If your windshield has random chips, you must apply a dedicated solution to fix them. Therefore, the following article covers a comprehensive guide on how to fix a chip in your windshield. In short, these are the steps that you can follow.
- Clean the affected area
- Use the patch and pedestal
- Inject the included epoxy resin
- Allow air bubbles to eliminate
- Use the curing strips
- Take out any extra epoxy
If you cannot apply these steps, you can seek professional services from a trusted auto glass repair shop. Highly skilled technicians can inspect and handle all types of windshield damage.
Article Summary
Cause of Chips in Car Windshield
Flying stones on the road or intense impacts can cause chips or cracks in your vehicle’s windshield. These chips can grow over time and affect the integrity of your auto glass mechanism. So, you should never ignore even minor chips because a windshield saves you from dust, debris, and changing weather conditions.
2 Steps To Fix Chips in Car Windshield
Here’s what you have to do.
1. Consider the Chip Size
Find out how much damage can be fixed before buying a repair kit. An epoxy repair kit can patch any chips in your car windshield smaller than three inches.
A chip with no more than one inch diameter is repairable. If there are deep chips, you will require windshield replacement services.
2. Get the Best Kit
As you are aware, numerous brands sell their high-quality repair kits. To choose which kit is ideal for your car windshield, compare kits from several brands. You can consider these factors regarding a kit for a dependable purchase:
- Price
- Date of expiration
- Curing process
- Size of chip
To guarantee appropriate adhesion, you should get a kit no older than six months. Another obvious factor is that it should include clear directions and easy-to-follow curing methods.
How To Fix A Chip in Your Windshield?
Are you looking forward to fixing chips in your car windshield? The first thing you need to do is gather all essential materials for better results. Here is the list of things you should gather to repair a chip in your windshield.
- Rag
- Pin
- Resin
- Pedestal
- Syringe
- Safety Razor
- Paper Towel
- Sticky Tab
- Scissor
- Rubbing Alcohol
6 Steps To Fix Minor Chips in Your Windshield
If your windshield chip is minor, you can use the repair kit to fix it. To fix small chips in your windshield, follow this thorough guide.
1. Clean the Affected Surface
First, clean the glass surrounding the damaged area. Dirt or debris in the chips may decrease the patch’s adherence, so this step is crucial. You might use a gentle towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the area.
2. Use the Patch and Pedestal
Once the impacted region has been cleaned, remove the paper backing to reveal the adhesive on both sides. After cleaning the chip, put the patch on it and let the outside dry. You should also cut the patch to fit the chip’s dimensions. The pedestal can then be applied by removing the paper backing.
3. Inject the Included Epoxy Resin
While some repair kits come with pre-mixed resin, resins frequently require mixing. You can inject resin into the pedestal with a syringe. After the syringe is compressed, draw the pedestal back while holding it in place.
4. Allow Air Bubbles to Eliminate
For the resin to be fully cured, air bubbles must be eliminated. To allow air bubbles to escape, let the resin sit for roughly ten minutes. The syringe should only be removed once all the air bubbles have been extracted. However, the affected area can determine how long it takes to remove air bubbles.
5. Use the Curing Strip
Once the syringe and pedestal have been removed, the curing strip can be applied as the last layer. Curing strips used to repair chips are typically included in repair kits. Allowing the strip to cure before removing it with a blade will yield better results. Take time and carefully scrape off the strip to ensure a clean finish.
6. Take Out Any Extra Epoxy
You can use a razor blade to cut away extra epoxy. Keep your hands off the windscreen to prevent leaving any fingerprints or other damage when you trim off the leftover glue.
Conclusion
To summarize the discussion, chips in your vehicle’s windshield can put your safety at risk and affect your visibility. You should assess the damage and get the best glass repair kit. After that, you can gather the required materials and follow our guide on how to fix a chip in your windshield.
Our comprehensive steps include cleaning the affected area, using the patch and pedestal, injecting the epoxy resin, eliminating air bubbles, using the curing strips, and removing extra epoxy. If you feel unconfident while applying these steps, you should better seek professional assistance from an auto glass repair company.
FAQs
How serious is a windshield chip?
Minor chips may not seem like a big issue, but you cannot ignore them. These chips can spread and worsen the damage over time, so you should repair your auto glass as soon as possible. However, in case of deeper or longer chips, you should replace the whole windshield better.
Can I fix a windshield chip myself?
As a matter of fact, you can fix a windshield chip yourself. To do this, you can get a typical chip repair kit because it comes with everything you need to patch the damage. The repair kit typically includes a scraping tool, suction plungers, curing strips, resin, and UV-activated epoxy.
Does windshield chip repair really work?
Yes, windshield chip repair works if the chips are small enough to cover. You can repair chips caused by debris or rocks striking the windshield. These chips should be smaller than a quarter and have not penetrated the windshield’s inner layer.
