Windshields may seem like mundane safety features, but when one becomes damaged they can pose a real driving hazard. Even seemingly insignificant cracks and chips can affect the structural integrity of your windshield, leading to a complete failure that impairs your visibility and could lead to a car accident. The decision between repairing or replacing your windshield can be a difficult one, but it’s vitally important to make the correct choice in order to keep you and your passengers safe.
Whether from rogue pebbles, road debris or the stress of an impact, windshield cracks often start small and grow larger over time. The result is an unattractive and distracting blemish that could seriously impair your vision as you drive down the road. It’s also not uncommon for these pits and cracks to become permanent, leading to the need to replace your vehicle’s windshield altogether.
If you decide to repair your windshield, the process starts with a thorough clean. Your technician will then inject the damaged area with a transparent resin, which fills in any gaps and helps restore the glass’s structural integrity. The resin is cured using heat to ensure the best results, but repairs are limited to the size of the damaged area and cannot completely eliminate all blemishes.
Repairing your windshield should be done as soon as possible. It’s important that water and dirt don’t have the opportunity to seep into any cracks, as this can cause them to enlarge over time. Putting a piece of clear tape over the crack can prevent moisture from entering if you have to leave your car parked outside.
The final step in the repair process is to apply a protective coating that will protect your vehicle from any harmful environmental elements. This coating will not only help to protect the new windshield from the weather but will also enhance its strength and durability. After the coating is applied, it’s recommended that you park your car in a shaded or covered area to help it set.
To replace a windshield, technicians windshield replacement will first remove any garnish moldings or plastic covers from the edge of the glass. They will then use special cut tools to remove the old windshield from the pinch-weld. This area is a part of the frame that holds the windshield in place, and it must be removed carefully to avoid damaging your vehicle’s paint or bonding surface. Once the old windshield is removed, technicians will then prepare the mounting area by applying a fresh layer of urethane.
Windshield replacement takes about an hour to complete, so it’s essential that you carve out enough time in your schedule. During this time, it’s also important that you don’t try to operate your vehicle until the adhesive has properly set. If you have any decals or permits affixed to your windshield, these will need to be replaced with fresh adhesives as well. Be sure to ask your technicians for recommendations and advice when it comes to which type of adhesive is best for your particular application.
Dixie Auto Glass
1365 Mid-Way Blvd #6, Mississauga, ON L5T 2J5, Canada
(905) 795-0000