How Can I Fix a Chip in My Windshield?

There can be nothing more annoying than a rock chip a full week before payday. It couldn't have been more conveniently timed to leave you right in the... well, let's just say it was not good timing.

In the midst of such unfortunate events, it can be tempting to grab a windshield chip repair kit, and get on the DIY job.

This temptation should be thoroughly subdued in the event that the chip is very large, forms a crack, or spiders the window. Remember (at the risk of sounding like your mother), chipped windows are a safety issue, so if in any doubt, just leave it up to the pro's!

Smaller chips can sometimes be dealt with at home, using one of the widely available repair kits on the market.

Repair Kits

Repair kits start at a retail price of less than $10, making them an alluring choice, especially if your motive is to save a few dollars. They are relatively easy to use, and the job shouldn't take too long. Very often they end with a positive result; the windscreen is fixed!

It all sounds well and good, but we don't know if it is always the best idea.

Never Pay for a Painter...

We have nothing against DIY. I honestly think anything that can be done by yourself, should be. It's a great feeling of independence to solve problems all-on-our-own; and sometimes it can impress the doubtful onlooker!

I, for example, have never paid for a painter. It is just something I enjoy doing for myself.

Having said that, I have access to all of the equipment that a professional does; I have a wide selection of brushes, and purchase high quality paint from someone who knows what I am looking for. Also, when I make a botch-job of it, the worst outcome is my wife screaming blue-murder down my ear hole.

But Windshield Repairs?

This might not be the case with windshield chip repairs, especially when purchasing cheaper kits. The problem is not the price, or the ease of use, it is the quality. And quality is something that cannot be spared in windshield chip repairs.

There are at least four fundamental problems with DIY chip kits, even when you know exactly how to operate them;

•  They do not provide high quality resin

•  They do not include a vacuum device for removing the air

•  There is no UV light included to harden the resin

•  DIY does not come with a guarantee; if the fix doesn't hold, you might end up having to pay for an entire windshield.

Go Pro!

It is slightly more expensive to have a professional come out and make the repair, especially when compared to the price of a $10 DIY kit!

The professionals, however, can deliver a much higher quality of job, because they have all of the right equipment, and it is all top-notch! They have tools to ensure the chip is cleaned well, and a vacuum device to suck out any of the air and moisture, before injecting the highest quality of resin.

There is one more added benefit, a stress related variable that we think is a serious factor; when the windscreen repair has been carried out professionally, a guarantee is given. This provides a much needed peace of mind that you can never quite get from DIY! Once the fix is made, you can just forget about it, and cruise into the night.

If you must...

If you do decide to DIY the windshield job, it is highly recommendable to;

(a)    Research DIY kits and chose a very high quality product; this of course, might mean paying more.

(b)   Know what you are doing, and do it well. Take care and be precise; this isn't a paint job in the spare room!

The Different Types of Auto Glass: OEM, Dealer, and Aftermarket

If you are looking to replace your windshield there are a few options you have to consider before making right purchase. There are three types of auto glass on the market. These are Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM), Dealer auto glass, and Aftermarket auto glass. They differ in several ways and prices vary depending on which type you get as well.

First consider the needs of your car and budget. For some quality and logo may be very important to have on the car. The OEM auto glass is the type of auto glass that is made by the same company as the one that made the original windshield on your car. The specifications are exact and are identical even down to the logo. This has a quality guarantee that the other types of glasses simply do not have. In most cases, however, you will find that this type is the most expensive because it comes directly from the manufacturer.

Dealer auto glass is sold by car dealerships and is often the same specifications as the Original Equipment Manufactured auto glass. The difference is it might not be made by the same company. In many cases is almost identical to the OEM auto glass, it simply does not have the logo of the company that originally made it. These types of glass are usually as thick and fit the design so that virtually no one will notice. The interesting thing about this type of auto glass is that is usually cheaper than the OEM type of auto glass. Of course, depending on model of the car you may opt for the more expensive one.

The third type of auto glass is the Aftermarket type of auto glass. This type of auto glass is sold by companies who do not make cars, but simply make windshields and other glass fixtures. This is the cheapest type of auto glass, but it has drawbacks as its quality can be lacking. This type of auto glass is usually a lot thinner and more susceptible to to continuous damage or damage from which you may have to replace your windshield again if another problem does arise. This type of auto glass is usually of lesser quality, but for those who are seeking the best price may find this type of auto glass to be the best fit if you are on a tighter budget.

Before you consider which type of auto glass you get consider the coverage you may have on your insurance, your deductible, and the need for security when it comes to auto glass. If you choose the type that is of lesser quality you could end up in much worse situation if your car crashes because the windshield suddenly shatters because of a chip or crack you have not noticed or gotten repaired.

There are many places you will be able to find the three types of auto glass. Price will of course vary from place to place so always be sure to get several quotes before deciding where you will buy and have it installed. You will want a reputable company that has a proven track record and fair prices.

Also consider your budget (which of course you will), and the total need of cost vs. quality. There are some types of after market auto glass that are very durable and will work fine for certain cars. Above all else do your research on the place you wish to buy if from well before you make your purchase.

A Advanced Auto Glass
6113 Milwee St Unit C
Houston, TX 77092
832-677-9822

Basics of Windshield Chip Repair

You notice an unusual speck on your windshield.

You turn on the wiper fluid but it doesn’t wash away.

You run your vehicle through a car wash and it’s still there.

You get a closer look and as luck would have it, it’s another chip in your windshield. The curse of the glass chip got you before.

Last time this happened, you didn’t think it was a big deal. You cruised through the fall without a care, but as soon as the first freeze of the winter hit, that simple, little chip turned into a full-fledged crack!

Before you knew it, you were out of pocket 450 bucks! To add insult to injury, the repair guy said if you had come in months ago for the chip repair, you would have saved yourself 400 dollars. You can take the blame for the first snafu.

Procrastination and ignorance won that time. It won’t happen again because now you know better. You head straight to your trusty auto glass repair facility. You pull up to the facility and the technician assures you it’s repairable.

But you can’t help but wonder if this repair is going to be worth it. If the saying “you get what you pay for” runs true, you should have a few things to worry about, right? Not necessarily. Windshield chip repair is a reliable way of fixing a small issue and avoiding a more costly replacement down the line.

What is your windshield made of? 


Let’s start from the beginning. Your windshield is a multi-layered laminated glass. The first layer is composite glass. The second, middle layer is vinyl laminate. The third is another layer of composite glass. The middle laminate layer is the part that serves as the protective layer.

In the event of an incident that causes the glass to break, the laminate holds the two outer layers together to avoid large shards of glass from protruding into the occupants of the vehicle.

When your windshield requires repair, technicians are very aware that the repair must be done correctly and with the proper materials and tools in order for the windshield to maintain its integrity and safety.

How does it work?

The entire process typically takes 30 minutes or less. The technician will begin by cleaning the area of any dirt, debris or broken glass. The technician will then use a tool that injects a special resin into the chipped area.

The resin is then set and buffed to a shine. If done correctly, you’ll hardly even notice that there was ever any damage there before. If the damage is too large or too extensive, the technician may recommend replacement.

Most cracks or chips under six inches long can be repaired. There are several do it yourself windshield repair kits available in the market, but to ensure the repair is done properly and to industry standards, the recommendation is to leave it to the professionals.

A Advanced Auto Glass
6113 Milwee St Unit C
Houston, TX 77092
832-677-9822