How to Stop a Windshield Crack from Spreading

If a flying rock chips your windshield while cruising down I-25, you need to act fast to stop the crack from spreading. With these temporary fixes, you can keep the chip small enough that it can be repaired without completely replacing the windshield. Here’s what you can do to stop a windshield crack from spreading until you can get to Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for rock chip repair.

Use a Windshield Repair Kit

You can purchase a kit to fix the chipped windshield yourself, but you must feel comfortable boring a small hole through just the top layer of glass. Then, force the repair resin into the chip and the newly drilled hole to prevent further spreading. Keep an eye on the damaged area – this might be the only repair work it needs.

Superglue the Crack

A cheap way to stop a windshield crack from spreading without drilling a hole in the glass is to fill the chip with cyanoacrylate glue, often marketed as Superglue. This temporary fix should hold the crack together for at least a week or two until you can bring your car to Scott’s for a more permanent repair.

Apply Clear Nail Polish

Even clear acrylic nail polish has enough adhesion to help stop a windshield crack from spreading. Clean dust and dirt out of the dinged glass and apply a liberal amount of nail polish. You should still make it a priority to get your car into the shop since clear nail polish will only help for a few days.

Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes

Glass expands and contracts when it’s heated and cooled. If your windshield is chipped, a sudden temperature change may cause the crack to spread abruptly. To prevent this from happening before you have the chip fixed, park your car in the garage or under a shady tree whenever possible, and avoid blasting the window defroster.

Why Repair a Chipped Windshield?

Flying rocks can chip your windshield at any time. Even if your schedule is hectic, you should make rock chip repair a priority. The temporary fixes listed here should give you a week or two to make an appointment. Then, you can take advantage of affordable rock chip repair instead of paying to have the entire windshield replaced.

What if you wait too long and a small chip grows into an unsightly crack? Windshield replacement usually costs over $100, but the investment is worth it for several reasons:

• A cracked windshield weakens the car’s structural integrity: If your vehicle rolls, the car is more likely to cave in on you if the windshield is cracked, greatly increasing the chance of being injured or killed in the accident. Driving with an intact windshield is much safer.
• A cracked windshield is a distraction: If the sunlight hits the edge of a cracked windshield just right, it can blind you, creating a safety hazard. A police officer can give you a ticket for driving with a cracked windshield for this very reason.
• A cracked windshield is unsightly: Take pride in your car and help it looks its very best! Along with keeping the inside and outside clean, this means replacing the cracked windshield.

Come to Scott’s for Rock Chip Repair or Windshield Replacement

If you make it to us before the chip spreads, our expert mechanics can repair it easily. Even if the glass must be replaced, we can order in windshields for most makes and models to get the job done as quickly as possible. For your convenience, we offer free loaner cars for qualifying repairs. Ask about your eligibility when you make your appointment! To get in touch, please contact us online or call (970) 682-4202.