How Do I Fix My Car’s Chipped Windshield?
So, you’re driving down the road when suddenly a small rock hits your windshield and leaves a chip. Before you panic about having to spend a lot of money on a new windshield, we are here to tell you that you can fix this yourself. If the chip is smaller than a quarter, you can fix it yourself with a windshield repair kit. Today, we will be taking you through the steps it takes to fix your car’s chipped windshield. Keep reading to start learning!
[ Related post: Automotive Tips to Beat the Heat this Summer ]
A few easy steps to get your windshield back to normal
- Clean the area of the chip. Use rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth on the chip to clean the area before using the repair kit. Dry it off before applying the adhesive patch.
- Apply the adhesive and pedestal Remove the paper backing of the patch and center the patch over the chip. Remove the paper backing on the other side and apply the pedestal. Lining up the tabs will ensure easy removal later.
- Pour in resin. If you need to mix the resin, make sure you do so before pouring. Pour the resin into the pedestal until it reaches the top. Then compress the syringe down fully and insert it into the pedestal.
- Pulling up the syringe plunger. Have one hand hold down the pedestal while you slowly pull up on the plunger. Keep going until it reaches its functional length and then stop. Reference the kit you bought to see how long you need to let this sit. No matter what don’t proceed if you see bubbles.
- Forcing the resin into the chip. Holding the pedestal, remove the syringe and then reinsert it. Slowly push down the plunger so that the resin goes into the chip/crack. Usually halfway down is where you stop, but your kit may say something different. Gently knock to free trapped bubbles and if there are any areas that aren’t filled, push the syringe a bit further.
- Removing the pedestal. Let the syringe sit for the recommended time to allow the resin to cure. Once it is cured, remove the adhesive patch and pedestal. Take the tube of resin and place a drop or two on the chip/crack.
- Curing strip application and removal. Grab the curing strip and place it on the chip/crack. Placing it at an angle can help avoid bubbles. Use a razor blade to push out any bubbles and then let it cure. Using the razor blade to remove the curing strip and twist the strip off so that the resin stays in the crack. Use the blade again to remove any excess resin.
[ Read more: Step-By-Step Guide to Replacing Windshield Wipers ]
Learn more DIY car maintenance tips with Auto Simple
Now that you know how to fix a chip in your windshield, you might be wondering what else you can do on your own! Learn how to do your own car maintenance jobs by following the Auto Simple blog!
