Can All Windshield Cracks Be Repaired? Knowing the Limits - AllCarIndex

Can All Windshield Cracks Be Repaired? Knowing the Limits

Jun 21, 2025

They say discretion is the better part of valor. When they say this, they usually mean it’s wise to walk away from a fight you probably won’t win. As an adult human being, you probably shouldn’t be getting into fights (unless you box or practice jiu-jitsu as a hobby). But not all fights are against other people. Maybe you’re fighting with your laptop, washing machine, or vacuum cleaner. At a certain point, you need to know if it’s worth trying to repair faulty appliances and devices or just replace them.

This kind of fight is often relevant for auto body repair. It's sensible to get the most out of your vehicle; stretching its lifespan is probably better for the environment and better for your bank account. But if you need a brand-new transmission, engine, or axle, you may be wondering if the more sensible option is to just trade in your battered vehicle rather than pay for increasingly expensive collision repair services. On a smaller scale, the same dynamic exists with windshield repair techniques.

Windshield repair

Windshield repair technology has progressed by leaps and bounds in recent decades. This coincides with developments in how auto glass manufacturers engineer windshields and the materials and processes they use. For example, many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) now use windshields in ways that were once the realm of science fiction. This includes projecting information on the windshield and utilizing sensors in the windshield to help detect possible obstacles.

These technological advancements have both expanded the possibilities of windshield repair and made the process trickier. Chips and cracks that once would have required an entire windshield replacement are now reparable. However, ADAS features can make repair more difficult, requiring just the right technology and windshield repair techniques to get right.

How to repair windshield cracks

If you go to a collision repair shop or windshield repair business, they’ll probably have a standard method for fixing chips and cracks in your windshield. The typical method involves injecting a resin into the crack or divot and then holding the windshield in place with clamps, so the glass keeps its shape. They may also use a special light to help the resin dry properly. There’s no guarantee that a windshield repair will leave no trace, however, so auto body repair technicians must be judicious when recommending repair or replacement.

Windshield chips: What’s reparable and what’s not?

Today, most auto body repair shops can repair most chips in windshields. Generally, collision repair technicians can repair chips with a diameter of two-and-a-half centimeters (about an inch) or smaller. But size isn’t the only thing that matters for windshield repair. What the chip looks like and where it also matters.

In windshield repair circles, there are four informally recognized types of chips. These are:

1. Bullseye: These are round chips with a dark center. These typically result from a direct hit by a small rock or similar debris, leaving a clear, circular impact point surrounded by concentric rings, like the bullseye of a target. Window repair techs can usually fix these.

2. Star break: If you’re driving on the highway and receive a high-velocity impact from gravel or another sharp object, your windshield might sustain a star break. This is a central impact point with several short cracks that radiate outwards, looking like a star. The length and number of cracks that radiate outwards determine if this kind of chip is reparable. If there are too many cracks or if these “legs” are too long, a wind repair technician might recommend replacement instead.

3. Half-moon: Also called crescent moon, these chips kind of look like half a bullseye. They can occur after an angled impact. They’re reparable, though their incomplete circle shape can make the resin fill less uniform, causing a more visible repair mark after the windshield repair.

4. Combination break: This kind of chip features combinations of the above three. Size is the main factor in determining if these chips are reparable, but they can often be difficult jobs. A windshield repair of a combination break may leave some visual distortion.

When are windshield chips and cracks irreparable?

Each windshield repair technician judges each case individually. There is no universal guideline for when windshield repair or replacement is necessary. Collision repair businesses weigh several factors when deciding to recommend a repair or a replacement. These factors include:

Location

If the chip isn’t in the driver’s direct line of sight, an auto body repair technician will probably recommend a full replacement. A windshield repair can leave minor distortions, which aren’t ideal for visibility. If the crack is on the passenger side, a slight distortion isn’t a major concern, but it’s best not to take risks for anything directly in front of the driver.

However, a chip or crack can’t be too far off to the side, either. If there’s damage at the edge of the glass, this can compromise the structural integrity of the windshield. That’s why a technician may recommend a full replacement, even for a seemingly small crack.

Depth and length

If a chip only affects the outer layer of glass and hasn’t penetrated through the laminate or the inner layer, it’s typically fixable. However, if a crack goes deeper than that, or if it’s too long, then windshield repair becomes too dicey, and a replacement is your better option.

Other factors

If a windshield has multiple chips or a large combination of cracks, then a windshield repair is probably impractical. Furthermore, if there are chips in the camera or sensor area in a vehicle with ADAS features, it may be necessary to replace the whole windshield.

If you trust your windshield to an expert collision repair business, they can advise on the best course of action. If you have ADAS sensors in your windshield, make sure your auto body repair shop uses the right tools and window repair techniques.