※ Download: Stop a windshield crack from growing
The resin gets forced in the crack and seals it from outside debris and elements. Although, there are other factors that can increase the risk of spreading, such as rain and wind of severe weather, and the weight of snow. Complex cracks and defects longer than 6 inches can severely limit your visibility and reduce the strength of your windshield.
To determine which method is best, measure the depth and size of the flaw. Park your car under a shade. The smaller the crack the easier it will be for the repairman to fix it.
- Particles of rock and sand create small pits or craters over the life of a windshield, gradually reducing visibility.
In addition to detracting from the appearance of your vehicle, a cracked windshield make can also reduce your visibility. While many people think that a small crack is a minor issue and ignore it for days or even weeks, the imperfection can spread quickly and make your car unsafe to drive. Regardless of its type and size, the crack will eventually spread as the glass expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and pressure. A stone kicked up by the vehicle traveling in front of you can easily create a star-shaped crack at the point of impact. While this crack may initially be small, it can impair your visibility as it spreads. Fortunately, there are several inexpensive and straightforward ways to stop a windshield crack from spreading. Traffic officials and safety experts recommend immediate corrective actions. Along with providing protection from the elements and road debris as you drive, the windshield plays a crucial safety role during an accident. As part of the forward crumple zone, the windshield directs the force of a front-end collision down into the chassis. This design minimizes the effects of the impact on the interior and protects passengers traveling in the vehicle. A faulty windshield will not provide the ideal protection in the event of a collision. To ensure proper visibility and overall safety, many state inspection facilities will not pass a vehicle with windshield cracks over a certain size or in specific areas. You can save the cost of replacement, prevent the minor imperfection from getting worse and keep your car on the road if you take the appropriate actions. Evaluate the Extent of the Crack Inspect your windshield to assess the condition of the crack. Determine whether you have the ability to fix the crack or must take your vehicle to a shop for repairs or replacement if the glass is beyond repair. Measure the size and depth of the imperfection. If the crack is approximately a foot long, half an inch wide or has been there for an extended period, you should replace the windshield. Stopping a Windshield Crack from Spreading The first step is to prevent stressors like dirt, water and other debris from entering the crack. Although it will not withstand the pressure of a car wash or severe weather, a piece of clear tape can help keep the crack clean under normal driving conditions. Here are a few more techniques to keep the crack from spreading. While professionals offer windshield chip and crack repair services, a do-it-yourselfer can accomplish the task with the right materials and a little patience. Purchase a Windshield Repair Kit To fix the crack yourself, purchase a windshield repair kit from a local automotive parts supply store. The kit contains an adapter and a specialized resin that will be forced into the crack. The resin will seal the crack from the outside elements, reduce stress on the glass and prevent further spreading. Force the repair kit resin into the seam. Use Super Glue to Hold the Glass Together Instead of purchasing a repair kit, you can also use standard cyanoacrylate glue, which is commonly marketed as Super Glue, if the crack is small enough. Gently force the glue into the crack or scratch and spread it out evenly. The glue will hold the two sides of the crack together preventing it from getting larger. Use Nail Polish as a Temporary Solution Some people have even reported success using clear acrylic nail polish. Clean the dirt and dust out of the crack. Apply liberal amounts of nail polish on the inside and outside of the crack as well as over the areas where the crack will spread. This will help hold the glass together while you schedule a visit to a repair shop. Remember that using nail polish and Super Glue are only temporary fixes. You should still have your windshield inspected by an expert. Park Your Car in the Shade In addition to heat, the weight of snow and the force of wind and rain will cause the crack to get bigger. Parking your vehicle in the shade will help reduce the effects of temperature changes and the elements. Park your vehicle inside whenever possible to reduce stress on the glass. Get Advice from a Windshield Expert Speak to someone who has expertise in windshield repair. This individual will have the knowledge and experience as well as the tools and materials to temporarily repair the crack. They may be able to contain the size of the crack and make the imperfection appear smaller than it is. Hire a Professional If your damage assessment determined that temporary do-it-yourself fixes would not stop the crack from spreading, you should find a professional windshield repair shop, such as Safelite. The sooner you deal with windshield cracks, the better. Complex cracks and defects longer than 6 inches can severely limit your visibility and reduce the strength of your windshield. Do not wait until the crack gets bigger. The smaller the crack, the easier it will be to fix. Let other readers know by leaving a comment below! Here is a thought, as long as the crack in your windshield has not started starring significantly it can be repaired. You may think that they are just there to keep rain, snow and insects from pelting you as you drive but windshields are not. Windshields play a significant role in stabilizing the torque stresses of the front end of the vehicle. They also play an important role in the overall structural integrity of the whole vehicle it seems funny that a thin piece of laminated material is responsible for major structural integrity, but it is. With this said, though, a minor windshield star can quickly a major problem unless it is handled correctly. By handling correctly, I mean letting a professional take car of it. Nail polish, for instance, will not get down into the layers of the windshield and will not adhere to the many layers of material involved so you would have a repair in name only as it might seal the top there would be no repairs below. The same is true of super glue or Gorilla glue. You may be able to get a seal but it would only be, again, a surface closure. To affect a real solution, you need to obtain the service of a professional. He will assess the situation and give you not only an estimate but tell you what needs to be done. If it is a small half-moon or raindrop, then what will be done is fairly straightforward. The windshield pro will take an instrument that looks like a scribe. He will center the scribe above the damage and then insert a needle-like device, using the scribe as a guide, and open the damage a bit so it is clean and somewhat rounded. Then, he will take a needle-like device, inserting it into the hole he scribed, and he will fill it with a quick-setting resin and you will be good to go. If, on the other hand, the damage is much more extreme — a large crack or huge star — then you will have to replace the windshield. If not, submit the slip through your agent and you will be reimbursed. I hope this information helps. Let me know what happens. I believe it went into spread mode as soon as. Unfortunately again, my work keeps me in the street. I got one price, at 2 almost 3.
Use nail polish as a first aid remedy. Who knew you could temporarily fix a windshield with such. For more information on windshield cracks and glass repair, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your. This happens due to the glass expanding and contracting due to temperature change and pressure. I'm in Calgary where the city uses gravel for traction instead of salt and sand mixtures. About the Author This article was written by a professional writer, copy edited and fact checked through a multi-point auditing system, in efforts to ensure our readers only receive the best information. Accidental hitting of your windshield is another probable cause. Hiring a Professional After assessing the crack, if it was determined a DIY repair kit would not be enough to repair the crack and keep it from spreading, you need to locate a professional windshield repair shop.
