If you've suffered from a crack or scratch in your windshield, you may be considering the purchase of an at-home auto glass kit. An at-home auto glass repair kit is usually a two-step epoxy process that's designed to bond the glass. Many of these repairs are intended to make the cracks and scratches invisible and stabilized, but there can also be some downsides.

The Upsides of At-Home Auto Glass Repair Kits

Windshield issues can be both dangerous and difficult to deal with. An at-home auto glass kit gives you the ability to stabilize it quickly, preventing the crack from spreading and making it easier to see through your windshield. If your windshield has been cracked through your viewing area, it could be hazardous or even illegal to drive. A glass repair kit may be able to make the crack "disappear," thereby making the car roadworthy. 

Auto glass kits are generally very affordable. This is contrasted with an auto glass repair, which could include the entire replacement cost of the windshield itself. Thus, those who cannot currently afford a windshield repair may want to invest in a DIY kit instead.

The Downsides of At-Home Auto Glass Repair Kits

Auto glass kits have to be used properly. If they aren't used properly, they could obscure an individual's vision even further -- they can frost over the glass or make it opaque. An at-home glass kit also isn't intended to be used permanently. Eventually, the repair kit may fail and the crack may become even more extreme. Unfortunately, this could occur during the worst possible time -- when the vehicle is being driven. Because of this, the glass kit could actually become hazardous. 

Getting the Most Out of an Auto Glass Repair Kit

If you do decide to use an auto glass kit, it should usually only be used for a week or two before an actual repair. Before using the kit, the windshield area should be completely washed and dried. This will help the glass bond together. After the windshield has been bonded, it should be allowed to cure for as long as directed on the box. 

Though windshield repair kits can occasionally be effective, they cannot be used for more than fairly simple repairs. Further, they aren't designed to be a permanent solution. Windshield repair is better completed by a professional who will be able to make sure that the windshield is safe. For more information or assistance, contact companies like Glas Tek Windshield Repair.