How To Repair A Cracked Windshield

A cracked windshield is one of the most annoying things a car owner has to deal with. Although the windshield is still intact, the crack will impair the driver’s vision. Driving with a cracked windshield is a safety hazard. How to repair a cracked windshield?

To repair a cracked windshield, you need to find out whether the windshield is fixable. If the crack is not big enough, you can fix the windshield with a windshield repair kit.

Obviously, you can’t repair a windshield that’s barely holding on together. Or, a big hole from a rock. We are talking about fixing a small crack here.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix a cracked windshield. We will go through everything you need to know and do. Here’s hope that your windshield is fixable.

Repairing A Cracked Windshield

No matter how small the crack is, you shouldn’t drive without repairing the windshield or replacing it. The force hitting the glass while you are driving will make the crack bigger and worse.

So, a cracked windshield should be fixed as soon as possible. At least, avoid driving at high speeds with a cracked windshield.

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Is It Fixable

The first thing you need to do is find out whether the cracked windshield is fixable at all. This is easy enough to do, it’s quite intuitive.

It’s obvious that a hole in the windshield can’t be fixed. I guess you wouldn’t try to fix your windshield if it’s obvious that it can’t be fixed. So, there’s no need to expand on this.

An important thing to know, a crack in the edges of the windshield shouldn’t be fixed. Even if it’s really small, a windshield with cracked edges should be replaced. 

Most windshields have dark edges. So that’s how you can know whether the crack is located in one of the edges.

Another thing to know is how windshield glass is made. Windshield glass basically consists of two windows glued together with a sheet. The sheet is in the middle of the two windows.

The windshield can be fixed if only one layer of the glass is cracked. There can be a hole in the windshield but only on the outer glass.

If the crack penetrates the windshield so much that the second layer is broken, you can’t fix the windshield.

A good general rule is that if the crack is smaller than a quarter coin then you can fix it. 

If the crack is bigger than a quarter, visit a professional to fix it or replace the entire windshield.

How To Fix A Crack In A Car Windshield

Now that you know whether the windshield can be fixed, you can move on to fixing it. Follow this step-by-step guide to fix your windshield. Or, watch the YouTube video below if you prefer a visual explanation.

1. Get a windshield repair kit.
   You can find these kits in any local hardware store. Or you can order them online.
2. Get your car in the shade and warm up the windshield.
   The car should not be in direct sunlight, otherwise, the glass resin will not be effective. Also, make sure to warm up the windshield if it’s cold outside.
3. Remove the broken glass from inside the crack. 
   Using the safety pin that comes with the repair kit, carefully remove the broken glass inside the hole of the crack. If you have trouble seeing the crack, place cardboard over the crack from inside the car.
4. Wipe over the crack with the alcohol wipes.
   You will be adding adhesive later, a clean surface will make sure the adhesive sticks well. Just wipe in a circular motion with adhesive sticks.
5. Place the disk over the crack with the hole centered around the crack, and the tip pointing up. 
   Take off the adhesive tape from the disk and stick the disk over the crack. Make sure the hole is centered around the crack, and the tip is up. In the end, remove the other adhesive tape from the disk.
6. Stick the pedestal to the disk, make sure the tube is in the middle.
   Be careful here. Stick the pedestal right over the disk. The disk and the pedestal should be aligned perfectly.
7. Add the glass resin to the tap of the pedestal.
   Fill the tap to the top. The resin can spill, so place masking tape below the crack so it can catch the resin.
8. Place the syringe inside the tap. 
   Before doing that, make sure the plunger is pushed all the way in. Then, just stick the syringe inside the pedestal.
9. Grab the syringe with one hand, hold it down, and pull the plunger up. 
   Pull the plunger all the way up, and lock it with the pin attached to the syringe. The pin will lock the plunger in place.
10. Let the syringe sit for a while.
    The syringe will create a vacuum and will suck air from the crack. You can check when the air is all gone from inside the car.

Curing The Crack

1. Take out the syringe and then place it in without pushing the plunger.
2. Push the plunger to push the resin into the crack. 
   You will feel the pressure while you are pushing. Once you see that there is too much pressure, lock in the plunger with the pin again.
3. Let the syringe sit for approximately 20 minutes. 
4. Slowly remove the syringe.
5. Remove the disk by sliding the razor underneath it. 
   Slide the razor from up to down to avoid scratches.
6. Pour one drop of resin remover over the crack.
7. Place the curing strip over the crack.
8. Leave the strip to sit for an hour.
9. Remove the strip using the razor. 
10. Scrape the resin leftovers with a razor.
11. Wipe the crack with alcoholic wipes. 

Once you are done with all of these steps the cracks should be fixed. There may be a smudge left but it will be barely noticeable.

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Should I Replace My Cracked Windshield

Now that we are over with the guide, you may be thinking: Should I just replace the windshield?

Well, it depends on the situation. If the crack can be fixed, you don’t have to spend money on a new windshield. Fixing the crack will also stop it from spreading.

If there are several cracks on your windshield, it may be worth replacing the windshield. Fixing all of the cracks will be too much effort.

You should replace your cracked windshield if the crack is big and not fixable. Also, replace the crack if it started spreading.

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