Pain In The Glass

We went touring a few weeks ago, and as we motored through Marion, Illinois, a tiny rock flipped up by the car ahead of us nailed a spot on the windshield.  It took out a chip, and two cracks started moving out; one going up, and one going down.  Luckily, we happened upon an auto parts store in two blocks, so we eased into the parking lot, went in the store and bought a windshield repair kit.  These kits consist of a tube of cyanoacrylate glue, and an application system to put it into the crack to stop it from spreading.  After carefully wiping off the glass you apply a pad with adhesive on both sides, and the base for a syringe.

 Squeeze most of the glue out of the tube into the base, and then apply suction with the syringe for at least ten minutes.  The partial vacuum pulls air out of the cracks so the glue can migrate in.

Remove the syringe and pull the plunger to the top of the barrel, then put it back on the base and push the plunger down to the catch.  This step applies pressure to the glue to give it a push into the bottom of the cracks, and you are supposed to let it stand for about twenty minutes.  Remove the syringe and base, then use the remaining glue on the top of the crack.  Let it sit in the sun for a while to cure, and you are done. 

We have used these kits on other cracks, and we generally have been successful in saving the windshield.  Even if it doesn't work, you will only be out around ten bucks, and will save hundreds if it works.