Got a Rock Chip in Your Windshield? Here's What to Do.

Step 1: Don't Make It Worse

The moment a chip happens, a void opens in the outer glass layer. Anything that enters that void — water, debris, washer fluid — accelerates spreading. Do these immediately:

• Don't use windshield washer fluid — the pressure and chemistry both force moisture deeper into the chip
• Don't go through a car wash — brush pressure and high-pressure spray vibrate the chip and force water in
• Park in shade or a garage — direct sun heats the glass unevenly and stresses the chip edges
• Don't blast the defroster — a rapid heat cycle on a cold windshield expands the glass faster than the chip edges can handle

Step 2: Cover It (Optional but Helpful)

If you're going to be driving before getting it repaired, put a small piece of clear packing tape over the chip. This keeps water and highway grit out of the void. Use clear tape only — colored tape can leave residue that makes the resin bond less cleanly when the professional repair is done. Don't press tape down hard into the chip itself — just cover it gently.

Step 3: Call for Same-Day Repair

The best outcome is getting the chip filled with resin the same day or the next morning. Here's why timing matters:

• A chip that's still clean and dry takes resin perfectly — the repair is nearly invisible
• A chip with 24 hours of highway grit in it takes slightly worse — still repairable, but the clarity is reduced
• A chip that's started to crack at the edges is harder to stop — we can still repair it if it's under 6 inches, but the odds of a clean result drop
• A chip that's spread more than 6 inches or cracked toward the edge usually needs full replacement

Call (715) 396-1720 right now. Tell us the size, shape, and location of the chip and we'll tell you over the phone whether it's still a repair situation. We can usually be at your location the same day.

Step 4: Check Your Insurance

If you have comprehensive coverage on your Missouri auto policy, a windshield chip repair is almost certainly covered — and most insurers waive the deductible entirely for chip repairs (since they prefer paying for a repair over a future replacement). When you call us, we verify your coverage in about two minutes and tell you your cost before we come out. For most Kansas City and Raymore area drivers, the cost is $0.

Don't let cost be the reason you wait. A same-day repair at $0 beats a replacement at $200–$600. See our full guide on how Missouri windshield insurance works.

What If It's Already Spreading?

A crack under about 6 inches can often still be repaired — the resin can fill and stabilize a crack as well as a chip, though the repair is more visible. Once it spreads beyond 6 inches, into the driver's sightline, or to within an inch of the edge of the glass, full replacement is usually the only option. See our repair vs. replacement guide for the full breakdown, or just call and describe what you're looking at.

Types of Rock Chip Damage

Not all chips look the same. Here's what the most common types look like and whether they're repairable:

• Bullseye — circular impact point with a dark center. Almost always repairable. Most common type from highway debris.
• Star break — short cracks radiating from the impact point. Usually repairable if under 3 inches total diameter.
• Half-moon — curved crack from an angular impact. Repairable if contained.
• Combination break — mix of bullseye and star break. Repairable if within size limits.
• Edge crack — crack originating at the edge of the windshield. Harder to repair, often requires replacement. Call us to assess.
• Floater crack — crack that appears in the middle of the glass without an obvious impact point, often from thermal stress. Depends on length.