All You Need to Know About Windshield Replacement

 

Once you invest in a car, you should be prepared to make quality repairs and replacements whenever they are needed. If your car’s windshield experiences some form of damage, you need to know when to repair it or if it’s time to replace. Windshield replacement is essential if the damage is extensive. Chips and cracks will worsen if you ignore them, they will not simply go away.

In most cases, windshield repairs will be recommended if the crack or chip is very small. It is important to consult a competent technician who will determine the need for auto glass replacement. The technician will determine if the damage is the appropriate size to be resolved without replacement. The technician will only recommend repairs after determining that distortion will not occur once the glass has been repaired. Remember that windshield replacement must be done if the crack or chip has reached the inner PVB layer and compromised the glass.

Repairs can take less than half an hour to be completed. The process doesn’t involve removing the entire windshield. The average cost of a windshield repair is $50 but it may change depending on the type of auto glass you have. In most cases, auto insurance will cover the cost of windshield repair.

The repair is less technical compared to an auto glass replacement. There are cases where the auto glass technician will need to drill into the windshield in order to make sure the resin will penetrate through the glass properly. Before the resin is injected into the glass, the area is vacuumed to remove air. The resin basically seals the crack and prevents moisture and debris from penetrating into the crack or chip. If the repairs are done properly and the damage was not so intense, the chip or crack will become almost invisible.

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On the other hand, windshield replacement involves a more technical process. If the current windshield is severely damaged to a point that it may impair the driver’s vision on the road, it needs to be replaced. Auto glass replacement is certainly more costly but in some cases, it can be a life saving decision. If the crack or chip is obscuring the driver’s vision, it can result into a serious accident.

During windshield replacement, the old windshield will be completely removed and a new one fitted on that space. Removing an old windshield is no mean task. It requires a lot of force. It must be done with extra caution. Once the old and damaged windshield is removed, the car’s frame is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the new windshield.

Different materials can be used to bond the new windshield to the vehicle. Most technicians will apply urethane on the frame to attach the windshield to the car. Once this material is applied and the windshield is attached onto the car, it needs to be given time to cure. Replacing a windshield can cost you at least $200 and it takes almost an hour to get the job done.

Most people who end up seeking windshield replacement services had earlier ignored cracks on their auto glass only for the crack to spread overtime. A windshield has two layers of glass separated by a vinyl layer. If there is a crack, moisture will penetrate through the glass and can easily damage the vinyl layer that separates the two glass layers. Once the vinyl layer is damaged, the windshield is significantly weakened and the quality of the auto glass compromised.

As soon as you notice a chip or crack on your windshield, the wise thing to do is to ask an auto glass shop. Auto glass replacement is a very sensitive task and must be done by licensed professionals. When you visit the auto glass shop, ask them to prove their certification. Most certified auto glass shops will have a technician certificate proudly displayed at the reception area for all customers to see.

You also need to find out if the auto glass shop has skilled, licensed and insured technicians to handle windshield replacement. Find out how long it’ll take to get the job done. If they say that the process will take only half an hour, then make sure it is going to be carried out by two auto glass specialists.

One important thing you need to ask before auto glass replacement is about the safe drive away time. Each urethane adhesive will require a specified time period to cure before you can drive the car. If the adhesive is not given adequate curing time then it can result in a serious accident if the windshield comes off unexpectedly while you are driving. The best auto glass specialists will recommend the adequate curing time before sending you back on the road. Team up with an auto glass specialist who is committed to customer safety. Stop by Sharky’s Auto Glass in Cary for more information or call 919-422-8397.