One of the most important parts of your car is the windshield, also called windshield or front car glass. In addition to protecting drivers from intrusive wind while driving, it gives drivers a clear, wide-angle view of what’s in front of them on roads and highways. Through the windshield, they can estimate how far or close they are from surrounding objects, which helps them avoid dangerous incidents such as collisions. In addition to the wind, the windshield also protects passengers from dust, debris, rain, and other external elements on the road. These are the reasons why the front class of the car must be clear, free from dirt, cracks or chips that can result in blurred vision behind the wheel, which is very dangerous for the driver.
Now, while there are times when windshield problems can be fixed, there are also times when it needs to be replaced entirely. How can we determine this? Repair or replace?
Generally, windshield chips and cracks can be repaired. However, it usually depends on a few factors: 1) how big or small they are 2) the type of crack 3) the depth of the chip or crack and 4) where they are located. The determination also depends on how long the crack or rockfall has been there, whether or not they are contaminated, where they are located, and how severe or simple the damage is.
A knowledgeable windshield repair specialist should consider all of these factors before making a decision to repair or replace. Each scenario is also different from the others. It must be assessed on an individual basis using the specialist’s years of experience and the relevant tools and equipment, what the customer wants or wants the result to be, and the cost of the repair. Most of the problems can be fixed with simple tools, but there are some that require expensive devices.
How big and deep is the problem?
The general rule of thumb is that if the chip is only an inch in size or the crack is only 3 inches long, it can be repaired; otherwise it needs replacement. However, due to new technologies, there is the possibility of repairing larger chips or longer cracks, but still considering the current scenario or possible outcome, all of this must be determined by the skilled windshield repair technician. Today, however, auto repair or rock chip repair shops can repair cracks 18 inches long.
What is the type of crack?
Here are some of the various types of cracks that are easily repairable:
· star break. There are short radials as a result of an impact.
· Diana. This damage results from the impact of a circular thing.
· partial porthole. As the name suggests, the damage is not completely circular.
· crack chip. Quarter size crack.
· doorbell. This looks like crack chips.
· Tone. When there is a small piece of glass screen, it is nowhere to be found.
Where is the crack or chip?
No matter how good a repair, there are still times when the process leaves discoloration or irregularity on the windshield, which, if placed in front of the driver’s wheel, can hold potentially dangerous hazards as clarity and visibility are compromised on this situation. On the other hand, if the crack is at the edge of the windshield, this can compromise the structural integrity of the overall frame.
