I have a two month old 2012 Ford Escape which has a star shaped stone chip that is between the size of a quarter and a 50-cent piece. My insurance company gave me the option of a resin repair or replacing the windshield. Both the insurance rep and the glass repair technician suggested I try the resin repair first because they said that there could be issues with replacing the windshield, e.g., removing the old one might scratch the paint in the vicinity of the glass, breaking the factory seal, ensuring that the new windshield is glued properly in place to assure structural integrity and avoid leaks, etc. I tried the resin repair and although it worked structurally (the cracks of the star aren't spreading), the star pattern is still very visible and refracts sunlight in certain conditions. Fortunately the chip is outside the field of vision and outside the windshield wiper pattern. The glass company & insurance company gave me the option of getting a new windshield if I didn't like the repair. My question is: should I have the windshield replaced and run whatever risks there might be as a result of the replacement?

 

I have a resin repair on one of my trucks, it's been good for years, it's out of the main vision area, but it is much smaller than yours. If the sun is at just the right angle, I can see a small reflection from two rays of the crack.

If I were in your position, with a brand-new vehicle, I would go for a windshield replacement. I have had windshields replaced over many vehicles. I learned a lot... what not to do, and how to get it done right.

Wrong Way - I first used a chain-type of windshield repair place that ran around with vans and replaced windshields in your driveway, at work in the parking lot, etc. I watched the guy work, at a distance. What a bozo. And outside conditions with the wind blowing were not the best. The end result was a windshield that roared at high speed due to a leak, the rubber trim was ****-eyed, etc. and it leaked in the rain.
I complained a lot, they said they would come out and fix it. I said no way send anyone but your most experience guy... and I'm gonna watch him one-on-one!

They sent out an older guy that was very good. I quickly found out that he was an independant contractor, he WOULD NOT work directly for the place, he specialized in fixing other's messes. We talked about the mobile windshield repair business. He said it was dog-eat-dog, looking for the lowest paid people they could get away with, low training, no sense of craftsmanship or a job well done. He would not hire on to any of them, as he would lose his standards and feeling of accomplishment if he did, and they would be after him to speed it up. Not the way he wanted to live.

The Right Way - Find a local glass place that has a reputation for good work, and very important, take the vehicle to their shop and have it done there. This may require calling them in advance so they can order up all the moldings, etc., or you may need to drive it over for them to look at, and schedule the actual work for a later day.

I have done that ever since, an auto glass place that is tucked away in an industrial park. They don't have drive-by business, as nobody would know they were in there except by word of mouth or a yellow pages ad. It's a small place, always busy, and very well run. The waiting area (we usually wait for it there) is a few chairs across from their counter. They do excellent work. I even call them up first if I am considering buying a car with cracked or broken glass, they will call me back with the estimate. And that is exactly what it cost to actually do it.

Sometimes I take a glance in from the doorway of them working. I don't need to watch them. They have TWO guys working on it, so they can position everything just right. And they have pads to cover up hood, etc. and wear clothes without belt buckles etc. that would scratch and gouge paint. The contrast with one guy out working from a truck outside is like night and day.

 

What Torky2 said: +1
I know of one independent who works from his truck. He is also in demand heavily at local body shops. But, if you saw his truck, you'd know that he was meticulous about his work. Everything in its place, polished clean, and ready for work.
You have to know who's doing the job. References wouldn't hurt.
A good shop can remove and install a windshield, and you'll never know the difference, except that the inside is cleaner than you'll ever get it.
tom