Fixing A Chipped Windshield Successfully

If you were recently driving along and a rock was kicked up into the air, striking your windshield as a result, you may find a small portion of the glass missing where it had made impact. Repairing a chipped windshield is a job you may be able to do on your own with the proper materials. Here are some instructions to follow when dealing with a chip in your vehicle's windshield.

Assess The Damage

Larger cracks should always be repaired by a professional. There may be microscopic cracks around a chip or crack which would cause the stability of the windshield to be compromised. If the damage is limited to a small chip, however, you may be able to take matters into your own hands and repair it with the assistance of a windshield repair kit.

Evaluate the damage with a magnifying glass to make sure the chip appears to be the only part of the glass with a flaw. If you notice small lines running through the glass around the chip, bring your vehicle to a windshield repair specialist right away as the damage can spread if you continue driving.

Obtain The Right Materials

A chip can be repaired with resin. Go to your local auto parts store or glass repair service and obtain a windshield repair kit. These kits will have the materials you need to do a small repair on your own. They consist of the resin and an applicator to help position the material directly into the chip with precision.

Fill In The Chip Properly

First, you will want to clean your windshield so there is no debris in the way of the resin you will be applying. Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Use a piece of microfiber cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the surface of the chipped part of your windshield. If you notice any small slivers of glass protruding from the chip, remove them with a pair of tweezers so the resin will be applied evenly into the crevice.

Position the applicator over the chip. This is held into place with small suction cups. Pour the resin into the reservoir on the top of the applicator. A small flange is used to pump the resin through the applicator and into the chip underneath. After the resin is applied, move your vehicle into a sunny area so the resin will harden into place.