on freeway, no rate increase for that under comprehensive. But if it was because someone warmed a window too fast under a cold snap, suck up and pay it. Replacing a windshield is actually one of the cheaper things to get fixed, like a couple hundred even these days.

 

[Rlaf75]

Which window are you taking about? If its a door window then I'd say go for it because its basically take the door panel and regulator components out of the way. If it's the front windshield or rear sliding window I would have them professionally replaced because if they arent sealed correctly youll get water leaks and well all know these trucks already have those so dont make it worse. Like other's have said, check your insurance policy because there may already be glass (comprehensive) coverage on the policy

 

[Dean2]

I believe the OP is talking about fixing a stone chip in the Windshield before it cracks, using an epoxy filler and UV light. You can get a good quality kit for about $300, that includes the epoxy, windshield attachments, UV light and a small Dremel type grinder. Here I can have 7 or 8 chips fixed for about $300 and in the past 8 years, I might of hit 5 chips. The cheap Permetex version of a suction cup and epoxy, I have never tried but it is really inexpensive.

I just have someone else do it but if I lived where the service was not easy to access, I would do it myself. They teach kids how to do it every summer in Walmart parking lots, it is not that hard to do.

 

[BadHemi2014]

Having a windshield replaced is still pretty cheap. We had a local glass company come out to our house, replace a windshield and repair 2 or 3 glass chips. It was only a little over 300 bucks total.
I love doing things myself, but this was absolutely worth paying someone else to do! Honestly I'm surprised at the cost, it hasn't changed much in a couple decades.

Edit: I have used the cheapo suction cup kit back in the day to fill a chip. It wasn't a real pretty job but it seemed to work (stopped it from spreading). The OP mentions 'cracked' windshield but if it's just a chip, ok to diy especially if you're hurting for funds. It's worth a try anyway, doubt it would make anything worse.

 

[mtofell]

Where on the glass? In line of driver's sight and no on will/should professionally fix it. Somewhere else and you can get it fixed for pretty cheap. I had a local Quickie Lube shop do one of mine for $50. It looks pretty muck like before they started but is buried over on the passenger side almost to the pillar and I just wanted to stop it from spreading.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

My only comments regarding cheap windshields are to be careful what you buy, and from who.

Any automotive glass, especially front and rear window glass will usually come in three types in North America:
1) OEM Direct Grade (Pilkington or PGW..formerly PPG): Look for the logo/symbol of your brand of vehicle on the bottom right or left corner of the glass.. i.e. there is a Ram's head on the bottom right corner of our windshields

2) OEM Replacement Grade: Just not branded with the manufactures logo on the glass.
But still Pilkington or PGW top tier automotive grade glass.

3) Chineseium or Flip-Flop Grade: These products meet the lowest levels of "just barely acceptable for road safety and worthiness, and regulation requirements!" Who knows what logo you get indicated on the corner of the glass...lol

These products tend to cause heavy wind noise, especially at highway speeds - are usually wavy and/or have small spots that look like the glass pooled up before setting - have horrible coatings that just smear all to heck, especially when using cheapy wipers - pit really easily, especially if doing a lot of highway driving - have inferior coatings to protect the glass from debris strikes.

Don't get me wrong, I've used my share of "Option #3" glass in my time. But that was back in the day and also on used cheapy kick-around vehicles that you'd practically leave on the side of the road if they completely died due to serious failures because they weren't worth the time, effort, or cost to repair.

Then, just go and find another used cheapy kick-around vehicle for virtually nothing to get you to the next used cheapy kick-around vehicle, and so on (the good ole' days when one could do this!).