Fixing Your Vehicle's Windshield
Cracks and chips in windows are, unfortunately
, a common occurrence. Small cracks and chips are hazardous if they are left unattended.
A small crack will eventually spread, making it necessary to replace the aperture. A crack on certain spots of the window may easily distract a driver or interfere with his view.
New windshields often cost between $300 and $500. Small chips or cracks in the window can be fixed with cheap do-it-yourself kits that seal the break in the window to prevent spreading.
Windshields are composed of a plastic see-through layer of material sandwiched between two layers of glass. Laminated automotive safety glass breaks down into small pieces that stick to the middle plastic layer when shattered.
The flexible layer of see-through plastic prevents the glass from scattering when broken. Laminated glass also blocks sound and ultraviolet rays.
Fixing window glass involves not only patching the glass but also fixing the plastic layer in the middle. Repair stops any breaks or cracks from spreading and is a viable option for most small cracks or star-shaped and bulls-eye chips.
Windshield repair companies aim to restore the integrity of your car windows by injecting resin into the crack or chip. Before injecting the sealer, the area is completely cleaned to remove all traces of road dirt.
Small holes are carefully drilled into the window to allow the resin to flow completely throughout the crack. Once injected, the resin bonds with the glass and plastic layer.
Curing under a special light sets the resin and creates a bond with the glass. Polishing to smooth the surface and protect the resin application results in a fixed aperture with very little evidence of damage.
Most windshield repair companies will perform repairs on chips that are smaller than a quarter and cracks that are smaller than 6 inches. Many companies will refuse to fix cracks extending to the edges of the aperture because the overall integrity of the window might be compromised.
Spider-web cracks that extend out from a center chip often result in full windshield repair. Each break in the aperture should be evaluated individually to determine the safety and viability of any repair.
Chips and cracks falling directly into the line of the driver's vision also needs replacing. Some repairs can cause distortion in the window and, as a result, some companies will not fix this portion of the aperture.
Damage on the inside of the aperture cannot be fixed. A professional should gauge the integrity and safety of the windshield before and after repair.
Auto glass specialists, windshield repair companies or car dealers can be consulted for help fixing apertures. Some insurance companies will waive deductibles to pay for windshield repairs.
If you don't want to take your vehicle in to a professional, you can do it yourself with an inexpensive, easy-to-use kit. The kit can fix small cracks or chips and is usually found in auto stores.
The first step is to remove the loose glass from the chip or crack with a razor blade. Don't exert too much pressure, though, or you may cause the crack to splinter further.
Once the glass is removed, run the razor blade over the glass around the crack to remove any dirt and debris in the area, then wash the aperture with soap and. This will remove all debris from the aperture and prevent any pieces from falling into the crack while the adhesive is being added.
Once the window is clean, allow the area to dry completely before applying adhesive to the window directly over the crack using the provided adhesive syringe. Once the adhesive is applied, leave the tip of the syringe in the adhesive and push and pull on the plunger several times.
This will eliminate air pockets in the adhesive and cause it to sink down into all of the crevices.
Once dry, the adhesive will leave a film over the crack, and it will be almost impossible to tell there was ever a crack in the aperture.
by: Jack Landry
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