We all know that a crack or chip in your windshield is a bad thing. It can reduce your visibility while driving, which can be dangerous. It can also affect your car’s value and lead to costly repairs if it is not repaired promptly. If your car insurance covers auto glass damage, a repair can be done quickly and for little cost. Some companies will even make “house calls,” getting you back on the road quickly with a minimal inconvenience.

When a foreign object hits your windshield and damages the top layer, a chip pit develops. This looks like a pothole on the windshield and is usually easy to repair.

A bull’s eye chip is more difficult to repair, but not impossible. A bull’s eye chip is circular with a point in the center and can usually be fixed with an epoxy resin. The repair must be applied quickly before the resin hardens, so you should save a do-it-yourself kit for a sunny day.

In the early 1970s, a company called Novus developed equipment that allowed individuals to repair windshields without the assistance of a glass replacement or auto body shop. A small number of these individuals began to offer their services at a price that was competitive with the costs of a professional repair and a good alternative to replacing the windshield.

To fix a crack, the Novus system used an epoxy resin to seal and fill the damaged area of the windshield. The process used a holder and syringe that was placed over the break. After a bit of time, the syringe’s plunger was pulled up to vacuum air out of the break and then pushed down to inject the resin. After a short amount of time, the syringe was removed and the resin was allowed to dry.

Whether you are using a Novus-type device or one of the other do-it-yourself repair kits available at auto parts stores or department stores, you need to follow the instructions carefully. It is important to keep the glass clean and to work in a warm, bright environment. You may need to use a hair dryer to remove moisture and a UV light to help the epoxy cure.

Many do-it-yourself windshield repair oakville kits come with a syringe or other applicator that is attached to a holder. The syringe is then positioned over the chip and the holder is secured to the windshield using suction cups or some other means. The applicator is then loaded with the desired amount of resin, as per the instructions in the kit.

Most repair kits have a curing strip that is placed over the resin to prevent moisture from penetrating the crack in the windshield and causing further damage. The strip is left on the windshield for the recommended period of time, as indicated in the kit instructions. When the strip has cured, it can be scraped off, leaving a flawless windshield.