Recently noticed a small chip or large crack on your car’s windshield?

Having a chipped or cracked windshield is much more than a cosmetic issue. It also creates a hazard that can reduce the safety of all who travel in that vehicle. Not to mention, driving with this damage may be illegal.

 

You may be wondering:

• Can my windshield chip be repaired?

• Can my windshield crack be repaired?

• Is my windshield irreparable?

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Most of us will always prefer a repair job as it will be cheaper and quicker when compared to a full windshield replacement.

 

Needless to say there is some good news…

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Small Windshield Chips & Cracks Can Be Repaired

The good news is that small rock chips and certain cracks can be repaired. If the rock chip is smaller than a U.S. quarter, and is not in the driver's line of site, in most cases they can be fixed. 

 

But there are different types of cracks such as hairline, bulls eye, Combo / Star Break, Half Moon and cracks running from the edge of the glass. Also the location of the crack plays a big roll in determining if it can legally be repaired or if a full replacement is required. As such, your specific damage may need further evaluation.

 

You should also be aware that driving with any size crack runs the risk of the crack growing in size as the car encounters large vibrations as it cruises down the road. Also as the temperature fluctuates, such as in summer or winter, this too can cause a crack to suddenly grow in size.

 

This is why we always recommend contacting us as soon as you notice any chip or crack and if you can send us a photo to show the severity and location of the crack itself we can advise if a repair is possible.

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How Windshield Cracks & Chips Are Repaired

The repair process of a crack on the windshield involves the injection of a special resin into the affected area. For some cracks, a glass technician may drill holes at the ends of the crack to prevent it from spreading. If we recommend repairing your windshield, then it should be done immediately without delay.

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As previously mentioned, failure to do this can create a bigger problem. For example, a small crack can spread across the entire windshield if you hit a big pothole, make an aggressive turn or drive on an unsealed road.

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Will The Repair Be Noticeable?

An important point to note is that the repaired area on the windshield will not be as clear as the surrounding area. This is due to the resin having a different texture to the glass.

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This is why the location of the crack is important. Repairing a crack on the passenger side is safer than repairing on the driver side as the blemished area affects vision.

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Don’t Put Off Windshield Chip Repair

You may be thinking “the chip is so small, can’t I just leave it for now?”

However, if a vehicle has a crack or chip in the windshield it is more vulnerable to failure from repeated driving and this presents a safety issue.

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The vehicle’s windshield is not only important for visibility but also keeps us safe while driving. It is a key component of the vehicle as it prevents flying debris from hitting the driver and passengers.

 

When a chip occurs on your windshield, it affects a range of things including visibility whilst driving and even the structural integrity of your windshield.

 

However small the chip or crack damage is on your windshield, the longer it is left unattended, the more likely it is to spread or increase in size. This will make the option of repair less likely.

 

One of the reasons it is better to get a chip repaired as soon as possible is to avoid it becoming a bigger problem which would lead to complete windshield replacement.

 

For a simple glass chip repair, you can call upon a technician who can fix it in less than 30 minutes. For a windshield replacement however you are looking at a longer and more expensive job.

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DIY Repair Vs Professional

You may be aware that you can do the repair yourself if you wish so. There are many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) auto glass repair kits available.

These methods try to replicate the resin injection method that is used by professionals.

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However the major difference comes in the quality of the tools and materials used. Also the training and expertise of industry professionals always beats that of individuals doing a repair the first time by themselves.

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If you are unsure about any aspect of the DIY repair process, you should opt for an industry professional like Amigo Glass to do the job for you.

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If you do the repair wrong and the crack spreads, it would cause bigger damage that would need a full replacement of the windshield.

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As you can imagine, a brand new windshield cost you more when compared to a windshield repair by an industry professional. Also a professional repair job will carry a warranty to safe guard their work.

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Therefore, there isn’t much to save in the DIY process, especially if you do it the wrong way. Cracks on the windshield as we have seen, can be effectively repaired if noticed early. But if the problem spreads, then your only option is to replace the entire windshield.

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