How to Fix a Crack in Auto Glass

There's nothing like a brand new car, the open road and a sunny day. And there's nothing that can ruin that day faster than a semi-truck speeding by and flinging a rock into your previously pristine windshield. Fortunately there's no need to panic. Today the technology exists to repair many of those chips and cracks without resorting to replacing the windshield. Save hundreds of dollars by learning how to fix a crack in auto glass yourself.

Instructions

Repair Auto Glass Yourself

1

Examine the chip with a magnifying glass. Long cracks will require that you replace the windshield but most others can be repaired with a simple auto glass repair kit. Even if they aren't obstructing your view, all chips and small cracks should be repaired immediately. They may eventually turn into a longer crack and they will definitely become magnets for impossible-to-remove dirt.

2

Purchase an auto glass or windshield repair kit. You can find a simple adhesive injection kit at most large department stores or your local auto supply shop for around ten dollars. There are more complicated kits but they aren't any more effective than the easier-to-use ones. Keep it simple.

3

Start with a dry, clean windshield. It is absolutely essential that your windshield is completely dry and somewhere near or about room temperature. If it's cold or raining outside, you'll have to get the car into a garage.

4

Peel the backing film from a precut adhesive strip and apply it to the clean glass, centered over the chip. Burnish it with a blunt object and remove the remaining film. Making sure the plastic adapter that came with the kit is vertical, stick it to the film. Burnish one more time.

5

Remove the cap from the syringe of adhesive, making sure none drips onto the car's paint job. Connect the syringe to the adapter and, while holding the syringe body with one hand to keep it steady, pull the handle of the syringe back until it stops. This vacuum removes air and allows adhesive to seep down into the crack. Hold for one minute.

6

Release the handle. Don't apply pressure to the syringe handle, just let it go. This will force adhesive into the crack. Repeat as many times as necessary until the crack is completely full of adhesive. Remove the syringe, adapter, and adhesive sheet from the glass and remove the excess adhesive around the crack with an alcohol dampened towel, leaving a bubble of adhesive in the crack itself.

7

Let dry. Allow the adhesive to dry for several hours. When it has hardened remove the excess adhesive from the crack with a sharp razor blade. Congratulations, you have successfully repaired your windshield and saved yourself a lot of money and time in the process!