All posts in Windshield

3 Practical Ways to Protect Your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2018/08/31 in Windshield with Comments Off on 3 Practical Ways to Protect Your Windshield
protect windshield

Of all of your vehicle’s various components, the windshield is obviously nowhere near the most important. In fact, it is something that most drivers tend to basically ignore other than perhaps occasionally cleaning glass when it begins to become overly dirty and affect their visibility. Of course, major cracks and other damage can interfere with a driver’s ability to see clearly just as much as dirt, dust and grime.

This is precisely why police often won’t hesitate to issue a ticket any time they feel that windshield damage seriously impact a driver’s visibility and prevents them from seeing the road and traffic in front of them clearly. In this case, you’ll be left with no choice but to have your windshield completely replace. Luckily, these simple tips should help you to protect your windshield from damage and thus hopefully increase its lifespan.

Park Indoors or in the Shade Whenever Possible

Most drivers are aware of the potential damage that the sun’s excessive heat and harmful UV rays can do to their vehicles. From causing your car’s paint job to fade and discolor to wreaking havoc on your vehicle’s interior, there is no doubt that prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to major cosmetic damage that both affects how your vehicle looks and decreases its value. Preventing this type of damage to your car’s interior is usually as simple as using a window shade, which should at least help to protect your dashboard and some of the interior from some of the damaging UV radiation.

However, most car owners are unaware of the potential damage that excessive heat can also do to their windshield. Changes in temperate cause the windshield to expand and contract, and the glass obviously heats up far more when directly exposed to the extreme summer sun. Over time, this continued expansion and contraction causes the glass to weaken, which in turn makes it more susceptible to chips, cracks and other damage. For this reason, it is a good idea to always park your vehicle indoors or in a shady spot whenever possible and especially during the hotter parts of the year.

Repair Any Chips or Cracks Immediately

Chips and cracks can occur at any time and are usually a consequence of a vehicle in front of you throwing up rocks that then strike the windshield. When this happens, it is vital that you have the damage repaired immediately. Many smaller chips and cracks can easily be repaired as long as you get the job done soon after the damage occurs.

Still, if you wait too long, temperature fluctuations will eventually cause the damage to grow. In fact, cold weather can cause a small chip to turn into a major crack overnight, in which case it is usually necessary to have the windshield replaced entirely. The average cost of a windshield replacement can range anywhere from $100 to $400 or more, which is far more expensive than what it would have cost you had you repaired the damage immediately.

Keep a Safe Distance

One of the simplest ways to protect your windshield involves changing your driving habits. Many people have a tendency to follow the vehicle in front of them too closely, and this can quickly lead to a chipped, cracked or broken windshield. In this sense, one of the best things you can do is to always maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles to lessen the chances of your windshield being hit by rocks thrown up by the vehicle in front of you. Moreover, you should always increase your following distance on dirt roads, in construction zones or any other time you suspect there may be sand, gravel, rocks or other potentially dangerous debris on the road.

Obviously, there will be cases where there’s nothing you can do to prevent windshield damage—especially if it occurs while the vehicle is parked. Still, it is essential that you have the damage repaired immediately no matter the cause. Crash test results have repeatedly showed that even minor damage greatly increases the chances of the windshield popping out or possibly shattering during an accident. In this sense, protecting your windshield from damage and having it repaired or replaced as needed will also help to ensure you and your family remain safer on the road.

Ways To Prevent Cracks In Your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/11/24 in Windshield with Comments Off on Ways To Prevent Cracks In Your Windshield

If you own a vehicle, at some point in time you will have a cracked windshield. Not only can these cracks obstruct your vision, they can also spread as you drive and make your drive all the more hazardous. While it is not possible to avoid cracked windshields all together, there are ways to prevent cracks from happening. Here are 4 tips to avoid a crack or a chip that will become more than just an eyesore.

Park Under a Carport

Did you know that direct sunlight can be just as bad for your auto glass as it is for the interior of your car? The seal that surrounds the windshield can absorb heat and then transfer this heat to the glass itself. The high temperatures makes the glass more prone to cracks around the perimeter when you hit a bump or if you have a minor impact. To prevent the damaging UV rays from doing damage, park under a surface.

Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes When Possible

Direct sunlight can be damaging, but going from hot to cold rapidly can also affect your auto glass. If you are parked in the heat, the glass expands. When you turn your car on and blast your air conditioner, the glass will then contract. This can lead to a weakened structure which causes cracking. To avoid this, avoid the significant temperature changes by using your AC or heater moderately.

Inspect for Small Chips

You can have a very minimal chip and not notice it for a great deal of time. This is why it’s important to inspect your windshield closely on a regular basis so that you can identify the unnoticeable cracks or chips that are minor now and can later become major. If you do spot a chip, it’s wise to get your chip repaired before it spiders and you need a windshield replacement according to Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres, a company that provides windshield replacement in Calgary.

Steer Clear of Bumpy Roads

If you do not have many routes that you can take to and from a location, it might not always be possible to avoid roads with not-so-pleasant driving conditions. Bumpy roads, gravel roads, hair pin turns, and roads that cause your vehicle to jump can cause the windshield to jar. This jarring can flex the windshield beyond its capabilities and lead to cracking. When rough driving conditions can be avoided, take the smoother and less straining road.

You may not be able to avoid glass breakage in all instances, but these tips can help you reduce the likelihood. Be sure to choose an auto glass repair company that you can trust when you do need repairs, and stay safe on the roads.

5 Tips to Help you Protect your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/07 in Windshield with Comments Off on 5 Tips to Help you Protect your Windshield

Protecting your windshield and car windows is imperative for obvious purposes like safety. Research shows that 90% of driving decisions are dependent upon good vision, so it only makes common sense to invest in taking care of the windshield in particular.

Other reasons for maintaining your windshield is that it is the biggest target for the sunlight and in hot months, heats up your car interiors which in return damages them, when your car is parked for long periods of time. Additionally, if you are intending to sell your car, the windshield and wiper blades are a good gauge of how well maintained the vehicle was.

Most people maintain various parts of their cars but forget that the windshield too needs to be protected and maintained on a regular basis. Below are some tips on how to protect your windshield, so that when you are on the road, you are as safe as possible.

Clean your Windshield on a Regular Basis

The simplest and most effective way to protect your auto glass is by cleaning it on a weekly basis, both on the inside and the outside. If a piece of gravel strikes a clean windshield, its smooth surface prevents energy transfer and bounces off. However, if it strikes a dirty auto glass, the friction allows for more energy transfer that may lead to a chip or even worse, a shattered windshield.

Clean your Windshield Wipers Regularly & Replace them with New Ones when Necessary

Dirty windshield wiper blades leave streaks and simply spread dirt built up on your auto glass, leading to the same problem of a likely chip in your windshield if gravel or stones hit it when you are on the road. When you notice that your wiper blades are not doing an efficient job of providing good visibility, chances are that they are no longer doing their job well and it’s time to replace them with new ones.

Request an Extra Coating of Windshield Protection

When buying a new car, request for an extra coating of windshield protection. While some cars already come with this extra coating, most don’t. In the long run, the investment will pay off in the unfortunate event of an accident or flying glass hitting your windshield. Called shatterproof glass, this is a good option for a new purchase.

Use Invisible Polyester Films to Reinforce the Safety of your Glass

There many consumer products in the market today that can be used to protect your car windshield. Most of them are used to protect against cracks from stones, hail and harmful UV rays, so fret not if your existing car hasn’t been reinforced with an extra coating of windshield protection.

Remove Ice from your Windshield without Causing Damage

When winter comes around, it is more than likely that you will encounter a layer of ice forming on your windshield at some point. It may be tempting to pick any old item like a knife or a spatula to remove the ice. This increases the chances of scratching your windshield or damaging your auto glass. Instead be patient and use a plastic ice scrapper. Other options include using a de-icer spray to melt the ice and you may not even need a plastic ice scrapper.

Follow the tips above religiously and you will be well on your way to preserving and maintaining your car windshield for a long time to come.  However, if you happen to find yourself with a damaged windshield, be sure to get a quick windshield replacement quote on glass.net.

How to Repair Your Damaged Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/08 in Windshield with Comments Off on How to Repair Your Damaged Windshield

A cracked windshield is not only dangerous, it can also land you a ticket if it obstructs your line of vision while driving. If you own a vehicle, it is your duty to invest in preventative maintenance and also schedule repairs when necessary. While almost every vehicle owner will face the dilemma of repairing a cracked or chipped windshield within their lifetime, it can be difficult to stumble through the process of windshield repair if this is the first time you’ve ever needed glass repair. Read on, and learn how to repair your damaged windshield so that you can keep the cost low and make the experience as stress-free as possible.

Find Out If You Have Glass Coverage Through Your Insurer

Why pay full price for auto glass repair when you pay insurance premiums for coverage that will pay for glass breakage? Many individuals are hesitant to call their insurance agent to verify their options in fear of premium surcharges, but this is not something to worry about when the claim is centered around auto glass. If you carry comprehensive coverage, the comprehensive deductible will apply to glass claims. Luckily, if you have a low deductible, you may save hundreds of dollars on windshield replacement or moderate repairs without having to worry about your rates going up in the future.

Find a Glass Company Who Will File a Claim With Your Insurer

Once you verify your coverage, the next step is to find a trusted glass company that will work directly with your insurer so that you don’t have to worry about going through the process of reimbursement. The best way to do this, is to take your vehicle in to an auto repair shop and get an estimate. While your vehicle is being appraised for the cost of repairs, find out if that if that company will work with your insurance. Most auto repair shops should work with your insurance, but be warned that some do not. Also, many glass companies that partner with leading insurers will actually file your auto insurance claim for you to make the process of glass repair as easy as possible. Compare different companies to verify this is an option.

Choose the Best Method For Repairs

There is a major difference between a chip and an crack. Typically, a chip is smaller than the size of a quarter, and a crack is anything larger a quarter. If you have a small chip, you may be able schedule rock chip repair rather than a full-fledged replacement. Chip repair involves using a professional resin to seal the chip so that your windshield is as good as new without paying the cost for replacement.  Some insurance companies may even waive your deductible if chip repair is a viable option.

Be sure to discuss whether you should repair or replace your windshield with professionals like those at www.triglassinc.com or your local repair shop before you make a decision. Once you verify your auto coverage and choose the right professional using the best repair products and materials in their window repair kit, you can erase the chips or eliminate the cracks.

How To Know When The Right Time Is To Replace Your Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/18 in Windshield with Comments Off on How To Know When The Right Time Is To Replace Your Windshield

A loud sound permeates your car’s interior and startles you as you drive down the road. This startling sound is typically an object striking the windshield. Depending on the object’s size and trajectory, you may have an instant chip or crack across your windshield. Before you resort to replacing the entire windshield, take a look at the crack to determine if it can be repaired instead.

Chip Repair Options

Take a look at your chip, or gouge, in the glass. If it is about the size of a quarter or less, it is possible to repair it. Use a windshield repair kit to save hundreds of dollars on replacement glass. These helpful kits use specialized resins to fill the chip and maintain a strong glass surface. It is critical to repair the chip as soon as possible, however. Allowing the chip to remain untouched may cause it to grow larger. Any chips outside of quarter size indicates time for a windshield replacement.

Determining Crack Damage

Use products from www.triglassinc.com to repair 3-inch-long cracks, or smaller, for an almost brand-new glass appearance. Resins quickly fill in the crack and prevent it from spreading. Order your repair kit quickly for these cracks, especially if they are along the windshield’s edge. There is a lot of glass tension at the edges because of the connection point to the vehicle itself. Neglected cracks at the edges spread rapidly, requiring an entire windshield replacement.

Driver’s Clear View

If you have a small crack or chip along the driver’s line of sight, most professional repair companies will not advise filling the damage. Although resin is strong and creates a neat appearance when cured, it does form a slight warping at the damage site. If you must focus on cars through the filled site, an accident could occur. In these case, you will want to replace the windshield. If you try to repair the damage yourself without a professional’s help, you may cause your own accident in the future.

Ticketing Damaged Windshields

Some states actively issue tickets for damaged windshields. Do not allow your cracks and chips to grow in size. Repair or replace the windshield as needed. Police want everyone on the road to be safe and a damaged windshield increases your chances of an accident, especially at night. Lights flicker and distort through cracks, impeding your depth perception.

Take a good look at your windshield. Use a quarter and ruler to determine damage sizes for the best evaluation. If you are unsure about the damage, ask a professional’s opinion or replace the windshield.