The purpose of a windshield is to provide clear visibility and protect passengers in a vehicle from extreme weather, flying debris, and act as a shield in the event of an accident. This puts a vehicle’s windshield in a vulnerable position, often resulting in damage in the form of scratches, cracks, and chips to name a few. Fortunately, all modern auto glasses are specially treated and laminated. Due to its construction, a laminated auto glass does not shatter when fractured and can hold pieces of glass together. Nevertheless, a damaged windshield has to be repaired or replaced to ensure safety of passengers and other motorists on the road. Windshield replacement and auto glass repair though seemingly simple, involve complex procedures and demand professional attention to the finest detail.

Things you need to know about windshield replacement and repair

The extent and type of damage determines if a windshield has to be repaired or replaced. A windshield can be repaired if the damage is in the form of a crack, less than 1.5 inches in diameter, and outside the driver\’s line of vision. Damage caused by stones or flying debris can also be repaired without replacing the glass. Stone and debris related damages are classified based on shape and size into six types: bull’s eye, bee’s wing, star, clover leaf, half moon and a combination of two or more of the five types. A typical repair process involves application of an appropriate resin into the crack under pressure. The process also includes certain pre and post processing steps such as cleaning and curing respectively. Some auto glass repair centers use tested proprietary techniques to produce good finish and strength.

It is important to note that a minor crack or chip can become a larger fracture if not attended to in a timely fashion or if improperly repaired. In windshield replacement and auto glass repair the glass plays just one part. Ancillary materials such as adhesives, resins and trim molds play a critical role in the final quality of a repair or installation.

Windshield replacement is necessary if the degree of damage does not match the aforementioned criteria for repair, or if a crack ends at the edge of the windshield or if there are eight or more completed repairs on the windshield. Other factors that have to be established prior to a replacement are the vehicle’s make and model (to ensure compatibility) and the type of finish desired (usually factory finish or UV-tinted).

After the initial assessment, the damaged windshield is extracted from the pinchweld, which is a channel in the vehicle’s frame that holds the windshield. Care must be taken not to damage the pinchweld as it directly affects the quality of installation. This is followed by a clean-up of the windshield perimeter and application of appropriate primer and urethane based adhesive. The choice of adhesive plays a key role in the quality and safety of the installed auto glass. The final steps include installation of the selected auto glass and inspection. Auto glasses installed in the U.S.A must conform to the standards set by National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

Windshield replacement and repair is a specialized job and is often done in automobile workshops. There are also many exclusive windshield replacement and auto glass repair centers equipped with specialized tools and technicians. Most replacement and repair centers offer home service, free assessments, and handle insurance claims for their customers. One can find the service that best suits them by simply going online or looking up the local yellow pages.

For more information on Windshield Repair Dallas or Car Window Repair Dallas, contact an auto glass specialist at Mobile Glass Co.

For more information on http://www.mobileglassco.com/cities/windshield-repair-dallas-tx Windshield Repair Dallas or http://www.mobileglassco.com/cities/car-window-repair-dallas-tx Car Window Repair Dallas, contact an auto glass specialist at Mobile Glass Co.

Author Bio: For more information on Windshield Repair Dallas or Car Window Repair Dallas, contact an auto glass specialist at Mobile Glass Co.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: automotive, auto, windshield, windshield repair, windshield replacement, repair, replacement,