A cracked windshield is probably a driver’s worst nightmare if one drives a high-end car.
In case you are wondering if you can fix a crack windshield, then this article is just what you need. Keep on reading to find out more.
Can You Fix a Cracked Windshield?
The answer is YES! According to the USA’s market standards, you can fix it if the crack is below 14 inches in length and has less than three branches. Small chips around an inch are also fixable.
Repairing a windshield also depends on the location of cracks. A crack in the middle area is easily fixable, but one on the edge can be problematic. It can be repairable, but it won’t last, so based on personal experience, I recommend getting a new one.
Before going to the repairing stuff let’s talk about different types of chips and cracks that can be easily repaired.
Types of Windshield Cracks
- Bull’s Eye
The most common type of crack is the bull’s eye. It occurs mostly in the extreme center of the windshield and is small in size. A bull’s eye is a circular crack that arises due to the debris’ impact.
If you repair it with proper guidance and equipment, it may leave little to no traces.
- Chips
Temperature plays an essential role in the cracking of glass. The constant variation in temperature can leave tiny cracks in different spots.
It mostly happens in hot weather when you use the air conditioner and cause a sudden change in the windshield glass temperature, causing it to crack.
Never ignore chips, they might seem small, but they spread with time and can lead to large unfixable cracks.
- Floater Cracks
A floater crack requires immediate attention as it tends to spread very fast. It commonly occurs in the middle and starts to spread around up to the edges.
They are usually repaired after the height and width of the crack is determined.
- Half Moon
A half-moon is similar to a bull’s eye. If a hard object like a rock hits the windshield, that is when either of them can occur.
However, it isn’t circular and can be easily repairable.
How to Fix a Cracked Windshield?
Before you begin to fix a crack in your windshield, make sure if it is repairable or not by looking for length, branches, and other things mentioned earlier in this article.
Once you have made sure what type of crack there is, it’s time to start fixing it. You will be needing a windshield repair kit for which the new Rain-X 600001 works excellent. It is easy to use and comes with an advanced resin-based formula.
It covers up all kinds of chips and cracks on laminated windshield and is ideal for multiple repairs. You can achieve and clean and subtle finish with this one.
Procedure
For a better visual, tape a piece of cardboard on the back of the crack. Avoid resting your weight on the windshield while working. Next, wipe the crack with an alcohol pad to remove any contamination that may affect the resin’s performance.
Stick the adhesive disc on the chip in a way that that you can see the chip through the hole. The disc is used to place the pedestal and keep it in its place.
To fix the crack, take the liquid resin glass in the syringe in the kit and inject it into the crack very carefully and gently. To avoid leakage add a piece of tape on the lower side of the pedestal.
Pushing the plunger after injecting all the resin will help remove air bubbles, so don’t miss that step. The crack will become invisible once the resin glass hardens. Place your finger on it to check for indents.
How to Fix a Long Cracked Windshield?
Where there are various types of windshield cracks. Long cracks are the hardest to fix as they tend to spread faster than chips.
As I mentioned earlier, a crack longer than 14 inches in length is not fixable, but that’s only for the local USA market. Other foreign markets may go beyond that.
Before you get to repairing the crack, check for a debris build-up. It includes any sort of dirt or glass debris accumulated in the crack that can affect the spreading or fixing of, or you know what you’re dealing with,
It’s time to start fixing it. To fix a cracked windshield without replacing it you need a repair kit. See the latest price of GLISTON Car Windshield Repair Kit
This kit is used all over the States and has quite the professional touch to it. It offers a long-lasting effect with its advanced repair formula.
You can use it for almost all kinds of vehicles with double laminated windshields’ safe and easy to use, so a hassle-free maneuver is guaranteed.
Drill two not-so-deep holes at each end of the crack. Use a replaceable tip probe and gently tap it in to clean up the inside. Don’t go too hard as you do not want the hole to go all the way through.
Now that the holes are made and connected to the crack install the crack expanders (given in the kit) about a few inches from the actual impact point. As you only need enough pressure to open the crack up, screw the expanders to a limited extent.
Take the tripod with the corner edge extension and add the suction cup sealant to each cup as it will be sliding across the glass. Place it right on the side of the crack and move it back and forth to create a trail within which you’ll work. It just makes the whole thing a lot easier.
Next, place the mirror on the inner side and clean up the impact point of the crack. For the resin, put around 10-12 or more drops in the injector as the crack you are dealing with is pretty long. Place the white seal on the injector and install it into the stand.
You can vary the height and placement by moving the extension stand. To inject resin, unscrew the top of the injector to let the vacuum loose and crew it to pour in the resin.
To make it a quick one, you can use a second injector (if you have one) and repeat the same process for other points in the crack.
Finally, to remove the injectors, let the pressure out a little and slide the injectors away. Here might want to add film tabs with a few drops of the resin (avoid air pockets), and the crack is pretty decent sized, and you don’t want to take any risk.
Unscrew all the crack expander gently and set a curing light to ensure the resin dries up nice and evenly. Your job here is done!
How to Fix a Cracked Windshield with Household Items
How to Fix a Cracked Windshield with Nail Polish?
Yes, you read it right. You can fix it with clear-coat nail paint, but you will have to be extra cautious and gentle while working with it because here, you won’t be having a kit to make the process less tedious and/or more convenient.
Begin by drilling two tiny holes on either end of the crack. Brush off the debris and wipe with the crack area with alcohol pads to ensure better adhesion.
Make sure it is completely dry, and then apply a thin layer of the clear nail paint very carefully. The number of layers is based on the depth of the indent. However, don’t go more than 3 coats as it may create a bump in the windshield.
How to Fix a Cracked Windshield with Super Glue?
Trying to fix a cracked windshield with superglue is a speedy way of fixing it. But, it won’t last a lot. Some people also try repairing a cracked windshield with rubbing alcohol, but that is all fake; you can use it to clean the crack to pour the resin, but it won’t fix it.
For the glue method, you will need to drill small holes at each end of the crack and rubbing alcohol to wipe off the dust or any debris.
Prep the cracked area by putting masking tape around the crack to avoid the glue from spreading everywhere. Now apply glue to the crack starting from one end and going all the way through the hole on the other end.
Do this very gently as superglue is hard to clean, and spilling it everywhere will be quite the problem. Let the glue dry for 10min or so and remove the masking tape. Need a transparent super glue buy it now.
How Fast Does a Windshield Crack Spread?
Many people are concerned about how long will a cracked windshield last?
Here are some factors that determine how long the solution for your cracked windshield will last.
- Size of the crack
The most apparent is the size and the number of branches in the crack. The smaller the crack would be, the longer it’ll last.
- Driving Style
A rash driving style reduces time. If you do not slow down on puddle and bumps, the fixed cracked will soon fall apart.
- Temperature
Whenever the temperature gets low, the glass shrinks; it expands when the temperature rises. A sudden temperature change can affect the glass and cause the crack to spread.
Is it Safe to Drive with a Cracked Windshield?
Driving in a vehicle that has problems in it or is damaged in some ways is never a good idea. However, generally driving a car with a windshield with small cracks in it is not that dangerous.
Nonetheless, replace the cracked windshield as soon as possible to avoid future damage or injuries. There are two significant reasons why you should replace it immediately.
First, it can shatter while you were driving, which can lead to injury, and with no windshield anymore, there is nothing to protect you against the little pebbles and things that might come your way while driving.
Second, a cracked windshield can decrease the visibility depending on how big the crack is, so getting a new one ASAP is a good idea.
