How to protect a chip in a windshield until it can be repaired?
So, driving to work yesterday, something flew up and put a small chip in my windshield. I'm getting it repaired as soon as I can, but "as soon as I can" means on Saturday. Is there any way I can protect the chip from getting larger until then? It's not very big (a dime would easily cover the whole thing), and I suspect it looks worse than it is. Given how cold it's been getting at night (below freezing), I don't want it to get bigger, or worse, turn into a crack. I haven't been using my defroster or running the heat very high in my car, but is there anything else? I drive about 45 miles a day to work and back.
ehverno2b402012-11-27T17:48:36Z
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If its just a chip without a crack don't worry about it, if its a small crack you can have it fixed, I repaired one in my 95 p/u 5 or 6 yrs ago, its still hasn't gone any farther .
About 6 months ago, while I was on the freeway, a rock flew up from a truck in front of me and hit my windshield, taking a fairly large chip out of it, but luckily did not crack it. I was just as skeptical about it back then as you are now. I did some research and did find out some other facts. I would have had to get it filled anyway because it was to be used for a driving test in which they do not allow windshield chips, but it is always good to know more information. After getting it filled i can not tell where the crack even was, it is 100% totally invisible, as well as just as smooth on top of the glass as it was before, without any difference between the actual window and the resin used. So as a result, you cant see the chip at all and it looks like it is 100% totally new. The reason that chips allow for cracks to develop more easily, is because when it is cold outside the glass becomes more brittle and weak, so when one goes over a bump in the road it causes weak spots in the glass to give out and crack if they are too weak. When there is a huge chip in the glass, obviously this is going to be a weak spot. This weak spot would give out and crack when ones goes though a dramatic bump. When one puts resin in it, it reinforces the crack causing it not be a weak spot anymore. So really, even though it doesn't seem like any of the claims make sense at first, they actually are true, as I found out after doing some the research.
The problem is the way they are going to fix it. They inject a liquid compound that will cover the gaps in the crack but as the weather changes so will the temperature of that compound. Meaning it will expand when its hot and contract when its cold. Sooner or later this will cause the crack to expand, I just want you to know that its more of a temporary fix. As for protecting the crack I dont believe there is much you can do.
1. Talk to your car's dealer. Request an extra coating of windshield protection when you are buying a new car. This optional add-on likely will add to the vehicle's cost, although sometimes the windshield will include an invisible coat of defense against various types of debris. In particular, safety glass includes a layer of plastic or resin between two sheets of glass. Also called shatterproof glass, this is an effective option for a car windshield. 2. Polyester films are invisible and reinforce the safety of your glass. Research consumer products that can be used to protect your existing car windshield. This can be done online or locally. Various types of invisible polyester films protect from different threats. Most substances are designed to protect the windshield from cracks caused by rocks, in addition to rainwater and harmful UV rays. Ask a retailer about shatterproof film that can turn windows into safety glass. Comparison shop to find the strongest and most reliable coating. Inquire about warranties and guarantees, which are included with most products. 3. Talk to a local dealer about applying your new windshield protectant. Locate a local dealer or distributor to learn how you can get the impact-resistant material you've chosen applied to your windshield. You also can search online for the product's manufacturer, who can refer you to a trained professional in your area who can install this extra layer of protection. Your car will be safer for all riding in it.