DIY VS. Professional Windshield Repair: Which Option is Right for You?
If you are preparing your car for sale or simply restoring it to like-new condition, there are plenty of DIY repairs you can do. You can restore your headlights, buff out scratches in the paint, and do a detailed clean.
When it comes to windshield chip repair, there are a few variables to consider before you decide on a DIY project or schedule professional service. You have probably seen a DIY windshield repair kit in your hardware store and wondered if you could repair your windshield and save some time or money.
If the windshield is chipped or has a small spider crack, the glass chip repair might be able to be repaired by you at home with a windshield repair kit. If you let it grow into a crack, then you should look at having a professional repair the damages instead of repairing them yourself.
A DIY windscreen chip kit is an inexpensive solution for small chips and cracks caused by loose gravel, pebbles, or hail
- With a windshield repair kit, you can easily repair small chips but anything with a large crack should be looked after by a professional. However, repairing your windscreen may not be the safest or most economical solution and cannot completely rule out damage to the windscreen.
- If you try to repair the windshield yourself, you may lose your vehicle’s warranty. Your vehicle’s warranty may stipulate that you need to take the vehicle to a professional to repair the windscreen, the coverage would expire with a DIY repair.
- If your vehicle is past warranty, you can try to use a windshield repair kit at home or make the choice to pay professional services for a minor repair. When you get it done professionally, it could save you money in the long run.
There are many kits to choose from. If you decide to repair your windshield chip, you must decide which repair kit is best for you when it comes to repairing the windshield.
The reality is that using a kit without prior experience in repairing windows is likely to cause more damage to the windscreen and instead of repairing the windscreen, you may need to hire a specialist to perform a window replacement. This could cost you more money than if you would have had it repaired by a professional.
While repairing broken windows is a fairly simple repair that can be done at home, in some cases you should consult an expert who will look into major repairs to cracks in the windscreen or at least provide advice on how to prevent the spread of cracks in the windscreen.
Things to Consider When Deciding Whether You Want to Fix Your Windshield Yourself or If You Need a Professional
- Factor in the time it will take you to read instructions or watch tutorial videos to make sure you’re applying the DIY repair kit correctly.
- If you tried a DIY windshield repair kit but the damaged area did not fill, the rock chip may eventually start to crack.
- The answer as to whether repairing a windshield yourself will be a worthwhile investment depends on whether you want to take the risk or bring your car to a professional who can make sure the repair is done properly.
DIY Repair Kits Don’t Include Experience or Specialized Equipment
Why might a DIY windshield chip kit fail? The problem with these kits is that they don’t offer professional equipment or the years of experience your windshield repair specialists have. Do-it-yourself repair kits generally come with just a few things: a disposable tool to get rid of glass slivers in the crack, resin, and a film to place over the resin while it cures. However, professional repair generally involves a lot more techniques and expert tools.
Lower Quality Baytown Windshield Repair Resin
First, and perhaps most concerning, these kits may not have high-quality resin that can form a strong bond on your windshield. Auto-glass professionals have access to high-quality resins that fit industry standards. There’s no guarantee that a kit you pick up online or at the supermarket will contain quality resin. Therefore, there’s a chance that the repair may fail because the resin isn’t strong enough.
Another issue is that the resins tend to come already pre-mixed, but our specialists customize the viscosity of the resin to suit the type of damage and even the temperature of the windshield to form a strong bond. You don’t have that option with a kit.
No Vacuum Equipment
Also, we use professional equipment like specialized vacuum tools to help draw air out of the chip for proper windshield repair. Taking the air out and creating a vacuum can help the resin penetrate all the way down into the crack. This helps reduce the risk of air bubbles creating weak areas and failed repairs. Air can also interfere with the curing process, which can affect how strong and long-lasting your repair is. Though these tools are often necessary for a good repair, you’re not likely to have one included in your DIY kit.
No Advantage of Experience
Experience is another reason why professional repair is often a better bet for your auto glass. It can take years of training to properly repair windshields. For example, how will you know if there’s an air bubble in the resin, or whether you’ve injected the resin deep enough? While it may not sound difficult, repairing windshields to proper safety standards can take years of training.
Kits Can Only Repair Specific Types of Minor Damage
Another important thing to keep in mind is that these kits may not even work on the type of windshield damage you have. While each kit is different, most are designed only for small chips of a certain shape. If you read the fine print on one of these kits, you’ll probably notice that it says it’s only meant for chips smaller than the size of a quarter and shaped like either a star, flower, or bull’s eye. So, no cracks, chips that look like spider webs, or even surface scratches. In many cases, our Baytown windshield repair technicians can fix these types of damage.
How Long Will Windshield Repair Last?
In addition to a higher potential for failure, there’s also no guarantee that do-it-yourself windshield repair will last. Most kits don’t give any estimate for how long the chip will stay repaired, even if you do everything right and the repair is successful. Remember, the resin in these kits is often lower quality than what our technicians use. So, there’s a good chance a DIY repair will be a lot weaker than a professional repair. Therefore, it may be more of a band-aid that will end up needing a full replacement eventually.
Further Reading: The Importance of Windshield Repair: Preventing Further Damage and Ensuring Safety
Conclusion
By contrast, windshield repair can last the lifetime of your windshield when done properly by professionals. This can save you money in the long run on auto glass. Therefore, consider long-term costs when trying to decide between do-it-yourself or professional repairs.