Expert’s guide to windscreen chips, cracks and repairs

Image of cracked windscreen needing repair

We don’t always think about it, but our windscreens actually bear a fair brunt as we get ourselves around. 

There’s nothing more annoying than a distracting windscreen crack or chip sitting in your critical vision area while you’re hurtling down the motorway.

Windscreens are actually a key safety component in a car (it could literally save your life in a collision), and nevermind that, it’s actually helping keep that roof from caving in.  So, here’s to windscreens.

In terms of windscreen damage and repair.  It’s pretty easy to fix some chips and cracks, but not others.  Bear in mind though, it’s cheaper to repair than to replace, for sure.

When can I repair a crack or chip in my windscreen?
Minor chips can be repaired by an auto glass professional in many cases, and My Auto Shop can help get that sorted for you.  Getting it sorted promptly comes with the bonus of avoiding it from spreading and turning into a huge windscreen crack, as well as the cost benefit.

A simple repair will take about 20-30 minutes to complete the fix and in many cases an auto glass technician will come to you.  Note, a windscreen replacement, however, has to be done at the repairer’s workshop, and can take 3-4 hours, or longer.

In New Zealand, vehicles won’t get a warrant of fitness (WoF) if a windscreen has a crack any bigger than 25mm – the size of a two dollar coin.  So, if this is you – please, be safe and get your windscreen repaired sooner rather than later.

Windscreen cracks sometimes can be fixed
Plain and simple, driving around with a chip in your windscreen isn’t a smart idea.  In the case of a crack, it’s a terrible idea.  If a crack gets any longer than 30cm, you’re probably going to need to look at a replacement.

If there are multiple chips or cracks, yep, it’s time to think about replacing that windscreen.  This is also the case if a crack moves to the edge of your windscreen.

How do you repair a windscreen?
To repair a windscreen, a crystal clear resin is applied to the wound, as it were.  First, your auto glass technician will clean the area using suction, then they’ll carefully apply the resin to the chip, crack or star, filling up the gap in the glass.
 

It’s pretty clever, really!


So if you are in need of a windscreen repair or replacement quote, remember, we’ve got your back.  

Check out the My Auto Shop quote service, and we’ll take care of the legwork on quotes, bookings and so forth, so you can focus on the road ahead, hopefully on your way to the repair shop!