Windshield damage does not always mean replacing the glass. Cracks and chips can often be fixed by an auto windshield repair service if they catch them early enough to stop them from spreading. The depth of the chip or crack, the location of the glass, and the size can determine if the repair will work, but getting the damage inspected is an excellent place to start. 

Cracks And Chips 

Damage to the windshield of cars and trucks is among the most common glass damage to cars. The side glass is not as strong, but it is protected somewhat by the shape of the vehicle and the location of the glass. 

The windshield spreads across the entire front of your vehicle, so it is a target for debris from vehicles or the road in front of you. Often a small rock is enough to crack or chip the glass and require auto windshield repair, and most damage to windshields is fixable if done soon after the impact occurs. 

If the crack or chip is neglected, the car's vibrations can cause them to grow and eventually become too large to fill and repair. In most cases, if you can place a dollar bill over the crack and cover all of it, the auto windshield repair service can fix it, but once it spreads beyond that, it will require a new windshield most of the time. 

Crack Repair

If the auto windshield repair service determines the crack can be fixed, they will start with cleaning the area around it and make sure there is no dirt, gravel, or water in the divot. Filling the glass with something inside the crack could cause the resin to fail, and the damage could continue to spread after making the repairs. 

In some cases, small pieces of plastic from the windshield can raise when the rock or other item strikes the glass. The tech can use a razor blade to cut and scrape any rough edges on the crack to ensure the glass is smooth after the repair. 

Once the divot is clean, an epoxy bases resin is injected into the crack to fill all the crevices and fishers. The resin will cure in the cavity and bond to the glass. When done correctly, the air is removed to ensure there are no air bubbles left behind. The resin cures in a few minutes, and when the repair is complete, you may have a hard time spotting the damage on the glass. 

To find out more, contact auto windshield repair services.