If you have a dinged or cracked windshield, it’s important to react as quickly as possible to prevent the need for a windshield replacement. But what if you don’t have time to repair the windshield right away? Is there a way to stop the crack from spreading? Let’s talk glass and find you the answers you’re looking for.
Benefits of Cracked Windshield Repair
When you first notice the dreaded ding in your windshield, you have two choices: you can either take your car in right away for a windshield crack repair or wait and see what happens. Here are four reasons to pursue cracked windshield repair as soon as possible:
- Cheaper than a windshield replacement: If you fail to fix a small chip in your auto glass, temperature changes and rough road conditions are likely to make the crack grow. Before long, the unsightly crack has spread across the windshield. Once this happens, the option for an inexpensive repair is passed, and you have no choice but to replace the whole windshield.
- Restores windshield strength: Some people drive around with cracked windshields, but this is unsafe. A cracked windshield is weaker than an intact one, which could prove deadly if you get into a roll-over accident. Fixing that small ding prevents cracks that could hamper your car’s structural integrity.
- Removes the distracting windshield crack: Even small dings can be very distracting as they obstruct your vision or reflect sunlight into your eyes. A timely repair eliminates this distraction so you can drive safely.
- Environmentally friendly decision: Acting fast enough to fix your windshield prevents the glass from ending up in the landfill, making this option more eco-friendly than a windshield replacement.
How to Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading
You may not have a flexible schedule that allows you to have your cracked windshield fixed the day after you first notice it. If you need a week or two for your schedule to lighten up, take certain steps to stop the windshield crack from spreading. The goal is to keep the crack small enough that you can cover it with a dollar bill because, at this size, it’s still repairable.
- Use a windshield repair kit: This is the most effective option, but also the trickiest to implement. If you don’t feel comfortable drilling a small hole through just the top layer of glass, try a different tip to stop a windshield crack from spreading.
- Superglue the crack: Standard cyanoacrylate glue, or Superglue, is a great temporary fix that should hold the edges of the windshield crack together for at least a week or two until you can have it repaired.
- Apply clear nail polish: No Superglue on hand? You may even have success with acrylic nail polish. Clean the glass first, and then apply a liberal amount of clear polish to the cracked portion of the windshield.
- Avoid rapid temperature changes: Glass expands and contracts when it heats up and cools down. This is the primary reason small windshield dings grow into huge cracks. To avoid subjecting your auto glass to these temperature changes, park in the shade and avoid blasting the window defroster until you can have the windshield repaired.
Let Glass Doctor® Repair Your Windshield
At Glass Doctor, we pride ourselves on being able to repair most windshield cracks shorter than three inches. The faster you get your car to us, the better chances of a successful repair. Of course, we also replace windshields if this option becomes necessary.
To schedule windshield repair services, contact the auto glass specialists at Glass Doctor today.