The answer to the question of whether a broken windshield can be repaired or not is yes, in many cases. 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 severity, size, and location of the crack will determine if it can be fixed or not. Generally, cracks up to three inches in length can be repaired, as long as they are not in the driver's line of sight. When a crack is fixed, there may be a slight distortion in the glass that could affect visibility.
Smaller cracks can often be repaired without needing to replace the entire windshield. If the crack is longer than 3 inches, you may need to install a new windshield. It is possible to repair long cracks with the right tools and resin. It is important to consult with a professional windshield repair technician, as they have the knowledge, tools, materials, and experience necessary to help you properly repair a cracked windshield. A small crack can quickly spread and grow across the rest of the windshield, causing long-term problems.
There are two main considerations when deciding if a windshield needs a full replacement or if it can be repaired with a long windshield crack repair kit. In 1994, large automotive glass companies, glass manufacturers, and PVB manufacturers formed a committee through the National Glass Association with the goal of assessing the safety of crack repair and drafting a new standard to eliminate all professional and DIY windshield repairs. For more information on how to repair a long crack in the windshield or to purchase original long windshield crack repair kits, contact Ultra Bond. Some auto glass repair shops can repair smaller, shorter cracks between 3 and 6 inches. However, many companies that specialize in replacing car glass, such as Safelite, say that they can do so with baits and exchange the customer for a replacement one when the technician arrives. If it is too large to be repaired with a kit, you may need to take it to a workshop for repair or replacement if it cannot be repaired.
Consult the United States windshield repair guidelines and the Automotive Laminated Glass Repair Standard if the damage occurs in an area of acute vision or where the driver sees from where the vehicle is. Even though experts can offer windshield crack repair services, many situations can be fixed quickly with a DIY method; all it takes is the right materials and some patience. Correctly repairing a long crack in the windshield requires specific tools and experience with specific resins for long cracks. One of the main requirements of owning a windshield repair business (or any other anti-crack resin business for a long time) is efficiency and ethics. This is a quick guide to help you determine if your vehicle is suitable for repairing long-lasting cracks in windshields.
