Best Windshield Repair Kit for DIY (2023 Reviews and Guide)

Permatex is known as a quality choice, primarily used for bull’s eye and star-shaped chips. It’s not meant for repairing cracks, though. However, considering the frequency of these two chip types, it’s still a highly sought-after product. The instructions feature step-by-step visuals, which make it easier to do the repair. Additionally, several Permatex windshield repair kit reviews praise the resin for being very cleanup-friendly. Reviews also say that the repaired chips are almost invisible.

On the downside, you’ll have to manually keep the syringe in position since anchoring equipment isn’t included. Also, some reviewers mention having to compensate for the kit’s vacuum capabilities with manual force. However, the same Permatex windshield repair kit reviews that mentioned these issues also pointed out that the quality of the results fully makes up for these inconveniences. Keeping the syringe in place and applying some pressure doesn’t reduce the overall effectiveness of the repair process.

3M is a good windshield repair kit for emergency quick fixes, especially for star chips that are on the small side. It has been proven effective at preventing them from cracking further. It’s also handy that the applicator hardware will remain functional for more than one repair. This is an affordable and fairly effective emergency option for small-scale repair work. 3M is a trusted brand in leather and vinyl repair, and it has an equally impressive reputation when it comes to windshields.

However, some users have not been pleased with the build quality of the equipment. They said that other brand windshield chip repair kits were sturdier or had better quality parts. Even so, aside from criticizing its appearance, the reviewers didn’t really have anything bad to say about the actual functionality of the equipment. Likewise, since these single-use auto windshield repair kits are not meant to be reused, you don’t have to worry about wearing anything down.

The J-B Weld cracked windshield repair kits stand out thanks to a number of impressive features, first up being the patented resin. J-B uses a proprietary resin, so you’re guaranteed a quality filler of legitimate origin. It is lauded for leaving the windshield surface notably smooth after repair. Although this kit is sold as a single-use option, users have reported that it can provide for up to three repairs if the chips are small. Reviews tend to praise it as a great solution for star-shaped chips in particular.

One potential issue here is the curing time compared to other DIY windshield repair kits. Some users have reported giving the resin 12 whole hours to cure, while others even left their vehicles overnight (under a UV light) to ensure that the fix is 100% set. The upside of the longer curing time is that it only seems necessary in lower temperatures and that the resin sets in more seamlessly than with a lot of other products, so the damage is rendered virtually invisible. Other than that, this kit is as good as professional windshield repair kits.

The American Mini Windshield Repair Kit offers a comprehensive range of tools that will come in handy for more than just basic repairs. This puts it in stark contrast with most DIY windshield repair kits, which only come with a resin applicator and basic accessories. One very important thing we have to mention is that the kit includes a UV LED flashlight (with a backup). That means you can cure the resin under any conditions, instead of depending on sunny weather for your repairs.

As a bonus, the American Mini Kit includes a portable protective case for your equipment. You can have this kit with you in your home garage or on the road, even if you unexpectedly have to switch vehicles. One potential downside is that this is one of the more complicated American windshield repair kits because of the many tools. Not to worry, though, as the accompanying DVD demo makes the process simple to understand.

ClearShield Professional Windshield Repair Kit is the best pro option on the list and the top choice among commercial windshield repair kits. Moreover, it provides you with a minimum of 200 repairs, which is more than any other kit on this list. The kit boasts a top-notch injector which is likely to last well after you’ve spent the resin that comes with the kit. Coupled with individually purchasable replenishment packs, you’re set for a long time of successful windshield repair with this one-time investment.

While some of the larger ClearShield’s auto windshield repair kits include enough tools and supplies for two people to work simultaneously, this one comes with a single set of tools. However, it has enough expendable materials for you to not have to worry about running out anytime soon. The only gripe with ClearShield is that the instructions don’t specifically say how to clean the injector. It’s easy to figure out, though. We tried cleaning it with denatured alcohol (hand sanitizer), and it worked great!

This kit is single-use, but if the damage isn’t extensive, it can provide enough resin for more repairs. Its biggest virtue is that, after curing, your windshield remains clear. Even if you can still spot some traces, the overall visibility is restored to an admirable degree. Additionally, the guide is specific and easy to follow, even if you don’t have windshield repair experience.

Another way this product stands out from other windshield crack repair kits is thanks to its price-to-benefit ratio. However, there is one caveat we need to mention. Namely, some reviewers noticed that, while the angle of the applicator on the adhesive circle is perfect for slanted windshields, repairs on vertical glass can be more of a challenge. Even though this doesn’t seem to be more than an inconvenience for most users, it is also sometimes mentioned in reviews of other auto windshield repair kits of this type. Fortunately, parking the car on an incline or jacking it up completely solves the issue.

According to countless user reviews and our own experience, this is the best windshield repair kit for cracks and chips that are limited to the outer layer of the glass. The suction cups boast superior performance, so you can be sure that there will be no slipups while injecting the resin. The product offers both a syringe and a screw-in plunger for resin insertion. You can use whichever you’re more comfortable with, or you can combine both for the best possible results.

This is also the best windshield repair kit for winter DIYs. You can repair your windshield in lower temperatures and weaker natural UV light conditions and still get solid results — it just might take longer for the resin to cure and set. To avoid issues, make sure to give it more time than the manual says. As a matter of fact, a number of reviewers weren’t happy with the instructions. If you find the manual for Gliston’s windshield repair kits unclear, you can look up a video version on YouTube.

The Rain-X windshield repair products are known for their structural focus, i.e., stabilizing the cracks and chips you use them on. They are easily the most popular solution for preventing cracks from spreading further. These kits come with detailed and comprehensive instructions, which make them highly suitable for first-time DIY repair people.

Some Rain-X windshield repair kit reviews even say that these tools successfully repair damaged screens of electronic devices. Of course, it needs to be mentioned that the manufacturer didn’t list this as one of the potential applications of the kit. Since you might be risking permanent damage to your device if the resin comes in contact with the electronics, be sure to check what types of damage can be fixed this way.

One Rain-X windshield repair kit review noted that the plunger doesn’t seem to always manage to fully fill the chip or crack. If this happens to you, don’t try screwing the plunger further in, since that could actually lead to you making the crack worse. Instead, the manufacturer-recommended solution (for this and other similar windshield crack repair kits) is to gently heat up the chipped area from the inside when applying the resin with either a hairdryer or a heat gun.

ATG is a reliable German brand, and since this country’s DIY sector’s ecommerce revenue in 2020 totaled $5.1 billion, you know they are taking the tools for these projects seriously. The FIX Full repair kit has a reputation for being focused on preventing the damage from spreading further. These automobile windshield repair kits are primarily meant for chip repair, but they work on cracks too, if they’re thin and not too deep. It’s a fast-acting solution: the prep, repair, and curing take one hour total. A notable feature is that it can smooth out scratches as well as restore faded glass (e.g., on vintage vehicles).

Some windshield chip repair kit reviews mentioned that, due to the opaque bottle that the resin comes in, it might be difficult to tell how much of it you have used. Since you’ll need a quarter of the bottle for the final steps of the repair, you’ll need to be extra careful when filling the resin base. However, if you take your time and occasionally check the amount of resin left by either shaking the bottle or holding it up to the light, you should be all set.

So, the ATG is a good windshield repair kit for both crack damage control, scratch reduction, and vintage glass restoration. You just need to mind the instructions and gauge your chip diameter right. The bonus capability of mending smaller cracks makes it possibly the most versatile kit on this list.

Easily the best point about this kit is its fast reaction time. The resin cures very quickly when exposed to sunlight, which will save you valuable time. This makes it possibly the best windshield chip repair kit for small repairs on the road. Moreover, this windshield repair product has proven itself effective in repairing damage approximately a year old. That makes it an excellent choice for busy people who don’t want a windshield replacement but can’t get to the chip immediately.

Unfortunately, this kit doesn’t include a pin to clear the glass debris from the chip, nor a utility razor blade to scrape off excess resin. One VersaChem windshield repair kit review even mentioned that you will also need to provide your own alcohol wipes. However, since you more than likely already have a utility blade, since alcohol wipes can be bought cheap at any gas station, and since you can clear the chip with any thin pointed object you have on hand, most users found this a non-issue.