regular maintenance checks for your car

Winter is the season for snow, skiing, festivities, and windshield damage. Unfortunately, harsh road conditions are rarely conducive to keeping a windshield in perfect condition, and stone chips are common for drivers who must routinely venture out into the frozen wastes. The good news is that you don't need to leave with these potentially dangerous windshield blemishes.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of myths out there about how windshield repair works. Don't let these three common misconceptions about windshield stone chips keep you from having a clear view of the road ahead.

1. Stone Chips Won't Spread

Perhaps the most serious misconception is that only cracks can spread. Most windshield chips are fairly complex, and if you look closely, you'll probably notice that the chip in your windshield isn't a simple circle. Professionals use various terms to describe stone chip patterns, such as bull's eye, star chip, or combination. Whatever the name, they're all equally problematic.

Just as with a straight-line crack, any of these chips can potentially worsen as temperature changes cause your car's glass to expand and contract. A simple semi-circle chip may eventually form a crack that can stretch across your windshield, obscuring your view entirely. Repairing chips as early as possible will reduce the likelihood that they will spread, saving you from a costly windshield replacement.

2. Resin Repairs Are Ugly

Glass repair technicians typically use injectable resin to repair stone chips and other types of damage to windshield glass. Resin repairs are a multi-step process that involves surface preparation, application, and curing. This process requires skill and experience, so working with an experienced glass repair company is the best way to get a good final result.

Unfortunately, many believe these repairs will leave an ugly blemish on their glass. In reality, a well-performed resin repair is highly effective at restoring your windshield's structural integrity and appearance. While a resin repair generally can't restore complete optical clarity, it can get your windshield looking good again.

3. Speed Doesn't Matter

Can you repair a stone chip from a year ago? Most likely! However, the potential for spreading damage isn't the only reason to repair your glass as quickly as possible. Over time, a stone chip will accumulate dust, dirt, and debris. These contaminants can make it much harder to prepare the windshield surface, reducing the final quality of the repair.

Fixing stone chips as soon as you notice them is the best way to ensure a repair that looks good and lasts for as long as possible. Although you can wait to make these repairs, the result won't necessarily be as good and the repair may fail much sooner. As with many automotive repairs, the sooner you fix your stone chips, the less money you'll probably spend over the long run. 

For more information on stone chip repair, contact a professional near you.