Glass expands and contracts with temperature. On a hot day a chipped windscreen is stressed unevenly, and blasting cold air conditioning onto hot glass makes it worse. That is when chips turn into cracks, so repair chips before summer heat does the damage.
What makes summer worse?
Dark dashboards and windscreens heat up in the sun, and the glass expands. The chip is the weak point where the stress concentrates.
Does air conditioning make it worse?
Cold air on hot glass creates a sharp temperature difference across the windscreen, which can start a crack from a chip.
How do I protect my windscreen?
Park in the shade or use a sunshade, bring the cabin temperature down gradually, and avoid the car wash with a fresh chip.
What should I do about a chip now?
Get it repaired early. It is quicker and usually avoids a full windscreen replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chip crack overnight?
Yes. A big temperature change or a bump can start a crack at any time.
Is clear nail polish a fix?
No. It can make a proper resin repair harder.
Stop a stone chip before it turns into a crack. Mobile across Sydney.
