Essentially, a windshield repair kit helps car owners fix tiny cracks on the windshield of their vehicles.
If not fixed quickly, these grow in size and eventually require a replacement of the whole windshield, which may cost you thousands of dollars (Source).
Below, we look at the top 5 most effective and efficient windshield repair kits available on the market.
If you are using windshield repair kits, consider buying the best car scratch removal to make your car look new a decade later. It helps you to get rid of heavy scratches, any small to medium-sized scratch within a few minutes.
However, before buying a kit, you should consider the shape of the damage, the resin quality, and the temperature sensitivity.
How Much Do Windshield Repair Kits Cost?
Table of Contents
- 1 How Much Do Windshield Repair Kits Cost?
- 2 Comparing The Best Windshield Repair Kits
- 3 1. Blue Star Windshield Repair Kit – Best Overall
- 4 2. Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit – Most User-Friendly
- 5 3. Blue Star DIY Windshield Repair Kit – The Cheapest
- 6 4. Permatex 09103 Windshield Repair Kit – Simple Yet Effective
- 7 5. Glass Polish GP21005 Glass and Windshield Repair Kit – Most Versatile
- 8 Factors To Consider When Buying A Windshield Repair Kit
- 9 How To Use a Windshield Repair Kit
- 10 Ready To Buy The Best Windshield Repair Kits?
Windshield resin repair kits range cost between $10 and $200. The variety in price is directly linked to the amount of windshield repair you are interested in handling yourself.
A $10 kit works well on smaller cracks. It utilizes a resin kit that requires very little curing time and dries clear. This process will prevent further cracks but does not always alleviate the crack completely. It will most likely still be visible but is only a cosmetic issue.
Higher-end windshield repair kits require more effort and skill in application. These kits use a vacuum method that replaces air in the crack with high-quality resin. This type of resin is cured by utilizing a UV light that will strengthen the previously broken glass.
Comparing The Best Windshield Repair Kits
Blue Star Windshield Repair Kit | |||
Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit | |||
Blue Star DIY Windshield Repair Kit | |||
Permatex 09103 Windshield Repair Kit | |||
Glass Polish GP21005 Glass and Windshield Repair Kit |
1. Blue Star Windshield Repair Kit – Best Overall
This Blue Star windshield repair kit is the most basic and beginner-friendly repair kit in this review. Get the best cracked windshield repair system around only from Blue Star! It will prevent stone damage from spreading, thus avoiding costly windshield replacement!Easy To Use Applicator
As far as the applicator is concerned, it is is a very straightforward, sticker type device. To repair a crack on your windshield, you should simply screw the provided syringe on the applicator and then start working on the affected area.
Easy To Follow Instructions
Of course, as expected from this top-rated windshield repair kit, you get full instructions on how to use it. The manual has well-illustrated pages and it is written in a simple language that virtually anyone can understand.
Versatile
This Windshield Repair Kit is most appropriate for fixing stone damage, but you can also use it with any type of defect, including bull’s-eyes to cracks. For best results, apply one drop on small cracks and up to five drops on larger ones.
Very Effective
With this windshield crack repair kit, you can carry out many cost-effective repairs and avoid costly windshield replacement. It will prevent any damage from spreading and will restore many different types of windshields to near new condition.
Top Quality Resin
One of the best things about this product is that its resin cure under direct sunlight. The resin itself is a high-quality formula that will dry transparently, so that it completely blends with your windshield.
- Top quality formula
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- Some may find the instructions contradictory
2. Rain-X 600001 Windshield Repair Kit – Most User-Friendly
The Rain-X 600001 occupies the second spot on our list because of its user friendliness and pocket-friendly retail price.Strengthens Your Windshield
Rain‑X Windshield Repair Kit helps you minimize the size and stop the spread of any chips and cracks in your windshield. It removes air from the break, fills it with durable resin and makes it even stronger than before.
The Sooner Applied, The Better
For best results, repairs should be carried out as soon as possible after the damage occurs, and before the affected area is contaminated by dirt or water.
Best For Round Damages
The kit works best on round damages, not larger than one inch in diameter. When you treat cracks, make sure that they are not longer than 12 inches. It will not repair damage to more than one layer of glass.
Takes Minutes To Cure
This is a top-rated windshield repair kit that is both affordable and easy to use. This complete repair kit comes with an applicator and a resin tube.
One of the best things about this unit is its cure time – it cures in only a few minutes! But that’s not all! It uses an advanced resin formula that will cure with a fully transparent finish and will blend perfectly with your windshield.
Makes Your Windshield As Good As New
Indeed, after you have repaired your windshield, it will be next to impossible to know if it was damaged in the first place.
Astonishing Versatility
Additionally, the Rain-X 600001 glass repair kit can repair almost any type of windshield defects such as chips, cracks bull’s-eye, and even stars!
- Pocket-friendly price
- Takes minutes to cure
- Very versatile
- Strengthens the affected area
- Does not work with windshield wax
3. Blue Star DIY Windshield Repair Kit – The Cheapest
This product is almost the same as our top pick. However, this unit is the more affordable version, and a more basic one. The Blue Star windshield repair kit also comes in a generic packaging. However, it is just as reliable as our top choice. It boasts a high-grade resin and is made in the USA.Kit Contents:
- Blue Star repair injector
- Adhesive alignment seal
- Resin chamber pedestal
- Tube of Quick Cure resin
- Instruction sheet (English & Spanish)
- Mylar curing film
- Razor blade
Makes Your Windshield Look Its Best
The Blue Star DIY Windshield Repair Kit is easy to use and affordable. It does not only stop crack from spreading, but also restores your windshield to a near new condition.
Designed For Versatility
This Do-It-Yourself windshield crack repair system is designed for versatility. It enables any vehicle owner to easily perform a professional repair on a chip or other damage on their vehicle’s windshield.
Deep Penetrating Resin
The package contains special deep penetrating resin that cures under sunlight. Once it cures completely, the resin prevents stone damage from spreading. The package contains enough product for one repair. This repair kit is offered in two versions – large and small, depending on your specific needs.
For Best Results
First, read the instructions twice and watch the 5-minute video of the company on You Tube (search for “Blue Star Windshield Repair”). The video makes clear certain things: “tabs aligned” means aligned rotationally, not vertically.
In addition, there should be some adhesive pad tab sticking up above the pedestal tab when the latter is perfectly centered on the adhesive pad.
For best results, you should take a very methodical approach and make sure the pedestal is FIRMLY attached to the adhesive pad, and that the pin valve is REALLY sealed well.
Next, you should let the resin set under pressure in the pedestal for two full hours, not 20 minutes as recommended.
Finally, let the resin cure under the curing film for two hours on a day with passing clouds, not the 15 – 60 minutes recommended in the instructions leaflet.
- Offered in large and small package
- Deep penetrating resin
- User friendly
- Versatile
- Not the best resin for repairing long cracks
- The instructions could, and should, be better-written
4. Permatex 09103 Windshield Repair Kit – Simple Yet Effective
The Permatex 09103 comes with a basic applicator and is intended mainly for laminated windshields. However, despite being quite basic, it is still very effective in repairing a wide range of windshield defects.Repairs Larger Damages
It can effectively repair a bulls-eye damage as big as a 1-1/4 in. Based on the dimension and shape of the applicator, the Permatex 09103 is definitely not the best type of windshield repair kit for repairing cracks.
Easy To Use
One of the greatest advantages of the Permatex glass repair kit is its ease-of-use and high-grade resin that cures naturally under sunlight, and leaves a transparent finish that blends perfectly with your windshield to make it look as good as new.
Spring-lock Feature
Moreover, the resin delivery system in this repair kit uses a spring-lock feature that is very effective in letting air out and perfectly filling the windshield defect with resin. Therefore, your windshield is given the best professional finish, and it is almost impossible to spot the repaired area afterward.
- Spring-lock feature
- Perfect for larger cracks
- User friendly
- Limitations regarding the shape of windshield damage that it can repair
5. Glass Polish GP21005 Glass and Windshield Repair Kit – Most Versatile
One of the best things about the Glass Polish GP21005 is that this is a 2-in-1 solution that will both polish and repair your damaged windshield.Polishing Buffs Included In The Package
It comes with polishing buffs that can be fixed directly to an electric drill with a variable speed control.
The manufacturer states that the recommended speed for this product’s optimal performance is between 1000 to 2500 RPM which will make it leave a clean and polished finish on your windshield.
Abrasive-Free
This windshield repair kit is 100% abrasive-free, which means you should never worry about scratches when repairing small small cracks in windshield glass.
Special Formula
Additionally, it uses a special formula that will not only polish your windshield, but it will also fill in any tiny nooks and crannies in its surface, so that it gets a brand-new look!
User-Friendly
Last but not least, one of the winning characteristics of the Glass Polish GP21005 is its ease of use. You can get started within seconds with this product and we have no problem recommending it as one of the best windshield repair kits out there. This is an effective 2-in-1 solution for repairing windshield cracks.
You can also use this product to buff your windshield after a repair with some more specialized windshield repair kit.
- 2-in-1 solution for more versatility
- Easily works with any standard power drill
- Leaves a clean and professional finish
- Does not contain abrasives
- Cannot repair deep windshield damage
- A bit pricy
Factors To Consider When Buying A Windshield Repair Kit
If you plan to go shopping for a windshield repair kit any sooner, you should consider the following key factors:
1. Shape Of Damage
Which windshield repair system will work best for you depends on the specific shape of the damage you want to treat. However versatile the solutions reviewed above may be, no system works equally well on just any sort of window crack.
2. Resin Quality
Not all resin types used in windshield repair kits are of the same quality. Some repair kits boast a higher-grade resin that is a bit denser, and it also leaves a transparent finish which blends perfectly with your windshield after the repair.
Watch out, because a poor-quality resin will cure in a yellowish color which will make it apparent that you have been trying to repair your windshield on your own.
3. Temperature Sensitivity
Since the repaired windshield area will most likely stay in direct sunlight for an extended period of time, it also needs to have a reasonable sensitivity to temperature. Check your instructions for any mention of temperature.
Bear in mind that some resin formulate may require a specific temperature, as well as exposure to direct sunlight, so as to cure properly.
If you are looking for something that will help you to get rid of direct sunlight inside your car consider buying the best windshield sun shades. They have a reflective surface to bounce the light back, reducing the interior temperature. They regulate car temperature while summer, decrease inside temperature and protect from UV rays.
4. Quantity
The quantity of the active substance in your windshield crack kit is important, especially if you are planning to repair larger or multiple windshields.
On the other hand, if you need the kit for one-time repair, the quantity of the resin is irrelevant. In most cases, a 1g resin tube is enough to completely repair a small windshield crack.
5. User Friendliness
Some windshield repair kits are easier to use than others. Ensure that your windshield repair kit comes with an instruction manual that will show you how to proceed.
Your windshield repair kit must also come with an applicator that will allow you to quickly and easily position the resin exactly over the cracked area of your windshield.
How To Use a Windshield Repair Kit
Each windshield repair kit comes with specific instructions that will help you get the most out of the product. However, here are a few steps that are part of any windshield repair.
1. Clean the windshield.
In order to obtain the best results from your repair kit, begin with a clean and dry windshield.
2. Read and follow the directions for the kit.
Before using the resin repair kit, read the instructions in their entirety. Some kits require additional supplies and tools. Be prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to stop in the middle of the project to gather everything you need.
3. Move your vehicle to a moderately cool place before repair.
Cold air causes glass to contract. Hot air makes glass expand. It’s important to complete the repair in a place where the temperature will remain the same throughout the entire process.
4. Apply the resin and allow to dry.
Repairing the windshield with a kit will allow you to see if the problem is resolved or if seeking professional services is needed. Depending on the damage, replacing a cracked windshield may be your best option.
5. Remove excess resin.
It’s possible that you will have extra resin remaining on your windshield after the project is completed. In that case, use a razor blade to scrape it off. Then, use cleaner to ensure that you have completely removed it.
6. Examine the windshield.
Take a look at the finished product and see if you are satisfied with the results.
Ready To Buy The Best Windshield Repair Kits?
Thank you for the time you spent reading this review! All the windshield repair kits discussed above are easy to use.
They should be able to fix your windshield in such a way that it will be impossible to tell that it has been damaged.
This is a great way to save an old and cracked windshield, especially if you want to sell your car.
Additionally, the repair kits do not require any special expertise or working conditions. All of them come with simple and easy to understand instructions.
Having read our detailed review, you can rest assured that you now possess all the necessary knowledge to go and find the most appropriate windshield repair kit for you!
Do you love to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your car and clean it frequently? As dirt and dust get embedded in the car seats, mats and carpet, a vacuum for car detailing can be a great companion.
Leave a Reply