You wouldn't do your own open heart surgery, would you? While automobile windshield chip repair crack repair isn't as complicated as surgery, it's best to leave it to the experts to ensure the job gets done correctly. And with most auto glass repair services offering guarantees on their work, you can be rest assured you won't have problems down the road that could cost even more to remedy.
For that reason, many companies will happily waive the deductible if the existing windshield can be repaired. So you may be able to have that chip or crack fixed without paying anything at all.
Warranties may not seem important, but they really are when it comes to windshields and automobile windshield chip repair. A reputable company will certainly stand behind their work and have no problem guaranteeing that work. Any future incident could be the result of work that was not done well and you want to make sure that you have a recourse that will not have additional costs.
Now you have 3 options. You can pay out of pocket, you can have your insurance company cover the cost, or you can do the repair yourself. The cost out of pocket will vary from $30-$60, depending on the company you chose. Filing with insurance is easy because it is no cost to you, and the auto glass repair company deals with the paperwork. You can also attempt the repair yourself, but if you do not feel comfortable, i would suggest calling a professional. There is a good step by step windshield repair Instructable available, as well as other information online.
Paint doesn't bond well with rust, so keep touch-up paint nearby to immediately apply over small scratches and nicks. If you wait too long to apply the touch-up paint, the scratch will have already began to rust and you the paint won't stick. Apply the paint quickly and cover the spot to prevent the rust from accumulating.
While there are many things that can go without fixing for a while these are just a few of the issues that should be addressed as soon as they arise. This type of automobile repair is crucial to keep vital systems running. So remember you may be able to make a couple hundred more miles with those worn out windshield wipers but when your tread runs low, or your windshield gets dinged get it to a mechanic right away.