Know What You Can Do & When to Call In Professionals
Fixing small cracks or chips in a windshield is a challenge that everybody gets to at some point when they drive a car. Well, it might seem like something quite daunting, and you might be worried about your windshield never looking the same again. It’s just not the case.
Fixing a major windshield crack yourself at home is not a job for an amateur, but there are professionals out there who would happily fix or replace your entire windshield at your home to help you get back on the road again. Windshield replacement is a big job, which isn’t something you can do yourself, but you can fix a chip if it comes up. It’s all part of sorting out how to save money on repairs. Here’s how that applies to windshield repair.
Step-by-Step Home Repair Tips
- Look to prevent damage. The first thing that you need to think about is preventing further damage. Chips in a windshield have the potential to develop into huge cracks, which can expand while driving at high speeds. By repairing chips promptly, you can prevent any further damage from occurring and not have to worry about it spidering across your glass.
- Start by assessing the damage. Have a look at the chip in your windshield so that you can determine the severity of the chip and the size. Chips that are smaller than a nickel are usually repairable, and you can do it with a home kit. Larger chips or cracks may require professional intervention, or you may even need a full replacement of your windshield.
- Clean the area as best you can. Park your car out of the direct sunlight and make sure the windshield is cool to touch. With a clean cloth and rubbing alcohol. Thoroughly clean the area around the chip. This will help you to take away any dirt, debris, or any oil that could interfere with the repair process that you’re trying to do yourself. You shouldn’t start repairing until the area is completely dry.
- Prepare the chip for repairs. If there are any loose fragments of glass or debris in the chip itself, use a razor blade or a scraper to remove them very carefully. Don’t use too much pressure and be gentle so that you avoid widening the chip or causing further damage.
- Apply resin. A windshield repair kit often comes with resin that you can use to inject sealant into the chip. It takes a little setting up though, but it’s not difficult. Once the resin has been injected into the chip, wait 5-10 minutes. If it’s not fully covered, repeat the process again until the full chip is covered by resin.
- Use a curing strip to cure it. Once the chip is filled with the resin, place a curing strip over the top. Adding a few drops of resin under the strip will help because then you can smooth out any imperfections and you’ll stick the strip to the windshield. You then need to cure the resin with a UV repair kit. Allow it to cure completely and this should take about 15 minutes.
