Quick answer: To stop a windscreen crack spreading until it can be repaired, cover it with clear tape, park in the shade, avoid hot demister air or hot water on the glass, drive gently over bumps, close doors softly and skip the car wash. These steps only slow the damage. They do not fix it, so book a professional inspection within a few days.
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A small windscreen crack can quickly worsen, particularly when the glass is exposed to heat, cold, road vibration, or another impact. Acting early may increase the chance that minor damage remains repairable rather than developing into a problem that requires full replacement.
Drivers should also consider visibility and roadworthiness before continuing to use the vehicle. This guide explains what you can do temporarily, what to avoid and when you should stop driving altogether.
Why Do Windscreen Cracks Spread?
A modern windscreen is designed as safety glazing, but once an impact creates a chip or crack, pressure from driving and environmental changes can cause that damage to grow. NSW vehicle standards require windscreen glazing to use approved safety material that meets recognised standards.
Several everyday factors can make a windscreen crack worse:
Temperature changes: Glass expands when heated and contracts when cooled. Uneven heating or cooling can increase stress around a crack.
Road vibration: Potholes, speed humps, gravel roads and rough surfaces transmit vibration through the vehicle.
Vehicle body movement: Cars flex slightly while cornering or driving over uneven surfaces.
Door slamming: Closing doors or the boot forcefully can create vibration and pressure changes.
Further impacts: Another stone strike can worsen an already weakened area.
Contamination: Dirt and moisture inside the damaged area can make professional repair more difficult.
There is no guaranteed amount of time that a crack will remain unchanged. The safest option is to arrange a professional inspection promptly rather than waiting for visible deterioratio
Temporary Fix for a Cracked Windscreen: 7 Things to Do Right Now
The following steps may help reduce exposure to conditions that can worsen the crack while you organise professional assistance.
Cover the Crack with Clear Tape
If the outside surface is dry and reasonably clean, placing clear transparent tape over the damaged area can help keep dirt and moisture out. Apply it gently and avoid pressing hard against the glass. If the crack is in your field of vision, do not let tape create an additional obstruction while driving.
Park in the Shade, Not Direct Sun
Strong sunlight can quickly heat the windscreen. Different parts of the glass may heat at different rates, especially if one section remains shaded. Parking under cover also protects the damaged area from the weather while you wait for repairs.
Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Avoid directing extremely hot demister air at a cold windscreen. Likewise, do not pour hot or boiling water over the glass to remove frost or dirt. The aim is to reduce sudden temperature differences across already weakened glass.
Take It Easy on Rough Roads
Until the windscreen has been inspected:
Avoid potholes where it is safe to do so.
Slow down appropriately for speed humps.
Avoid unnecessary gravel or rough roads.
Do not drive aggressively over uneven surfaces.
Keep unnecessary journeys to a minimum.
Stop Slamming the Doors and Boot
Forcefully closing doors or the boot creates vibration through the vehicle body and changes pressure inside the cabin. An existing crack may already be vulnerable to additional stress, so close doors normally and ask passengers to do the same.
Skip the Car Wash
Avoid automatic car washes and high-pressure cleaning around a cracked windscreen until the damage has been professionally inspected. If the vehicle must be cleaned, avoid directing high water pressure at the crack, and do not scrub or press on the damaged glass.
What NOT to Do to a Cracked Windscreen
Avoid:
Pouring boiling or very hot water over the glass.
Applying superglue or household adhesives.
Using nail polish as a repair product.
Drilling into the end of a crack yourself.
Pressing or repeatedly touching the damaged area.
Use abrasive cleaners around the crack.
Directing a pressure washer at the windscreen.
Deliberately testing whether the crack moves.
Ignoring the crack because it initially looks small.
A qualified automotive glass technician should determine whether the damage is repairable or whether the windscreen needs replacing.
Can You Drive with a Cracked Windscreen in NSW?
There is no simple rule that every windscreen crack automatically means a vehicle can or cannot be driven. The NSW Government states that registered vehicles must be suitable for safe use and meet roadworthiness requirements. Police can issue a Defect Notice if a vehicle is considered unsafe.
How Long Can You Drive with a Cracked Windscreen?
A crack may remain unchanged for a period or extend suddenly after:
Hitting a pothole.
Driving over a speed hump.
Experiencing extreme heat.
Using a hot demister.
Receiving another stone impact.
Travelling over rough roads.
The practical approach is to arrange an inspection as soon as reasonably possible and avoid unnecessary driving beforehand.
When You Should Stop Driving Altogether
Consider stopping in a safe location and arranging professional assistance if:
The Damage Significantly Interferes with Your View
If a crack or damaged area obstructs your vision, continuing to drive may create an unnecessary safety risk.
The Crack Is Growing Noticeably
Rapid spreading can occur after changes in temperature, vibration or further impact.
There are Multiple Large Cracks
Temporary protective measures should not be treated as a substitute for proper repair or replacement.
The Windscreen Has Suffered a Major Impact
A substantial stone or object impact can cause more damage than what is immediately visible.
Visibility is Distorted
If your view of the road is distorted, continuing to drive may be unsafe.
You are Unsure Whether the Vehicle is Roadworthy
When there is uncertainty about safety, arrange a professional inspection instead of taking a risk. Mobile windscreen services can also reduce the need to drive a vehicle with damaged glass.
Choose Albion Park Rail Windscreens & Plastics’ Windscreen Repair in Wollongong
At Albion Park Rail Windscreens & Plastics, we provide professional windscreen crack repair in Wollongong along with automotive glass repair and replacement services across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Oak Flats, Nowra, Gerringong and the wider Illawarra region.
If you notice a chip or crack, avoid waiting for it to become a larger problem. Protect the damaged area, minimise unnecessary driving and arrange a professional assessment as soon as possible.
FAQ
Clear tape cannot permanently stop a crack from spreading or restore the strength of damaged glass. It mainly helps keep dirt, water and other contaminants out of the damaged area until professional repair can be arranged. Use transparent tape carefully and ensure it does not obstruct your view.
Heat and sudden temperature changes can increase stress in already damaged glass. Strong sunlight may heat the windscreen unevenly, while rapidly applying very hot or cold air can create additional strain.
It depends on the crack’s length, depth, location, and condition, as well as whether the damage extends to the edge of the windscreen. Larger or more complex cracks often require replacement, so a professional assessment is needed to determine the correct option.
Arrange a professional assessment as soon as reasonably possible. There is no guaranteed period in which a crack will remain stable. Temperature changes, road vibration, other impacts, or normal vehicle movement can cause the damage to spread and potentially necessitate replacement.
Coverage depends on your insurer and individual motor insurance policy. Some comprehensive policies include windscreen repair or replacement, while others may require an optional windscreen benefit or an excess payment.
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