Save Your Windshield With Super Glue

It happens to everyone. You're driving, whether it is on the way to work, the store, maybe a friend's house, anywhere really, and you hear a loud noise. The vehicle in front of you kicked up a rock and it hit your windshield, leaving a gnarly little crack in your windshield. Or maybe a rock, some trash, or etc. flew out of the back of a truck, hit your windshield, and cracked it. No matter how it happened, you now have a cracked windshield, but unless you have time to stop what you are doing and make it to a glass shop, or schedule a glass repair service, the crack is going to have to wait until you have some available time to take care of it. But if you don't do something about that crack, you run the risk of it getting worse, maybe even to the point where the whole windshield has to be replaced.

That's where this simple little hack comes in. Something needs to be done about the crack, that way if something else hits your vehicle or if the glass gets too hot in the sun, it won't spread. And all you need is some super glue.

Step 1: Park And, If Necessary, Gather Supplies

As soon as possible after you notice the crack, you need to stop and park somewhere. Unless you already have some super glue in your vehicle, you'll want to stop somewhere that sells it. You can always count on hardware stores and tool shops to have it stocked. Craft stores and larger grocery stores, such as Wal-Mart and Kroger, will almost always have some. But if you aren't near any of these, you may be able to find some at a gas station or convenience store.

All you NEED for this is super glue, but you may want to grab a napkin, paper towel, or something like that to wipe your windshield off.

Step 2: Clean and Fill Crack

If your windshield is dirty, or in my case wet from the rain, take a napkin, paper towel, or something similar and wipe the cracked area clean. If you stopped somewhere to buy the super glue, you will most likely be able to find a napkin inside or a towel in the bathroom (if there is one), that way you don't have to buy anything other than the super glue.

After you've wiped off the cracked area, or if it was already clean enough (your windshield doesn't have to be spotless or anything, you just want to make sure you don't have anything in or around the crack that will keep the glue from setting up properly), take the super glue and use it to fill the crack completely.

Step 3: (OPTIONAL) Wipe Up Excess Glue

This step isn't necessary, but after using super glue, I like to wipe up any excess. This will help the glue dry faster since there is less of it, and will make whatever you are working on look a little more clean. Be careful though. By wiping up the glue you will spread it somewhat and it will dry very quickly, leaving a spot that it is difficult to see through. You only need to worry about this if the crack is very large, or in a location that it will block your vision. Otherwise, you shouldn't concern yourself with it because dried super glue is easy to clean off with some nail polish remover.

And that's it, the glue should dry fairly quickly and it will keep your windshield from getting worse. However, this is not a permanent fix, and you should have your windshield properly repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Thank you for reading my instructable (this one is actually my first), and I hope this trick helps you like it has helped me.