10 Pros & Cons of DIY Windshield Chip Repair Kits

As you travel down I-10 toward San Antonio, your windshield gets pummeled by a peppering of pebbles—yikes! That multi-layered tempered glass may have saved your left eye, but it also left a nasty little divot in the middle of your window.

Ugly and unsightly as they may be, common windshield chips rarely cause significant damage to a vehicle’s internal layers of glass. Often, those window chips can be remedied with a cheap $20 DIY windshield repair kit. However, not all damage can be fixed by novice auto glass repairers. How do you know which option is right for you?

Windshield Repair Kits: Pros

Concerned about the cost of fixing a chipped windshield? Fret not, for standard car window repair products are extremely affordable and can be easily ordered online or at your nearest San Antonio auto parts center. Repairing your own windshield chip is the most cost-effective solution—at least for a majority of situations. Repairing a chipped windshield yourself is also relatively easy, even for amateurs. Typical chip repair kits come with everything you’ll need to patch that dent with precision, such as UV-activated epoxy and resin, curing strips, suction plungers, and a simple scraping tool. Following the instructions should result in a windshield that looks almost as good as new.

Windshield repair kits offer convenience, as well. The entire process usually takes fewer than 2 hours to complete, with curing time accounting for up to 90% of the project. Although you’re guaranteed a pristine windshield from an auto glass repair shop, you may have to wait a bit longer.

While small car windshield chips are rarely dangerous, some can spread into spiderweb cracks, particularly with extreme changes in temperature. (San Antonio offers the ideal climate for those types of windshield cracks to thrive, as temperatures can fluctuate drastically during the winter months.) A quick DIY patch of your windshield chip can prevent that type of damage from occurring.

Auto glass repair products can be just as successful at fixing chips as the tools mobile windshield repairers use—and at a fraction of the cost. No need for auto glass doctor house calls when you can squeak on some vinyl gloves and do a quick fix yourself.

Windshield Repair Kits: Cons

You may void your vehicle warranty if you attempt to repair a windshield crack or chip yourself. Should any further damage or personal injuries occur due to faulty repairs, you could be in trouble—both financially and ethically. When you have your auto glass repaired by a certified body shop like Northside Ford, you’ll receive a full guarantee on parts and labor.

If you mess up filling in your windshield chip or crack, it can’t be re-done. There are simple albeit important steps to take during the repair process, and if not followed to a T, you may notice blemishes or opaque spots near the repaired section. At that point, you could be on the hook to buy a new windshield in addition to the repair kit.

Only minor window damage like bullseye chips can be corrected with windshield repair kits. Most auto body centers are equipped with professional tools to repair more significant damage, including long windshield cracks, starburst chips, and spiderweb cracks.

Cracks and chips near windshield wipers are usually not repairable. These areas, under constant pressure from windshield wipers, are prone to re-crack. In most cases, your auto glass repair professionals will recommend a complete windshield replacement as opposed to a chip-fix.

Did you know that your car insurance company may cover any windshield repairs without raising your premiums or requiring a deductible? (That is, they’ll pay for the repairs if done at a certified auto body shop.) Having a professional repair your window cracks reduces the insurance company’s risk of liability should you be involved in a crash down the line. If your insurance offers this “free” perk, be sure to take advantage!

To DIY Or Not To DIY Your Windshield Chip?

Rocks will chip and crack your windshield at some point—it’s like an unwritten rule of the road. And when it does, you need to decide how to handle it. Do you save some potential money and time to do it yourself? Or do you want the work to be done correctly? The choice is yours and yours alone (unless your windshield issues are more complicated, then you’ll want to contact us.)

For a quote on Texas auto glass repairs, hail damage repair, or to get a new windshield installed after your mix-up with that dastardly semi-truck on I-10, contact Northside Ford at (210) 525-9800. We’ll schedule you an appointment or get your vehicle towed to our auto collision center in San Antonio. Once your new windshield is installed, we’ve got tips to help you keep it clean on the inside and out!