Taking Care of Your Car Windshield
The car windshield plays a very vital role. It not only facilitates aerodynamic airflow to reduce air drag on the vehicle, but also protects the driver as well as the passengers sitting inside it. However, an untoward incident such as an accident or getting hit by debris could result in a chip or crack formation on the car windshield. This may obscure the view of the driver and account for a mishap while driving on the highway. Hence, to ensure the safety of all, it would be prudent to take care of the windshield at regular intervals of time and do the repairing or replacement as the situation demands.
Repair or replace?
While replacing the car windshield could easily set you back by a few hundred dollars, considering repairing it could be a viable option if the damage so inflicted is of a lesser degree. However, there are limitations too as the technicians would not be able to repair a crack that is more than three inches long or chips that are bigger in size. If you are not sure whether to repair or replace the windshield of your car, you can take it to a local glass dealer or to one of the branded outlets like Elite Auto Glass for a thorough analysis of the damage and come up with the appropriate solution.
How it is done
- Car windshield repair: It involves a thorough analysis of the damaged area by the professionals. If repairing the portion seems apt, the car is draped all over so as to safeguard it against any further damage during the repairing process. Then using some advanced tools, the damaged area is cleaned of any dust or moisture trapped inside to make sure the repair is of high quality. After this stage is complete, a special resin is injected into the crack or hole to fill the gap and left undisturbed for some time to get settled. Last but not the least – the glass surface is polished to give it a blemish free look and feel.
One can also try his hand at repairing small chips or holes on the windshield using various repairing tool kits available in the market today and save on the repairing costs.
- Car windshield replacement: This mode of treating the damaged windshield is adopted only when repairing the car windshield is no longer possible. It may be because the damage is of a higher degree or the glass was totally shattered in the accident. Car windshield replacements could only be handled by a professional organization like Elite or Safelite Auto Glass who have the required technology and tools to address the problem in a professional manner.
Other Accessories
When it comes to windshields, one cannot overlook the importance of a car windshield shade. They not only keep the car interiors cool but also look trendy and are a favorite amongst car enthusiasts. They obstruct the harmful UV rays of the sun and are capable of keeping the interiors up to 50 degrees cooler during the summer months. They consist of a triple laminate structure and feature a middle foam core sandwiched between two layers of reflective surfaces coupled with inner coatings of felt for added protection.
They act as an insulator and keep the temperature of the car down for a cool and comfortable driving experience. These shades come in various sizes. While the standard ones come at 24” x 58”, the larger variety is to be found in 27” x 67”. One must consult a professional before deciding on which type of shades to buy for his car.
Taking proper care of the windshields of a car is a very important step towards ensuring the safety of the passengers and should not be neglected in any case.