Can a windscreen chip be repaired?
A windscreen is laminated, which means it is made in layers. A stone chip usually breaks only the outer layer. While it stays small, it can be filled. Water, grit, heat and cold can turn it into a crack, so the same chip may be a small job this week and a new windscreen later.
What kind of repair does it need?
Resin injection. Air is drawn out of the chip, clear resin is forced in and hardened. It leaves a faint mark. Repairers set their own limits. Some only repair chips smaller than a 5 cent coin in front of the driver, smaller than a one dollar coin elsewhere, and none within 5cm of the edge. Others repair chips up to a 20 cent coin.
Only while the chip is fresh and small enough. It leaves a faint mark. Some policies repair chips with no excess, often as an optional extra. Check yours.
What to do next
See a windscreen repairer this week. Check your insurance first. Some policies repair chips with no excess, often as an optional extra. Put clear tape over the chip until then to keep water and dirt out.
Sources
- Queensland Light Vehicle Inspection Manual (TMR)government
penetrate more than one (1) layer of the glass in a laminated windscreen…
- AAMIinsurer
Available as an Optional Cover
- Safeliteglass repairer
Windshields are made of laminated glass: two layers of glass bonded together with a plastic interlayer.
- North West Windscreensglass repairer
A vacuum helps pull out air bubbles, and pressure pushes the resin deep into the chip.
- NOVUS Glass Australiaglass repairer
Our patented method handles windscreen chips up to the size of a 20-cent coin…
- O'Brien AutoGlassglass repairer
we highly recommend getting it fixed as soon as possible to reduce the chance of the chip spreading…
- UFIXIT (Australia)repair kit seller
pressure injection system, which forces specialised resin deep into the damaged area to completely fill the break.
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