How Long Does Chip Repair Take?
About 30 minutes for most repairs. You can drive immediately after — no waiting for cure time. The resin is hardened by UV light during the repair process.
Windshield Chip and Crack Repair in Charleston — Mobile Rock Chip Service
Got a fresh rock chip or small crack? Repair may save you from needing full replacement. We inject professional-grade resin that stops the damage from spreading and restores structural integrity — takes 15-30 minutes, costs $125-$149, and prevents a small problem from becoming a $400+ replacement.
15-30 Minute Service
Drive Immediately After
$125 Flat Rate
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Check if you qualify for $0 replacement
Takes 30 seconds • Most SC drivers pay $0
Can Your Windshield Damage Be Repaired?
Repair works for most small chips and cracks caught early. The key factors are size, location, and type of damage. Here's how to know if you're a candidate:
✓ Repair Likely Works If:
- Chip is smaller than a quarter (about 1 inch)
- Crack is shorter than 3 inches
- Damage is NOT in the driver's direct line of sight
- Damage does NOT touch the windshield edge
- You have 3 or fewer chips total
- Damage is relatively fresh (less contamination)
✗ Replacement Needed If:
- Crack is longer than 3 inches
- Damage is directly in driver's sightline
- Crack starts from or reaches the edge
- Spider-web or starburst pattern
- Multiple intersecting cracks
- Previous repair has failed
Not sure? Text us a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether repair will work or if you need replacement.
How Much Does Windshield Chip Repair Cost?
Single Chip Repair
$125
Additional Chips
+$50 each
Small Crack Repair (under 6")
$129-$149
All prices include mobile service — we come to you. Insurance often covers chip repair with no deductible under SC's zero-deductible glass law.
What Types of Windshield Damage Can Be Repaired?
Bull's Eye
Circular chip with a cone-shaped piece of glass missing. Classic rock chip appearance. Usually very repairable.
Star Break
Central impact with cracks radiating outward like a star. Repairable if under 3 inches diameter.
Half-Moon
Partial bull's eye, semicircular shape. Often caused by glancing impacts. Good repair candidate.
Combination Break
Multiple damage types together — star with extending crack, for example. Repairable if total size is under 3 inches.
Crack
Linear damage without a central impact point. Repairable if under 3 inches and not at edge.
Floater Crack
Crack in the middle of the glass, not starting from edge. Best candidates for repair.
How Does Windshield Chip Repair Work?
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Damage Inspection
We examine the chip or crack to confirm repair is appropriate. If replacement is actually needed, we'll tell you honestly — we don't waste your time on repairs that won't hold.
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Cleaning and Preparation
We clean the damaged area and remove any loose glass fragments or debris. Moisture and contamination are the enemies of a good repair, so this step matters.
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Resin Injection
We use a specialized injector to force professional-grade resin into the crack or chip under pressure. The resin fills all air pockets and bonds with the surrounding glass.
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UV Curing
UV light hardens the resin, bonding it permanently with your windshield. This restores structural integrity and stops the damage from spreading.
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Polishing and Inspection
We polish the repair area smooth and inspect the result. The repair will be much less visible than the original damage, though a faint mark may remain — that's normal and doesn't affect strength.
Total time: approximately 30 minutes. You can drive immediately after — no cure time required.
The One Place Federal Law Puts Numbers on Windshield Damage
Most rules about chipped glass are judgment calls. One is not. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations set a measured tolerance for windshield damage, at 49 CFR 393.60. It is written for commercial vehicles — the rule opens "Windshields required. Each bus, truck and truck-tractor shall be equipped with a windshield" — so it does not govern your personal car. But it is the only federal text that says, in millimeters and inches, how much damage is too much, and it is worth reading whether you drive a work truck or not.
The Area the Rule Protects
The regulation does not treat the whole windshield alike. It draws a box. Each windshield "shall be free of discoloration or damage in the area extending upward from the height of the top of the steering wheel (excluding a 51 mm (2 inch) border at the top of the windshield) and extending from a 25 mm (1 inch) border at each side of the windshield or windshield panel."
Read that carefully and it matches the instinct behind the checklist above. The zone that matters starts at the top of the steering wheel and runs to the top of the glass, minus a two-inch strip at the top and a one-inch strip down each side. Damage below the steering wheel line, or out at the very edges, sits outside the protected area. Damage in the middle of your view does not.
The Two Exceptions
Inside that box, the rule allows exactly two kinds of damage:
- "Any crack that is not intersected by any other cracks" — a single, clean crack is tolerated; two cracks that cross each other are not.
- A damaged area small enough to be covered by a disc 19 mm — three-quarters of an inch — in diameter, "if not closer than 76 mm (3 inches) to any other similarly damaged area."
The three-quarter-inch disc is the number worth remembering — it is smaller than the quarter-sized rule of thumb most drivers have heard, and the three-inch separation requirement is the part almost nobody knows. Two chips that would each pass on their own can fail together simply because they landed close to one another. That is also why a windshield with scattered small damage is a harder judgment than a windshield with one bigger chip.
None of this is South Carolina's private-passenger standard, and we are not suggesting your car will be cited for a chip. It is a yardstick. When federal regulators had to draw a line for the vehicles they do inspect, this is where they drew it: a small protected rectangle in front of the driver, one uncrossed crack, and damage no wider than a three-quarter-inch disc, spaced at least three inches apart.
Why Should You Repair Chips Before They Spread?
- Temperature Changes Cause Spreading: Charleston's heat makes glass expand; AC makes it contract. This stress causes chips to crack outward. What's repairable today might need replacement next week.
- Vibration and Road Impact: Every pothole, speed bump, and door slam sends vibration through your windshield. Damaged areas are weak points that spread with each impact.
- $125 Now vs. $400+ Later: A chip repair is a fraction of the cost of replacement. Catch it early and you save money.
- SC Inspection Concerns: South Carolina requires "unobstructed" forward vision. Spreading damage in your line of sight can fail an inspection.
Chip Repair Questions
Will the Chip Be Invisible After Repair?
The repair dramatically improves appearance and stops spreading, but a faint mark usually remains visible. Repair restores structural integrity — it doesn't make damage completely disappear. If perfect appearance is critical (damage in direct sightline), replacement may be a better choice.
How Long Does a Chip Repair Last?
Permanently. A properly done repair bonds with the glass and lasts the life of the windshield. We include a lifetime warranty — if the repair fails or the damage spreads from that point, we'll credit the repair cost toward replacement.
Can I Wash My Car After Chip Repair?
Yes, you can wash your car immediately. The repair is fully cured before we leave. Car washes, rain, and cleaning products won't affect it.
Get Your Chip Repaired Before It Spreads
A $125 repair today can prevent a $400 replacement tomorrow. Text us a photo for a free assessment.