Accidents happen and ensuring that your windshield is in tip-top shape could help keep you and your passengers safe. Here is important information on the repair and replacement of one of your car’s most important safety restraints.
Safety is built right in
Modern windshields are made out of laminated, shatterproof safety glass. The windshield’s three-layer construction includes two outer layers of tempered glass and a middle layer of polyvinyl butyral, which is a strong resin. If it breaks, the resin protects you by holding the pieces of glass together. (Phew! Thank goodness for resin!) Safety glass also prevents small chips and cracks from penetrating beyond the outside layer of your windshield.
Do you repair or replace?
The answer depends on the extent of the damage and how long it’s been since it occurred. Let’s look at both:
Repair?
Small cracks and chips can sometimes be repaired but if the crack is longer than a dollar bill or the chip larger than a quarter, you may have to replace the entire windshield. To repair a crack or chip, a technician fills the damaged area with clear polymer and then vacuums the damaged area to ensure there are no air bubbles or debris left inside. The repair will not be completely invisible but a repair can stop the damage from expanding. One thing to remember about scheduling a repair: it should be done right away, as the damage can worsen over time.
Tip: Until you can get it repaired, it’s a good idea to put clear tape over the crack or chip to keep dirt from washing in.
Replace?
If your windshield must be replaced, don’t buy on price alone. Insist on either original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or original equipment equivalent (OEE) auto glass. In addition, look for a Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp on the glass to ensure it meets federal standards for safety glass.
Next, make sure the shop and technician you choose are certified by the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) or the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS). To find a certified shop in your area, visit Safewindshields.org and enter your zip code.
Installers recommend letting your vehicle sit for at least an hour after replacement before driving it. This gives the adhesive used to hold the replacement in place time to cure.
Home or Away – Where to repair?
Replacing your windshield isn’t as inconvenient as it sounds. Many shops offer mobile replacement where the technician comes to you, whether it’s at your home or office.
Since many window replacements are the result of an unplanned event, windshield replacement prices can be expensive. If your insurance doesn’t cover the replacement, research special financing programs, like Synchrony Car Care, to help defer the cost and pay a little each month versus all at once.
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