Windshield First Aid

So you have something that looks like the windshield chips below on your windshield. Besides getting it permanently repaired in the next few days, here’s somethings you can do to help prevent it from cracking out and improve your chances of a sucessful repair.

• Cover and Protect - If it is dry take a piece of clear packing or scotch tape and cover the damage by placing it over the chip, on the outside of the windshield. If the chip is in your direct vision in front of you skip this. It is more important to have an unobstructed view for safety.

• Don’t Wash The Car - Any water or other liquid can enter the chip and contaminate it. Windshield treatments create a non-stick surface, that said means that once it gets inside the break resin likewise won’t stick.
• Keep it Cool - When parking the vehicle, park in the shade. During the summer leave the side windows cracked to avoid heat building up inside. Don’t use a windshield sun screen, by reflecting the suns heat you increase the windshields temperature and hot windshields crack easier.
• Avoid Vibrations - Slamming doors, hoods and trunk lids can crack your windshield. Driving on rough roads can also run a chip out.

A note on pits (minor impact points) like pictured below. These do not require repair, notice how the below damage has no cracks or black discoloration. The good news about pits is no repair is needed, the bad news nothing can be done to permanently improve the pits appearance.