The short answer is yes, in many cases broken windshields can be repaired. According to current windshield repair standards, short cracks are classified as less than 6 inches and long cracks as between 6 and 14 inches. The technology in this industry is constantly advancing, so the ability to repair large chips or cracks may vary depending on the repair company. Generally speaking, chips smaller than a quarter and cracks up to three inches can be easily fixed. I recently asked myself if it was legal to repair a few splinters in my windshield, as there were more than 5 of them, none of which were large or close to the edges.
Some auto glass repair shops can repair the smallest and shortest cracks between 3 and 6 inches; however, many that specialize in automotive glass replacement, such as Safelite, say they can only put baits and exchange the customer for a replacement one when the technician shows up. There are two main considerations when determining if a windshield needs a complete replacement or if it can be repaired with a lengthy windshield crack repair kit. The best way to determine if it can be safely repaired or not is to have it evaluated by a local reputable windshield repair shop. When necessary, windshield replacement is more expensive than windshield repair, but garages truly seek the best thing for the customer: finding something that will permanently and safely repair damage. These sensors require clear vision and even a near-perfect windshield repair can cause malfunctions.
Ultimately, lengthy crack repairs offer enormous savings potential for owners of vehicles with damaged windshields. Understanding when a vehicle's windshield can be repaired or a complete replacement is needed can help your windshield repair company maximize efficiency and increase profits. Larger, deeper cracks in the glass that extend to the edges of the windshield are much more likely to need to be replaced than the small, shallow chips that come off the edges of the windshield. A committee formed by large automotive glass companies, glass manufacturers, and PVC manufacturers through the National Glass Association in 1994 had the goal of attacking the safety of crack repair and drafting a new standard to eliminate all professional and do-it-yourself windshield repairs. If the damage occurs through the outer and inner layers of the glass, it means that it is too deep to repair the windshield. It is important to have a professional check your windshield to ensure that the correct repair will be done.
One of the main factors that influence whether you need to repair or replace your windshield is its length. It is not recommended to repair if the crack is not in the driver's line of sight, since the repair will cause some distortion that will impair their vision of the road.
