Cracked Windshield Repair in 6 Steps

Finding out that your car's windshield is chipped or cracked can be the beginning of a headache. In some cases, your insurance coverage will cover the cost of repair, in the event they don’t we have some alternative options for you.

Should I Repair or Replace my car windshield?

Back in the day, a cracked windshield meant having to replace the entire glass with a new one. Fortunately, now you can make repairs without any replacements. Speak to a professional at the body shop to determine your best option.

When to repair a windshield

A repair is a cost-effective solution to keep the crack or chip from spreading while hiding the original damage. The industry standard is that if a windshield crack can be covered with a dollar bill, or measures less than 3 inches, it’s possible to simply repair the windshield without having to replace it entirely. Windshield repair prices vary a lot, especially if you decide to take your car to a shop. In fact, some workshops charge between $50 and $60 to repair chips or cracks.

Take your vehicle to the shop as soon as possible to keep the crack from spreading and having to replace the entire windshield.

When to replace a windshield

As the name implies, a glass replacement involves removing the damaged windshield and replacing it with a new one.

Windshield replacement is recommended if there are three or more cracks on the glass, or if the damage is located directly in front of the driver's line of sight or on the windshield's edge. Following these guidelines provides a complete and safe solution to ensure the structural integrity of the windshield.

A complete replacement is a much more expensive option. In fact, according to The National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA), the average crack repair is around $99, while the average replacement in the United States is around $350.

DIY Windshield Repair Steps

If you do the repairs yourself, the cheapest option is to buy a $10 or $15 windshield repair kit at an auto parts store, or through sites such as Amazon.

Below are the DIY steps on how to repair a cracked windshield at home without having to go to a professional. Remember, the fact that you decide to repair it yourself means that the repair quality of a shop visit isn’t guaranteed.

Note: The steps below are designed as a general overview of the process involved in a DIY Windshield Repair. Be sure to follow the instructions provided with the windshield repair kit that you are using.

Step # 1: Prepare the Affected Area

Park the vehicle in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Failing to do so may cause the liquid solution to dry prematurely. Then, use a razor blade and scrape it over the crack to remove unwanted glass particles and dirt. Any piece of dust or dirt in the crack can prevent the kit from achieving the best results.

Step # 2: Place the Mount

Your repair kit should come with a mount and suction cups which can be attached to the windshield. Mount the center of this piece directly on the crack and press it down, so that the suction cups are stuck firmly onto the glass.

Step # 3: Screw in Resin Tool

With the mount directly over the damaged area, screw the white repair tube into the center of the suction cup tool. Do this slowly, and make sure that only one of the white tubes (the widest one) is screwed into the center.

The correct alignment of the tools in the kit is essential for windshield crack repair, so we recommend checking the position of the threaded tube. You can check the tube alignment from inside the car. The circular rubber area on the edge of the tube should be hitting directly around the crack in your windshield.

Step # 4: Add 6 Drops of Resin

Resin is the liquid solution included with the kit. It ultimately hardens and replaces the broken pieces of glass. Uncover the resin, place the resin tip over the white tube you aligned in the last step, and squeeze gently until 6 drops of resin come out.

Step # 5: Put the Plunger in the Resin Tool

Immediately after adding the resin drops, insert the center plunger (the narrowest white tube inside the wide white tube) and press down. The plunger will force the resin into the affected area.

It's important to make sure that the air bubbles in the resin are kept to a minimum. That's why we recommend tightening the central plunger slowly, as well as gently tapping the glass around the crack. This way, some air escapes from the surface.

Step # 6: Place Plastic Strip

After a few minutes, if you’re satisfied with the results, unscrew the resin tool from the support piece and remove all the parts that were attached to the windshield.

Now, for the final touch, just add a drop of resin directly into the affected area and cover it with one of the plastic strips that come with the kit. Next, park the car in a place where it’s exposed under the sun, and wait 10 minutes until the resin dries.

After the 10 minutes have passed, just peel the plastic strip, and use your razor blade to scrape and remove the excess dry resin around the surface.

Will my insurance company cover a cracked windshield?

Auto glass repair is often included with your comprehensive coverage. Driving with a cracked windshield is prohibited in certain states, not to mention the crack can spread with time. If you have comprehensive or full auto insurance coverage, then the repair or replacement of your windshield should be covered. Contact your insurance agent to confirm coverage options.

When it comes to minor damage, windshield repair isn’t complicated, it's just a matter of learning the steps you should take beforehand. When it comes to minor damage, windshield repair isn’t complicated, it's just a matter of learning the steps you should take beforehand. Also, make sure you have a team of reliable people at your service when driving your vehicle. Call an Infinity agent at 1-800-INFINITY or get an online quote today.

Cracked Windshield Repair: 6 Steps to Fix Your Windshield If Insurance Doesn’t Cover it