Can a small pit caused by a stone hitting the car windshield be repaired?
3 Answers
Whether the windshield damage can be repaired depends on the size of the pit. If the pit is relatively small, with a diameter of less than 2 centimeters, and only causes damage to the outer layer of the glass, then it can be repaired. Precautions for windshield repair: Pit repair for glass is only applicable to laminated glass, which is the front windshield. The side windows of cars generally use tempered glass, which will shatter upon impact and cannot be repaired. Hazards of not repairing in time: If a pit is formed on the front windshield, it will endure varying pressures due to changes in vehicle speed and wind speed. Additionally, the temperature difference caused by the car's air conditioning leads to uneven thermal expansion and contraction of the glass. Failure to repair it promptly may cause the damaged area to expand and spread, and in severe cases, even result in the entire panel being damaged.
I'm all too familiar with small pits caused by stones hitting the windshield. I encountered this last year while driving on the highway. Whether such damage can be repaired depends on three key factors: the size of the pit, its depth, and its location on the windshield. If it's just a shallow pit about the size of a coin, especially one without cracks, over 90% can be repaired. A professional technician will fill the pit with special resin, cure it with a UV lamp, and then polish it—after repair, it's almost invisible. But if the pit is directly in front of the driver or has cracked into a spider-web pattern, the entire windshield needs to be replaced. My advice is to address it immediately after discovery. Don't wait for rain or car washes to let water seep in, or a small pit could turn into a large crack, forcing you to spend two to three thousand on a new windshield.
I was heartbroken when a pebble kicked up from the roadside chipped my windshield, leaving a sesame seed-sized pit. After consulting my trusted mechanic, he explained that small chip repairs depend on three factors: the depth shouldn't exceed coin thickness, the inner glass layer must remain intact, and cracks can't extend beyond five centimeters. If these conditions are met, specialized resin can perfectly fix it for a few hundred yuan in just half an hour - far more economical than replacing the entire windshield. He particularly emphasized that if the damage is on the outer layer of laminated glass, the repaired strength remains virtually unaffected. However, if the chip is in an area unreachable by windshield wipers, the repair effectiveness may be compromised. Now I always maintain a greater following distance to prevent this from happening again.
