Quick Question re NCT

[BrianS]

I know its the wrong section but I need an answer in a hurry! Do you guys know if a small chip in the windscreen will affect NCT criteria. My girlfriend is putting hers in tomorrow and I never even thought about the windscreen. Any ideas?

[WhipLash]

Brian, I just took a quick look at the details we have on the NCT check list that were have here in our NCT section (to be found here (http://www.eforecourt.com/nctfaq.htm#q0)).

It does mention that the Glass and Mirrors are covers as a part of the test.

It is hard to tell whether the chip will fail the test or not. It might just be noted as a warning, which would not fail the overall test. I suppose it depends on the extent of the damage. Is it just a small isolated chip, or is it creeping as a crack throughout the windscreen?

Either way I'd imagine it would be better to try the car "as is" first rather then having to fork out unnecessarily on a new windscreen!

[BeCos]

I think if the damage is more than 1CM wide or is directly in the line of vision then it will fail.

Try it first though !

Best of luck !

[WhipLash]

Any feedback on the NCT then Brian?

BTW, I've seen a product in the Kleenez brochure that is supposed to fill in chips in windscreens. Does anyone know if such products work?

[BeCos]

I know Carglass used to "repair" winscreens by filling in the chips. It worked perfectly provided the chip hadn't been there too long and got exposed to moisture.

Not sure how successful a DIY kit would be !

How much Whippy?

[Ciaran]

I cannot remember how much it cost Ben. I just thought that it looked like a very interesting product; one that I've never seen before.

We get these brochures in a lot from time to time (they get collected again by whoever delivers them). I'll take another look at it the next time we get one.

[BrianS]

Success! It passed despite the fact that its an Opel Astra!! She can keep driving me home from the pub now, as long as I don't tell anyone that she locked the keys in the car before the test....sshhhhhhh - you didn't hear it from me!!!! heh heh heh....


Ciaran, I haven't seen the glass filler in the Kleenez brochure, but usually they have cheapish stuff. Having said that, I did buy an attachment for my hose to give it a more powerful sweep. (that's my garden hose, before I get any smart comments....) It beats forking out a hundred quid for a pressure washer, though I do have an old K'archer that I dig out now and then.

Windscreen glass filler needs to be a special resin with light refraction properties almost the same as the actual winscreen glass itself. It also needs to be UV resistant so that it doesn't go grey. I've never used one because I haven't had a chip in my windscreen ever (touch wood), but I don't think I'd try the stuff out of a Kleenez catalog......not without hearing something good about it first.

Take Care Out There.

Brian.

[WhipLash]

Hey, who’s this guy Ciaran anyway! lol :D

That’s good news Brian. Just wondering, how old was the Astra, and what type of nick its in? Did she expect it to pass first time? Was there much work carried out on the car beforehand in preparation for the test?

It was a while ago since I saw the glass filler in the Kleenez catalogue. I haven’t bothered to look in one recently as it usually has the same old products time and time again. Maybe they’ve removed that product from the latest editions?

[BrianS]

What was I thinking, Whiplash? I know this sound bloke called Ciaran! How could I get you confused with him!

The Car is 94 and it had a service a few weeks ago. The only problem was with a leaky brake cylinder or something - extra £50 to fix but that was it. Its in good condition overall and we expected it to pass first time. I just worried a bit with the windscreen. The chip is only about 1cm but its quite visible. How'n'ever, we're through until next time.

B.