In this article we will look at how to repair a chip on your windshield.
A minor damage to your windshield can develop into a crack at any time. This usually happens when you least expect it. When glass cracks, restoring it to its original appearance will be more difficult, more expensive, and sometimes impossible. A chip on the windshield needs to be repaired in a timely manner. Before repairing the damage, it is advisable to immediately cover it with adhesive tape. This will prevent dirt and moisture from getting inside the chip.
Types of chips on the windshield
Chips and cracks are two of the most common damage to windshields. Some injuries are more complex and have a configuration of several types of damage.
There are ROLAGS standards (Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard), which determine the shape (which gives the names described below) and repairability, depending on the size of the damage.
Damage in the form of a “star”. It has a central damage, from which several cracks extend. Usually has an X-shaped appearance. Such damage must be repaired if it does not exceed 6–7 cm in diameter. Mother-in-laws extending from the center of the damage require drilling to stop their spread. Bull's Eye damage has a primary chip surrounded by secondary damage that has no cracks. Such damage is considered repairable if its size does not exceed 2.5 cm. Crescent damage is defined as a partial, incomplete Bull's Eye. In English it is called Half moon (half moon, crescent). Subject to repair if it does not exceed 2.5 centimeters. Combined damage is defined as damage with multiple characteristics.
That is, it has the characteristics of “Star”, “Bull’s Eye” damage, as well as cracks of various sizes coming from the epicenter of the damage. Such combined damage is considered repairable if its diameter (excluding cracks) does not exceed 4–5 cm. The windshield consists of several layers. The layers are connected to each other by a polymer. If the middle layer of glass is damaged or the glass is damaged through and through, the glass cannot be repaired and requires replacement.
Damage that has indentations and a missing part of the glass is repairable if the diameter of the indentation does not exceed 3 mm.
Long cracks cannot be repaired (at least not cost-effectively). Therefore, it is important to have time to repair a chip before it develops into a crack.
Brief background
I was driving my Suzuki Jimny into the forest. I went out onto the track, accelerated, and then boom - the sound of an impact and as if something had cracked. I look more closely and see damage to the windshield on the passenger side glass. A small pothole or, as it is called, a chip, around which a web of cracks appeared in all directions. It should be noted that I have read many times that the Suzuki Jimny windshield is subject to frequent damage, since the angle of the glass is almost straight and all objects do not slip, but pierce the windshield. But until now I was lucky, and after driving for almost three years, I only caught small stones that broke and only slightly scratched the windshield. But this time the damage was more global.
Of course, the first thought is to look up the approximate cost of replacing the glass in case the crack starts to grow further. I looked at the prices and was disappointed. Replacing an entire windshield at this price just because of one damage is quite expensive and pointless.
I started looking for windshield repair options. The service quoted the cost of repairs as 2,000 rubles... A considerable sum for repairing a 1 cm glass chip. Especially considering that new Jimny glass can be bought for 2,500 rubles .
Of course, the decision was made to look for something about repairing the windshield with your own hands.
It turned out that the situation is not so catastrophic and repair methods already exist. There is even a special kit for windshield repair . There are decent videos about this issue and in some places on the drive its miraculous properties are mentioned. But I didn’t come across a detailed article, and that’s why I decided that my material might be useful to the reader.
How to repair chips and other damage to the windshield?
All types of windshield damage are repaired in the same way. The damaged area is cleaned and dried. Next, air is pumped out from the damage and polymer is injected under pressure. The polymer that is injected into the lesion cavity is transparent and has the same refractive index as glass. Thus, after properly carried out repairs, the damage becomes virtually invisible from any angle.
The repaired area is then illuminated with ultraviolet light for 5 minutes to activate the polymer. The next step is to cut off the remaining polymer from the surface of the glass and polish the repaired segment.
The glass must be clean and dry before repair. Do not use detergents or glass cleaners before repairing the windshield. It is better to use the cleaner and degreaser that come with the repair kit. If the glass is wet, you can use a hair dryer to dry it. During repairs, the temperature should be approximately room temperature.
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What equipment is used to repair windshield damage?
There are different types of repair kits. Most inexpensive repair kits are simplified versions of professional chip repair equipment. The repair procedure using different kits may vary, but the main principle is the same.
Professional kits are intended for use in specialized workshops. Their cost ranges from 500 US dollars and above. They are sold in convenient cases that contain all the necessary tools and consumables for repairing damaged windshields. These kits include:
- injector holder (bridge)
- mirror for installation on the back of the glass. It helps control the installation of repair tools and the repair process.
- battery-powered portable drill. It is used to drill the ends of cracks to stop their spread.
- Ultraviolet lamp. Used to quickly activate the polymer after injection.
- A set of polymers for injection into the damage cavity.
- Degreaser wipes, adhesive tapes, glass polishes, etc.
Professional kits allow you to repair any repairable damage, including some types of cracks.
Some professional kits may include several identical devices for repairing several chips at the same time.
As already written above, most inexpensive kits for repairing chipped windshields are simplified versions of professional kits. They are much cheaper and do not contain some of the tools and accessories that are found in professional kits. Next, we will look at repairing a chip on the windshield using an inexpensive repair kit from 3M.
Types of damage to car glass
The windshield can confidently be called the most vulnerable point of a car. Various defects appear on its surface during operation. They can be divided into the following:
- Scratch. This defect occurs upon contact with a sharp object whose hardness exceeds the strength of glass. The depth of the scratch does not allow a crack to form. Shallow scratches occur due to sand particles that fall on the car.
- Round bull's eye chip. This is the most common defect; the chip has the shape of a circle without the formation of cracks.
- Crack. This kind of defect is the most dangerous. In addition to deteriorating visibility, the crack tends to grow while driving.
- Combined defects. They are complex in their structure.
The chip appears when struck by a small stone. Usually it flies out from under the wheels of the car that is moving ahead.
Solid particles and sand settle on the wiper rubber and cause scratches on the windshield
A crack in the windshield weakens the strength of the body. It needs to be eliminated as quickly as possible
Next, we’ll look in more detail at how to remove some defects from your windshield with your own hands. Let's find out what consumables and special tools are needed.
Remember that defects on the windshield not only detract from the appearance of your vehicle, but can also cause an accident. Don't put off windshield repair!
Closing the crack
Every driver needs to know that any crack in the windshield weakens the rigidity of the body. If such a car gets into an accident, the consequences will be much worse than with a vehicle whose glass is intact.
What to prepare for DIY repairs
Cracks up to 10 centimeters can be repaired with your own hands. To eliminate the defect you need the following tool:
- small-sized drill with a thin diamond drill bit;
A small drill is a great helper when eliminating cracks on the windshield
Thin diamond drill bit is used for drilling glass
- photopolymer glue;
- injector for photopolymer glue;
- flashlight;
- UV lamp.
Work order
- Rinse the crack thoroughly and dry thoroughly. Do not use detergents, they will impair the adhesion of the adhesive.
- Determine the size of the crack.
- Relieve tension at the defect site. To do this, it is necessary to make through holes at the edges of the crack. This stops the spread process.
Holes at the edge of the defect help relieve stress and stop the crack
- Launch the photopolymer into the crack using an injector.
- Illuminate the defect area with ultraviolet light for 2-5 minutes.
- Polish the glass.
When there is no point in spending money on repairs
There are several more reasons why even the most handy and dedicated craftsman will not be able to repair glass:
- If the crack appeared from a strong impact, then with a high degree of probability the inner layer of the surface has peeled off. Even if the chip is clean and polymer is carefully poured into it, this will not prevent cloudiness from appearing in this area. Gradually the layer will peel off even more and after a while the road will be visible as if in a fog. If the technician is qualified, he will conduct diagnostics and refuse such repairs himself, as he will understand the hopelessness of the situation.
- If the damage is minor, then the polymer poured into the crack will still be noticeable, even if you don’t look closely. Therefore, those who are irritated by any stains or dirt on the windshield will find it very difficult to come to terms with such a defect.
- Not every chip or crack can be repaired. There are several situations when it is better to immediately go not to a car service center, but to the car market for new glass. For example, damage that affects the inner and outer layers of glass cannot be repaired. There is no point in spending money on repairing chips whose diameter is 5 cm or more. Repairs will be of questionable quality if the damage has 30 or more rays. Cracks that are too long (more than 70 cm) are also a sign of an imminent trip to the car market. The chances of winning are also low if the damage is too close to the edge of the glass (1 cm or less).
In all these situations, the master himself must refuse the repair and explain the futility of this event. But who wouldn't want to get some extra money? Therefore, you need to independently try to assess the damage and make an informed and correct decision.
Relevance and features
It should be borne in mind that in many cases it is possible to repair minor damage to the windshield only with your own hands. This is explained by the fact that workshops and car services usually do not undertake the repair of single defects of this kind. Instead, they suggest replacing the windshield. Naturally, repairing chips with your own hands is much cheaper.
We recommend: Wheel rim repair
Chips are small depressions formed on the glass surface as a result of small stones or gravel. That is, they consist of a broken fragment and a depression remaining in its place.
Despite the fact that defects of this type have little effect on visibility, their elimination should be done immediately. This is because they weaken the glass, thus causing cracks to form. They usually appear in several directions around the chip. Cracks are most likely to form in cold conditions. It is much easier to eliminate a chip than to repair cracks.
