Windshield repair is a fascinating, critical, and surprisingly technologically advanced form of auto repair. As a car owner, it’s only a matter of time before you will require a windshield repair or windshield replacement. Hence, it’s useful to learn about windshield repair technology, so you know when repairs are necessary, when a replacement might be necessary, and what auto glass technicians are doing for windshield damage restoration.
Importance of Windshield Repair
If you look at some of the earliest models of vehicles, you’ll notice there’s little, if any, auto glass on them. Wind, cold, and a never-ending stream of flies made driving early automobiles an unpleasant experience, not to mention the litany of safety hazards drivers had to risk without a windshield. With modern technology and innovations, cars today have windshields that contribute to safe driving. After a collision, windshield repair is an integral part of the auto body repair process to get you driving safely again.
If you’re driving along a highway and a piece of gravel, a stone, or some debris hits your windshield and cracks it, your first impulse might be to curse your bad luck. Perhaps, though, you should be thankful your windshield was there to protect you. Yes, it’s annoying that you now need a windshield repair or replacement, but it’s a lot better than having to go to the emergency room.
This highlights the importance of windshield repair. You can’t afford to trust any repairs or replacements your windshield or other auto glass needs to less-than-professional businesses. You need to know that your windshield is installed properly or repaired correctly because you need it to protect you and your passengers. This is also your responsibility, though.
One of the worst things you can do is procrastinate getting your windshield repaired or replaced after it’s suffered a crack, chip, or fissure. Cracks spread, and what might be a small chip on Monday can grow into a big spider web on Wednesday that obscures your vision. Furthermore, cracks and chips compromise the integrity of your windshield. This is true for big cracks, but even small chips can weaken your windshield such that, the next time a piece of gravel flies up and hits your windshield, it shatters right in front of you, and that is a serious safety hazard.
How Auto Glass Repairs Work?
Windshield repair is an impressive innovation in the auto repair world. It’s a surprisingly high-tech procedure, not so much in terms of what the technicians do, but in terms of the tools and materials they use. Technicians perform auto glass repairs by injecting specially formulated resins into windshield chips or cracks. They then cure the adhesive resin, usually using a UV lamp, to ensure the resin hardens into place, creating a smooth, spotless windshield.
Windshield Repair vs Windshield Replacement
The big question for drivers is: when should you have your windshield repaired and when should you have it replaced? A reputable and knowledgeable technician will be able to advise you on what you need for your specific situation, but here’s a brief overview of windshield repair vs windshield replacement:
- Windshield Repair
Windshield repair is a great option for when you have a small chip in your windshield or other auto glass. For minor windshield damage restoration, technicians can use the adhesives mentioned earlier to repair small chips without having to replace the whole pane of glass. Unfortunately, auto glass repair is not always possible.
- Windshield Replacement
For many other types of windshield damage, restoration won’t work, and instead a complete replacement will be necessary. Typically, large chips or cracks require replacement, although there are some situations where a repair will suffice. For example, if a crack is so large that it touches two sides of your windshield, then a technician will almost certainly recommend a replacement.
The size of the damage matters both in terms of width and depth. A chip or crack that penetrates more than halfway into the windshield thickness- or both the outer and inner layer of a laminated windshield- will likely require the entire windshield to be replaced.
Sometimes placement is the determining factor, not size. Chips on the driver’s side may cause a technician to opt for replacement to avoid any obstruction in your line of sight. Last, in cases of multiple chips or cracks, it is wise to schedule a replacement, because the structural integrity of the windshield is just too uncertain at that point.
Tempered Auto Glass Safety
The composition of auto glass also affects the type of restoration you need. Windshields that are made of tempered glass are likelier to break into fragments. This is actually a safety mechanism to avoid large shards of glass breaking apart as you’re driving. Rear and side windows and sunroofs are typically made of tempered glass. This is different from laminated glass, which is harder to break, that can deter auto thieves. To avoid shattering, auto glass safety experts usually recommend windshield replacement for tempered glass, not repairs.
Evolving Windshield Repair Technologies
Now you’ve learned how windshield damage restoration works, it’s easier to understand the function of auto glass repair and its necessity. One more thing to keep in mind is that auto glass manufacturers keep refining their product and auto glass repairers keep innovating their techniques. Advanced windshield repair technology might make windshield damage restoration a more practical option for bigger chips and cracks in the near future. Hence, it’s always wise to get an expert opinion on windshield repair vs windshield replacement for your vehicle.
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Discover the science of auto glass repair, find out how it works, understand its safety importance, and learn about windshield repair vs windshield replacement.
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