WHAT CAUSES STARS IN WINDSHIELDS?
No matter how carefully you drive down the road, you cannot always prevent a windshield chip. Most windshield damage is actually caused by debris being thrown up by the vehicle in front of you. Even keeping a proper distance may not be enough to keep the rock from hitting your windshield.
Windshield chips come in all shapes and sizes. The star chip is one of the most recognizable. This chip has a clear impact point, followed by several ‘arms’ that grow from the center. Even the smallest star may spread, causing damage to the entire windshield.
HOW DO STARS FORM?
Most chips do not actually begin as stars. They are usually simple chips that gradually worsen over the course of days or months. Car owners will notice smaller cracks forming from the center of the chip. Over time, stars can get very large, weakening the integrity of your windshield.
WHAT TYPE OF CHIPS TURN INTO STARS?
It’s not possible to determine which chips will grow into stars and which will not. It all depends on the type of impact and environmental conditions. Stars often start as seemingly benign chips. Moisture, temperature changes, and bumps in the road may cause star arms to form later down the road.
ARE SMALL STARS SAFER THAN LARGE ONES?
Too many car owners believe that small chips can be ignored. They may even feel grateful that so little damage occurred after the incident. However, even the smallest chip can spread into a crack that encompasses the entire windshield. When this happens, complete windshield replacement is in order.
CAN STARS BE REPAIRED?
When addressed early on, most smaller star cracks can be repaired. Stars that are 1.5 inches in diameter or smaller can usually be successfully repaired. The repairmen will fill the entire star with a special resin that will reinforce the chip, and prevent the star from expanding in the future.
Star repairs take the same amount of time as other windshield cracks. Assume that the repair technician will need at least an hour to completely finish the job. Avoid getting the chip wet and keep it free of debris before it is repaired. This will help prevent it from growing in the meantime.
WILL THE STAR DISAPPEAR AFTER REPAIR?
While most car owners expect their windshield to look brand new after being repaired, this is not always the case. Some star chips are still visible even after being treated by a professional. They may appear smaller in size, but it’s not unlikely for you to still see it. The ultimate goal of repair is to prevent future damage, not necessarily completely erase what is already there.
While stars are one of the most common windshield chip shapes, they are not benign. Any star should be immediately repaired by a professional windshield repair company. Even if the crack seems tiny, you are driving on borrowed time. Remember that all large cracks started out as a much smaller chip. Getting your star fixed now will save you from needing a full windshield replacement.