How to Repair a Cracked Auto Windshield
For many people a crack in their car's windshield means having to buy a new windshield and have it installed by a professional, costing time and a lot of money. What many of those people do not realize is that a simple crack in a windshield can be fixed quite easily and quickly with an inexpensive windshield repair kit.
These windshield repair kits are small enough to fit in the glove box of a car, which means you can have one available at all times.
You can purchase a windshield repair kit from any automotive parts store for under $20. The windshield repair kits can repair cracks and chips in car windshields up to several inches long and they also strengthen the windshield.
To repair a crack or chip in a windshield, gently wipe off any dirt and dust around the damaged area. Locate the disc shaped applicator and remove the protective film.
Place the disc shaped applicator on the outside of the windshield in the center of the chip or crack and press it firmly to the damaged area. Locate the syringe filled with the crack sealing epoxy.
Some syringes will require you to cut the tip to allow the epoxy to flow into the applicator and others may have a cap that requires you to break the tip or twist it off.
Once the syringe has been opened, immediately place it into the syringe well located on the disc-shaped applicator. When the syringe is secure pull up on the plunger to create a vacuum in the crack.
Some windshield repair kit syringes come with the plunger pre-set to the correct depth to create a vacuum. However, many kits will require that the plunger be set manually.
The syringe plunger will only need to be pulled about an inch and a half, or about 5 centimeters. Once the vacuum has been created push the plunger down, allowing the epoxy to flow into the cracks or chips.
Push the plunger until epoxy begins to seep out of the cracks or will not go any further. Now remove the disc shaped applicator and wipe away the excess epoxy with a cloth. The epoxy will take about an hour to seal in direct sunlight, but allow the epoxy a full 24 hours to cure to ensure the integrity of the windshield will be at its highest.
The kit can be used again if there is epoxy still left in the syringe and the epoxy will dry clear on the windshield. Now you do not have to lose valuable time waiting for your car to come out of the shop to fix a small crack on the windshield, and you can repair multiple cracks at a fraction of the cost of fixing one windshield at the shop.
