Types of Windshield Damage that Can Be Repaired
A typical windshield is subjected to many sources of stress (for a basic understanding of windshields, please refer to the article on understanding windshield chip repair.) Damage to it may come directly from objects striking the windshield or stress cracks, which occur from extraneous flexing of the windshield during driving. Indirect damage may stem from an existing chip expanding into a crack. To know which damages are repairable and which are not saves you money and time in deciding what to do.
Repairable Breaks - How a Repair is Done
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Bullseye |
Half Moon |
Star Break |
Combination |
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Not larger than a quarter coin |
Not larger than a quarter coin |
Not larger than a credit card |
Not larger than a credit card |
Crack – No longer than 24"
Cracks worthy of repairing are ones that are relatively clean. If the crack is less than one month old, and has not been driven in really polluted or dirty areas, it can be repaired. Otherwise, the repair technician will balance other factors to determine if the crack repaired will be worth the time and expense. Multiple single cracks may not be worth repairing, depending on your situation. Complex cracks are rarely worth repairing.
The optimal repair environment is under shade with luminescent light bulb overhead and windshield temperature around 72-74 degrees F, typically in a garage setting. Results are best when the chip or crack is new and clean.
Breaks that Cannot be Repaired
| Stress cracks |
These cracks occur naturally due to the inherent uneven distribution of forces in the windshield. Typically these cracks have no point of impact and start from the edges. Repairing and restoring the original strength of the windshield would result in the re-formation of the stress crack. The repair process did not eliminate the internal structural imbalance. |
| In both glass layers |
Too much structural disruption has formed in the windshield. |
| In the inner glass layer |
The repair would be done unfavorably against gravity. |
| In the driver’s primary field of vision |
Chips that are greater than a quarter in size with a center impact hole of greater than 3/16" and within 4" of another chip repair would not be repaired. These guidelines are followed to ensure minimal visual distraction and distortion to the driver. |
| Three or more long cracks legs |
Too much structural integrity has been compromised. |
| In areas of value-added features (i.e. defroster wires) |
Repair may negatively affect the functions of the feature. |
| Intersecting multiple edges cracks |
Too much structural integrity has been compromised. |
| Breaks with a center impact hole greater than 3/8" |
Too large for any repair to be done properly. |
| Breaks with visible impurities that cannot be removed |
The impurities may impede resin flow and complete filling of the cracks. It prevents quality repair and is also visually distracting. |
Goober’s Windshield Repair adheres to National Windshield Repair Association guidelines.
Article #101581
2005 © Goober’s Windshield Repair
By Robert Huang, Goober’s Technician
