If you own a Sprinter Van, Grenadier, or honestly almost any vehicle (especially if you drive around Arizona’s rock-lined roads) you know the pain: one random rock and suddenly your windshield is chipped! Left unchecked, that tiny chip can turn into a crack sprawling across your entire windshield, which could leave you staring at a windshield replacement that costs thousands.

Address Chips Fast—or Pay the Price

Our first and biggest piece of advice? Deal with chips ASAP. Keep a window repair kit in your vehicle so if you spot a chip after a drive, you can handle it right away. Unlike full cracks, most small chips are completely repairable if caught early. Hit up a specialty glass repair shop or tackle it with your own kit, but don’t wait.

• Remember: If a crack travels past the six-inch mark or reaches the edge of the glass, professionals often won’t fix it. At that point, total replacement is your only option.
• Pro Tip: Dirt and dust can settle in the chip, making repairs much less effective and more visible, so act fast!

John's DIY Edge Protection

With a little effort and inexpensive materials, you can give your windshield an invisible force field against expensive repairs. By installing an edge trim along the exposed edge of your windshield, your can prevent unfixable edge cracks. 

What You’ll Need:

• Edge Trim with 3M Adhesive 

• Glass cleaner

• Scissors

• Heat gun

• Optional: Gloves, graphics roller (for pressing down the adhesive)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Clean the Edges: Start by thoroughly cleaning the outer edge of your windshield where the trim will go to ensure proper adhesion.

2. Prep the Trim: Give the strip a clean, straight cut. Don’t worry about trimming length exactly yet; you can fine-tune after it’s attached.

3. Apply the Trim: Lift the rubber lip at the top edge (if your windshield has one), and tuck the new trim just underneath. Run the adhesive backing along the edge, down the sides and across the bottom.

4. Contour With Heat: Use a heat gun to warm and soften the trim as you go. This helps it bend smoothly along corners, preventing puckering or lifting over time.

5. Press and Secure: Press the trim down as you move along, using gloves or a roller to really secure the adhesive.

6. Final Touches: Once in place, go back over the trim with more heat if needed, contouring and smoothing for a factory-fresh look.

The Outcome: Clean, Factory-Looking Protection

The finished windshield looks seamless—you’d never guess it wasn’t built that way. The beauty of this DIY fix? It’s barely visible but can make all the difference in blocking those edge chips that lead to irreparable cracks.