Repairing a chip is significantly cheaper than replacing the entire windscreen. ​​
Repairing a chip can prevent it from turning into a larger crack, which could compromise the safety of the windscreen. ​
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Repairing a windscreen instead of replacing it helps reduce waste and extends the lifespan of the glass.​
Windscreen chip repair is a process used to fix small chips or cracks in a car's windshield, preventing them from spreading and potentially causing a full windscreen replacement. ​​
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Windscreen chip repair involves cleaning the damaged area and injecting a clear, curable resin into the chip, which is then cured and polished to restore structural integrity and clarity, typically taking about 30 minutes. ​
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Chips or cracks within the critical vision area, CVA, (the area directly in front of the driver) may not be repairable and could lead to a failure of the WOF.
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Chips or cracks near the edge of the windscreen are more likely to spread and may not be repairable.
WINDSCREEN CHIP REPAIR
CRITICAL VISION AREA (CVA)
Types of Chips
CRITICAL VISION AREA (CVA)
In New Zealand, the critical vision area (CVA) of a windscreen is the section directly in front of the driver, extending from the center of the steering wheel, up to 90mm from the top of the windscreen and down to 65mm from the bottom.
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The CVA is the area of the windscreen immediately in front of the driver, spanning the width of the steering wheel and extending from the top to the bottom of the windscreen.
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This area is critical for a driver's visibility and safety, so any damage or obstruction here can be a safety hazard.
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Damage within the CVA, including cracks and chips, can cause a vehicle to fail its WOF inspection.
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Chips, cracks, scratches, surface pitting, and small stone marks can be considered damage.
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​The key to whether a crack can be repaired is how large the crack is and whether it has cracked deeply enough to stop the windscreen from being structurally sound. There is a size limit of around 6cm where a crack is not too large to compromise the safety of the glass if it is repaired.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHIP OR CRACK IS REPAIRABLE?
Whether your windscreen chip is repairable depends on its size, location, and the type of damage.
Generally, smaller chips, especially those outside the driver's critical vision area (CVA) and away from the edge, are often repairable, while larger or more complex damage might require replacement.
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The quantity of Chips in your windscreen will also be a factor. We do not recommend having any more than 4 Chip Repairs in a Windscreen, as this may affect it's safety integrity.
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If you are unsure if your Chip or Crack is repairable, please call into our workshop and we will be able to assess your Windscreen and let you know.
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SIZE
Chips smaller than a $1 coin (15mm) are usually repairable.
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Cracks shorter than 3 cm within the CVA, or 10 cm outside of it might be repairable. ​​​
LOCATION
​Edge of Windscreen:
Damage near the edge of the windscreen is more likely to spread and might not be repairable.
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Critical Vision Area (CVA):
Chips and cracks within the CVA (the area directly in front of the driver) have lower size limits for repairability.