What You Should and Shouldn't Fix Before Selling Your Car

After raising seven children through their teenage years, I've had my fair share of experiences with selling used cars that have body damage. As a child saved up to buy a newer car, I was relied on to find a way to sell their old one for the most money possible. I have learned that fixing small dents and other aesthetic issues with your vehicle is a great way to significantly increase the sales price you ask when you put it on the market. But not all dents are worth paying to have fixed because it won't affect the value much. Whether you are just trying to make the money back that you've put into your vehicle or you're trying to make a profit, hopefully the pages on this website will give you some insight into what's worth putting your time and effort into fixing and what's best left untouched.

How to Repair a Crack in Your Windshield

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If you were recently in a small fender bender, you might notice little areas of damage on your vehicle. A common source of damage is having a crack or chip on you windshield. These small cracks need to be repaired if they are on your windshield, since they can obstruct your field of vision. Here is more information about repairing them on your own.

Determine if You Can Repair it

The first thing you need to do is decide if the crack or chip is small enough to repair. Not all cracks can be fixed, as some are too large or deep and require you to replace the entire windshield. If you were in a major collision, you probably need to have the windshield replaced. However, small accidents or fender benders rarely cause more than a slight fracture on the windshield. Look at the size and depth first.

If it is so deep you can't see how deep it goes, it is probably too deep to repair. If the length looks longer than what a traditional windshield suction cup will cover, it is too large for this method of repair. Typically, cracks or chips that reach both layers of glass, on the inside of the glass, or are contaminated, will not be eligible for a repair.

Clean the Damaged Area

Before you start repairing the crack, you will need to clean it out. This is also a good way to determine if it is small enough to warrant a repair, or if you should simply go to an auto body repair shop to have the windshield replaced. Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands, then inspect the crack or chip. If you see dirt, debris, or loose pieces of glass inside, they need to be removed. Use a razor blade or tweezers to remove these pieces, but do so very carefully. Once you are done cleaning out the crack, use window cleaner on the surrounding area to get it as clean as possible.

Use a Suction Cup Tool

For cracks and chips that are small on the windshield, a suction cup tool is the best way to fix it. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and available at any auto supply store. Open the package and put the suction tool over the cracked part of the windshield. You want the center of the suction cup to be right over the crack or chip. Secure the tool onto the windshield.

Once it is in place, place the threaded repair tube into the suction cup tool, then screw it in as tight as it will go. However, only make it hand tight, don't use tools to tighten it. After it is tightened, you need to add the repair resin that came with the suction cup. Squeeze the resin tube, allowing it to seep into the center tube you just added to the suction cup. Use a few drops only so you don't overdo it.

Insert the plunger, as this adds pressure to the bottom of the tube, helping to push the resin into the crack or chip. Once it is harder to push in, you know you have gone far enough and there is enough pressure. If you see air bubbles, you can pull it back slightly, then push it back in. Once the resin is on the crack, remove the suction cup tool from the windshield. Add a clear finishing film over the area and let it dry, following the directions on the package. For more information, contact Black Horse Auto Body Shop Inc.

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27 March 2015