by Richard Campfield

The two-step method is one of the easiest ways to repair an edge crack and only requires two tools: 1) a crack-opener and; 2) a windshield repair tool. The repair tool, however, must be able to slide.

It is called the two-step method because it is broken down into two steps/sections or two repair procedures. A full 95 to 99 percent of the crack is injected and cured in the first procedure; the point is injected and cured in the second procedure. The point is repaired just like a stone-break repair.

1. 

   Step 1

   Place a crack-opener 1 to 3 inches from the point with light pressure on the bolt touching the glass. Turn the bolt enough so that you see the point move ever so slightly, then stop.

2. Mount your repair tool with a structural adhesive crack resin that can stop perpendicular in the crack. (Note: Resin that can fit into a stone-break is not a structural adhesive.)
3. 

   Step 2

   Mount it around the middle of the crack with your suction cups lubricated for sliding, and slide it back and forth the length of the crack to lubricate the glass so your tool will slide smoothly.

4. Starting at the edge slide toward the point until the resin(s) stops flowing. With the proper viscosity you can fill 95 to 99 percent of the crack. You want to stop clean, meaning the resin at where you stop is straight vertically and not bleeding toward the point. (Again, this is controlled by viscosity.)
5. Release the crack-opener pressure. Always remove the crack opener bolt from the glass before curing or you will alter the refractive index of the windshield repair resin.
6. Tab and cure the injected section of the crack, which will be approximately 95 to 99 percent of the crack.
7. After curing, go back and repair the point just like a stone-chip repair. Drill and tap a bullseye and repair with low viscosity chip repair resin using vacuum and pressure to fill the remaining portion of the point/tip.
8. Cure the point under pressure.
9. Remove your tool, then pit-fill and cure the drilled hole.
10. Clean up and you are done.

Note: This method is especially helpful when used on hot windshields. This is because often when you go to tap the crack after drilling the point on a hot windshield it often will jump through the bullseye. By repairing all but the point and curing it, you have relieved this stress and pulled the crack together.

Richard Campfield is the outgoing president of the National Windshield Repair Association and is a member of the board of directors, as well as the founder and president of Ultra Bond Inc. in Grand Junction, Colo.