I did it. I tried out the windshield repair kit that I bought for $8 at the auto parts store. This is what it looked like to start with:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGOjEb-DY80xZNpn2jnG0kZtnmn8b2TsI15UXCn8IubcG9PBiFyzDF4bvhys98zqP4jOWImv6hJlNo0IFgJms-m0cpdFK2MLw2dnVpBe_xnOKBu4hEfSbzAIMWLcn0wEKxr_PnCYQoB2/s400/windshield+crack+pic.JPG)
There were many steps to this process. I read the instructions a couple of times. I needed an hour to get through all of the steps and then I needed sunlight to cure the resin at the end of the process.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR0eDlyXSPwwkV3y_4fy6Hd6Oak4vFHT6sjhmXchfTOswOzc8KKKd0KN2YVStHzO_vmKtd8ZuLImMbRERqQy2ENa5bEnQBRyMYwWUE883EcR03VEjxPFRY1ztcMJKcl9F_iYPZhi70okB/s400/crack+patch+2.jpg)
First I put on the sticker and base for the plunger, then the resin got squeezed in to the base and the plunger was attached.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt-bh_zAyHWw-VGmX7-Eal6n2mbJXzxJXZ1ZLoFHZhVEbEqrdWwj4tsWst5_xSTvPtuhzQMu0BS-YObAlqF4hxsau_5D5sacmRxgtBiPKx0KkfnHL1t_TopoZ-lCxfv5zmz9Ocm7r6Xm8/s400/crack+sticker.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVwuDk8onKxR7YI4wZMl9YbHPNPqDqutSwIiku5djKVEasoFCQwLR5IxFP6Tzh9ah7NOiN6BWqkHM9fnM50OZIT3DMzAz4ho8OoTpnvVujdDpjt9EeXKyAgbHJRdsCI4ws5qSaopnr6-I/s400/crack+plunger.jpg)
I made it through all of the steps and then the sun went down. I checked on it later that night and it was still wet.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEROWZtLGej1kb0S7HESSs1TXFn-ZnUHE_F9pfMhgoZpz-OM4pubbnteU6QTQl2bruBLfVJ5I7HRiRwgX1JdUxknEv1AzocdCdO7ZD0N5aN3CZlz7yAc15cdczOojkYfyyQyY2VFhvLWf/s400/crack+patch.jpg)
This yellow patch was supposed to help the UV light cure the resin. This morning I slept in late and the patch was stuck fast to the windshield.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmq_oDEyqyN4VIzRZXQTnUJzXTBPTkrfSeiyQGvlv8X6boLrilhknB7gQ7bf9bR6hfADSf7CtJlrPfLikw6x7lvldeYdCGO_OVqTJ752IHOWZARRm-OLD6pXH2wLAGoOFdVOUN99gvHBa/s400/crack+inside+messy+w+words.JPG)
After a mild panic, I was able to peel the patch off revealing a very ugly smeared mess. I was a little worried but the extra resin came off with a light scraping from a razor blade. The end result is pretty good. I would give it an 8 out of 10 for looks. I can still tell where the chip was but now it only looks like 2 small dots. Blends right in with the other bug splats.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuIpsmzZWAvV13rGIRYosz-lzmaUonuczUVxsrO3zOkHxR2j71NEy3MukNL2xHbTgVDWYliaLmW4t3H39fqwoqz18BLATearWF-xxqawmc3fQvSIPB6F4PehhQcr6cOY5SsCP0W0hyzNz/s400/crack+inside+fixed+w+words.JPG)
The dots aren't that big in reality, they are just out of focus. I took 30 pictures trying to get a clear focus on the fixed crack. My camera just wouldn't focus on it. It was too small. I can't even see it in this picture:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI7oeepRMgFu1birjr39s4NUcLwLLzPF9LL7VTrfYy4ehlpCbTpgIwApdh2EIao0BWa5EpaZVe8hYE76BcBe09P4FodPGQA5ZsthpjCwRvikv1nAEqIIBKD8oGTQK56vrIuU8CZSXx667/s400/crack+after+fix.jpg)
The small cracks are visible if I look closely. Now, if the windshield doesn't crack for at least the next 6 months I think the kit will be worth the money.
5 comments:
Not too bad for a rookie, with sub standard equipment. But as always we highly recomend a qualified technician. Most insurance companys will pay for your repair. (except state farm)
Member of FixMyWindshield.com
I had never even heard of this as an option. Well done Rookie!
Lizzie
It was kind of like a craft project. And I do have State Farm so no help from them.
Looks pretty good!
Thanks! I wonder if chip repair is only cosmetic or if there are any structural benefits. Guess I'll never know.
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