Nobody loves driving around with a spiderweb-like crack on their windshield. But often, it might not be possible to fix it immediately because of financial constraints or other issues.
Regardless of your situation, if you want to know how to stop a crack in the windshield from spreading, you have come to the right place!
Read More: Windshield Chip vs. Crack
How To Stop A Crack In Windshield From Spreading?
Use A Windshield Repair Kit
You can find DIY windshield repair kits in most hardware stores. The kit will include everything you would need to repair the windshield by yourself. It should come with a razor-like glass removal tool; use it to remove broken bits of glass and other debris.
The kits also include a special resin that you can use to fill up the hole. It will reduce stress on the windshield and stop it from cracking further. Put a caring strip on top of the resin-treated area. After the resin dries off, remove the dried resin that spills out of the crack with the removal tool.
Use Super Glue/Nail Polish
You can use everyday items like super glue or nail polish to treat a crack in the windshield. Before you use them on the windshield, clean the windshield with auto glass cleaner and a paper towel so that the dust and glass splinters get out of the way.
Then use superglue or clear nail polish. Wait for the superglue or nail polish to dry. Place a piece of clean packing tape to help keep the dirt out until the chip is repaired.
However, we must emphasize that this is not a permanent solution. It will only work for a few weeks. Yes, you can reapply glue or nail polish, but don’t expect it to be as effective as the first application. So, this is only a stopgap measure.
Read More: Can a 12-inch Crack in Windshield Be Repaired?
Don’t Leave The Car Outside
Both hot and cold water can impose stress on your glass. In warm weather, glass tends to expand. When the temperature drops, it does the opposite, but still, the cracks will get worse. Why? The glass contracts and tends to take on a more concave shape. This puts pressure on the glass, so the cracks widen.
Therefore, you should not leave your car out in the open for long. Always park it in a shaded area. When you are home, park it inside the garage, where the temperature is more amicable than the outside.
Cover The Crack With Tape
Another temporary solution to the problem is covering the crack with tape. First, spray some glass cleaner liquid on a piece of microfiber cloth and wipe the cracked area with it. After you clean the region, cover the crack with adhesive tape. It will keep the crack from spreading.
Don’t Drive Too Fast
When you drive fast, the wind hits your windshield at higher speeds. This will put extra pressure on the crack and make it spread more quickly. So, you should drive at moderate speeds when you have a cracked windshield. Restrain your need for speed until you get the windshield fixed.
Avoid Bumpy Terrains
The extra vibration will make the windshield crack grow if you drive through bumpy terrains. So. stay away from offroading before you repair the windshield properly. Keep an eye on your GPS to avoid such terrains while driving.
Don’t Drive In The Rain Or Snow
Weather adversities and cracked windshields don’t really go well with each other. I explained before how cold temperatures can make the cracked spiderweb on your windshield get bigger. Rainwater can have a similar effect on a cracked windshield.
Rainwater might carry debris. So it could lead to dirt buildup in the crack. There is an increased risk of further damage when you try to clean the dirt from the cracked region. You need to apply a bit of pressure, which makes the glass even more vulnerable to cracking.
For this reason, you should only get the car out when the weather is clear. Driving on rainy and snowy days will deteriorate the windshield condition and make it more challenging to repair. If it’s an emergency, cover the crack with a thick layer of tape so that the outside moisture and temperature can’t affect it much.
Read More: How To Remove Windshield Without Breaking It?
Final Opinion
If you don’t know to stop a windshield from cracking, you might end up making the problem more complicated. In some cases, you don’t need to change the whole windshield. If the crack only affects the top layer of the glass, you can fix it without replacing the windshield.
But if you don’t manage the crack well, it will get deeper, and you will have to spend way more money on fixing the windshield. So, take the steps we mentioned above and make sure you don’t have to spend extra to fix a crack in your windshield.
