If you’re searching for “how to stop a windshield crack from spreading” or “how to fix a long cracked windshield”, this post will help!
Getting a crack in your windshield can sour just about any day. It ruins the look of your vehicle, blocks your view for driving, and can quickly spread. This post will show you how to stop a windshield crack from spreading, and what to do next.
There are easy ways to stop the crack from spreading and getting worse. When a small rock from the vehicle in front of you is thrown up, it can create a star break at the impact location. Initially, this crack may be small, but as it spread it can reduce your visibility. Luckily, there are many straightforward and affordable methods to stop a windshield crack from spreading.
To stop a crack from getting worse, the first step to take is preventing stressors, such as water, dirt, or other debris to enter the crack. By using clear tape, you can help keep the crack lean in normal driving conditions, but it won’t hold up under severe weather or a car wash.
Although professionals can provide windshield chip and crack repair services, there are many situations that can be handled easily with a DIY approach, all you need is the correct materials and some patience. Below are some other methods for keeping cracks from spreading.
1. Buy a Windshield Repair Kit
To repair a crack yourself, first go to your local auto part store and get a windshield repair kit. While there are different kits, they usually contain a specialized resin and an adaptor. The resin gets forced in the crack and seals it from outside debris and elements. This reduces stressors on the glass while preventing additional spreading. Bore a small hole through the top layer of glass at one end of the crack, using a 1/16-inch drill bit. Then, force the resin from the repair kit into the seam.
2. Hold Glass in Place with Super Glue
If the imperfection is tiny, you can use standard cyanoacrylate glue, more commonly known as Super Glue. You can apply it by forcing it into the crack, or by scratching spreading in an even layer. Once dried, it will help keep both sides of the crack together, and reduces additional spreading.
3. Nail Polish for a Temporary Fix
There have been some who reported being successful with clear acrylic nail polish as a temporary fix. First, clean the debris from the crack, and liberally apply nail polish to both the inside and outside of the crack, and the outer areas where cracks could spread. This can help hold glass together for a short period, giving time to schedule with a repair shop. Don’t forget, both the Super Glue and nail polish techniques are short-term, temporary corrections to give you time to get a professional inspection.
4. Park in the Shade
The summer heat can quickly increase the temperature within your car, which increases the pressure on your windshield. 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. By parking in the shade, you will lower the impact of temperature change, and other factors. When possible, parking inside a garage will help by lowering the stress on the cracked windshield.
5. Get Expert Advice
It is important that you speak with a windshield repair expert, as they have the required knowledge, experience, tools, and materials to assist with temporarily repairing your cracked windshield. They may have the ability to preserve the cracks size, to make it look smaller than it really is as well.
6. 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 should give us a call and T&S Autoglass! Our professionals are on hand to help you repair or replace your windshield to get you safely back on the road!
- It is best if you take action sooner, rather than later when it comes to a cracked windshield. A complex crack or imperfection over 6-inches can impact visibility, and lower the windshields overall strength. You should not wait until the crack is larger.
- In addition, the smaller the crack is, the easier and cheaper it will be to correct. By waiting too long to have it repaired, the issue could get worse. If a crack gets to a point where it is not able to be repaired, it will require replacing the whole windshield.
Dangers of Windshield Cracks
It is common for drivers to consider a cracked windshield as a simple annoyance, and the problem does not get the deserved attention it needs. It is recommended by both safety experts and traffic officials to take corrective action right away.
- In addition to giving protection against road debris and other elements as you drive, the windshield has a major safety role in accidents. Its role is to direct impact force during front-end collisions down to the chassis, this is referred to as the forward crumple zone. It is designed to minimize the effect an impact has on the vehicles interior, providing protection for passengers.
- In the case of a collision, a chipped or cracked windshield is not able to provide the full protection as designed. Because of this, there are many state inspection facilities which do not pass vehicles that have a windshield with a crack over a specific area or size. This helps ensure the correct visibility and safety. Although, a small crack does not require the windshield to be replaced.
- By taking action quickly, you can save money, prevent damages from getting worse, and remain on the road safely.
Can You Stop A Windshield Crack From Spreading?
Whether your cracked windshield can be repaired depends on the severity, size, and location of the crack. Cracks up to about three inches in length can be repaired most times, as long as it’s not in the driver’s line of sight. When windshield cracks are repaired there is some slight distortion in the glass that may interfere with visibility. Chips that are about the size of a quarter or smaller are also possible to repair without needing windshield replacement. If your windshield crack is longer than 3 inches you will likely need to have a new windshield installed. In Arizona the law forces car insurance companies to provide free windshield replacement. Because of this we encourage our customers to get a new windshield any time there’s a crack.
Evaluating the Crack
Small damages may be called a stress crack, chip, bulls-eye or star break, which depends on the shape and size of the imperfection. No matter what shape or size, eventually cracks will spread outward. This happens due to the glass expanding and contracting due to temperature change and pressure.
First, you want to inspect the windshield to evaluate the crack and determine its condition. If it is a tiny crack, you may be able to repair it with a kit. If it is too large to be fixed by a kit, you should take it to a shop for repairs or replacement in situations it is beyond repair.
To determine which method is best, measure the depth and size of the flaw. Cracks that are approximately a foot long, half an inch or more wide, or the crack has been there for a while, the windshield should be replaced.
Windshield Repair & Replacement In Phoenix & Chandler
If you have a crack in your windshield T&S Auto Glass can help you fix it for little to no cost to you. Arizona drivers that have full coverage car insurance many times are able to get free windshield replacement. It’s easy to schedule a time to come to our shop for repair or we offer mobile windshield repair in Chandler or anywhere in the Phoenix Valley. When you have a chip or crack in your windshield trust the pros at T&S Auto Glass.
