Every fall and early winter I see an increase number of phone calls as drivers decide the up coming cold could cause the chip on their windshield to crack out. They fail to understand that a chip repair shouldn't be put off. Once a chip has cracked out the only choice becomes replacement which besides being expensive is a safety issue since news reports show on average 3 out of 4 windshields are improperly installed.

This year is worse then ever probably due to the high price of fuel, many have tried to save money by not repairing their windshield. The result, calls asking if a crack that runs across the windshield can be repaired. After they are told that the windshield must be replaced the response is usually, "I guess I should have repaired the chip when it happened".

Besides the fact that the chip can crack out at anytime, you should realize that as a chip ages in gets contaminated. Every car wash, along with rain and snow adds dirt to the damage. Not to mention the slop from the wet roads can add even more contaminates like, oil, fuel and run off from yards.

As an experiment take a clean clear drinking glass and fill it with water. Dump the water and let it air dry. Repeat that procedure every day for a week or 2. Then look and see how clear the glass is.

If you get a chip protect it and get it repaired within a few days.

If the chip is dry, placing tape over the damage on the outside of the windshield will protect and keep it clean until the repair is completed. As a final thought which provides a stronger bond, gluing 2 dirty surfaces together or 2 clean surfaces together.