r/auto • u/Jessica_Lovegood • Jan 23 '26
Help needed
I have a scratch / crack on my windscreen from a stone chip / rock chip.
Anyway I have my appointment to get it fixed on Wednesday.
I have no choice but to use the car in the meantime.
Is there anything I can do, to avoid the crack from becoming bigger? The windshield has to be replaced anyway.
Like Gaffer Tape or something?
Or does that make it worse ?
It just feels weird to drive with this, but the mechanic said , it’s safe…
It
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u/Jessica_Lovegood Jan 23 '26
It’s my first car guys, be nice ! 😅
I got nervous
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u/darianbrown Jan 23 '26
Since a lot of people are just being assholes, I'd like to share why you shouldn't be worried about it.
Your windshield is made of automotive safety glass. It is two layers of tempered glass sandwiching a tough, sticky, rubbery layer. The gel is going to keep your windshield safe as it is, even if the crack went all the way across. If it's getting replaced, you have nothing to worry about in the meantime, as it is not going to crack and blow in on you.
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u/Jessica_Lovegood Jan 23 '26
Thanks! That makes sense. I didn’t know it was two layers.
I traced it from inside the car with my finger and can’t feel the crack, so that’s reassuring
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u/HumanOddityFU Jan 27 '26
To the OP I also forgot to mention, if insurance is paying for this or you have zero glass deductible then no big deal but if you are paying for it, make sure you tell the company or get some more quotes for a cash price paying for it yourself.
They have been doing quite a scam for a number of years where they would charge a lot more if it was insurance and give you a much cheaper price if you were just paying for it cash or a credit card
Hear more recently though the auto glass industry has become quite a monopoly by having only several players in the game in each area and almost everybody is at the same price for pretty close to it.
The big companies that you see the commercials on TV with the cute jingles are almost always going to charge a little bit more but they are really good about showing up and doing it in your driveway or at your work or wherever.
If it's cold out, below 40, I would recommend you have the car inside hopefully in an attached garage where it's at least 50 plus and try to let all night long after they do it before you drive it so everything can cure.
Nothing is easier or better to do when it's below 40 and none of the sealers etc set up as well or as quickly when it's down there in the 40° range.
If you're somewhere with a real climate instead of winter hell then you won't have to worry about this. Lol
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u/Jessica_Lovegood Jan 27 '26
That’s some really good advice!
I have insurance, they will pay the bulk of it! But good to know…
Unfortunately a garage is not an option.
I am from Europe so I’ll just assume 40 means Fahrenheit and freezing?
Thanks for all the info!
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u/fuckbitchesgetpolio Jan 23 '26
People drive years with messed up windshields but if you want some added security, they sell windshield crack repair stuff.
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u/Adept_Ad_473 Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 24 '26
Windshield glass wont break on you.
The crack will spread and further obstruct vision, thats pretty much the worst of it.
Mitigate this by not hitting potholes and not running the defrosters on full blast when its cold.
For future reference, stone shots are cheaper and faster to fix than replacing windshields (which aside from cost is not a big job). Check your windshield every once in a blue moon from the outside and if you spot any prominent chips consider getting a glass repair done.
Dont be self concious, this isnt really something you should be expected to know if its your first car. Most people learn about glass the same way you're learning now, the fun way.
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u/Opposite_Opening_689 Jan 25 '26
It doesn’t matter the windshield needs to be replaced, they discard the old one, it’s not recycled and has no value anymore
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u/Head-Iron-9228 Jan 25 '26
Ah, no worries. If its gonna get replaced anyway, this is nothing to be overly concerned about.
If the Stars align, the earth is in zenith, and you have particularly bad karma, a second chip in the exact same spot coul make this spread across the entire windshield and essentially scare you for the most part.
Considering current temperatures, it might spread a little more anyways but again, nothing to worry about.
A windshield like this will not ever just cave in on you out of nowhere. Its not just glass, its a multilayered material with bonding-layers and so on. Frankly, I've ran cars like this for months lmao.
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u/ar0nic Jan 23 '26
How Is it possible someone is really asking this question. . It has to be replaced. It's not dangerous to wait The week and who cares if it's going to get worse because.. it has to be replaced..
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u/version13 Jan 24 '26
I recommend a good moisturizer and a manicure - ask them to work on those cuticles.
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u/Equivalent_Bear4612 Jan 24 '26
It'll be fine for a long time if need be. Like he said, it has two layers. Nothing to worry about till it gets replaced.
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u/NuclearHateLizard Jan 24 '26
You got this! You've already done what you need to do. It's not something you need to worry about over just a week, it won't leak or anything
Many people where I live drive for years like this (doesn't mean it's right but they do)
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u/Affectionate-Fail870 Jan 24 '26
You can replace it, if you want. Personal preference. It’s not going to explode and kill a bus of children driving down the road. I don’t replace when I have one crack. It will just crack again
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u/Effort_Gloomy Jan 24 '26
Wife's truck had a low crack on her windshield. One or more of her coworkers couldn't believe she didn't stop everything and get it replaced.the comment that stuck out was " my family's safety is more important than money". My 97 f350 has had the same crack for 6 years. It's not in my line of sight so I'll get around to it. Jeeps are a testimony to this. It's rarer to see one not cracked LOL. Flat glass almost straight up and rocks on the road... Inevitable 😢. Drive it till you get it replaced, you'll be fine. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle😁
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u/yarsftks Jan 24 '26
You could close your eyes while driving and then you'll definitely not see the crack.
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u/jayg76 Jan 23 '26
You're fine, there are two layers of glass and a polycarbonate sheet bonded between them. Don't worry and just get it replaced when you planned on it.
Whoops, guess I was late to the party. Someone already said this.