Windshield chip repair is a simple and affordable process that can keep your windshield safe and looking good. But not all windshield repairs are equal — some can be so bad that you’ll need to have the entire windshield replaced. To avoid that scenario, it’s important to understand what makes a chip repairable and what kind of damage is beyond help.
The most common cause of windshield chips is airborne rocks. Road construction materials all contain a wide range of rock sizes and shapes, and some of those rocks work loose over time. They’re then hurled back into traffic, where they can hit and shatter your windshield glass.
When a windshield is impacted by a rock, a small crater or pit will form. The rim of the crater may also break off, leaving a tiny crack or spider web-like structure on the windshield’s surface. This type of damage is not only unsightly, but it can also impact the driver’s visibility and create a safety hazard.
It’s also worth noting that your auto insurance likely won’t cover a damaged windshield chip repair, so repairing or replacing the glass can be costly. Fortunately, the best way to avoid this is to get any chips repaired right away.
If you’re not sure whether a windshield is repairable, a trained technician can examine the damage and provide advice. They’ll know which type of glass is used in your vehicle, and they’ll be able to tell you if a chip is a candidate for an easy DIY fix with a windshield repair kit.
Before beginning, you’ll want to thoroughly clean the area around the windshield. This will remove any dirt, dust or other debris that could make the repair more difficult. It’s also a good idea to save your repair for a sunny day, as the epoxy resin in some windshield repair kits requires UV light to harden.
Once the area is cleaned and dry, you’ll need to sand the inside of the windshield near the affected area to prepare it for the repair. This will smooth out any sharp edges that could make the repair look uneven.
You’ll then need to fill the chipped area with special resin, which is designed to seal the crater and blend in with the rest of your windshield. Most windshield repair kits come with a special bridge and injector that helps you force the resin into the crater. You’ll need to follow the kit’s instructions for this step.
It’s worth mentioning that there are some types of damage that can’t be fixed with a windshield repair kit, including long cracks that go through the glass, any cracks within the drivers’ line of vision and chips that penetrate the plastic interlayer in between the two layers of the windshield. It’s also not possible to repair a crack that has already turned into a spider web, which will need a full windshield replacement instead.