Stone Chip Repair: Can You Fix It Before It Cracks?

Stone Chip Repair: Can You Fix It Before It Cracks?

A stone chip on the highway can feel like the start of an expensive problem, but caught early, most chips are a quick, cheap fix. Here’s the window you’re working with.

Why Speed Matters

A fresh chip is just that – a small, contained mark. But temperature swings, vibration from potholes, and everyday flexing of the glass all put stress on the damage. Left alone, a chip can spread into a crack within days, sometimes overnight, turning a $80 repair into a $400+ replacement.

How Stone Chip Repair Works

A technician cleans out the damaged area, injects a clear resin into the chip under pressure to fill the crack lines, then cures it with UV light and polishes the surface smooth. The resin restores most of the glass’s strength and stops the damage from spreading further.

What Chips Can Be Repaired?

Most chips can be repaired if they meet a few conditions: smaller than a $2 coin (about 20mm), outside the driver’s direct line of sight, free of dirt or moisture, and not accompanied by cracks longer than 5cm.

Signs It’s Already Too Late for a Repair

• The crack has spread beyond a few centimetres
• There are multiple cracks radiating from the impact point
• The damage reaches the edge of the windscreen
• The chip is directly in the driver’s line of sight

If any of these apply, you’re likely looking at a full replacement rather than a repair.

How Long Does It Take?

Most stone chip repairs take 15-30 minutes, and many can be done on the same day you notice the damage – often at your home or workplace with a mobile visit.

Does It Cost Anything?

Stone chip repair is one of the cheapest jobs in auto glass, and many comprehensive insurance policies in Australia waive the excess entirely for chip repairs, since it’s far cheaper for the insurer than paying out for a replacement later.

FAQ

Will the chip be invisible after repair?

A good repair significantly reduces the visibility of the chip and stops it spreading, but a faint mark can sometimes still be seen up close, particularly at certain angles in bright light.

Can I repair it myself?

DIY kits exist, but professional repair uses proper vacuum injection and UV curing equipment for a stronger, clearer result. A poor DIY repair can also make a proper professional repair harder later.

What should I do right after a chip happens?

Avoid washing the car or using the demister directly on the chip, cover it with clear tape to keep dirt and moisture out, and get it looked at within a day or two.

Book a Stone Chip Repair

The sooner you get a chip looked at, the better your chances of a simple, low-cost repair. Make an appointment or call 0405 412 951 and we’ll often get you in the same day.