Have you ever experienced the pain of getting a miniature crack or chip in the windshield of your adored car, but you are on a budget constraint and do not want to spend the money to get it fixed by a professional?
We understand. Lucky for you, there are tools and products within your comfort zone that you use daily that can be used to repair small cracks in your windshield.
However, keep in mind that these DIY solutions are temporary, and in the long run, you will have to get proper repair work done.
Contents
1. Nail polish
If your car windshield was hit by a pebble or a small stone and caused a crack, you could fix it by using clear nail polish, which is available in almost every household. Nail polish will prevent the crack from expanding.
For this, you need to start by bringing your car to a shaded area. Then, make sure that there are not any remaining small pieces of glass around the crack caused by the impact. Cover the whole crack with the nail polish evenly and fill it up if it is deep. Make sure that the nail polish is spread evenly.
After following these steps, move your car under the sun so that the nail polish dries and seals the crack.
2. Get Hold of the Crazy Glue
This method is almost identical to the method mentioned above. If you have a garage in your house, park your car there or under any shaded area that is available. Then, clean the windshield from top to bottom and check that there are no remaining pieces of glass on the windshield.
Even though this method is similar to the one with nail polish, it requires a few more items. Scissors will be needed to open the glue, and you will also need some Crazy glue. Moreover, grab some cotton swabs and glue remover.
Once you have all the required items in front of you, start by opening the crazy glue. However, be careful as it can be quite hard to remove if it gets stuck to your hands. Then, apply the glue on the crack, and use the cotton swabs to spread the glue around the damaged spot. You can also fill it in the crack if it is deep. Last but not the least, take an extra cotton swab to get rid of the extra glue on the windshield, or it could disturb you while you drive.
Now, it is time for the glue to dry under the sun for a couple of hours. Make sure to get rid of any extra dried-up glue with the help of the glue remover.
3. If Nothing is Available, Make Your Own Mix
If none of the above materials are available, there is no need to worry. You can make your own mix to repair small cracks in your windshield. To make your own mix, you will need the following ingredients:
- Sponge
- Water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Bug repellent
- Salt.
This method is a bit lengthier than the previous two, so be prepared. However, keep in mind that this method, like all the others, will only repair the windshield for a short period of time.
To get started, take half a cup of water and mix one tablespoon of salt, one teaspoon of any bug repellent that you want, and one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in it. Mix all of them in a bowl and continue doing so until the salt is completely dissolved in the solution.
Now that your solution is ready, grab your sponge and dip it in the solution. Using the wet part of your sponge, apply it to the crack on the windshield. When you are done with this, let the crack dry and sit for at least 2 to 3 hours. After this, if the crack is still visible, then you will have to repeat the process all over again. This method is a little more time-consuming than the others and might require you to repeat the steps multiple times for the impacted area to be repaired. You will have to keep going till the crack is no longer visible.
4. Windshield DIY Repair Kit
If you are not comfortable using household items on your car’s windshield to repair it, you can always use a DIY kit or a professional windshield repair kit. Don’t worry; the windshield repair kit works wonders and will prevent the crack from spreading and damaging the rest of the windshield.
Usually, DIY windshield repair kits cost $10 to $15 a piece, depending on where you purchase them from. It will save you a lot more money than going for a professional windshield repair which may cost you hundreds of dollars.
Conclusion
All the methods mentioned above are cost-effective and fairly simple to perform. Because of Coronavirus, many people have been avoiding leaving their homes, and these quick fixes can be great for them.
People are also not willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get their windshield fixed professionally. Of course, the methods mentioned above can prevent the spreading of the crack or chip, but they are all temporary fixes, and eventually, you have to go to a professional. A windshield accounts for almost half the integrity of the vehicle, and driving around in a car with a damaged windshield will compromise your safety. Short distances are okay, but long distances could become an issue.
Visibility will also get compromised, depending on the size of the crack of the windshield, which can block the driver’s view. Some countries do not allow one to drive around in a vehicle with a damaged windshield, so make sure to check the laws in your country. If the crack is blocking your view while driving, you should consider replacing it rather than opting for a quick temporary fix. The location of the crack also plays a major role in determining whether the crack can be repaired or not. Before you make any decision, make sure that you are keeping yourself and those around you safe.