Can You Fix a Windshield Crack at Home?

You Can Fix a Windshield Crack At Home With a Windshield Repair Kit

Several companies sell DIY windshield crack and chip repair kits, so you sometimes fix a windshield crack at home and save money. However, not all cracks and chips can be repaired with these resin kits. The answer depends on several factors, including the size, location, and severity of the crack, as well as your comfort level with DIY repairs.

When Is a DIY Repair Appropriate?

A DIY windshield repair kit is a cost-effective and convenient solution for minor damage, but it’s important to assess whether you can fix a windshield crack at home or whether it requires professional repair or even replacement. Here’s a general guideline:

• Size of the Crack— Cracks or chips smaller than a quarter (around 1 inch) are typically repairable with a kit. Anything larger may be beyond the capability of a DIY kit.
• Location of the Crack— If the crack is directly in the driver’s line of sight, it’s best to consult a professional. Even after a successful repair, some distortion might remain, which can be distracting or impair vision.
• Type of Crack— Simple chips and small bullseye cracks are the best candidates for DIY repair. Complex cracks, especially those involving multiple types of damage or extensive radiating lines, are better left to professionals.
•Length of Time Since the Crack Occurred— The longer you wait to repair a crack, the more dirt and moisture can get into it, making it harder to repair effectively. Fresh cracks are easier to fix at home.
• Cracks that are longer than 3”— These can’t be repaired with a DIY kit and cracks that are longer than 6” can’t even be repaired by a professional.
• If there are three or more cracks/chips in the windshield— The windshield is too damaged and can’t be repaired even by a professional. It must be replaced.
• Windshield cracks and chips at the edge of the windshield glass cannot be repaired.

What’s involved in a DIY windshield chip or crack repair

The windshield repair kits contain a mounting jig and a small tube of UV cure clear resin. The DIY kits rely on the sun’s UV rays to cure the resin, so make sure you follow the directions and perform the repair when you’ll have enough sunlight to complete the curing process. You must also follow the temperature guidelines in the kit.

How Do DIY Windshield Repair Kits Work?

DIY windshield repair kits are designed to be user-friendly, typically involving a few basic steps:

1) Cleaning the Area: The first step is to clean the damaged area thoroughly. Any dirt or debris can interfere with the bonding process, so it’s important to ensure the crack or chip is as clean as possible.

2) Applying the Resin: The kit will include a resin that is injected into the crack or chip. The resin is designed to fill the damaged area and bond with the glass, preventing the crack from spreading.

3) Curing: Once the resin is applied, it needs to cure. Some kits include a UV light for this purpose, while others rely on natural sunlight. The curing process hardens the resin, making the repair durable.

4) Finishing Touches: After the resin has cured, excess material is removed, and the surface is polished to restore clarity.

Step-by-step guide to fix a windshield crack at home

Step 1 Clean out any remaining glass fragments

Use a small pin or shop vacuum to remove any small glass particles from the chipped area.

Step 2 Clean the glass to remove wax, grease, or body oils

Most kits recommend using rubbing alcohol for this step

Step 3 Apply the jig to the glass

Depending on the kit brand, this involves applying a self-adhering tape or jig to the glass. Locate the jig directly above the chip or crack.

Step 4 Fill the chip with resin

The resin application process varies by kit design. Some include a syringe so you can suck air out of the chip or crack before forcing the resin in. Others simply force the resin into the damaged area.

Step 5 Allow the repair to cure in the sun

Step 6 Cut and smooth the repair

Using a razor blade, remove any excess resin and polish the remaining resin to get a clear repair

Pros and cons to DIY windshield crack and chip repair

There are pros and cons to trying to fix a windshield crack at home. In many ways, filling a crack with resin is an art and if you don’t get it right the first time, you can make the problem worse than if you had just taken it to a pro in the first place.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: DIY kits are significantly cheaper than professional repairs, usually costing between $10 and $30.
• Convenience: You can repair the damage at home, on your own schedule, without having to take your car to a shop.
• Simplicity: Most kits are designed to be easy to use, even for those without any previous experience.

Cons:

• Limited Scope: DIY kits are only effective for small, simple cracks. More extensive damage requires professional repair or replacement.
• Potential for Error: If not done correctly, the repair might not hold, leading to further damage or the need for professional intervention later.
• Quality of Results: Even if the repair is successful, there might still be visible signs of the crack, particularly in the driver’s line of sight.

Can pros repair all windshield damage?

No. Again, large cracks and cracks and chips in the driver’s line of sight can’t be repaired. Depending on the glass shop, some shops can repair cracks up to a maximum of 3” in length, while others say they can repair cracks up to 6”. Shops also have limits on the size and type of chips that can be repaired.

Windshield trivia:

Windshields are a sandwich construction of a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet fused between two sheets of glass. The three materials are heated in a furnace until they fuse together and the glass is then cooled to increase strength. The result is glass that resists punctures better than plain glass and breaks into small pieces rather than shards.

Once a chip forms in your windshield, it will ALWAYS spread into a crack. If you plan to repair the chip, get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent crack formation.

If your vehicle is equipped with an Advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) like accident avoidance, lane departure, adaptive cruise control, etc., make sure the glass meets the carmakers’ standards for clarity and shape and the shop is skilled in calibrating the ADAS systems.

Avoid freelance glass repair companies. Windshield replacement requires certified glass and special sealants. Fly-by-night operators often use counterfeit glass and subpar adhesives, resulting in distortion, inability to calibrate ADAS systems, and leaks.

How to find a professional glass repair shop

Search local listings and avoid nationwide 1-800 glass repair outfits. Those companies are usually just brokers that collect a commission for forwarding your job to a local glass repair shop.

Install Time: A new windshield replacement will take longer than a repair job. You can always look for a Mobile Auto Glass Company to come to your work or home and complete it for you instead of waiting at a shop.

©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat