Car Repair: Preventative Maintenance Advice

Many car owners are happy to drive around with stone chips or even cracks in the windshield. They do not realize how dangerous it is. Windshield replacement could save your life.

Any of these stone chips can be repaired. Beyond looking for these types of common chips, it is important to take into consideration the size of the damage. If the damage cannot be covered by a half dollar, the chip is too large to be repaired. Another important piece of information to consider is the acute area. The acute area is the area of the automobile windshield chip repair directly in the drivers line of vision. It is the same size as a piece of paper being held horizontally in front of the driver. In this area, the National Glass Association does not recommend a repair being done unless it is no greater than .95 of an inch. An easier way to imagine this is that a quarter should be able to cover the entire area of damage in the acute area.



If you live where it snows, consider what ice, snow, salt, and loose gravel can do to your car. The radiator can corrode without you even knowing it, minor scratches and nicks can turn rusty, and the windshield is subjected to the extremes of interior heat and exterior cold. These factors, and others, affect your vehicle when the weather changes from winter cold to summer hot.

Driving the car immediately after a windshield replacement is not something you can do. There is a time period that should be allowed to make sure that the window has settled and dried. The warmer weather allows for the adhesives to dry quickly. However, the colder weather increases the time that is needed before you resume driving. Taking the time to wait for the adhesives to be at full strength could mean the difference between life and death or an accident that leaves you maimed.

Use your defroster on high. Extremes in temperature are never a good thing for a cracked or damaged windshield. If you live in an area where you are required to use your defroster regularly, gently warm up the car over a period of time. It's also best to find a mobile windshield repair company that can do your repairs as soon as possible.

Carefully read and understand the instruction manual that comes with your newly purchased windshield repair kit before performing the repair. Now, here's how to fix the cracks on your windshield. First, use an auto glass cleaner to remove dirt from the crack and the area around it. Then dry the crack using a clean rag or towel. Use a safety pin to take out any remaining debris on the crack. Next place the suction cup onto the windshield using the adhesive included in the kit. Then mount the injector on the suction cup. Next, inject the resin; this will remove the air between the windshield and the suction cup.

Take the time to ask questions from the auto glass worker who will be performing the work. Or, ask management if the worker is unavailable. You have the right to know the quality of the auto glass being used. Understand any charges you need to pay as well as what the insurance company allows for windshield replacement. Being well informed saves you money even when it comes to windshields.

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