If you have discovered a small chip or crack in your windshield, you know that fixing it quickly is essential. You don't want that crack or chip to spread at all because the wider it gets, the more difficult it will be to patch -- and if it gets too wide, you might have to replace the entire windshield. However, during that period of time between the appearance of the crack and the moment it's fixed, you still risk it expanding. Here's what you need to do to reduce the chances of the crack or chip turning into a crevasse.
Have a Mobile Unit Come Out
If at all possible, don't drive the car, leave it parked in the shade, and call a mobile windshield repair company. Vibrations from the tires running over the road can radiate up into the glass, potentially making the crack widen a bit. Hot temperatures make the glass expand, so keeping at least the windshield portion of the car in the shade is essential. A mobile repair company will come out to your location and fix the chip or crack there, rather than taking the car anywhere.
Avoid Potholes and Bumps
If you can't call a mobile unit for whatever reason, and you have to drive the car, proceed carefully and avoid potholes and bumps. Jarring motions like hitting a pothole can make the small chip suddenly expand across the windshield. Do not speed unnecessarily; take surface streets if you can because these will be lower speed and thus make it easier for you to avoid rough patches in the road (you'll have more time to react).
Fast Fixes
If you can't get to a windshield repair company's location immediately, then for the few days that you have to wait, reduce your driving to only what is absolutely necessary. Also, you can try a fast, but temporary, fix. One such fix is to place a drop of superglue in the crack and spread it along the entire crack. Another is similar but uses clear nail polish. In both cases, clean the crack first to get as much dirt out as possible. A basic glass cleaner should be fine.
Windshield repair doesn't take long at all. All you have to do is just baby the car and the glass until you can get to the repair location or until a mobile unit can come to yours.
