Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to replace my windscreen?

There are two main methods that are used to install windscreens by vehicle manufacturers. There are rubber fit windscreens which are mainly found in older cars, commercial vans and most trucks. These can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so to fit and the vehicle can usually be driven immediately after the installation has been completed. The other method is a bonded fit which is glued into the body of the vehicle using a urethane adhesive. This method takes 1 to 2 hours to complete and the vehicle will then need to sit until the bond has cured enough to be safe to drive. A bonded-in windscreen is a structural part of the vehicle and provides bracing for the body. Curing times vary from 30 minutes to several hours depending on temperature and humidity as well as what air bags the car has installed.

How long does it take to repair a chip in my windscreen?

A single chip usually takes about 30 minutes to repair properly but may take a little longer if there is water in the break or it is a complex break. Additional chips add about an extra 10 minutes per chip to the repair time as we are able to work on more than one chip at a time.

What size chips and cracks can be repaired?

There are different size restrictions for different types of breaks and in different areas on the windscreen. These are shown in the New Zealand Standard AS/NZS2366.1

Will my front windscreen shatter if I have a chip or crack?

If your front windscreen has a chip or crack in it then it is a laminated windscreen. A laminated windscreen is made of two layers of glass with a PVB (plastic) interlayer and therefore the windscreen will not shatter. It is possible that the crack may spread whilst travelling or through temperature change so it is best to have it repaired as soon as you are able.

If it is raining do I need to have my vehicle under cover for a chip repair or windscreen replacement?

Yes, your vehicle will need to be kept dry whilst a windscreen is fitted or a chip or crack is repaired as even the slightest amount of moisture will greatly affect both a repair and the bond of a replacement windscreen. When replacing bonded windscreens we will need enough room to be able to open both front doors and have enough covered space to set up the new windscreen on a trestle to prepare it for bonding in.

Does a chip disappear completely once it has been repaired?

Although some repairs are very difficult to see all repairs will still be visible to some degree. A number of things will determine how visible the repair will be and they are the amount of fracturing within the break and how much contamination there is from dirt, water and other fluids. The sooner a repair is done the better it will look. In most cases around 80% to 90% of what is visible before the repair will not be visible afterwards. It is impossible to get a totally invisible repair.

How strong is a chip or crack repair?

A properly repaired chip or crack will normally restore the glass back to at least 90% of its original strength.

Can you bill my insurance company directly?

Yes. We can bill directly to all insurance companies regardless of who you are insured with. In most cases we can even help organise your claim and avoid any need to fill in a claim form. Please contact us before calling your insurance company to find out the quickest and easiest way to lodge a claim.