Cracks on the windshield not only leave your car damaged but are also safety hazards. They make it dangerous for you to drive the vehicle or use it without fixing it. However, having the cracks or damages repaired professionally could burn a hole in your pocket. Here’s where DIY (do-it-yourself) windshield repair kits come in, which not only include the tools required to repair cracks and chips but are also relatively inexpensive. Here’s a comprehensive guide to choosing DIY repair kits for fixing windshields on your own.

1. How to choose windshield repair kits?
Choosing windshield repair kits depends on a lot of factors such as the kind of windshield on your vehicle, the resin quality, its sensitivity to heat and cold, and what is the exact atmosphere it needs for getting cured, etc. Listed below are tips for choosing windshield kits for fixing them efficiently:

• Type of windshield damage

The shape, kind, and extent of the damage to the windshield will help in determining if a windshield repair kit is even required or whether one needs to head for professional help. Since windshield repair kits expressly spell out their limitations, such as prescribing the length of the crack the kit can fix, one can decide if the product can repair their windshield damage or not.

• Type of resin in the kit

The most important part of a windshield repair kit is the resin, which is what actually repairs cracks, chips, and similar damages. Resin quality is thus an important consideration while choosing kits for fixing windshields as it differs across various repair kits. Some of the best kits on the market include a thicker, denser, and higher-grade material that dries discreetly and transparently, blending well into the windshield and leaving little-to-no scars. However, some kits also contain a lower-grade resin which tends to have a pale-yellow hue after it is cured, making the attempt to repair all the more obvious.

• Sensitivity to windshield heat/coolness

Typically, windshield repair kits specify the optimal windshield temperature range required for making the repair. While some require direct sunlight, others advise against it. One needs to see what fits their requirements best and follow the same, especially since the vehicle and the windshield will be exposed to temperature and weather changes.

• The extent of the damage

There is a limited amount of resin in each kit, so if your plan is to make a larger repair or repair many windshields, then one kit or a small kit might not work. For instance, a 1-gram resin tube is sufficient for repairing a common small crack or chip.

2. How do they work?
Here’s a step-by-step process of how to use windshield repair kits:

• The entire windshield needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
• The kit applicator needs to be placed directly over the damaged area and the extension base needs to be inserted over the applicator.
• Fill the resin completely and place the syringe/tube over the applicator extension. Secure it tightly enough to create a chamber to suck all the air inside the applicator.
• Shoot a few drops of resin inside the applicator, place the screw and tighten it clockwise and leave it for about 10 minutes, after which it can be removed, completing the repair.
• Cure the resin as per the instructions on the repair kit. Shave away the excess resin after curing proves and wipe the windshield clean.