Windshield repair can be a pain even at the best of times. There are few things worse than that feeling when you’re driving along and suddenly – through no fault of yours – a rock flies up and creates a tiny crack. Eventually, you know you’ll have to do something about it. If you’re busy or having a bad day, this tiny chip can make the day so much worse. If you have a chip in your windshield, you may be wondering how long will it take to fix, in other words, how much of your already busy day will you need to spend dealing with this problem?
The short answer to this question is, it depends on several factors. Basically, if the chip is small and if you get to it in time, you’re looking at anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour in the hands of a professional windshield technician. Note the caveats in that statement: small and in time. These are the key factors to keeping windshield repair cost low and to making it as fast as possible. If it helps, think of this time as a long coffee break. Before and after that break, you’ll have full use of your car, with no problem – and your insurance company never even needs to know you had to pay a few bucks to have it repaired.
Why do you need to fix the chip quickly?
You may be wondering what is all the rush? What difference does it make as long as you fix the chip eventually? Do cracks in your windshield really get worse over time? The short answer is yes, they do. Car windshields are made up of complex layered glass, designed to withstand highway speeds and to keep your car insulated. That’s why when you see the chip, it rarely goes all the way through the windshield. In a way, this is good, because the chip won’t leak into your vehicle’s interior. In another way, it’s bad, because moisture and dirt will slowly, invisibly creep inside the glass where you can’t see it, expanding the chip and causing further damage. Because the glass has layers, it will then be impossible to fix completely without taking apart the whole windshield, which isn’t practical. It’s usually simpler and cheaper at that point just to replace the entire windshield.
Can you fix your windshield yourself?
Yes, like most minor auto repairs, it is technically possible to fix your windshield yourself with the right equipment and the right training in how to use that equipment. However, if you compare costs, you’ll quickly find that it doesn’t cost that much more to hire a professional compared to the cost of getting the materials and training yourself. And, you really benefit from an experienced eye looking at the problem, because different shapes and depths require different treatment. Considering the far greater cost of not fixing it right, we really wouldn’t recommend trying this one at home.
