Your car windshield protects you from all sorts of debris — gravel, stones, dust, and insects. Sooner or later, they’re bound to create a small crack in your windshield. Before this windshield crack compromises your vehicle’s safety, you should fix the glass immediately.
Unsure whether you need a windshield chip repair or a replacement?
We’ll help you resolve this auto glass issue and budget your expenses for the chipped windshield. We’ll also share a few reasons why ignoring the problem isn’t a good idea.
Let’s get cracking!
This Article Contains:
- When Should You Repair or Replace Your Windshield?
- How to Fix Small Cracks in Your Windshield: Step-By-Step
- How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Cracked Windshield?
- What Are the Risks of Driving with a Damaged Windshield?
When Should You Repair or Replace Your Windshield?
Several factors influence when you should repair the cracked glass or get a windshield replacement, including:
- Size: You can repair minor cracks in the glass that are under 3 inches or smaller than a quarter. However, if road debris causes a larger crack, it requires a total windshield replacement.
- Type: A small linear crack, star crack, and bull’s eye crack are repairable. However, a stress crack (damage on the internal layer) or combination break (a mix of different cracks) requires replacing the windshield.
- Crack’s depth: When the damage penetrates both layers of the glass, you’ll need to replace the car windshield. Have a professional windshield repair service assess the depth for you.
- Location: If the small chip is in the driver’s line of vision, replace the entire windshield, as even a minor glass repair can interfere with its clarity. Also, an edge crack (a damaged area next to the car’s frame) that compromises the windshield’s structural integrity will require a replacement.
- Number of cracks: Replace the car’s windshield if there are more than two minor cracks in the glass, as this will affect its durability.
Debris didn’t cause enough damage to warrant a total windshield replacement?
Here’s how a mechanic would perform a windshield crack repair.
How to Fix Small Cracks in Your Windshield: Step-By-Step
Fixing small cracks in your windshield requires:
- A microfiber cloth
- Cleaning agent (rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner)
- Windshield repair kit (containing epoxy, a patch, pedestal, curing strip, and syringe)
- A razor blade
If you’re unsure about fixing the chipped windshield, have a mechanic or auto glass professional perform the repair process. Here’s how they’ll do it:
Step 1: Clean the Windshield
The mechanic will move the windshield wipers and clean the damaged area with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol. This ensures that dirt doesn’t compromise the patch’s adhesion.
Step 2: Apply the Adhesive Patch and Pedestal
They’ll remove the patch’s paper covering, align it with the small chip, and place it on the windshield glass.
The next step in the auto glass repair requires aligning the pedestal (a molded plastic component with a tube) and pressing it against the adhesive. They’ll use it to apply the epoxy (a fluid adhesive resin) to fill the crack.
Step 3: Inject the Epoxy Resin
Then, they’ll fill the pedestal with epoxy by fully compressing the syringe. After compressing it completely, they’ll hold the pedestal and pull the plunger back.
The mechanic will stop pulling the plunger when it reaches the uppermost position, but they won’t remove the syringe from the pedestal yet. This disrupts the vacuum necessary for pulling air bubbles out of the crack.
NOTE: Depending on the windshield repair kit, the resin may require mixing, or come pre-mixed. If mixed correctly, the epoxy in the pedestal won’t pull back into the syringe.
Step 4: Allow the Resin to Set
The mechanic will leave the syringe in the pedestal and wait for the air bubbles to escape. They’ll only remove the syringe when the air bubbles disappear completely from the resin.
This step in the repair process takes 1 to 10 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the Pedestal
They’ll push the plunger down again to force the remaining resin into the crack. Then, they’ll gently knock on the windshield glass to free any trapped air bubbles and press the syringe one last time.
When the epoxy has cured, they’ll remove the syringe, patch, and pedestal. If necessary, they’ll add an additional drop on top of the crack to ensure there is no dimple or dent from the application.
Step 6: Apply the Curing Strip
For the next step in this auto glass service, they’ll place the curing strip on top of the crack at an angle to prevent air from trapping.
They’ll hold the strip in place, squeeze out any air bubbles, and allow it to cure.
Step 7: Remove the Curing Strip
After letting it rest, they’ll remove the curing strip using a razor blade instead of using their hand.
They’ll place their finger on the crack and use the blade to loosen the strip from the glass. Then, they’ll twist the strip off to avoid pulling out any resin from inside the crack.
Step 8: Remove any Excess Epoxy Resin
The last step in the windshield chip repair process involves scraping off any remaining resin with the razor blade and cleaning the glass with a microfiber cloth. Then, they’ll put the windshield wipers back into place.
Now that you know how a mechanic performs a windshield repair, let’s check out the potential costs involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Cracked Windshield?
The total cost depends on whether the broken windshield needs repair or replacement, as well as the extent of the damage. Here are some estimates:
- Auto glass repair: Fixing a windshield chip costs $80 to $150, based on the extent of the damage (number of windshield cracks).
- Entire windshield replacement: A windshield replacement costs $160 to $1000, depending on your vehicle’s make and model, labor charges, as well as the glass type.
The price typically ranges between $300 and $600 on older vehicles. However, due to advanced technology (rain wiper sensors and advanced driver assistance systems), the windshields for newer vehicles could exceed $1000.
NOTE: Many insurers include a professional windshield repair as part of their coverage. So, you probably won’t have to pay for a windshield crack repair or replacement if you have a comprehensive insurance plan.
Wondering if you really need to spend for fixing windshield cracks?
Let’s look at what happens when you delay the glass repair.
What Are the Risks of Driving with a Damaged Windshield?
Driving with a damaged windshield poses serious safety concerns, such as:
- Reducing your car’s structural integrity: The windshield contributes to about 30% of a vehicle’s structural strength. A broken windshield can significantly reduce this durability, putting you at greater risk during a car accident.
- Interfering with airbag deployment: Your car’s windshield supports the passenger-side airbag during a collision. A cracked windshield may not provide the necessary support, leading to improper airbag deployment.
- Inhibiting visibility: A windshield crack can increase the likelihood of a car accident by reflecting light into your eyes and blocking road visibility.
- Increasing the likelihood of additional windshield damage: Impact from road debris or stress from a car wash can cause a small windshield chip to develop into an irreparable larger crack, increasing windshield repair costs.
Don’t Let Small Cracks Turn Into Big Issues
While a small crack may seem insignificant at first, it eventually reduces the strength of your windshield and car frame. To avoid major windshield damage and unnecessary danger, it’s best to fix it immediately.
And if you need any auto repair assistance but don’t want to drive the mechanic, we’ve got you covered!
Mechanics from AutoNation Mobile Service can fix your vehicle from your driveway. We’re available seven days a week and provide a 12-month,12,000-mile warranty on all services.
Contact us for any car maintenance or repair needs.