Last week, while I was enjoying a lovely day running errands, I noticed a chip in my windshield.

Bummer. Even worse, it was a Thursday, and my day off is Wednesday – that meant waiting at least almost a week to get it fixed. I have had this happen several years ago with the same vehicle, and it went from a chip to a full crack all the way across the bottom in a day. Driving with a cracked windshield can also get you a ticket.

Tickets make your insurance go up and….well, my first blog post is not a place for my insurance rant. That can wait a while.

So at the risk of sounding like having a chipped windshield will lead to me getting a ticket, not affording insurance, not being able to drive, losing my job, and living under a bridge… well, I just need to get it taken care of.

A while back, an awesome guy who runs a glass shop told me this little trick: Put a piece of packaging tape over the chip. It will keep debris and moisture from getting into the chip and making it larger or putting pressure on it where it will form a crack.

So that’s what I did. It looks lovely. Make sure you use clear packaging tape to not obscure your vision while driving (cause that can get you a ticket, too.)

It took me more than a week, but the chip is fixed and it only cost me $40 . A new windshield would cost about $320. I could have gotten a windshield repair kit for around $15, but I just don’t trust my arts and crafts skills on my ‘newest’ vehicle.

I still may need another windshield at some point, but I’ve at least put it off for a while.