Should I Fix Stone Chips?
Whether it was caused by a car accident, or by simple misfortune, a stone chip taken out of your windshield is not something you want to leave alone for too long. That seemingly tiny chip out of the windshield on your car will turn into a major problem in no time at all, causing you to spend far more money on repairs than you would ever like. In some cases, a small chip left unattended has resulted in entire windshields needing to be replaced. The key is knowing how to identify these menacing little chips before they become a major safety issue.
Like most major cities, Vancouver is no stranger to major traffic on its streets and highways. Driving around the city you may encounter a few areas where gravel and stones can get picked up off the road and tossed against your windshield by other vehicles. Following a transport truck on a major highway can often lead to debris being knocked against your windshield, and in some cases, a problematic chip can result. There are a few ways to tell if this chip is going to lead to bigger issues just by looking at your windshield from outside of your car. If you see a small chip or scratch that is about the size of a nickel or a quarter, you should take a closer look and try to identify some telltale signs of a chip that needs to be fixed.
Any chip that is in a circular shape with small cracks emerging from its centre is likely going to give you problems in the future. Although it may not seem like a big deal now, moisture, dirt and even air can now get into the crack, which will make it expand over time. This is especially true in colder months, as the rapid temperature change from cold outside air to warm air in the car will cause the cracks to expand. Due to these factors, more than 90% of minor stone chips turn into major cracks on a windshield that require expensive repairs.
What to do About a Chip
The best thing to do when you notice a potentially damaging chip like the ones we’ve discussed is to get it fixed as soon as possible. For minor, tiny chips, there are actually some DIY repair kits you can find at your local hardware or auto repair store which will fill in the crack. This method is usually most effective immediately after a chip has occurred and cracks haven’t had a chance to form yet. For a crack that has become more extensive, your best bet is to take it to an auto repair specialist like the ones at Spotlite Collision. Most minor chips and cracks can be fully repaired within 30 minutes, and at a far lesser cost.
To learn more about our windshield repair services in Vancouver, as well as the other top quality auto repair services offered at Spotlite Collision, be sure to contact us or visit us in person for an estimate on your next auto body repair project.