Types of windshield damage — and when can they be repaired without replacement?

Chip, star break, bullseye or crack? Most windshield damage can be repaired quickly and without replacing the glass — the glass regains its original strength and the damage becomes almost invisible. Let us look at the types of damage that exist and when glass can be repaired rather than replaced.

The most common types of damage

• Chip (pit). A strike from a flying stone — the most typical windshield damage. A fresh one almost always repairs well.
• Star break. Fine cracks radiate out from the impact point in a star shape. Common, and repairs well with the right resin.
• Bullseye. A round or semi-circular, clean impact with the characteristic dartboard shape. Among the most readily repairable types of damage.
• Crack. Linear damage, short or longer. A short crack repairs well; for a longer one, an all-purpose “any temperature” resin is recommended.

When can glass be repaired without replacement?

Chips and smaller star breaks can usually be repaired if:

• they are not in the driver’s direct line of sight, and
• they are not too large.

Important: every break is different. To be certain, its condition must be assessed — only then can you say whether repair or replacement is the answer. Replacement is usually called for if the damage is in the driver’s line of sight, is too large, if the crack reaches the edge of the glass, or if the inner layer of the glass is also damaged.

Why does a quick repair matter?

Fresh, smaller damage repairs best. But temperature swings and vibration can turn small damage into a running crack, and then only replacement remains. So it is worth dealing with it as soon as possible — dirt and moisture have not yet penetrated fresh damage, which is what makes the repair almost invisible.

For the repair: equipment and resins

We wrote in detail about choosing the right resin in a separate guide: Which resin should you choose? We described the repair process itself here: How to repair a chip? You can find professional equipment and resins in our range.