Best Windshield Repair Kits For 2023

Windshield chips are an unhappy fact of life for most drivers. Every road surface collects pebbles and debris, all of which can be transformed into projectiles when picked up by the tires of a passing car. While most are harmless, a direct hit almost always creates a chip, and that unsightly chip can easily lead to cracks, which can spread and ruin a windshield.

If you wait too long, an expensive professional replacement may be the only fix. But if the chip is small and you act promptly, DIY windshield repair kits can save you time and money.

Typically, windshield repair kits use epoxy resin to fill, seal and stabilize minor damage measuring one inch or less in diameter. They work best on small bullseyes, chips, and stars, but for the best results, drivers should perform the repair as soon as possible.

These kits aren’t a panacea, and waiting too long can let road dirt and other contaminants work their way into microscopic cracks surrounding the chip preventing the epoxy from adhering effectively. Likewise, temperature changes can cause the chip to further fracture the glass, sometimes producing a very large crack. If you’re reading this because that’s already happened, windshield replacement beckons.

The science behind most of these kits is similar, and the major differences involve the method of injecting the epoxy into the void. Several include a vacuum syringe to first remove dirt and moisture, creating a clean surface for the epoxy to bond to, ultimately creating an effective repair. The end result may not be quite as good as a professional repair or replacement, but it will help stop further damage at a much lower price.

Without further ado, here are our top windshield repair kit picks for 2022:

The 5 Best Windshield Repair Kits

  • Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit : Best Overall
  • Blue-Star Windshield Repair Kit: Easiest to Use
  • Permatex Windshield Repair Kit : Easiest to Use (runner up)
  • Clearshield Windshield Repair Kit: Best Professional Grade Kit
  • AODA Car Windshield Repair Kit : Best to Repair Several Chips

Methodology

Windshield repair kits are often very simple: a compound (usually resin) in a tube that seals a chip, star or crack. In some cases, epoxy and resin must be mixed into this compound, but the easiest-to-use DIY kits do this for you. There are also applicators and positioning tools involved, and in some cases, professional-grade kits may provide additional tools and sealants for other areas, such as silicone sealant for installing an entire windshield.

While some kits offer the ability to seal and stabilize small cracks (as large as 12 inches, which isn’t exactly “small”, our rankings focus primarily on easy-to-use kits for repairing stone chips, bullseyes and star fractures. We’ve also included some heavier-duty kits here, but the way we rank them is the same.

Through direct testing and research, we evaluate all windshield repair kits based on these weighted metrics:

  • Price (40%)
  • Demonstrated ability to seal a chip under 0.5 inches in diameter (15%)
  • Ability to seal larger chips or cracks (10%)
  • Manufacturer Reputation (10%)
  • Quality of resin or application tools (10%)
  • Ease of use and clarity of instructions (10%)
  • Overall value (5%)

Text taken from: https://www.forbes.com