I’m in a rented terrace in Sydney’s Inner West, and it’s late August, cold mornings, lots of condensation on the glass. I noticed a tiny star chip after driving down Parramatta Road behind a tradie’s ute. Yesterday I ran the demister on high, and the mark looked bigger by the time I parked. I’m confused about how quickly these spread in winter and whether the temperature swings from frosty dawns to sunny afternoons make it worse. I can only get to a shop on Saturdays, and our street parking is tight and sloped. Is a repair enough for now, or could that be a waste if I end up replacing it anyway?

Had the same thing on my hatch in Marrickville last August. The tiny star chip looked harmless until I cranked the demister after a frosty start; by the time I parked, it had spidered a touch. Temp swings and the odd pothole will do that. If it’s smaller than a 5-cent piece and away from your direct line of sight, a quick resin repair usually does the trick and might save you from a full windscreen replacement. Until you’re booked, don’t blast hot air; a bit of clear tape keeps moisture out. Saturdays are tight, but mobile techs will come if you’ve got a reasonably level spot. I googled around for trusted windscreen services and ended up using Windscreen Replacers—easy quote, weekend slots, and they came to me. Worth a look.