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Auto Glass Services: Ultimate Guide to Car Windshi
Auto Glass Services: Ultimate Guide to Car Windshi
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syed haris
71 posts
Sep 06, 2024
10:01 AM
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Drivers look at it the entire time they are driving, but many never realize it’s one of the most important safety components of their vehicle. We are talking about a vehicle’s windshield.
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The windshield (sometimes called the windscreen) protects the driver and the passengers from the elements, functions as the main visibility feature, and maintains the integrity of the vehicle in the event of an accident. It also allows the airbags to deploy properly.
Windshields are especially prone to damage, and car window repairs are common occurrences. Most drivers will require vehicle window repairs at some time, so basic knowledge is beneficial concerning the degrees of windshield damages, how they are repaired, when repairs aren’t possible, and how to get windows replaced. You need this information before your car is damaged!
This is a guide to everything you need to know about windshield and window repair.
Your Windshield Glass Is Made to Protect You
Windshield glass isn’t the same as your ordinary window glass. It is made of laminated safety glass that is designed to give you and your passengers maximum protection in the event of damage or a crash. Consequently, it is much stronger than other window glass—like the glass in your home, for example.
Laminated glass provides exceptional resistance against all kinds of impact. It is made of two curved sheets of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer between them. These three layers are then bonded together into one uniform piece, and the windshield is bonded securely into the window frame.
The windshield will shatter in the event of extreme impact, but the PVB interlayer will hold the glass layers together. This will prevent the windshield from flying apart or breaking into large, sharp pieces like ordinary glass.
Speedy Windshield Repair is Important
A rock bounces up from the road and hits your windshield while you are driving in traffic. How much of an emergency is this?
The first concern is your safety. If the rock causes a small ding in the windshield, it isn’t dangerous to keep driving. In fact, pulling over would be more dangerous than the ding, but it IS important to have the damage inspected as soon as possible.
An inspection should happen even more quickly if the rock hits the windshield and causes a crack directly in the driver’s line of sight. Get out of traffic as quickly and safely as possible and go to your nearest Max Auto Glass for assistance. Cracks can worsen quickly, so don’t wait.
Any damaged windshield is weakened and provides less protection in the event of a collision. And that rock may have gone through the top layer, allowing moisture to get in between the glass and the middle PVB layer. Then the windshield can fog, or the chip can freeze, causing more damage. Dirt can also get into the chip or crack along with the water, resulting in even less visibility.
Attempting to save money by waiting to have even small pits, dings, or cracks repaired can result in the greater expense of replacing the entire windshield.
Request a Windshield Replacement or Repair Quote
Types of Damage to Vehicle Windshields
Different types of chips, cracks, and breaks that occur are often determined by the sizes of the objects and where they strike the windshield .
Some of the most common types of damage are:
Dings or chips: When small objects hit a windshield, they can take a tiny piece out of the glass. These chips will spread over time, cracking outward from their center and spreading over a larger area.
Bull’s-eyes and partial bull’s-eyes: These circular and semi-circular cracks or chips are caused by circular objects hitting the glass.
Pits: Over time, dust or sand particles hit the glass and wear it down; these are referred to as pits.
Edge cracks: These occur three inches from the outer edge, around the perimeter of the windshield. Objects striking this area may cause cracks, which can then turn into longer cracks. Usually, windshields need to be replaced when they suffer edge cracks.
Stress cracks: These cracks are caused when the glass experiences rapid and extreme temperature changes.
If You Have Damage to Your Windshield
As mentioned earlier, most drivers will experience windshield damage at some point. How you respond can make the difference between a fast and inexpensive repair and a total windshield replacement. Here are some tips.
If your windshield has been damaged:
Get off the road safely and assess the damage. If a rock or other object hits the windshield while you are driving, check the damage as soon as you can get off the road safely. At this point, the main issue is making sure your view isn’t obstructed.
Don’t attempt a DIY job. The solutions available as DIY fixes are only temporary and only delay the inevitable. Plus, an improperly applied home repair kit can leave you in an unsafe situation while you’re driving.
Get the windshield repaired as soon as possible. The damage can worsen, further endangering the vehicle’s occupants. Ignoring it can lead to more damage and a higher repair cost.
Consult with a professional auto glass technician about repairing or replacing the glass. Your regular auto shop isn’t equipped to repair windshields, replace side or rear windows, or make power window repairs. These types of repairs and replacements should be left to specialists in auto glass repair and replacement.
When a Windshield Can Be Repaired
Some types of damage require replacing the whole windshield, but some types of damage can be repaired. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding if your damaged windshield can be repaired.
Impact on Visibility While Driving
Your visibility while driving must not be impaired in any way. It is dangerous when your ability to see clearly is reduced, and it places you and your passengers at risk. Windshield replacement service is usually recommended if any damage is within your line of vision. In some states, it is illegal to drive with a damaged windshield.
Size of the Chip or Crack
This is an important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace a windshield. Here are more specific guidelines:
The crack is less than the length of a dollar bill.
The chip is an inch in diameter or less.
There are no more than two connecting hairline cracks.
Remember, too, that small cracks can quickly get bigger when a windshield gets hot. When there is a small, repairable ding or crack in your windshield, it is advisable that you get it fixed quickly. If you wait, you may end up needing replacement, which will be much more expensive.
Depth of the Chip
The windshield should be replaced when a rock or other piece of debris penetrates through the middle layer of vinyl or the second layer of glass. This is a matter of safety. Remember, the windshield is part of the frame of the vehicle and is designed to protect passengers if the car rolls over.
Location of the Damage
Any damage along the outer edge of the windshield can grow quickly due to the wind hitting the glass. Have it repaired as soon as possible if it is a small crack so the windshield doesn’t end up needing to be replaced.
As stated before, an important factor is visibility for the driver. If visibility is impacted to any significant degree, the glass should be replaced. Safety always comes first.
If you’re not sure if you should repair or replace your windshield, ask our auto glass experts here at Max Auto Glass. They can help you make the best decision to protect your safety.
Request a Windshield Replacement or Repair Quote
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