When A Small Issue Becomes A Huge Problem: Why You Should Repair That Windshield Crack Now

Tony Mers • September 29, 2018

Summer is starting to peter out. Fall is on the way and winter is around the corner. What does that mean for your car?

Winter tires and a little extra time to get behind the wheel in the morning is all well and good, but there will be some days you're given an extra surprise. Repairing dents from hailand cracks left on your windshield are frustrating issues that'll leave you wondering whether to go the do-it-yourself route or visit an auto repair shop. Your best course of action when you notice a blemish on your car's surface is to visit the car body shop for a quick fix. It'll keep your car safe, your schedule sane and prevent any minor issues from becoming major problems.

Prepare for the winter a few months ahead by learning about the aftermath of harsh weather.

Vehicle Negligence Is No Joke

One of the biggest barriers standing between you and a safe drive is vehicle negligence. This term simply means failing to check on your car regularly, leaving everything from its engine to its breaks up to chance. A recent survey revealed as many as 75% of cars on the American road today were in need of maintenance today. If you haven't visited an auto body shop in a while, or have noticed your car feels a little 'off', you'll want to get it fixed now rather than later. Winter is a brutal time to be driving and you'll need everything in your arsenal to keep pace.

A Minor Crack Can Turn Into A Huge Problem

Do you see a small crack on your windshield? Don't ignore it in favor of saving a little money in the short-term. All it takes is a little extra pressure to turn that half-inch crack into a massive issue that puts your safety at risk. A recent study found over half of all windshield cracks and repairs being from a crack that grew nearly a foot long. The six basic types of windshield breaks include the combination break, the half moon, the surface pit, the star breaks, the bullseye and the crack.

Cars Can Become Badly Damaged From Hail

While hail can seem innocuous when you're inside, your car is dealing with something else entirely. Repairing dents from hail can be incredibly difficult, too, if you have a lot of work to buff out on the hood, your doors and the top of your car. Instead of spending hours and hours trying to reverse the damage, look into an auto body shop and ask about their special deals. Auto hail damage is a common issue that professionals are very familiar with and they can quickly make it a detail of the past at a smart cost.

A Little Extra Safety Goes A Long Way In Winter

Repairing dents from hail is also a way to prioritize your car's safety. You don't want any internal damage getting in the way of your driving experience, after all. There are over six million car accidents in the country every year, with the three most common causes of accidents including distracted driving, speeding and drunk driving. Vehicle negligence and bad weather, however, are among the most common causes of auto body damage. Let a professional go about repairing dents from hail and make sure it's done right.

A Visit To The Auto Body Shop Will Keep Your Car In The Clear

From repairing dents from hail to changing your oil, there are a lot of great reasons to invest in an auto repair shop. Safety is the name of the game, though a boost in your self-esteem also doesn't hurt. Over 70% of car crashes today result not just in auto body damage, but property damage. Your windshields also need to be in tip-top shape to hold up to the weather coming your way. Around 90% of stone breaks (such as stars or bullseyes) will never crack, but leave a terrible first impression to anyone viewing your car at a distance.

Don't risk it. Visit a car body shop this year and stay safe this winter.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.