Short cracks can be repaired. Long ones cannot.
Most windshield cracks start as a rock chip. A stone hits the glass on I-15 or SR-76, leaves a small break, and days or weeks later a line starts creeping out of it. Catch that line while it is short and it can usually be filled with the same resin we use for chips, which bonds the glass and stops it growing.
Wait too long and the crack keeps going. Once it is long, or once it reaches the edge of the windshield, repair is no longer a reliable fix and the glass needs to be replaced. Pacific Windshields does not replace windshields. We repair rock chips and short cracks only, so when we say a crack is repairable it is because we can fix it, and when it is not, we tell you.
Which cracks we can repair
A crack is a good candidate for windshield crack repair when:
- It is short and still growing from a chip or impact point.
- It has not reached the edge of the glass.
- It is in the outer layer of the windshield only, which is true of most rock damage.
- It is clean, or close to it. Cracks that have collected dirt and water for months are harder to fill well.
We do not publish a maximum length, because the right answer depends on where the crack is and how it is behaving. The fastest way to find out is to text a photo of the crack to 760-500-9281. Lay a coin or a pen next to it for scale.
When a crack needs a new windshield
Be honest with yourself about these. In each case, you are better off with a replacement than paying for a repair:
| Situation | Why repair is not the answer |
|---|---|
| Long cracks | A long crack has already shown the glass will not hold. Filling it does not restore the strength of the windshield. |
| Edge cracks | The edge of the windshield is under constant stress from the frame. Cracks that start at or run into the edge keep opening. |
| Several crossing cracks | When cracks branch and meet, there is too much damage to bond reliably. |
| Damage through both layers | If the inner layer of glass is broken too, the windshield needs to come out. |
If yours falls into one of these, we will say so up front, and you can take it to a replacement shop. Replacement for a modern car or SUV typically runs $600–$1000+, which is exactly why it pays to deal with a chip before it gets this far. See repair vs. replace for more detail.
How small crack repair works
Crack repair follows the same idea as rock chip repair, with more care along the line:
- We find the end of the crack and stop it from running further.
- The impact point is cleaned out and the injector is mounted.
- Air is drawn out and resin is worked along the full length of the crack.
- The resin is cured, the surface is sealed, and the glass is polished.
Most repairs take about 30 minutes, and we do them wherever the car is parked through our mobile windshield repair service.
Why cracks grow in North County
San Diego County’s mild reputation hides a lot of temperature swing. Inland in Escondido, San Marcos or Fallbrook, a dark dashboard can bake in afternoon sun, then cool fast after sunset. On the coast, marine-layer mornings mean drivers run the defroster on cold glass. Each of those changes makes the glass expand and contract, and a crack grows a little each time. Road vibration, speed bumps and potholes add to it. You can read more on how heat and cold affect windshield chips.
Keep a fresh crack from growing
- Park in the shade or a garage when you can.
- Warm or cool the cabin gradually instead of aiming full air at the glass.
- Close doors gently and take speed bumps slowly.
- Skip the car wash until it is repaired.
Get an honest answer today
Text a photo to 760-500-9281 or call (760) 500-9281, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. If the crack is short enough, every repair is guaranteed for the life of the vehicle. We cover all of North County San Diego, from Oceanside to Poway.
