Determining When To Repair The Glass In Your Car Or Replace It With New Windows
When considering auto glass repair for your car, there are some things you need to consider. The condition of the glass, the rarity of a replacement, and the location of the damage can all be significant concerns that could dictate the path you take in dealing with auto glass damage.
Damage Location
One of the biggest concerns with auto glass repair is the location of the damage. A rock chip in the center of the windshield can be a real problem because if it spreads, the break can extend to the driver's side of the glass, obscuring the driver's view. Filling the chip may be enough to stop it from getting worse, but if there is a lot of vibration in the glass, the auto glass repair may not last, so a technician must evaluate the damage before attempting any repair.
Cracks on the driver's side of the windshield can typically undergo repair. However, if the cracks are deep enough to damage the outer glass and the polyethylene inner layer, the auto glass repair service may caution you about fixing it. The better option may be to replace the glass with a new window.
Rare Glass
Older cars undergoing restoration often have windshield glass that is difficult to find. Auto glass repair methods may be the only option for restoring the glass to good condition, and older glass can be brittle, so the repair must be made carefully.
The same limitations exist with older glass that comes with new windshields. The location of the repair and the size of the break are critical. While buying a new window may not always be an option for older cars and trucks, some shops can custom-cut flat glass to fit the opening for you, but curved glass does not allow for that option.
Rare or older glass is often challenging to locate, but some popular vehicles still have reproduction glass available because they are common restorations.
Glass Repair
If the auto glass repair service determines your windshield is a good candidate for repair, they will smooth the edges of the chip or crack and fill it with a specialized resin that is forced into the cracks under pressure. Once the resin makes its way into the chip, it will bind with the glass and create a solid repair that cures clear.
If the resin bonds properly, it can create a repair that is just as strong as the original glass, and most people will have a hard time finding the repair on the glass. Not every chip or crack is repairable, so each one needs to be evaluated to determine the potential for repair before the work begins. For more information on auto glass repair, contact a professional near you.
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