What to Do With a Chipped or Cracked Windshield

Drivers are often willing to overlook a chip in their windshield, thinking they are harmless. But vehicles experience all kinds of vibrations and flex while going down the road, which transmit all over the car, including the windshield. That’s why if a small chip is left unremedied for too long, it could become a large crack—or multiple cracks—which is a safety risk that is potentially very costly to repair.

It’s best to repair a chip or crack as soon as possible to avoid potential hazards. Here’s what to do with a chipped or cracked windshield.

The Do-It-Yourself Way to Fix a Chip

There are several easy-to-use kits on the market that enable drivers to fix their own windshields. These kits typically use an epoxy resin to fill in the chip in a way that is not noticeable while driving. Some are marketed as all-purpose chip repair kits, whereas others outline the exact type of scratch they’re able to remedy. It can be a little complicated to determine which is the best option, so be sure to select one with good reviews and, if possible, directions that are easy to follow.

Generally, many of these kits follow the same prep regimen:

• Clean the windshield thoroughly, taking extra care to clean the chipped area itself with a microfiber towel and rubbing alcohol. Be gentle, as too much pressure could potentially cause more damage. 
• Then, ensure any tiny fragments of glass leftover in the damaged area are removed. This is best done with tweezers and a toothpick, or something else that can remove small shards.
• Once the area is clean and dry, car owners should apply the kit’s epoxy resin conservatively—too much may cause future issues. If it’s cold outside, it’s a good idea to heat up the area before applying the resin, and make sure that there’s no moisture between the glass and the resin. Check and see if the resin needs to cure by UV light; if it does, the car should be parked outside to let the epoxy set.

It’s important to apply enough epoxy to fill in the chip completely and smooth it out. But be careful not to apply too much, as excess epoxy will stick up from the windshield’s flat, smooth surface and cause other issues. One or both of the windshield wipers will streak when they run across it, and it’ll just stick out and look ugly once cured. Keep in mind that it’s okay to wipe away excess epoxy before it cures too.

It may take a while to figure out how to apply the epoxy properly, but repairing a chip with a kit is much cheaper than utilizing a professional service.

These are general, catch-all tips; some kits may use different processes or materials than the ones mentioned. Before buying a chip repair kit, car owners should research the different types of kits available to get an idea of what the preparation looks like, as well as the steps involved, and determine if it’s something they’re willing and able to attempt. These kits may have a short shelf life too, so the repair should be completed soon after purchasing the kit.

The Do-It-Yourself Way to Fix a Crack

Car owners must deal with actual cracks in the windshield much more urgently than chips. That’s because driving around and experiencing everyday vibrations could cause a crack to grow, necessitating a full windshield replacement.

Repairing a small crack is to repairing a chip. It involves preparation and cleaning, applying an epoxy, and letting it set. It’s possible to “patch” the windshield with clear superglue or nail polish, but that kind of patch only provides a temporary fix and won’t hold up to regular driving for very long.

However, if the crack has reached the edge of the glass or has spread into several cracks, then it’s too late; the entire windshield must be replaced.

Cost of Replacing a Windshield

The cost of replacing windshields for most cars is a couple hundred dollars, and can often be done in one’s own driveway. Sometimes windshield replacements are completely covered by insurance. If the vehicle is a high-end sports car, or fitted with special electronic heating (common on some high-end SUVs), then the cost will almost certainly be significantly higher.

Summary

Chips or cracks in windshields can pose a safety hazard, so car owners should make sure to fix them as soon as possible. Chips may take a long time to expand, but once they spread and become a large crack, drivers lose some visibility and the windshield loses its structural rigidity, which may cause it to completely break. Any modern vehicle’s windshield won’t completely break apart into many little shards, but it will obstruct the view of the road.

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