Step by Step Guide to Fixing Chips in Your Car Window

When you least expect it. As you drive along the highway, the truck ahead of you kicks up a small pebble. A strong thwack hits your windshield. Once you investigate the damage, you detect a little but apparent chip in the glass. A minor imperfection can lead to a great deal of tension. It ruins your car’s appearance and could expand into a larger crack, jeopardizing your windshield’s structural integrity and requiring a pricey repair. A minor chip can become a huge crack, impairing your eyesight and making your car unsafe to drive. Fortunately, tiny chips don’t usually require a professional visit. 

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Evaluate the Damage

Certain chips are more suitable for do-it-yourself repairs than others, and not all chips are made equal.Examine the damage carefully before buying a repair kit.

When to DIY: Generally, you can repair a chip yourself if it meets the following criteria:

Dimensions: The chip’s diameter is less than a quarter.

Type: The damage is a simple “bullseye” (a small, circular chip), a “star” (short cracks radiating from a central point), or a small combination of both.

Location: The chip is not in the driver’s immediate field of vision. DIY repairs can sometimes leave a slight distortion, which could be distracting.

Depth: The chip has not penetrated any of the layers of windshield glass. 

When to Contact an Expert: If the chip is bigger than a quarter, you should have a professional do the repair.

The damage has formed a long crack (longer than a dollar bill).

In front of you is the chip. 

The windshield’s edge is damaged, which could undermine the construction as a whole.

You have multiple chips in close proximity.

If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult with a professional auto glass repair service. Your safety is the top priority.

What You will Need for the Repair

Most DIY windshield repair kits come with everything you need. While kits vary slightly between brands, they typically include:

A bridge or applicator: This device suctions to the windshield and holds the resin injector over the chip.

Resin injector: A device that resembles a syringe that is used to push resin into the chip.

Repair resin: A special adhesive that fills the chip and hardens to bond the glass.

Curing strips: Small, clear plastic sheets placed over the resin as it cures.

A razor blade: Used to scrape away any excess, hardened resin.

Along with the package, you should have a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol to clean the region surrounding the chip.

A small pin or tack: To remove any loose glass pieces from the impact point, use a tiny pin or tack. 

Safety glasses and gloves: To keep your hands and eyes protected.

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Step by Step Guide to Fixing a Windshield Chip

Once you have your materials ready, find a shaded, dry area to work. The resin may cure too quickly in direct sunlight before it has completely entered the chip.

Clean and Prepare the Area: Start by thoroughly cleaning the chipped area with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. By doing this, any dirt, grease, or debris that can impede the resin’s proper bonding is eliminated. Make sure the area is completely dry before proceeding. Then, use a pin or tack to gently pick out any loose shards of glass from the center of the chip. Be careful not to increase the chip’s size or apply too much pressure.

Set Up the Applicator: Follow the instructions included with your repair kit to set up the bridge or applicator. Center the suction cup ring directly over the chip, ensuring a tight seal against the glass. The tip of the applicator should be perfectly aligned with the impact point. When the resin chamber gently touches the glass, cease screwing it into the applicator.

Inject the Resin: Squeeze the recommended number of resin drops (usually 3-6) into the resin chamber. Next, screw the injector into the chamber. The pressure created by this procedure pushes the resin further into the chip’s nooks and crannies. You may need to tighten and loosen the injector a few times to help remove any air bubbles and ensure the resin fills the entire damaged area. Most kits recommend leaving the applicator in place for 5-10 minutes.

Cure the Resin: After the chip is completely filled with resin, remove the entire applicator assembly. Immediately place a curing strip over the wet resin. Gently smooth out the strip with your finger to remove any air bubbles. Put your car in direct sunshine if you were working in the shade. The UV rays from the sun will harden and cure the resin, a process that typically takes 15-60 minutes, depending on the kit and the amount of sunlight.

Scrape Off the Excess: After the resin has completely set, scrape off any extra firm resin and the curing strip with the razor blade that came with your kit. Holding the blade at a 45-degree angle to the glass, use even, smooth strokes. Continue scraping until the surface is completely smooth to the touch. Finally, give the area one last clean with glass cleaner.

Your Windshield Restored

Fixing a chip in your car’s windshield is a manageable task that can prevent further damage and save you from a costly replacement. By carefully following these steps and using a quality repair kit, you can restore your windshield’s strength and clarity. The repaired spot will be nearly invisible, leaving you with the peace of mind that comes from a job well done and a clear view of the road ahead.

Chip Repair Tips for a Clear and Safe Drive

A small stone flies up from the road and—smack—it hits your windshield. It may appear to be a small chip at first, but ignoring it can be an expensive error. That small imperfection can quickly spread into a large crack, compromising your visibility and the structural integrity of your car.

A windshield chip needs to be fixed right away for your safety. It is impossible to compromise on a clean, unhindered vision of the road, and a damaged windshield might pose a major risk. Fortunately, fixing a small chip is often a straightforward process that you can even do yourself with the right tools and techniques.

This article will cover all you need to know about windshield chip repair. We’ll cover how to assess the damage, the step-by-step process for a DIY repair, and when it’s time to call in the professionals. By the time it’s all over, you’ll be confident enough to take on that chip and make sure your drive stays free and safe. 

Evaluating the Damage 

You must determine the kind and amount of the damage before beginning any repairs. Not all chips are created equal, and some are easier to fix than others.

Common Types of Windshield Chips:

Bull’s-Eye: This is a circular chip, often with a dark circle where the impact occurred. It looks like its name suggests and is generally one of the easier types to repair.

Star Break: This kind of damage is characterized by tiny fissures that resemble stars and radiate out from a central impact point. These can be tricky to repair if the cracks are long.

Combination Break: As the name implies, this is a hybrid of a bull’s-eye and a star break. It has a central circular chip with cracks extending from it.

Half-Moon (Partial Bull’s-Eye): This looks like a semi-circle and is also a relatively simple fix.

Crack: A single line of any length. Small cracks (under a few inches) can sometimes be repaired, but longer ones often require a full windshield replacement.

When is a Chip Repairable: Most auto glass professionals use the “dollar bill rule.” It’s probably repairable if the chip and any breaks it causes can be fully covered by a dollar bill, which is roughly 6 inches. Additionally, because the restoration process may leave a tiny distortion, the damage shouldn’t be immediately in the driver’s line of sight. Furthermore, chips located at the very edge of the windshield are often more difficult to repair and are more likely to spread, often necessitating a replacement.

It is always preferable to seek professional advice if you are unsure. They can offer you experienced advice on whether a replacement is the safer course of action or whether a repair is doable.

DIY Windshield Chip Repair

For small, simple chips like a bull’s-eye or half-moon, a DIY repair kit can be an effective and affordable solution. These kits are commonly available at auto parts stores and typically range in price from $10 to $20.

Detailed Instructions:

Clear the Space: Use glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean the chipped area before starting. Make sure it’s completely dry. Use a pin or a small pick to carefully remove any loose glass fragments from the impact point. This ensures the repair resin can properly fill the entire cavity.

Apply the Adhesive Seal: Most kits come with an adhesive seal or patch. Peel off the backing from one side and place it over the chip, making sure the hole in the center of the seal is perfectly aligned with the impact point. To guarantee a tight seal, firmly press down.

Attach the Pedestal: Peel the backing from the top of the adhesive seal. Now, attach the plastic pedestal (the part that looks like a small syringe or tube) to the seal. It should fit snugly.

Inject the Resin: Take the resin tube and snip off the tip. Squeeze the recommended amount of resin (usually a few drops) into the pedestal. Be careful not to overfill it.

Use the Syringe to Create a Vacuum: Insert the syringe or plunger into the top of the pedestal. Pull the plunger up to its locked position to create a vacuum. This vacuum will suck the air out of the chip, allowing the resin to flow into all the tiny cracks. Allow it to sit for the duration indicated in the directions for your kit, which is often ten minutes.

Inject and Pressurize: After the vacuum stage, remove the syringe to release the air. Then, re-insert it and push the plunger down to its locked position. This pressurizes the chamber, forcing the resin deep into the break. As instructed, let it sit for a further 20 to 30 minutes.

Cure the Resin: Once the pressurization is complete, remove the entire apparatus (syringe, pedestal, and adhesive seal). Immediately apply a drop or two of the remaining resin directly onto the chip. Use the curing strip or film included in the package to cover the resin. Gently smooth it out to get rid of any air bubbles. 

Allow it to heal: Place your vehicle in the sun. The UV rays from the sun are what cure and harden the resin. This process usually takes about 15-60 minutes, depending on the intensity of the sunlight. You may need to use a UV lamp on an overcast day.

Scrape and Clean: Once the resin is fully cured, use the provided razor blade to gently scrape off the excess hardened resin and the curing strip. To prevent scratching the glass, scrape at a 45-degree angle. Finally, give the area one last clean with glass cleaner. You should be left with a stable repair that is much less obvious.

Do you have a Question?

Get An Auto Glass Replacement Quote Now 866.278.7417

When to Call a Professional

While DIY kits are great for minor damage, some situations require the expertise of a professional auto glass technician.

You Should Get Expert Assistance If:

The chip is directly visible to the driver. Even a successful repair can leave a small blemish that could be distracting. Professionals have techniques and higher-grade resins to minimize this, but replacement is often recommended.

The fissures are longer than a few inches, or the chip is bigger than a quarter. Large or complex breaks are difficult to fill completely with a DIY kit, and a failed repair can make the damage worse.

The damage is at the border of the windshield. These chips can compromise the structural bond between the glass and the car frame, making a professional assessment critical.

More than two or three chips are in your possession. At a certain point, replacing the entire windshield becomes a more reliable and safer option than patching multiple spots.

Your car has ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems). Many modern cars have cameras and sensors mounted to the windshield that are part of systems like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. A windshield replacement on these vehicles requires careful recalibration of these systems, which only a qualified professional can perform.

Drive with Confidence

Dealing with a windshield chip is a common part of car ownership, but it doesn’t have to be a major problem. By assessing the damage correctly and acting quickly, you can often perform a simple and effective repair yourself. For more significant damage, turning to a professional ensures the job is done right, keeping your windshield strong and your view of the road clear.

Remember that the goal is not just to remove the chip but also to restore the glass’s integrity and prevent further damage. A fixed windshield makes driving safer for you and your passengers, regardless of whether you choose a do-it-yourself kit or professional treatment.