Is your car’s windshield suffering from a chip or a crack? If it’s small, you might not need to call a repair company right away. You can tide it over with DIY repair tricks instead. Here’s how!
Your Goal: Keep it From Getting Worse
Your main goal here isn’t to restore your windshield to its original condition. Unfortunately, the damage is already done, and no DIY repair will be able to restore it to its full structural integrity. Windshields are an important safety feature of your car, and a crack—even a small one—will compromise the strength of your windshield and the body of your car in the event of an accident.
Even so, there are ways to keep the crack from spreading and worsening. If you catch it early, you can continue to drive around safely for a while until you get around to getting it repaired by an auto glass technician.
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So, here’s how to keep your Windshield Chip or Crack from getting worse:
1. Keep your windshield dry!
Even if your windshield is dirty, try to resist the temptation to clean it. Water, windshield wiper fluid or glass cleaner could get into the crack and make it hard to repair or even cause discoloration to your windshield, which could mean you have to replace the whole thing instead of just getting it repaired.
If you must clean your windshield, instead of running the wiper blades, just wipe your windshield with a cloth.
2. Cover it with Packing Tape
If you have some clear packing tape handy, that’s great—but don’t expect it to stay for more than a couple of days. However, it’s better than nothing if you can’t get your windshield repaired right away.
3. Don’t Drive, or Drive as Little as Possible Until your Windshield get Repaired
If the crack obstructs your vision, DO NOT DRIVE. Reduced visibility can be dangerous for you, your passengers, and the drivers and pedestrians around you! If the crack is right in front of the driver’s side or if it has spread out all over your windshield like a spiderweb, you need to take care of it immediately and hold off driving until your windshield is replaced.
However, if the crack is on the very edge and doesn’t obstruct your view, it’s OK to drive—just keep it to a minimum. You never know when you’ll hit a big pothole that might cause the minor crack to turn into a big problem. Even slamming your door too hard can cause the chip or crack to expand, so be careful.
4. If It’s Just a Small Windshield Chip, Repair It with a Kit
It’s easy to find windshield repair kits on Amazon or at stores like Wal-Mart or Autozone. These kits won’t do anything for long cracks, but they can help you fill in chips and reduce the chance of moisture getting inside. They’re only about $10 and they work well on small chips. Follow the instructions on the kit, which will probably look something like this:
- Start with a completely dry windshield.
- Apply adhesive and force it into the chip (this differs depending on the kit).
- Shave off excess adhesive for a smooth surface.
- That’s it!
While these DIYs can help you repair your windshield, it’s generally only a temporary fix. Find a great local auto glass repair & replacement technician in your area using Glass.net. It’s free, easy to use, and lets you compare quotes from highly-rated repair companies in your area!