The decision between repair or replacement for a damaged windshield depends on various factors, including location, insurance, and type of glass. Safelite can guide you through the process, providing information on the time it takes to repair or replace your windshield, as well as how to schedule, cancel, or reschedule appointments.
Repairs typically take under an hour, while replacements can take up to three hours. Aftercare is less involved if you have a cracked windshield. Glass Doctor offers professional windshield repair and replacement services for all types of vehicles and insurance plans.
To replace your automobile windshield, remove the plastic molding holding the old windshield in place and use an extended handle razor knife to cut through the urethane and separate the cracks. It is important to check with your auto insurance company to ensure coverage before calling anyone to replace your car’s glass.
Windshield replacements usually take 60 minutes or less, but it is recommended not to drive the vehicle for at least one hour after service. Most windshield repairs can be done in 30 minutes or less by a trained and experienced auto glass professional. Mobile windshield repair services are generally chosen when the vehicle cannot be driven to a shop due to sustained damage.
While most windshield damage cannot be repaired, most can be repaired. The new windshield is most vulnerable within the first 48 hours after installation. Most companies have a standard drive-away time of 30 to 75 minutes, but some may take up to 24 hours to dry. Even small chips need to be repaired, as they can grow or take on water, fogging up the windshield and obstructing vision.
📹 How To Fix A Windshield Crack Using Permatex Windshield Repair Kit
This is a short and sweet video on how to repair a windshield crack using a Permatex Windshield Repair Kit. Hope it helps.
Should I repair my windshield myself?
Repair kits are temporary fixes for windshield chips or cracks, but they are not permanent fixes. They are an inexpensive “Band-Aid” that will eventually need replacement or repair. The initial cost is $10-15, but the long-term cost is higher. If your glass insurance covers the repair, you can schedule a windshield repair and have Auto Glass Express handle the insurance claim. All major insurance companies have approved us, and if you’re too busy to file the claim, all you need is your phone number.
Does do it yourself windshield repair work?
DIY windshield repair kits offer convenience and cost, but they have limitations in damage size, temporary fixes, and material quality. They are generally effective for small chips and cracks up to a certain size, and may not last as long as professional repairs, especially near the windshield’s edges. The resin quality may not match professional-grade materials, potentially affecting the clarity and durability of the repair.
Customer reviews and testimonials show mixed results, with some users celebrating their success and others expressing frustration over failed repairs or insufficient clarity restoration. The performance of these kits depends on the specific conditions of the crack or chip and the user’s skill level.
Can you fix a chip in your windshield by yourself?
Chips larger than a quarter and cracks over three inches long cannot be fixed with a DIY kit and should be replaced by a professional glass service like Glass Doctor. If the chip is smaller than a quarter, windshield chip repair can be done DIY. Purchase a windshield repair kit at a local auto parts store and check the expiration date of the epoxy resin. Clean the windshield area where the repair will take place, but avoid spraying glass cleaner directly onto the crack or chip. Instead, use rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth and remove any loose shards of glass using a pin or thumbtack.
How long after windshield replacement can it get wet?
After windshield replacement, it is crucial to wait for the adhesive to cure before driving. Glass Doctor® uses an Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) approved adhesive that cures in just one hour. Car wash warnings are advised, with rain, moisture, and hand-washing acceptable. Air pressure caution is advised, with windows rolled down for the first 24 hours to prevent adhesive leakage. Retention tape should be left on for 24 hours after replacement.
If the windshield is chipped or cracked within 12 months of replacement, Glass Doctor will repair it for free or replace it if the glass is beyond repair. To schedule windshield repair or replacement, contact the auto glass professional at Glass Doctor.
Is it OK to drive with a cracked windshield?
It is not uncommon for windshields to develop chips and cracks over time. These issues can be challenging to address and may pose a significant safety risk if left unresolved. Driving with a cracked windshield is not recommended. The concise response is in the negative.
Is it OK if it rains after windshield replacement?
Rain doesn’t significantly affect freshly installed windshields, as modern adhesives are designed to cure quickly within a few hours. Even if the windshield is exposed to rain, the adhesive will have set by then. Professionals use UV light to dry up the adhesive quicker. If the windshield gets exposed to rain, gently dry it with a soft towel, let it air dry, or use a low-intensity fan to speed up the drying process.
Can I repair a cracked windscreen myself?
Windscreen damage can occur due to chips, cracks, and scratches. While repairs aren’t possible, car maintenance can prevent or address these issues. This guide provides information on windscreen damage and the law, allowing you to prevent or repair your car’s windscreen before it becomes a costly issue. If you’re experiencing a car fault, warning, or mechanical problem, consult a local mechanic with the RAC.
Is it okay if it rains after windshield replacement?
Rain doesn’t significantly affect freshly installed windshields, as modern adhesives are designed to cure quickly within a few hours. Even if the windshield is exposed to rain, the adhesive will have set by then. Professionals use UV light to dry up the adhesive quicker. If the windshield gets exposed to rain, gently dry it with a soft towel, let it air dry, or use a low-intensity fan to speed up the drying process.
Do windshields leak after replacement?
If you suspect a windshield leak, it’s likely due to installation errors. If you’ve had your windshield for years and suddenly notice water inside your vehicle, it’s likely due to a deteriorating seal or glue holding the glass in place. Small leaks can go unnoticed for months or years after a windshield replacement, making it difficult to determine the cause. If you suspect a leak, it’s best to visit a reputable auto glass repair company for a thorough diagnosis.
DIY auto glass repair is not recommended as it can worsen the problem and continue the leak. Water accumulation can cause serious issues inside your vehicle, so allowing the leak to continue could put your safety and your vehicle at risk. Only certified auto glass replacement technicians should perform windshield repairs or replacements.
How big of a windshield crack can you fix yourself?
An epoxy repair kit is capable of patching small chips and cracks measuring less than three inches in length. However, larger defects may necessitate the use of a professional product or a complete windshield replacement. It is of the utmost importance to ascertain that the kit encompasses the dimensions of the crack or chip prior to commencing the repair process.
Do and don’ts after windshield replacement?
After installing a new windshield, it is crucial to maintain its condition and longevity. To do this, wait to drive the vehicle, leave a cracked window open, keep the area inside and out of the car clear, avoid removing the retention tape, avoid car washes and power washers, and go easy on the new windshield. These steps will help ensure the windshield lasts as long as possible and maintain the value of your investment. Remember to follow these easy tips to ensure the longevity of your new windshield.
📹 how to repair a cracked windshield
Thank you! Just gotten a chip in my window day..thought I would ‘first’ watch how to apply the product before. I go out and buy it..your article- ah simple and easy instructions and you showed how easy etc it is to do etc. (Laughed at your ending lol) Saved this article to do it along when I do mine tomorrow ☺️ (raining today) Thank you again for doing this article!!
Thanks! FWIW I had a crack in my original windshield and it spidered in like 2 days (fall….warm days, cool nights) had to pay a total of over $800 for a generic windshield manufacturer ($200 cheaper than OEM manufacturer) AND a sensor recalibration! Just got a small nick and rice length crack on a 800 mi road trip. No messing around I’m fixing it here before risking 800 mi if vibration and cracks back. I can still see the minute crack but it was so small I’m not sure that the sealer did much inside. Hopefully it works! It’d save me $800 I don’t really have to throw away now. $800 could have got me a nice plane flight here and back without the vehicle lol.
Just FYI, you are too young to really know this but razors for shaving had a double sided blade. I’m sure they are still around but not as prevalent or of safe. Hence “safety razor” but should be named “Just a little bit safer razor”and not for children. However, come to think of it last time I cut my finger real bad I was 7 using a regular one to cut balsa wood 50 years ago.
Thank you for this article!! I’m anxiously waiting to see if it works. Currently on the wait 10 minutes step. 😬 I’m in a Walmart parking lot so I super appreciate having this to reference so it looks like I know what I’m doing 😂 Edit: well it’s definitely still noticeable, but hopefully doing this will help it from spreading. Thanks again. I can at least rest a little better knowing I did what I could.
Thanks for this article. If I was left to the instructions from Permatex I would have been in trouble. The car recently got hit by a pebble kicked up by a truck which left a 1/4 inch divot in the glass. It wasn’t so bad that I needed a new windshield but living in NH I know that in the winter this divot would eventually get worse. So I tried Permatex. Things to note about the process: With my Permatex kit the syringe metal stops broke immediately, and I had to fiddle with it to make it “sorta” work. No kidding about having a rag available. During my process today I had the 20 minute wait and left the vehicle for 10 minutes or so and came back to see a 9 inch resin river on my windshield. Fortunately it cleaned up easily but I’d recommend not to leave the vehicle during any of the steps. In the end the repair was pretty good. I’d say it looks about 90% better. The Permatex instructions are less than adequate, and the syringe stop metal broke. On a one to 10 basis, I give the product a 5 as far as ease of use and a 9 for results. Your article is a 10.
Just tried it today. I was driving home on the highway. Unfortunately a work truck threw a rock back at my windshield, we were on the left lane of the truck. Needless to say it was instant. Decided to give it a shot and its %90 better now. Hopefully it will hold up. However if it doesn’t I will bite the bullet and get a factory windshield installed. On my previous car I’ve tried their windshields but always had issues with them not being as durable. Probably because they are not the same quality. But I had to purchase 2 separate windshields during the life of that car. Hope this helps someone thinking about this product.
dang, i think i didnt put enough of the resin liquid in the pedestal (hard to tell how much goes in there). so it got a little better, but still can see 1 of the 3 radiating cracks (about an inch long each), that i had. has anyone tried to fix the same chip twice? if yes, did you try to remove the resin from the first try, or just did it on top of it? thanks!
The safty razor is the razor with the cardboard still on it. What you did was wrong. I took the cardboard off too. Now I’m putting it back on and will do it the way the picture shows. And if you look close it looks like they hold the cardboard part and use the back end of the razor to nudge it off. Later step uses the razor the right way.
Loved your article. Very concise and accurate. For those about to do this repair that haven’t bought the kit. Make a phone call to your insurance as you may be able to get safe lite to do it for free. My results were ok, not great. If I were doing it again I would put one drop directly on the chip after the mounting pad was installed and before the collar thing. Would also put plenty of pressure on the collar to make sure it and the pad were sealed well. I would also insert the resin tube in the collar instead of just dropping resin in. My chip was small and was hoping for the almost invisible repair, but it looks like the resin didn’t quite make it all the way up to the highest part of the chip. Good luck all!!!
Dam..did it step by step..as i tore everything off and put last clear plastic..sun is almost down..im gonna leave it for 30 min with the clear plastic before i peel and cut excess .the tiny crack looks almost gone tho..i got a tiny one on my other car..didnt spread at all for a year..then one cold morning cane out and spread side to side..hopefully this stops it on this car..20 for repair kit..hope it saves 350 on new windshield
Great article…… 👍 nicely explained The instructions were kinda like a puzzle while reading it lol Right now, it’s cold like in the 40’s …. nice day at this time of year tho. It’s been cloudy all week with little or no sunlight. I’m wondering if I just turn on the vent for the windshield to use it as sunlight instead…. will that work, you think? Thanks first
Thanks for the instructions. Mine partially worked. The crack is faintly visible. The resin also escaped from mine after about 15 minutes on the 2nd part of the syringe portion when you push air in.. Also, on the initial tape that you put down on the center of the bulls eye to attach the components, there is protected cover you need to remove on both sides.
I didn’t really need to try hard to see that chip. The thing that’s crap about these kits is that they dumb it down so much that they never say why or how they work. What’s the suction for? Why apply it twice? Why leave it in the sun? The reality is — people suck at following instructions — but they suck even more at bothering to understand how things work. So fair enough at trying to dumb things down. By the magic of YouTube — it seems the initial application is to provide a sort of primer for the final layer to adhere to. Other kits have a dedicated primer for this — but here they use the resin itself as a primer. Hm. The plunger etc. is simply to attempt to prevent bubbles. Obviously this doesn’t work very well. Again, through the magic of YouTube — it’s best to have the resin tube upside down — so the bubbles rise to the tail of the tube and not the tip. The instructions tell you to do everything indoors or under cover of light (which, you didn’t) — so that it can do its job at being a primer. The final coat is done under cover as well — until you’ve placed the film — at which point THAT is when you’re meant to bring it out in the sun — coz resin cures with UV light. Also a magical YouTube tip: the bead of resin should be put below the chip, with the strip applied from the bottom-up, ensuring a greater chance bubbles won’t be stuck in the chip — which would happen if you place it directly on the chip. But yeah — unless one has bothered to do their research (or read this incredibly long explanation) — perfection is out the window.
Well the first time I used this the result was extremely impressive. The only thing left was a very tiny piece of dirt that I failed to remove prior to installation. Now I got another stone chip and decided to do it again because it was starting to spider. Well my dyslexia came into play on my second chip repair and I was reading over parts of the instructions instead of reading word for word. That’s what dyslexia does to you when you read. Anyway I got to the point of putting the plunger into the pedestal thing and I pulled the plunger all the way up instead of only to the clip then removed it immediately instead of waiting then tried pushing the plunger all the way down instead of stopping and of course I blew the pedestal right off the windshield. 😬😥🫤 So I will go and purchase another repair kit and have someone read the steps to me this time because I highly recommend this repair kit. It works extremely well if done correctly.
I am guessing that is a fiberglass casting resin with acetate. … just a guess. Thank you for the price quote. It actually really helps they brought (the price point) down a little. Cracks are illegal here in Cali; so, $25 would be a major setback for a sole proprietor. But a crackt shield should get replaced is as the other point. Beautiful job with the directives. My multi-dialect english would never have read that correctly.
Omg … you are my life saver I have a rental and I don’t know if they change for a Little Rock that hit the windshield and I have no plans on paying for a new windshield the only reason I’m in a rental is because my car is in the shop and you really did save me more money if they wanted me to pay this is a game changer and thank you so much for showing me how this works much love from Texas
This stuff didn’t work for shit. I followed the instructions to a T and all it ended up doing was smearing adhesive all over my windshield when I removed the plastic applicator apparatus. Maybe other people of had luck, but I work on cars for a living in the stuff did not work at all for me. The crack I was trying to repair you could cover with a dime. Try this stuff at your own risk.
Thank you for the the measurements, person who commented, and naturally this is (other comments I’ve seen) I’m sure it’s common Sense this does not repair the cracks in the windshield,it obviously just covers them up temporarily, cuz I’m sure that sometimes somebody needs a temporary quick fix to save I’m getting a ticket. I’ve cracked my windshield right now and I don’t have any money to get a new one, so I’m glad that there are some remedies out there that will help,because I sure know I can’t afford a ticket either!!!
Let us all start by agreeing that what we are seeing is not a crack in a windshield but at max a deep scratch, seems more like dirt line going across the glass. Secondly I see no reason why any of these ingredients combined would work in any way to repair anything let alone a cracked windshield! It takes 2 hours in the end because that’s how long it took the salt and alcohol to eat away at the dirt on this guys windshield and nothing more!
You know it’s bs when it says “any bug spray”. I’ve killed bugs with anything that sprays from a bottle and close enough to grab while keeping an eye on my bogie. Everything from water to lysol to isopropyl alcohol, hair spray. Spit from my face one time and if I’m outside… lol WD 40, Chain lube, paint, fucking Everything is bug spray if it sprays and is nearby when war is waged. Careful where you use the paint technique. If you enjoyed this comment please like and subscribe it really helps with Al Gore’s rhythm. See you in the next random article we both watched. Take air!
What does ‘any bug spray’ even mean? Outside of the US, where even insects that are essential for the continuance of life are considered ‘bugs’, a nuisance and a pest, and almost any life form slightly different than the most well-known mammals are considered fair game for extermination, outside of the US’s realms insect repellent tires of poisons that come in some type of spray form, are hardly being used of known at all. Let alone that I as a foreigner and layman in the field of bug sprays would know what they all have in common and therefore what I could put could not choose that would count as a (any) ‘bug spray’. ALSO, I truly cannot fathom WHAT FOR! Is it just be cause they come in a solvent that quickly evaporates and so forth? Must be, bit then why not say ‘add a free drops, a spoonful, whatever, of this or that solvent’! Next, he says, ‘the rest is water’ but we see nothing else that gets added. And finally, there of course is the question WHY this would work and WHAT is it that in the end would MAKE it work!
Hope your not responsible for any deaths. Although there are a few different ways to make a windshield crack look better, remember that a windshield is engineered to support the roof in a rollover crash. Cracks in a windshield diminish strength and support for roof. Only crosslinking resins designed for structural support can accomplish this. There are a lot of people who believe cheesy fix-it tips. Rock chips and cracks are not the same. Chips do not require structural filler. Cracks need to be repaired properly or replace windshield.