Updated on Sep. 26, 2024
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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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
Different windshield repair kits have their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are the three most common types:
Most kits accomplish the same results of repairing a cracked windshield, but some have specific functions.
Before purchasing a windshield repair kit, carefully and objectively assess the damage. Is it relatively small and recent? If so, most windshield repair kits can effectively address the issue. Also, review your insurance policy regarding glass repair and replacement to determine if the repair requires going to the shop. If you opt for a windshield repair kit, pay close attention to the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the size of chips and cracks the kit can handle, the recommended temperature range for the resin and the contents of the kit.
Steven Lang, a used automobile dealer who performs much of his own work, including glass repair, offers valuable advice: “If you’ve never used a windshield repair kit before, find a friend who has,” Lang advises. “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,” he explains.
If you live in area without much sunlight, consider purchasing an additional accessory along with the windshield repair kit: a UV light. UV rays are crucial for the curing process of windshield repair. Finally, if the chosen product fails to deliver results, many professionals may find it challenging to reverse the repair, potentially resulting in a complete windshield replacement, as Lang cautions.
I’ve been writing about and discussing vehicles for more than 25 years, both in print and online. As the vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists, I drive more than 100 cars a year on some of the best and most scenic roads in the country. I used my extensive knowledge of automobiles, along with expert insights, to find the best windshield repair kits.
After researching dozens of highly-rated kits on the market, I narrowed the list to six with the most useful attributes for windshield repair. To make my selections, I considered factors such as price, ease of use and the type of repair each kit is designed for. I also analyzed customer reviews to understand the real-world performance and durability of each windshield repair kit.
Yes, they do. Even though the kits take more time to install, they can look just as seamless as when you call a professional for help. Each kit includes a detailed step-by-step instructions manual that guides you through the process.
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.
The primary factor that makes a windshield unrepairable is damage that weakens its structure. A windshield that blows out or caves in while driving is dangerous and potentially deadly. Additionally, if the windshield becomes blurry or distorted, it poses a significant safety hazard. If a windshield repair kit can’t restore the windshield satisfactorily, it’s probably best to replace the entire windshield.
