DIY Windshield Repair & Replacement: Should You Do It Yourself

One of the most crucial parts of every vehicle is its windshield, as it helps uphold structural integrity, ensures the safety of you and your loved ones, and protects everyone against weather and road elements like flying debris, snow, and rain.

However, this also means that your vehicle’s windshield will be subjected to continuous wear and tear, which will damage it. Depending on the extent of the damage, you will have to either get it repaired or replaced.

In this article, we will explain the situations in which you may need to choose between windscreen repair and replacement.

DIY Windshield Replacement or Repair: What Is the Right Choice for You?

Your windshield might experience multiple types of chips and cracks, which will require you to choose between windshield replacement and repair.

Choosing this would become important for safety, compliance, and aesthetic reasons.

Here’s a breakdown of common types of windshield damage and whether you should repair or replace:

Rock Chip

A rock chip happens when rocks or other airborne debris strike your windshield, causing a tiny piece of glass to chip off.

This can be located anywhere on your car’s windshield, and you will need to get a windshield repair if the damage is smaller than 6 inches, has not spread to the edge of the windshield, and does not start from the edges of the windshield.

Pit

This is pretty similar to a rock chip, but it tends to be much smaller. Thus, to remove this damage, windshield repair will suffice to retain the protection and aesthetics given by your car’s windshield.

Bull’s Eye

When the windshield of your vehicle gets damaged in a circular shape, it is known as a bull’s eye. A large piece of rock usually causes this.

Depending on the size and location of the damage, you will need to choose between DIY auto glass replacement or repair. If it is bigger than 6 inches and on the edges of the windshield, then your only option will be windshield replacement.

Combination Break

A combination break occurs when your vehicle’s windshield has multiple types of chips and cracks. In this case, an auto glass windscreen repair will suffice only if the damage is away from the edges, small, and not intersecting with each other. If this is not the case, you will need to resort to DIY windscreen replacement.

Edge Crack

An edge crack occurs when damage begins within two inches of your car’s windshield or extends along the edges, depending on where the impact occurs.

An edge crack can span 10-12 inches, and you’ll likely need a DIY windshield replacement to ensure your vehicle’s windshield functions properly.

Floater Crack

A floater crack either starts 2 inches from the edge of your car’s windshield or is located in the center. This sort of crack might be small on impact but then spreads in any direction over time, becoming much larger. Thus, this type of crack necessitates DIY windshield replacement.

Half Moon

Half Moon damage is similar to a bulls-eye but is a partial version, as the impact from a rock or airborne object creates an incomplete, non-circular shape. Depending on the severity and location of the damage, you will need to decide whether to repair or replace the windshield.

Long Crack

As the name suggests, this crack is longer than 6 inches, necessitating DIY windshield replacement. This replacement will help you ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, your safety, and the safety of your loved ones. With a top-notch windshield, you will also be able to have an enjoyable driving experience.

Star Break

A star break is a type of windshield damage characterized by a series of small radial cracks radiating out from the point of impact, resembling a star. If the radius of this damage is under 3 inches, then windshield repair will be the right choice for you.

Stress Crack

This crack on your windshield happens not because of any impact but rather due to rapid and extreme temperature fluctuations. In this case, seek the advice of an auto glass repair expert to determine whether repairing it will work or whether you need to replace it. Another alternative is assessing the damage yourself to determine the right course of action.

Should You Attempt DIY Windscreen Replacement?

While you can attempt DIY auto glass replacement if you feel up to the task, there are high chances that the costs you incur in acquiring the required tools will be equivalent to what you will have to pay auto glass experts. On top of it, you will also have to invest a couple of hours out of your busy schedules.

Poor installation or repair of the windshield can also lead to issues like wind noise, water leaks, poor visibility, and a loose windshield that might pop out during accidents. Additionally, if you lack the expertise, you might damage other parts like the dashboard, trim, or paint in the process of repairing your car’s windshield.

Lastly, most windshields today are integrated with advanced technologies like ADAS. If you do not recalibrate them correctly during the replacement, they will not function optimally, compromising the quality of your vehicle.

Conclusion

If your windshield is damaged in one or more ways, the best way to determine whether you need windshield replacement or repair is to identify the type of damage. This will help you determine its intensity, vulnerability, scope of repair, and urgency.

Based on these factors, make the right choice between windshield repair and replacement to ensure the structural integrity of your vehicle and the safety of you and your loved ones.

Whether you need repairs or replacement, refrain from DIY auto glass windshield replacement or repair, as this will only create more challenges for you to sort out.

Don’t risk your safety with DIY fixes—trust the certified professionals at NuVision Auto Glass to restore your vehicle to its optimal condition. With guaranteed quality, lifetime warranties, and hassle-free insurance claims, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.