How to Repair a Cracked or Chipped Windshield: Tips and Techniques

But how do you repair a cracked or chipped windshield? You can try a few different methods depending on the severity of the damage. Some tips and techniques for repairing a cracked or chipped windshield will be discussed in this article.

key Takeways

1. An automotive windshield is made up of different layers of glass, and it provides safety to drivers and passengers.
2. A windshield is a sheet of laminated safety glass with three parts, i.e., outer layer glass, plastic inner layer, and inner layer glass.
3. Although the windscreen is a strong sheet, it can sometimes get cracks and chips, making it weak and obstructing the driver’s vision.
4. These cracks and chips may be of different types and sizes.
5. A small chip less than 1/4 inch in diameter and located more than 7cm from the edge of the windscreen can often be repaired. Cracks that are less than 3 inches long and do not extend to the edge of the windshield can also usually be repaired.
6. Due to certain factors, windshield cracks and chips can also spread throughout the screen.
7. It’s important to have any cracks or chips in your windshield repaired as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading and potentially causing more damage to the glass.
8. Windshield cracks and chips can easily be repaired through windshield repair kits. These kits come with resin injection as well as acrylic resin.

Introduction

Many people think that glass is a relatively new invention, but it’s one of the oldest materials ever discovered. The development of glass began in ancient Egypt around 5000 years ago. They were the first to use molten sand and lime to create glass (1).

Structural Composition of Windshield

A car windshield, or windscreen, is a sheet of laminated safety glass mounted at the front of a vehicle. A windshield has three parts:

1. Outer layer glass
2. Plastic inner layer
3. Inner layer glass

The outer layer is made of a clear, tough, and impact-resistant glass called laminated safety glass. This layer is usually about 2.1mm thick.

Underneath the outer layer is a layer of clear plastic called polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layer is usually about 0.76mm thick and is used to bond the two layers of glass together.

The inner layer of a car windshield is also made of laminated safety glass, which is also thick, about 2.1mm. This layer provides additional strength and support to the windshield (2).

In addition to the laminated safety glass layers, a car windshield may have other features, such as an anti-reflective coating, a hydrophobic coating, or a heating element. These features can help improve visibility, reduce glare, and provide additional comfort to the vehicle’s occupants.

Causes of Windshield Cracks and Chips

Windshield chips are a significant concern for drivers. These cracks and chips can cause many issues with the windshield, such as obstructing the driver’s view. They are caused by flying debris, such as rocks and bugs, or by the car being hit by another object.

Assessing the Damage

Before you start any repairs, it’s crucial to assess the damage to your windshield. Several types of windshield cracks and chips are:

Bull’s eye:

This circular crack or chip is usually caused by a small stone or other debris hitting the windshield at high speed.

Star break:

This type of crack or chip resembles a star and is typically caused by a stone or debris that hits the windshield with extra force.

Crack:

A crack is a break resembling a line within the outer layer of glass whose depth runs from the surface of the outer layer of glass to the lamination. Cracks can be curved or have sharp twists and bends.

Half-moon:

This type of crack or chip is shaped like a half-moon and is usually caused by a stone or debris hitting the windshield’s edge.

Combination break:

It combines two or more types of cracks or chips, such as a bull’s eye and a star break.

Starburst:

A starburst is similar to a star break, with many rays radiating outward from the impact point.

Angel Wing:

An angel wing is a distinct combination break whose rays extend primarily left and right of the impact point like wings.

Straight Line:

Straight line breaks are longer breaks with a distinct left-to-right fracture splitting across the impact point.

To determine the severity of the damage, look at the size and location of the crack or chip. A small chip less than 1/4 inch in diameter and located more than 7cm from the edge of the windscreen. Cracks that are less than 6 inches long and do not extend to the edge of the windshield can usually be repaired.

However, if the crack or chip is larger, extends to the edge of the windshield, or is on both sides, it may not be repairable. In these cases, you will need to replace the entire windshield.

Causes of Rapid Windshield Crack and Chip Spread

It’s essential to repair any cracks or chips in your windshield as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading and potentially causing more damage to the glass. Several factors can cause windshield cracks and chips to spread:

Temperature changes:

When the temperature outside changes, the glass in your windshield expands and contracts. If there is a crack or chip in the glass, these temperature changes can cause the crack or chip to become larger.

Stress on the glass:

If you drive over rough roads or hit a pothole, it can stress the glass in your windshield, which can cause cracks and chips to spread.

Impact:

If you hit a stone or other debris while driving, it can cause the crack or chip to spread.

Poor repair:

If a crack or chip is not repaired properly, it can continue to spread.

Repairing the Small Chips/Cracks

Windshield cracks and chips can easily be repaired through windshield repair kits. These kits come with resin injection as well as acrylic resin. Both of these methods involve injecting a special resin into the chip or crack to fill in the damaged area and prevent it from spreading.

To repair a small chip or crack using resin injection, follow these steps:

1. Clean the area around the chip with a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
2. Use a small drill or needle to create a hole in the center of the chip. It will help the resin flow into the chip more easily.
3. Insert the resin injector into the hole and press down on the plunger to fill the chip with resin.
4. Use a small scraper or blade to level off the resin and remove any excess.
5. While doing this process, ensure that your windscreen is exposed to sunlight, as resin requires ultraviolet rays to dry itself.
6. Allow the resin to dry completely, which may take several hours.

To repair a crack using acrylic resin, follow these steps:

1. Get a pin or drill to clean out any loose fragments in the crack.
2. Clean the area around the crack with a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
3. Apply a small acrylic resin to the crack using a toothpick or small scraper.
4. Use a small scraper or blade to level off the resin and remove any excess.
5. Do this entire process in the sunlight so the resin may get enough ultraviolet rays to dry itself.
6. Allow the resin to dry completely, which may take several hours.

Cost

There are multiple brands available in the market; however, some of the most popular brands and their cost is as follows:

Conclusion

In conclusion, repairing a cracked or chipped windshield can be daunting. Still, it is vital to address the issue to prevent further damage to the windshield and ensure the vehicle’s safety. However, by following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can effectively repair a cracked or chipped windshield and save yourself from the expense of a complete windshield replacement. It is always best to seek the help of a professional if you are unsure of how to proceed with the repair, as attempting to repair a windshield without proper knowledge and tools can result in further damage.