What size windscreen cracks can be repaired

Windscreen chips can happen at any time! And sometimes you may not even notice they are there.

Índice Show

Small Windscreen Chips & Cracks Can Be Repaired
How Windscreen Cracks & Chips Are Repaired
Will The Repair Be Noticable?
Don’t Put Off Windscreen Chip Repair
DIY Repair Vs Professional
What size windscreen crack can be repaired UK?
How small of a windshield crack can be fixed?
Can you fix a 5 inch windshield crack?
What is considered a large windshield crack?

If your windscreen has a chip (or multiple), we highly recommend getting it fixed as soon as possible to reduce the chance of the chip spreading and potentially turning into a large crack. If this happens, the whole windscreen might then need to be replaced, usually at a higher cost.

Generally, most small chips can be repaired by our experts, however, it will usually depend on the size and location of the damage.

To determine whether your windscreen chip can be repaired by O’Brien®, there are a couple of questions that need to be considered:

Is the chip located on the passenger side, and all the damage less than the size of a $1 coin (roughly 2.5cm diameter)? If yes, the windscreen chip should be able to be repaired. If the damage is bigger than the size of a $1 coin, the windscreen chip cannot be repaired by O’Brien®.
Is the chip is located on the drivers’ side (immediately in front of the driver), and all the damage less than the size of a 5c coin (roughly 2cm diameter)? If yes, the windscreen chip should be able to be repaired. If the damage is bigger than the size of a 5c coin, the windscreen chip cannot be repaired by O’Brien®.
Is the chip is located within 5cm of the edge of the windscreen? If yes, the windscreen chip cannot be repaired by O’Brien®.

To make it easier, we’ve put together a quick video, explaining how our expert technicians assess a windscreen chip for repair and the factors they take into consideration, click here to view.

There are a few other reasons that repairs are not appropriate including:

The chip or damage has gone through more than a single layer of glass
A previous repair’s (“dull spot”) is too close to the new chip
Too many previous repairs
Chips in the shape of a bullseye or crater exceed size limits
Delamination has occurred

These are unusual cases and can only be assessed by viewing the screen. Our experts can do this for you before attempting a repair.

Please be aware, while it may seem easy, we do not recommend attempting to repair the chip using store brought DIY repair kits. Some inferior resins deteriorate quickly, impacting the driver’s vision. Also, if you do not clean and prepare the damaged section correctly, or if the chip occurred a long time ago, the result can be unsatisfactory and in some cases even become a distraction whilst driving. If your attempt at a DIY repair is unsuccessful, our experts will not be able to remove the material that has been put onto the windscreen and repair the chip so most likely the windscreen will need to be replaced.

It is also important to note, whilst our expert technicians are trained to minimise the risk of a failed chip repair using our specialist tools, in some cases the attempt to repair a windscreen can make the chip bigger through no fault of the technician. This is due to the fact the glass is curved and under pressure so micro-cracks from the initial impact can extend and turn into a crack. If this happens, we will credit the cost of the chip repair you paid from the cost of a new windscreen from O’Brien®.

Remember, over time, many other resins deteriorate which may cause chips to reappear and turn into cracks, but our exclusive resin is designed to stay stronger for longer than ever, which is why we’re happy to give a guarantee for the lifetime of the vehicle, that our repair of that chip will not turn into a crack.

Recently noticed a small chip or large crack on your car’s windshield?

Having a chipped or cracked windscreen is much more than a cosmetic issue. It also creates a hazard that can reduce the safety of all who travel in that vehicle. Not to mention, driving with this damage may be illegal.

You may be wondering:

Can my windshield chip be repaired?
Can my windscreen crack be repaired?
Is my windscreen irreparable?

Most of us will always prefer a repair job as it will be cheaper and quicker when compared to a full windscreen replacement.

Needless to say there is some good news…

Small Windscreen Chips & Cracks Can Be Repaired

The good news is that small stone chips and certain cracks can be repaired.

In Australia, if a windscreen chip or crack is smaller than a $1 coin then it can usually be repaired with no issues.

But there are different types of cracks such as hairline, bulseye and cracks running from the edge of the glass. Also the location of the crack plays a big roll in determining if it can legally be repaired or if a full replacement is required. As such, your specific damage may need further evaluation.

You should also be aware that driving with any size crack runs the risk of the crack growing in size as the car encounters large vibrations as it cruises down the road. Also as the temperature fluctuates, such as in summer or winter, this too can cause a crack to suddenly grow in size.

This is why we always recommend contacting us as soon as you notice any chip or crack and if you can send us a photo to show the severity and location of the crack itself we can advise if a repair is possible.

How Windscreen Cracks & Chips Are Repaired

The repair process of a crack on the windshield involves the injection of a special resin into the affected area. For some cracks, a glass technician may drill holes at the ends of the crack to prevent it from spreading.

If we recommend repairing your windshield, then it should be done immediately without delay.

As previously mentioned, failure to do this can create a bigger problem. For example, a small crack can spread across the entire windshield if you hit a big pothole, make an aggressive turn or drive on an unsealed road.

Will The Repair Be Noticable?

An important point to note is that the repaired area on the windscreen will not be as clear as the surrounding area. This is due to the resin having a different texture to the glass.

This is why the location of the crack is important. Repairing a crack on the passenger side is safer than repairing on the driver side as the blemished area affects vision.

Don’t Put Off Windscreen Chip Repair

You may be thinking “the chip is so small, can’t I just leave it for now?”

However, if a vehicle has a crack or chip in the windscreen it is more vulnerable to failure from repeated driving and this presents a safety issue.

The vehicle’s windscreen is not only important for visibility but also keeps us safe whilst driving. It is a key component of the vehicle as it prevents flying debris from hitting the driver and passengers.

When a chip occurs on your windscreen, it affects a range of things including visibility whilst driving and even the structural integrity of your windscreen.

However small the chip or crack damage is on your windscreen, the longer it is left unattended, the more likely it is to spread or increase in size. This will make the option of repair less likely.

One of the reasons it is better to get a chip repaired as soon as possible is to avoid it becoming a bigger problem which would lead to complete windscreen replacement.

For a simple glass chip repair, you can call upon a technician who can fix it in less than 30 minutes. For a windscreen replacement however you are looking at a longer and more expensive job.

DIY Repair Vs Professional

You may be aware that you can do the repair yourself if you wish so. There are many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) windscreen repair kits available. These methods try to replicate the resin injection method that is used by professionals.

However the major difference comes in the quality of the tools and materials used. Also the training and expertise of industry professionals always beats that of individuals doing a repair the first time by themselves.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the DIY repair process, you should opt for an industry professional like Metro Auto Glass to do the job for you.

If you do the repair wrongly and the crack spreads, it would cause bigger damage that would need a full replacement of the windshield.

As you can imagine, a brand new windshield cost you more when compared to a windscreen repair by an industry professional. Also a professional repair job will carry a warranty to safe guard their work.

Therefore, there isn’t much to save in the DIY process, especially if you do it the wrong way. Cracks on the windshield as we have seen, can be effectively repaired if noticed early. But if the problem spreads, then your only option is to replace the entire windshield.

What size windscreen crack can be repaired UK?

The rule of thumb is as follows: A chip less than 3mm (smaller than a matchstick head) does not usually need to be repaired. A chip less than 25mm (smaller than a £2 coin) is repairable. A chip over 25mm is usually non-repairable.

How small of a windshield crack can be fixed?

Crack Size and Depth: Usually, auto glass technicians can repair a chip, which has a diameter of around one inch or less. Likewise, a crack is also repairable, if it is no more than three inches long. If the size of the crack is more than that of a dollar bill, you should rule out the repair option.

Can you fix a 5 inch windshield crack?

A windshield crack that measures a foot in length or shorter is repairable, while a chip is easy to repair if it's an inch or less. The depth of the crack is also important. A crack on the windshield that penetrates only the top layer of glass is repairable.

What is considered a large windshield crack?

The federal regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation — no crack larger than 3/4 inch in diameter, no two cracks within three inches of each other, no intersecting cracks, or cracks directly in the driver's view — are the minimum standards.