A rock chip on a windshield can be a major pain, but the good news is you may not need to replace the glass completely. Chip repair is a possibility if the chip or crack is small and no longer growing. Special resins are used to create an almost invisible repair that will both look good and work to maintain the integrity of the class.

1. Assessment

The first step in the repair is chip assessment. Your repair tech will measure the chip or crack to make sure it is within repair guidelines. This does depend on the windshield and damage specifics, but generally any chip smaller than a half-dollar coin or crack below a couple of inches in length is repairable, as long as it isn't directly in the driver's line of sight. 

2. Cleaning

Next, the chip must be cleaned. Any dirt, moisture, or loose glass stuck in the chip will compromise the repair. Dirt and debris can lead to bubbles or cloudiness in the repaired section, which is both ugly and not a secure repair. Moisture can prevent the repair resins from curing correctly, which means the repair may come not bond to the windshield properly. Small tools and air is used to force any dirt or moisture out of the glass. 

3. Filling

To ensure that no bubbles are trapped in the glass behind the resin, a vacuum is formed over the chip. This is done using special suction tools that adhere to the glass and pull out the air. The resin is then injected into the chip. Since there is a vacuum, the resin will flow in to fill the voids created by the vacuum. The result is that the resin is able to penetrate every part of the chip completely.

4. Curing

Windshield repair resins are cured with the use of a small UV light. Light curing means that the repair can be done within a few minutes since there is no long dry time. The light is placed over the repair site for a few minutes, or until the resin is rock hard and solid. 

5. Finishing

The final touches are cleaning up the repair. Any excess resin is scraped down so that the glass is completely smooth and your wipers can move over it without obstruction. Some light buffing is also done to ensure the best possible clarity for the patched area.

Contact an auto glass repair service if you need to repair a chip in your windshield.

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