The Tribulations of Windshield Repair

Cause and Effect

Auto glass failure happens. It’s common. It goes with the daily wear and tear of owning a vehicle. The direct cause isn’t always obvious. So don’t lose sleep trying to remember if you ran over loose chippings on the way home. Over time temperature change can play on imperfections in the glass. It isn’t unusual to get up one morning and find windshield damage has visited you in the night.  Don’t get excited. Get it sorted.

Knowing when to repair or replace.

A cracked windshield is one of the most common forms of auto damage. Thankfully, if you get it in time, auto glass repair is relatively straightforward. Your first priority should be to assess whether the damage merits replacement or repair. Keep in mind that the latter is by far the cheapest and quickest. If the crack is more than six inches long, professionals will usually recommend total replacement of the windshield. Most minor cracks or chips can be repaired quite easily.  Make sure to establish if both layers of glass have been affected. Be aware that conventional resin repair is only fully effective where the outer layer alone has been cracked.

Quick Fix

The process of windshield repair takes as little as thirty minutes. Using modern resin techniques, mechanics can fill in the affected area. The resin dries in natural sunlight, blending into the glass and leaving the crack almost invisible. The result is waterproof and extremely durable. It supports the windshield and prevents the crack spreading further. Auto glass repair has become a small art in the motor repair business.

The dangers of complacency

A common mistake is to leave the damage unattended for a period of time, allowing the crack to spread. This may finally make repair impossible and burden you with unnecessary costs. Remember this. Once a crack has been made, that crack will grow. Everything from a speed bump on your day to day commute to temperature change in your garage can slowly and inexorably increase the problem. Auto glass repair is not something you want to put off.

Finally, don’t be complacent. Your windshield is an important part of your car’s security and general integrity. It protects you the driver and your passengers. A chip can reduce the integrity of that windshield by as much as 70%.  Whether you require a full repair job or a full replacement, contact a trained professional with the certified technicians to do the work. Value your car. Value your safety.