Windshield Rock Chips

[ThirdeYe]

Is there a good way to stop stone chips from spreading before they get out of hand? I was trying to pass a semi a few days ago and a large stone flew up and left a small chip in my windshield. It hasn't spread or started cracking yet, but perhaps there's something I can do before it spreads?
Edit: Forgot to mention that it's a very small chip, about the size of a pinhole. It looks like a dirt spec on a windshield, hardly noticeable until up close.

 

[mstrjon32]

I have 4 in the window of my old car and none of them have spread. I guess it just depends on the size of the rock, how hard it hits, and where it hits on the window. I guess window quality is also a factor.

If it bothers you, you can bring it to most auto glass shops and they can "repair" it using this special machine which will fill the crack and make it appear uncracked, albeit slightly distorted in that area. It will also stop it from spreading. Can cost anywhere between $30-$100, depending on how bad they want to screw you.

 

[olddognewtrks]

If it starts to grow cracks, most insurance policies will waive the deductable and do the cheaper fix rather than wait and pay for a whole new windshield.

 

[alreadygone]

Repairs are usually 25 50 bucks. Can still be seen, but will not crack further. Had new WS installed in my Blazer couple years ago. Soon got chip and I had it repaired ($25) within a month got another chip and decided to H.ades with it. New windhsield for this paricular vehicle wasn't but $130. installed.

Bob

 

[ThirdeYe]

Unfortunately I only have PLPD on my car so I don't think the insurance would be any help. I'll keep an eye on it and see if it gets any worse. If not, i'll leave it the way it is. It's hardly noticeable right now.

 

[mechtech2]

Right.
Some chips never turn into cracks.
You can tell which will after seeing a few.

 

[defeated]

I've been pelted by debris, and the passenger side of my windshield is sporting a couple of chips and some really scary looking cracks (down low on the passenger side, at least) - the last one courtesy of a semi cheerfully driving on a flapping flat and flinging chunks of retread. I've had great luck with the glass repair kit in the yellow package (can't remember the name, sorry!) It works on chips and cracks, and if they're just minor the repair is usually invisible. When they're as bad as mine, it at least keeps them from spreading.

 

[SLM]

The repair kits work decent; I had a big crack in my last car, and I got one of those kits and it kept the crack from spreading. Thats was in college and I drove it for at least three years that way, before I traded it in.