A windshield breaking or cracking is such a big deal. It not only affects visibility but could interfere with your overall driving experience. Just as there are different causes and extents of damage on the windshield, there are a variety of damages. It helps to understand these damages if you are to tackle them appropriately. Below are some of the most common windshield cracks you will likely experience as you drive over time.
1. Half-moon Crack
This resembles the bull’s eye in appearance. The only difference is that the crack is not spherical and is often caused by a blunt object falling on the auto glass. This crack is easy to mend and clean up because it is not a circle.
2. Star Break Crack
This type of crack consists of short cracks radiating from one central point of the star break, thus causing damage. A star crack always starts with a small crack on the windshield after an impact of debris or object on the windshield. What starts as a small crack might eventually spread to the entire windscreen.
3. Floating Crack
This is a unique kind of crack that occurs from the edge of the windshield. You will notice a floater crack on the center of the windshield or towards the edge, at least two inches away. The crack covers different distances on the windshield, which means that it is of varying lengths.
These kinds of cracks are fast spreaders and require immediate intervention once they are realized. Experts need to measure the crack’s depth and width before prescribing a repair or replacement as a remedy. It is important to act promptly to repair the crack if it is not in line with the driver’s viewpoint.
4. Stress Crack
Windshields also crack when they experience changing temperatures. This kind of crack often affects the inside of the glass and cannot be felt by hands lest one uses a ballpoint pen. A good scenario of a stress crack occurring is when a car filled with snow is washed with hot water instead of cold water.
5. Combo Cracks
A combination of factors causes this type of crack; the bull’s eye and star break cracks are the major triggers. These are somewhat complicated to work on. They can be caused by rock chips hitting the car’s window. Such cracks should be handled by people who know how to handle them only lest they worsen the situation. Whenever the problem is minor, adhesives can be used to seal and rework the dent before the dent spreads.
Quick DIY Solutions
You can always try fixing the crack on your windshield using acrylic nail polish. But, first, dust all debris and filth away from it before applying the clear nail polish or super glue. These work just as well for such damage.