Windscreen chips and cracks are one of the most frequent problems that automobile enthusiasts have to deal with when small rocks or debris hit the windscreen while driving. It is not only annoying but also makes it harder for you to see when driving.
Why do you need instant windscreen chips repair?
You need to treat the windscreen instantly to prevent your car from any leading damages. If you ignore the small chips, then they can be converted into large cracks and threaten the structural integrity of your car. It can weaken the roof, potentially leading to a car collapse that could crush you in case of any accident because the airbags won’t deploy as intended.
Repair vs. replacement of windscreen:
Many car drivers are wandering a question about whether windscreen chips can be repaired or not. It depends upon the location of the damage, the severity level, and its size.
Location of chip damage:
If the chips are located at the passenger’s side and do not restrict the viewing area of the driver and do not extend to the outer edges of the glass, then you can repair it.
But if chips are present in the driver’s critical vision area, then a repair process can leave a glass imperfection that can affect the driver’s visibility. And the chips around the glass edges are difficult to repair; they need to be replaced.
Size of windscreen chips:
If the size of windscreen chip is $1 coin and has a diameter of about 2.5 cm and is located at the passenger’s side, then you can repair it. But larger chips, and those chips that have started to crack, require windscreen replacement.
Severity of windscreen damage:
If the windscreen chip damage is at the surface level, it can be fixed by repairing it. But on the other hand, the windscreen chip would require replacement if the chips have been penetrating into the innermost layer of windscreen glass.
How to repair windscreen chip damage?
Gathering material: Gather all the essential tools and materials required to fix the windscreen chip damage, such as glass cleaner, soft rags, windscreen repairing kit that has syringe epoxy resins, and a pedestal.
Clean the windscreen: Use soft rags along with glass cleaner to clean the dust from the windscreen and let it dry.
Apply the sticky patch: Attach the sticky patch over the chipped area. It has a circular cutout that should be greater than the chip’s size.
Fill the resin: Apply the resins over the chips with the help of injection and pedestal. Resins adhere to the windscreen glass to fill the chipped surface and prevent it from cracking.
Use curing strip: Let the resin dry and use curing strip over the windscreen repaired area to remove air bubbles.
Remove excess resins: Scrape the repaired area with a razor blade to remove extra resins to get spotless window glass.
Tips to protect your car’s windscreen from chipping:
- Clean your windscreen with a grease cleaner to remove all dust from the surface, so the wipers don’t scratch it when you turn them on.
- Try to maintain a safe distance from other cars to protect your car’s windscreen from flicking the debris over it.
- Regularly check the condition of your windshield wipers to keep the dust off the windscreen. If they are worn out and broken, then replace them.
- Drive cautiously on the roads with holes and speed brakes and avoid driving in bad weather.
- Avoid parking in rush hour and busy areas where other cars can unintentionally hit your windscreen. reducing the possibility of hitting the other vehicle.
- Park your car in the garage in extreme weather to protect it from sudden temperature changes that can cause cracks in windscreen.
- Regularly inspect your windscreen to check for scratches and chips to prevent it from leading to damage.
- Provide extra protection to your windscreen with car PPF and tinting to prevent it from various external factors that cause damage.
Conclusion:
Minor windscreen chips can be repaired easily after assessing their location and severity level. But large chips or cracks are difficult to repair as it requires extensive knowledge and proper tools. You can consider hiring Al Zaabi AutoCare glass-repairing specialist for the best repair and replacement services if needed.
