Cracked windscreen

**Silenceisgolden** · 16th December 2016, 04:22 PM

I have just had the third windscreen in my MY2012 D4 crack after a tiny pebble hit the screen. The same with the previous two screens, virtually unmarked except for the crack.

Has anyone else had this problem? My Defender and both my Okas have huge chips out of them from BIG stones, but no cracking.

Both new screens were supplied and fitted by the dealer, presumably with OE screens.

Thanks for any comments.

**Plane Fixer** · 16th December 2016, 04:34 PM

If the stone hits down low near the wipers it will crack as I was told it is a weak point on the screen. This happened to me.
My remedy has been some clear polyurethane tape below the wipers and so far so good.

**Briar** · 16th December 2016, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Plane Fixer

If the stone hits down low near the wipers it will crack as I was told it is a weak point on the screen. This happened to me.
My remedy has been some clear polyurethane tape below the wipers and so far so good.

I had a stone hit about 1cm from the bottom of screen below wiper. Very small stone, crack developed within an hour and ended up 1/3 of way across screen in a couple of weeks. Got replaced through insurance which was great but like the idea of protecting this area if it's a weak spot. Exactly what type/ brand of tape did you use to help out here. Interesting idea.

**scomac** · 16th December 2016, 05:39 PM

Doesn't matter where it is in my experience. Got hit with one in the D4 coming back from the Kimberley, 2 inches in on the passenger side. Two days ago got one smack bang in the middle of a brand new Ford transit van and now the crack is across the screen.
Cheers
Scott.

**BobD** · 16th December 2016, 05:56 PM

I had that with the original screen on the car. A large horizontal crack low down across the screen starting at a little chip near the middle.

I replaced it with an after market OptiCool screen a couple of years ago and this one has three large chips from blue metal flicked up by my son's muddies and a truck going the other way. After nearly a year they have not spread at all. I went to get them glued up because I was worried about the same thing happening but the windscreen guy said they were OK and not to worry about them.

**Silenceisgolden** · 16th December 2016, 06:11 PM

Thanks gents for the replies. So it seems that I made the wrong choice sticking with the OE screen. Excellent advice as always form the forum, I will try the Opticool next.
Thanks again,
Cheers, Paul

**Disco-tastic** · 16th December 2016, 06:29 PM

I thought the OEM was an Optikool screen?

**BobD** · 16th December 2016, 08:18 PM

You need an Optikool screen regardless of OEM or after market. You don't want the much cheaper plain laminated glass windscreen. It is just a name for a heat reducing windscreen, not a brand name. The one I have is a Chinese knock of that is much cheaper and doesn't crack! If I find a brand name I well post it. It was all the repairer could supply but has turned out great.

**jon3950** · 16th December 2016, 08:47 PM

Optikool is a Trade Mark of Pilkington, who supply the OEM screens:

Solar Control

Cheers,
Jon

**BobD** · 16th December 2016, 08:59 PM

I should have said that mine is an Optikool equivalent. The Chinese knock off uses the term Solar Control instead of Optikool. I can't really give a brand name but I had the choice of a normal windscreen or a Solar Control version at a significantly higher price when replacing my windscreen a few years ago now.

Sorry for the confusion but I was going on memory and wasn't near the car.

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