Can My Windshield Rock Chip be Repaired?

You are driving down the road, when all of the sudden a rock flies in your direction, leaving a chip in your windshield. Now, it is time to look into repairing the chip or replacing your windshield. Here is a guide to whether or not the rock chip in your windshield can be repaired. 

Do I Really Need To Have My Windshield Chip Repaired? 

If the chip in your windshield is small, you may think that it is not necessary to get it repaired. However, even small windshield chips can lead to more damage in the future. Having a chip in your windshield weakens the area, allowing factors like temperature change and driving on rough roads to create cracks originating from the chip in your windshield. Therefore, it is a good idea to have the rock chip in your windshield repaired as soon as possible to avoid larger issues down the road.

If your car is equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), then other problems can arise. If the rock chip interferes with the ADAS technology, the windshield may have to be replaced in order for certain safety features to work correctly. Click here to learn more about ADAS technology.

Do I Need a Windshield Repair or Windshield Replacement? 

Sometimes, rock chips can be so deep or so big that they cannot be repaired, and a windshield replacement is necessary. The rule of thumb is that if your windshield rock chip is smaller than the size of a quarter, it can be repaired. This also depends on the location of the chip. Some chips on the edges of your windshield may be too difficult to repair properly, which would be cause for a replacement.

Georgia law also states that windshield damage in the driver’s line of sight will usually require a windshield replacement. Generally, windshield rock chips can be repaired as long as they are not too large or too deep. Rock chips that extend too far into the windshield may also require a windshield replacement. Be sure to have your windshield damage assessed by a professional windshield repair technician, as they will know what your options are. 

What is the Windshield Repair Process? 

Step 1: Inspection

Your certified windshield repair technician will first assess the damage done to your windshield. At this time, they will determine whether the rock chip in your windshield can be repaired. 

Step 2: Preparation

If the rock chip can be repaired, then the area of the chip will be cleaned to allow the materials used to seal correctly. 

Step 3: Resin

A special resin is injected into the rock chip to fill the empty space, leaving the area flush with the rest of your windshield. The resin bonds with the glass, restoring both strength and clarity to your windshield. 

Step 4: Curing the Resin 

The resin used to repair your rock chip will need to be cured via a UV light. This ensures that the resin adheres properly to your windshield surface. 

Step 5: Polishing

After the resin is cured, an auto glass technician will polish the area to restore perfect clarity to your windshield. 

Why Choose Windshield Repair? 

Aside from the fact that windshield repairs are more cost-effective than windshield replacement, it is also more environmentally friendly to repair your current windshield than to replace it with a new windshield. Windshield repair produces less waste and requires fewer materials than windshield replacement. Additionally, the need to ship a new windshield increases carbon footprint, which is not necessary for a windshield repair. Lastly, windshield repairs are typically faster than windshield replacements, which saves you valuable time in your day. 

Do You Need a Windshield Rock Chip Repair in Gainesville & Sugar Hill, GA Areas?

If you need a windshield repair in Gainesville, Sugar Hill, Flowery Branch, or Buford areas, New York Auto Glass is here to help! We offer in-shop and mobile windshield chip repair service in the area. Our experienced auto glass repair technicians will work quickly and carefully to ensure that your windshield repair is done correctly. If you are in need of a windshield repair, contact us today!