The 6 Best Windshield Repair Kits to Avoid a Trip to the Shop
Updated: Oct. 05, 2023
When a rock gets lodged into your windshield, you need a repair kit on-hand for the job. Here are six of the best options on the market.
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We hope the moment never comes, but for most of us, it’s inevitable: You’re driving along the interstate, and someone’s tire sends rock or debris into your windshield. The results can be anything from the tiniest chip to an obvious bullseye or rapidly spreading crack. As with most things, it’ll only get worse if you ignore it, so we recommend you don’t.
Sure, you can pay a professional to fix your windshield, which means a trip to the auto glass store or a call to one of those mobile services that will fix the chip at your home or office. However, if you want to save yourself some time and money, you could do it yourself.
The best windshield repair kits are similar to what the pros use but cost a lot less. Here are the best windshield repair kits on the market.
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Best Overall Windshield Repair Kit
Windshield Repair Kit
The Fix-A-Flat Windshield Repair Kit might seem like a left-field choice, given that the brand is best known for tire repair, but if you think about it, the principle is similar—fill and seal.
It’s a basic kit, small enough to fit in a plastic clamshell package that hangs from the display rack at the auto store. All that’s inside is a bracket with four suction cups, a tube of resin, an injector and an instruction sheet.
What makes this the best windshield repair kit overall is actual user testimonials. Product satisfaction is very high among users, who say it’s better with bullseye chips than with stars and that it’s critical to act quickly and follow the instructions carefully.
Pros
- Best for bullseye chips
- Simple and easy to use
- High user satisfaction
- Works with all types of laminated windshields
Cons
- Higher price than most similar kits
- Less effective on “star”-type chips
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Best Budget Windshield Repair Kit
Blue-Star Fix your Windshield Do It Yourself Windshield Repair Kit
The Blue-Star Fix your Windshield Do It Yourself Windshield Repair Kit may have a name that sounds like it was created by a beta version of ChatGPT, but this very basic product gets the windshield repair job done.
Unlike more complex kits, Blue Star gives you a syringe-style injector, a push pin, a tiny tube of resin, a razor blade, a pedestal and an adhesive seal. Use the push pin to clear any loose glass particles from the chip, use the seal to secure the pedestal over the area, put the resin in the pedestal, insert the applicator and push the plunger. The razor blade is for removing any excess resin.
Following the instructions is key to getting the best results, as is using the kit as quickly as possible after the damage happens.
Pros
- Best with small chips
- Super affordable
- Easy to use
- Package comes with two kits, so you’ll be ready for next time
Cons
- Instructions may be difficult to follow
- Bigger jobs might need a more comprehensive kit
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Best Windshield Repair Kit for Star-Type Cracks
Permatex Windshield Repair Kit
The Permatex Windshield Repair Kit gets high marks from users dealing with “star” cracks—where the small lines radiate out from where the windshield took the initial hit.
The results are a bit surprising, given just how basic this kit is—a push pin, an alcohol towelette, an adhesive disc, a pedestal, a syringe and plunger, a repair compound, a curing strip and a razor blade—but, Permatex suggests that its design actually helps the compound go further into cracks than some competitors’ products.
A bonus: The price for this kit is only slightly more expensive than our budget pick!
Pros
- Strong performance with “star”-type cracks
- High user satisfaction
- Reasonable price
- Easy to use
Cons
- Narrow recommended temperature range (50 to 73 degrees)
- Some users complain that the adhesive disc is too hard to remove
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Best Quick Windshield Repair Kit
Rain-X 1G Windshield Repair Kit
Apart from the brand on the package, the Rain-X 1G Windshield Repair Kit looks like the same product as the Fix-A-Flat. Again, all that’s inside is a bracket with four suction cups, a tube of resin, an injector and an instruction sheet.
Users, though, give it a slight edge for ease of use and how little time it takes to do the process. Keep in mind, though, no matter how quick the resin injection process is, it’s the curing, either in sunlight or under a UV lamp, that takes time—up to an hour.
Another plus—the Rain-X sells for a lower price than the Fix-A-Flat, our choice for the best windshield repair kit overall.
Pros
- Quick application
- Easy to use
- Can be used on multiple repairs
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Less effective on “star”-type chips
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Best All-Weather Windshield Repair Kit
RockPro Commercial System Windshield Repair Kit
The RockPro Commercial System Windshield Repair Kit is for the DIYer who lives in a place where it’s cold sometimes and hot other times. In other words, it’s for most of us.
This kit comes with adaptors for different kinds of damage and two different formulations of resin—one for temperatures under 75 degrees and one for over 75 degrees. And there’s enough resin for at least ten repairs.
Despite its heavy-duty appearance, most of the parts are plastic, and the value of this pricier solution may be in the number of repairs that can be done for what it costs. If you live on or near a dirt or gravel road, this kit could pay for itself.
Pros
- Ten tubes of resin included
- Two resin temperature formulations
- Adaptors for different kinds of damage
- Includes carrying case with compartments for each part
Cons
- Mostly plastic parts
- Pricier than most DIY kits
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Best Professional-Grade Windshield Repair Kit
Aegis K1T1500 Advantage Windshield Repair Kit
The Aegis K1T1500 Advantage Windshield Repair Kit is for the hardcore DIYer who does their own repairs. If you have thousands of dollars invested in auto shop tools, this very pricey but pro-level package might make perfect sense.
It features a sturdy fixture and fully gauged pressure/vacuum pump, resin for up to 100 repairs, a UV curing lamp and flashlight and an inspection mirror—all in a hardwall carrying case. There’s also a full training manual and video.
Aegis targets this for smaller professional repair shops, but if you have the skills (and money) and want the tools to match, it’s hard to beat.
Pros
- Comes with enough resin for up to 100 repairs
- Sturdy, professional-grade components
- Comes with handy video and training manual
- Includes UV curing lamp and hardwall carrying case
Cons
- Four-digit price tag
What to Consider When Buying a Windshield Repair Kit
Before buying a windshield repair kit, look at the damage carefully and objectively. Is it relatively small and very recent? If so, most windshield repair kits are capable of tackling the problem. You should also look at your insurance policy regarding glass repair and replacement to decide whether or not it’s a repair you don’t need to go to the shop for.
If you decide on a windshield repair kit, look carefully at what the manufacturer says about the size of chips and cracks the kit is meant to handle, the temperature range recommended for the resin and the parts included in the kit.
Steven Lang is a used automobile dealer in suburban Atlanta who does much of his own work, including glass repair. His best advice?
“If you’ve never used a windshield repair kit before, find a friend who has,” Lang explains. “If that friend is a retired windshield pro, even better. Improper application of the resin can result in blurriness and distortion in your windshield, which is unsafe. Getting the application wrong can also result in cracking and splitting, which will lead to a complete windshield replacement.”
Additionally, if you live in an area where you can’t count on sunny days, consider the purchase of one accessory in addition to a windshield repair kit: A UV light. UV rays are essential to the curing process for windshield repair. Finally, if the product you choose doesn’t do the job, many pros will be unable to undo it, and, as Lang says, that can lead to a complete windshield replacement.
Types of Windshield Repair Kits
Different windshield repair kits also have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are the three most common types:
- Basic Kit: These kits are the simplest solutions on the market. They’re often just a suction cup, a tube of resin, a plunger and a razor blade. For small chips, these can get the job done—usually for around ten bucks.
- Intermediate Kit: These windshield repair kits mimic the tools the pros use and typically include multiple suction cups that hold an injector barrel into place for you to apply the resin and cure film after the resin is in. Some might include enough resin for several repairs. To keep costs low, reusable parts are generally plastic.
- Professsional-Grade Kit: These up the game considerably with rugged tools, multiple containers of resin, durable carrying cases and UV curing lamps. These tend to be more expensive solutions, but for the person with thousands invested in quality vehicle maintenance tools, they could be the most logical choice.
How We Found the Best Windshield Repair Kit
I’ve been writing and talking about vehicles for 25 years, in print and online. I serve as vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists and drive 100-plus cars a year on some of the best and most scenic roads in the country. All that to say, I know a lot about automobiles. I’m bringing my expertise to Family Handyman to find the best windshield repair kits. After researching dozens of highly-rated kits currently on the market, I narrowed the list to six kits with different attributes users found most useful in windshield repair.
FAQ
Can you fix a windshield without replacing the whole thing?
Sometimes. A lot depends on the extent of the damage and how recently it occurred. The longer a chip goes untreated, the greater the likelihood of spreading cracks, which will be tougher for a windshield repair kit to fix.
What makes a windshield unrepairable?
Damage that weakens the windshield structure is the first and most important criterion. A windshield blows out or caves in while driving is dangerous and potentially deadly. If the windshield becomes blurry or distorted, that’s a safety hazard, too. If a windshield repair kit can’t do the job satisfactorily, it’s probably best to replace the entire windshield.
Originally Published: August 07, 2023
