Stone Starburst in Windshield
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
Stone Starburst in Windshield
My E is wounded! This morning on my drive into work, this 18-wheeler in front of me swerved onto the filthy shoulder of I-78 in Newark, NJ and kicked a big fat stone into my windshield, right above my G. Daimler sticker. It's a starburst, about the size of a quarter, but it has fine lines emanating from it so I fear that a quick-fix will not do it. To boot, I think the stone bounced off my hood, because I have a big fat chip out of my Obsidian Black paint, which of course shows every hairline scratch! I'm driving from NJ to Colorado next week, and of course my dealer can't get me in to replace the windshield until April. I'm about to drive 3000 miles out I-70 at breakneck speeds; should I be worried that my windshield is compromised? Any advice?
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Joined: Jan 2002
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2002 C240
I'd tell your dealer the circumstances to see if he can get you in before your road trip. I know from driving across the country late last December - IT IS NO FUN. My car picked up a lot of stone chips, and also windshield chips, and a broken fog light to boot..... All I can say is good luck, and that maybe the roads will be free of rocks this time of year.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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John Deere
I had this happen last year on Rt 1 in NJ, by yet another semi. Mine was about the same size, and even worse, was directly in my line of sight looking straight forward.
At any rate, I called an outfit named SafeLite auto glass. There are a number of franchises throughtout the state I think. The rep took my information over the phone and made an appointment a few days later for someone to come out and fix it. The guy showed up, spent about 10 minutes doing some sort of voodoo on the damage, and then he was done. The quarter-sized combination starburst/opaque mush was now reduced to a small pea-sized distortion.
I never had a problem with it expanding, and the guy even told me the glass is now bonded to eliminate further starring.
To top it off, my insurance company covered the tab (about $60) without question or comment. I suppose they would rather eat that than have to cover the non-deductable portion of a whole new windshield.
Give them a try.
-Rick
At any rate, I called an outfit named SafeLite auto glass. There are a number of franchises throughtout the state I think. The rep took my information over the phone and made an appointment a few days later for someone to come out and fix it. The guy showed up, spent about 10 minutes doing some sort of voodoo on the damage, and then he was done. The quarter-sized combination starburst/opaque mush was now reduced to a small pea-sized distortion.
I never had a problem with it expanding, and the guy even told me the glass is now bonded to eliminate further starring.
To top it off, my insurance company covered the tab (about $60) without question or comment. I suppose they would rather eat that than have to cover the non-deductable portion of a whole new windshield.
Give them a try.
-Rick
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Have it done right, replace the windshield. Your or your insurance Co's investment will pay off. From what I understand once a starburst forms it should not be repaired but replaced. The only risk you take driving west is that a crack mat radiate from the damage but the windshield will not come apart.
