Hi there! It’s Kimberly from A Night Owl and I’m so excited to be back here contributing to Lil Luna this year! Last year was a blast and I was able to share a number of fun projects with you! This year I’m going to be bringing you some easy and HELPFUL tips – because we could all use a little help, right? You know, those things that were passed down to you from your mother, like how to clean baseboards like a pro (that was my main job growing up). Haha! Well today we’re starting off our tips series with: How to Keep a Windshield Crack from Spreading!
Now I live in Phoenix, AZ. And in Phoenix we have miles and miles and miles of roads and highways! That means that we’re on the road a lot and THAT means that there are plenty of opportunities for chips and cracks in your windshield. You know that feeling when the vehicle in front of you kicks up a rock and it hits your windshield? And you cringe and look around desperately for signs of a crack? Yes – that feeling. Stinks, doesn’t it? Well today I’m going to share with you a little tried and true method on how to to keep those chips and cracks from spreading – with something that you likely already own!
Clear nail polish. What? YES! It’s not just for maintaining your manicure anymore! Clear nail polish can fill the nooks and crannies of your small windshield chips and cracks and when it dries, helps to seal and protect it from the cold and elements that cause further cracking! First, you’ll want to clean the damaged area of your windshield with dish soap and warm water.
Once that is dry, simply apply a thin layer of clear nail polish to the damaged area and let dry.
Easy as that! And now you know how to keep a windshield crack from spreading! Now I don’t recommend this for large cracks or damaged areas; as always you need to practice discretion and have your windshield replace in accordance with your state laws. But this little tip can be very helpful for the small chips and cracks that companies would charge you to repair. And this is FREE!
Well I hope that helps YOU out the next time you hear that rock hit your windshield! Stay tuned for MORE tips this year!
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Thanks Kimberly! I had never even thought to do this before but will definitely do this from here on out. 🙂
Be sure to go to A Night Owl for more fun projects from Kimberly, and
for more information about her please go HERE.
For more great tips from her be sure to check out:
How to Clean Your Curling Iron
ENJOY!
Wow that is amazing. I am going to pin that!
xoxo
Unfortunately in CA with construction everywhere ALWAYS, there are more cracks and chips than I’d like. Thanks for the tip Kimberly!
I live in California and that is so true.
Oh my goodness, I have cracked my windshield more times this year alone than I care to admit. I am sick and tired of having to replace my entire windshield because I get a couple good dings in a couple of days and in less than a week they’ve all spread and connected. This tip has really helped though!
Kimberly,
I had never heard of this! Too cool. I have a little sports car that is always getting dinged by pebbles and such. this is a really helpful tip! Who knew? LOL! Thank you for the post!
Ugg I wish I would have seen this 2 weeks ago! Had a small chip and coukdn’t get it in until the weekend ans the next day the crack went all the way across my window (damn polar vortex!)
Great tip! We got a chip just the other day!
But check with your insurance first. Ours will pay (with no charge to us or increase) to fix a chip since it’s much cheaper to fix that than the inevitable crack.
I live in Florida,if my truck is sifting in the hot sun what is going to happen to the polish? Do you do the inside and out? Thanks
As a volunteer firefighter, I would be concerned about doing this. Nail Polish is a temporary fix at best . It may prevent the chip from spreading but it is not a bonding agent. If there is an accident the windshield would spider. Even the minor fender bender May result in having to replace the entire windshield .
What about crazy glue? It’s a bonding agent.
I would not recommend this;
1) chips/cracks are problems because of air in between the layers of windshield glass
– temperature changes can cause the trapped air to expand and contract even with a superficial coating of nail polish; because of the angle of windshields and the nature of broken glass, the air will not be vacuumed out because nail polished is dropped on top of it
2) Avoid washing just prior to any repair (though I wouldn’t qualify this as a repair); any moisture in the damage during “repair” will cause problems removing air/with any repair material’s chemical reaction or drying and it can be impossible to tell if the INSIDE is dry unless you leave it out to dry for a long time (out of direct sun; can cause drastic heating; see temperature note above).
I would always recommend an actual repair by a trained technician (with warranty); some can be quite cheap or have coupons if you do your research
I’m not sure if this would work but it’s worth a shot. I got a chip in my windshield that is right at my eye level, and it’s a distraction while I’m driving. I’ve been thinking of going to an auto glass repair shop, this DIY tutorial seems doable but I’m not sure how confident I feel doing it myself. I think I’ll at least call around and get some quotes before trying anything. Thanks for posting. http://www.canautoglass.com/
This is the least expensive window crack repair remedy that I have ever heard of. I think my wife has got to have a bottle or two of clear nail polish. If she doesn’t have clear stuff, I might have to bite the bullet and go buy some. My fingers are crossed that she’ll have some.
Wow, this is ingenious! I can’t tell you how many times a little crack has cost me an entirely new windshield when I hit a bump. I’ll have to give that a shot next time I get a crack. I really hope this works! If it does, it could save me a lot.
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that for the small chips in my windshield! Though, if nail polish doesn’t stay on my fingernails for more than a few days, I’m curious how it would hold up on my car. Maybe I’ll use that as a temporary fix until I can get my windshield repaired.
I agree that nail polish is a good thing to use on windshield cracks. I can see how it would harden enough to compensate. Nail polish seems to dry rather quickly, so it would be easy to apply.
I wouldn’t have thought to use clear nail polish to fix little cracks in my windshield. Honestly, I’d probably still be paranoid that the crack would expand unless it was super tiny. However, if this really works, it might be a nice alternative to getting the glass professionally repaired or replaced if the crack is small enough. Thanks for the idea.
I never thought of it either!! Definitely worth trying:) Thanks for stopping by!
My number one pet peeve is when my windshield cracks. Thanks for the info on how to keep a windshield crack from spreading. I had no idea that clear nail polish was the secret all along. I’ll be sure to try it so I don’t have to replace my windshield right away.
Who knew, right?! And, that’s something I always have on hand!! Thanks for stopping by!
This is a unique DIY idea that I’ve yet heard of and find fascinating, thanks for posting this in detail Kimberly! Although some guys may be single and/or not have quick access to their wife/girlfriend’s nail polish, it seems to be one of the easiest methods compared to some of the other DIY windshield repair options which require more ingredients not commonly lying around a house. Love it! Will have to try next time I get a small and annoying chip from freeway driving out here in Arizona!
Thanks so much!! I would have never thought of it, either!! Definitely a quick fix!
I didn’t know there was a way to keep cracks in the windshield from spreading. Who would have thought that it’s something as simple as clear nail polish? My windshield is pretty beat up, so maybe I should look into this!
I know, right?! Who would have thought? Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Your comment section provides quite a few examples of how easy it is to get these small cracks. This tip is probably very much appreciated.
Thank you so much!! Tips I would have never thought of!
It is so crazy how many uses clear nail polish has. Thank you for this extremely helpful tip! It really is a terrible feeling when you hear that rock hit.
Yes, it is!!! At least, we know what to do right away 🙂 Thank you!
Hey,
I never thought that nail polish can help us for windshield repair. I like your post that amazing that we can use that things which I never suppose. Thanks for sharing this helpful post with us.
I didn’t either!!! Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by!
As a windshield professional, DO NOT DO THIS. It will not stop cracks from spreading and you will infact keep it from being able to be repaired properly. Once you do this there is no going back.
I doubt this would pass a vehicle inspection. Better to have it done by a professional.
Thank you for sharing this. I had a crack on my windshield that spread over the next couple of months. I finally had to pay a mechanic to fix the crack.
Hi i am alex,
I really liked your tips of repairing windshield crack from spreading. i have tried this thing & it really works.
Thanks for the tip !
Thanks you for sharing that!