High-Quality Windscreen Chip Repair in Melbourne!

Whenever you drive, you are at risk of getting a chipped windscreen. It is an unfortunate, annoying part of life and unavoidable no matter how safe your drive. Kicked-up debris or stones from the road, as well as from trucks and unmade roads, can create a chip in an instant. Even the smallest stone can make a sizable chip if there’s enough force behind it. Thankfully, most chips’ damage can be repaired depending on the chip’s shape, depth, and size. But many people still wonder how windscreen chips are repaired and whether chip repairs are a good, long-term solution. Today we’re going to ask the question, does chip repair work?

How a Windscreen Chip is Repaired

So, does windscreen chip repair work? Below we are going to break down the exact process and techniques behind making your windscreen safe AND looking great again.

Examining the Chip

The first step is to examine the chip to see if it can be repaired and the appropriate method for fixing it. This depends on the type and size of the chip, which also determines if repair is possible. There are several types of windscreen chips, including:

Bullseye Chip

These are windscreen chips defined by their circular shape with a dark outline and a central cone in the outer layer of the glass. This damage tends to resemble a bullseye on a dartboard, hence the name. These chips are often one of the easiest to repair, provided the chip isn’t too large. They should be less than an inch in diameter and not within the driver’s field of vision.

Surface Chip

The surface chip is the most common type of windscreen damage. It usually occurs when small, hard objects, like stones, knock out smaller chunks of glass. As long as this type of chip doesn’t pierce the plastic divider between the inner and outer layers of safety glass, it is often simple to repair.

Star Chip

A star chip is defined by several cracks spreading out from the point of impact, creating the look of a star. Generally, the damage is smaller than 2.5cm in diameter.

Cracks

Generally, cracks cannot be repaired, and your windscreen will need to be replaced. This is why we say it is important to get a chip repaired before it turns into a crack. Even the smallest jolt can cause the weakened glass around the chip to expand the damage. Cracks can also render your car unroadworthy, so you must have your windscreen replaced as soon as possible if you have a crack.

The Windscreen Chip Repair Process

Once we are sure the chip meets the correct criteria for repair, our technicians can begin the repair process. This means our technicians are happy that the chip is within safe size standards for a high-quality repair, and the windscreen won’t require replacing.

1: Cleaning the Chip

Cleaning the impact point is an essential part of the repair process to ensure a successful repair. Any loose glass splinters or fragments are removed, along with dust and debris that could impede the resin repair process. At this point, our skilled technicians will also identify ways to enhance resin flow for the best possible repair of your windscreen.

2: Vacuum Seal

After cleaning and preparing the repair site, the tool for repairing your windscreen is applied. A vacuum seal is used to secure the tool to the windscreen before it is filled with the resin used for the repair. Our technicians take extreme care to prevent any air from remaining in the chip, as this can affect the resin curing.

3: Filling the Chip with Resin

The resin is then pushed into the chip once the vacuum seal has removed all the air. The time taken at this point depends on the size and depth of this chip and the type of resin used. The pressure from the tool ensures that resin flows through and fills the entirety of the chip.

4: Curing the Resin

Resin cures by exposure to ultraviolet light. This causes the resin to harden inside the chip, forming a substance as strong and safe as the rest of your Autoglass. At this stage of the repair, our technicians take great care to ensure the resin is totally cured, including around the edges.

5: Levelling Off Excess Resin

A smooth finish is important not only for the aesthetic look of your windscreen but also for safety. If there is any excess resin, our technicians level off any excess resin for the perfect finish. This leaves your windscreen as strong and safe as it was before the chip, allowing you to drive safely once again.

Why Windscreen Chip Repair Doesn’t Always Work

There are, of course, times when chip repair doesn’t work. Poor repair work can result in you needing to seek another repair or even a full windscreen replacement soon after. Repair work can be impeded by a number of factors other than poor repair techniques, including:

A Dirty Windscreen

Technicians need to completely clean and dry chip impacts so the resin can cure properly. There is also a risk of dirt or moisture being present that isn’t visible to the eye. Expert technicians, like those at Quality Fit Windscreens, know how to mitigate this risk and ensure a high-quality, safe repair.

Local Weather Conditions

Reliable windscreen repair services, like Quality Fit Windscreens, have dedicated workspaces or techniques. This prevents weather conditions from influencing the success of your windscreen repair. The resin used to repair your windscreen bonds with the damaged glass, strengthening it and preventing the damage from spreading. This process happens quickly, so we can get you back on the road quickly and safely. However, low temperatures or too much moisture in the air can affect the resin-curing process. A good technician will know how to repair your windscreen without weather affecting the process.