Auto Windshield Repair – Complete Guide

Auto windshield repair is an annoyance that almost all car owners face at some point. Not too many people go their entire lives without incurring at least one nick, chip, or crack on their windshield. Weather conditions and car washes are just a few factors that can turn a small crack or chip into a major problem over the course of time.

If the problem becomes too severe, the entire windshield will have to be replaced. And a windshield replacement cost is no small expense. To avoid this scenario, get the windshield repaired as soon as possible.

The following guide will help you decide on how to best handle the chip, nick, or scratch you unhappily find yourself dealing with.

Do-It-Yourself Auto Windshield Repair

A do-it-yourself repair kit is ideal for a small cracks that resemble a star. Usually, these start shaped cracks will have very small veins stemming from the center of the crack. Do-it-yourself kits can be bought at local automotive supply stores and can prevent the crack from spreading any more.

These kits contain suctions cups that act as a stabilizer to attach to the windshield. These cups make it possible to fill the crack with resin included in the repair kit.

The repair itself is rather simple and pretty straightforward. Just make sure to follow the direction exactly.

Professional Auto Windshield Repair

If the crack seems beyond your capability, but a professional deems it repairable, they can employ a tactic very similar to the do-it-yourself method. The only difference is that they use an ultraviolet light to dry the resin.

When the resin dries, the crack will appear less noticeable and the overall repair will look cleaner than had it been performed at home. This kind of repair can either be performed at an auto windshield repair shop or many times the shop can travel to your home or work to perform the repair.

Many insurers will cover the entire cost of the car window repair because it saves them from paying the windshield replacement cost.

Professional Windshield Replacement

If your windshield crack is very large or the veins extend beyond a couple feet, the glass will typically have to be replaced. When this happens, you will have to turn to a professional. But this repair can also often be done from your home or office. Or you can always take your car into a dealer or windshield repair shop.

Most insurers require drivers to pay a deductible and then will pay the entire cost of the repair.

Windshield cracks are never anybody's idea of a good time, but whether you take on the auto windshield repair yourself or leave it to a pro, your best bet is to take care of the problem as soon as possible.