It does not take long for a small windshield chip to turn into a full-fledged crack. And, when it spreads, it not only ruins the glass but also becomes a safety issue. It reduces the visibility while driving, leading to severe accidents on the road.
So, stopping windshield cracks, no matter how small it is, should be your priority.
Stopping windshield cracks from spreading — four effective ways
The damage on the glass can be of various types. It could be a chip, a crack, or a bull’s eye. Regardless of everything, it will extend because the windshield glass continuously expands and contracts because pressure and temperature change. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop windshield cracks from spreading.
A repair kit
Available at any automotive parts supply store, a repair kit is the easiest way to seal a crack. It comes with a kind of specialised resin. All you have to do is to clean the damaged part and apply the resin to keep it protected from outside elements. It will prevent the split from spreading further.
Super glue
Super glue can stop the split from spreading temporarily. If it is a tiny chip and you don’t have a repair kit, a strong fast-acting adhesive like super glue can be handy. Put a few drops on to the spot and spread the glue out evenly. It will firmly hold both the sides.
Nail polish
If you have no other way of stopping windshield cracks, nail polish could be a great temporary solution. You have to clean the spot and the surrounding area properly before applying it. Use the clear acrylic polish on both sides of the chink. Nonetheless, it will only keep the glass intact for some time. You will have to visit a repair shop as soon as possible.
Drive carefully
If you don’t have any of these items within your reach, your only solution is to take the car to a shop and get checked by an expert. Before that, you should follow some measures to stop the damage from getting worse.
You have to drive carefully when the windshield is damaged.
Avoid driving in the sun and extreme temperature because these conditions will heat up the glass and cause the split to expand. Similarly, extremely cold environments should be avoided at any cost as it will contract the glass, causing the crack to spread eventually.
Also, it will be better to avoid debris because a simple repair will be complicated dirt gets stuck inside the damaged spot. Don’t even drive on rough roads too as bumping and shaking will make the split bigger and bigger.
Final words
These methods for stopping windshield cracks will work if the fracture is not too big and does not extend from one end of the glass to another. You will need to change the windshield if the damage is beyond repair.
