Windshield Repair: Save Yourself Time and Money

If you have recently come across a chip or damaged area on your windshield, it is very important for both your safety and your wallet that you get it checked out. You will find yourself saving a lot of money and hassle with windshield repair rather than having to purchase an entirely new replacement windshield.

The problem can arise from something as simple as a small chip or tiny crack in your windshield. This could all have been caused by a stone or piece of debris striking your windshield as you were driving - but if ignored, it could turn into a much bigger issue!

Even if you think it is the most insignificant mark, it is important that you have it evaluated by a trained technician. All it takes is some uneven road or a sudden bump when you are driving and this tiny chip could evolve into a much bigger crack. You could even see this breaking your windshield entirely - resulting in the costly purchase of a replacement windshield.

By taking your car to established and knowledgeable technicians, they can evaluate the situation for you. The technicians will be able to help you to determine the best way in which to deal with the damage. It could come down to a simple repair on the small chip itself - which will have a minimal cost in comparison to a glass windshield replacement.

It is important to look around for the highest quality of technician to do the job for you. Make sure that the repairmen you engage to help you repair your windshield know exactly what they are doing. You may be inclined to question them about the processes involved in windshield repair and keep them on their toes. After all, if you are paying for the job you want it to be done properly and professionally.

Another factor that is important to consider with windshield repair is that it means your car will retain its originally fitted windshield. This is a big benefit because that specific windshield was fitted especially to your car and has been engineered in such a way as to considerably reduce the risks of stress cracking.

There is even the potential for cracks to appear in your windshield without any sort of projectile coming into contact with it if you were to have a replacement windshield installed on your automobile. The replacement windshield may not be the exact same glass type and design that was put in your car when it was manufactured, and this means you could be at risk of stress cracking from poor fit or installation.

Through the use of knowledgeable and established professionals to repair your windshield, you eliminate the damage before it has the chance to develop any further. Not only that, but you will find that the repair will improve the strength and durability of your windshield in the future. Windshield repair also helps in reducing optical distractions and providing a smoother surface for your windshield wipers to travel when crossing this area.

How a Windshield Repair is Done

Windshield repair involves squeezing resin into the ding or crack by a vacuum that seals out air and moisture. It is then exposed to UV light to dry the resin to a crystal clear. Scratches on the windshield are treated differently. A glass polishing kit is used to eliminate scratches by grinding the glass level to the bottom of the scratch to bring back glass opacity. The glass is then waxed to smooth perfection.

If done properly, windshield repair saves you money because it costs less than windshield replacement. Though most small blemishes like nicks, cracks, and scratches can be repaired, a replacement is recommended for long or spidered cracks that affect the whole windshield.

Windshield repair may sound simple but nothing can be further from the truth. It requires the skillful hands of an experienced technician whose skills are honed after years of continuous practice of the craft. It is beyond the scope of most weekend repair jobs done at home. It should be done professionally by auto glass repair specialists who possess the skills and resources to do the repairs.

Even these auto glass repair experts will say that this type of auto repair is not something everyone can do. Because a broken or scratched windshield impairs your vision while driving and endangers your safety, it is best to see an auto repair technician expert with the job. If you are in Orange County area, there are a lot of windshield repair Orange County shops that offer professional windshield repair and replacement services. Maybe you just need to decide if you need a replacement or just a repair. Generally, windshield replacement costs more especially if you have curved or shaped windshield.

When doing a repair, there are several things to keep in mind. This is the reason why it is so much better to let the experienced hands of a windshield repair Orange County technician to do the job and not to do it yourself.

First, the repair should not be done in an open area exposed to direct sunlight or else the resin will harden too quickly and your repair won't be as beautiful as can be. It is also very crucial to keep the damaged area clean of loose pieces of broken glass using a glass cleaner to pick them out and clean the surface.

Second, it requires delicate handling because even the tiniest speck of dust in the resin can affect the strength of the glue that aims to eliminate the blemish.

Lastly, it requires drilling of tiny holes into the glass and uses special glazing techniques to make the scratches and cracks disappear from the naked eye. Only skillful, experienced hands of a windshield repair Orange County technician can do it quickly and efficiently.

The price of the repair is usually less than a hundred dollars. Of course, the exact amount depends on the size and location of the crack. Compared to complete windshield replacement, repairing your windshield saves you money. That is why you need to pay extra attention to your car's windshield and get it repaired the moment you noticed small dents or cracks on it.

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Windshield Repair: What Everyone Needs To Know

Your vehicle's windshield is composed of three layers: two pieces of glass separated by a thin layer of "PVB" (polyvinyl butyrate). PVB is the plastic film that essentially holds it all together. Depending on the density of the outer-layer and the force of a rock impact, the glass can flex and break. Unless the windshield is completely shattered, most often the damage is in the form of a rock chip. These are generally in the shape of a star, bullseye, or tiny crack. Although it may appear innocuous, over time, a rock chip will more likely than not spread to form a crack. Studies have shown that over 90% of rock chips continue to grow. Fatigue stress due to temperature changes and road conditions work to accelerate this process.

The first company to introduce a rudimentary system for windshield repair was 3m, with a product called "Scotch Weld." This system produced an ultrasound vibration to clean the break while injecting an adhesive. It was relatively effective; however it failed to repair many types of damage.

In 1972, Dr. Frank Werner invented a device that could substitute the air within a rock chip with a resin that could prevent a crack from developing. Over time, the science behind windshield repair evolved. Today, windshield repair is considered a favored alternative to windshield replacement in many circumstances. And although the science has evolved, the objective remains the same: to completely substitute the air within the break with an acrylic resin that will improve optical clarity, prevent further damage, and restore the structural integrity of the windshield.

THE WINDSHIELD CONUNDRUM: REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Windshield repair is essentially preventative maintenance. However, most motorists whose windshields suffer rock damage pay little or no mind to it. This is especially true where the damage is outside of the acute area of the windshield - not directly in front of the driver's view. Hence the saying: "out of sight, out of mind."

Once the rock chip spreads to become a large crack, windshield repair is no longer a viable option. Unfortunately, the cost of a new windshield can range anywhere between $300 to well over $1000, depending on the vehicle and the type of replacement windshield. OEM windshields, those made by the original manufacturer, are significantly more expensive than their aftermarket counterparts. In addition, many modern windshields offer features such as heating elements, sun coatings, and antennae, which significantly inflate the cost. Even with insurance, the deductible can be so high that it would be pointless to file an insurance claim. Thus, it is easy to understand why a $50 windshield repair is a favored alternative.

But cost is not the only issue. Once a factory windshield is replaced, other problems can surface. Windshield replacement compromises the factory seal, which is nearly impossible to replicate. Not only can an improperly replaced windshield lead to leakage and possible water damage, it can fail in the event of an accident.

Together with the air bags and seatbelts, the windshield plays a significant part of the vehicle's safety restraint system (SRS). In an accident, the windshield works to maintain the structural integrity of the passenger compartment. As you can imagine, this is especially important in the event of a roll-over accident. It also cushions the occupant's impact and prevents the possibly of being ejected from the vehicle. An improperly installed windshield could fail on all of these fronts.

An investigative report conducted by ABC's 20/20 shed light into the dangers surrounding improperly installed windshields. It found that millions of windshields have not been installed properly and have contributed to serious injuries and even death.

So there are many reasons why a vehicle owner should opt for windshield repair early on. Ignoring the small and seemingly unintrusive rock chip could prove to be a mistake.

WINDSHIELDS: THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Every year about 15 million windshields - about 600 million pounds of waste - are replaced in the United States. Until recently, much of it has ended up in landfills due to logistical obstacles, difficulties with separating the glass from the PVB, and lack of facilities.

Only recently have companies begun to take up the environmental cause. In 2010, JN Phillips Auto Glass launched its "Green Shield" program and began recycling windshields. To date, over a million pounds of used windshields have been successfully recycled. Still, the process is slow, cumbersome, and expensive. It also involves the transportation of massive amounts of windshields, adding to the carbon footprint.

What is more, windshield recycling is not required by law, so most replaced windshields continue to end up in landfills. The reason is simple economics: lack of incentive to recycle. As of yet, windshield recycling is not subsidized by the government, nor is it given considerable preferential tax treatment. Since the cost of recycling eventually shifts to the consumer, the cost of a new windshield would increase significantly. To compete in the competitive free market world of windshield replacement, recycling is simply not cost effective.

Windshield repair, on the other hand, leaves almost no impact on the environment. Whereas about 250,000 BTU's are necessary to manufacture a typical 30 pound windshield, windshield repair requires practically no energy. What is more, the amount of waste generated from windshield repair is negligible. Thus, windshield repair is always a greener alternative to replacement.

INSURANCE COMPANIES: THEY GET IT

Insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against risk of contingent, uncertain loss. The insurer agrees to indemnify the insured in the event of a loss. Overall, it's a pretty simple process. However, a significant portion the claim may not be covered by the insurer. This is known as the deductible - the amount that must be paid out of pocket before an insurer will cover any expenses. The average deductible for both collision and comprehensive claims is roughly around $500. This can be difficult to digest when the time comes to file a claim. In many cases, the insured will simply forgo filing the claim to avoid having to pay the deductible and possibly risk an increase in premiums. Not to mention, if a new windshield costs $400, filing a claim would be pointless with a $500 deductible.

Today, most insurance companies understand the importance of having the windshield repaired before it's too late. To incentivize motorists to repair rock chips and small cracks, a majority of comprehensive policies carry with it a 100% indemnity on windshield repair. No deductible is required. Insurance companies realize that most rock chips inevitably will require a new windshield if left untreated. In most cases the rock chip will be a certain loss.

So from a risk management perspective, insurance companies benefit by paying the full cost of a windshield repair. First, it eliminates the risk that the insurer will be required to pay significantly more for a new windshield. And second, it eliminates the risk that a damaged or replaced windshield could fail to provide the structural integrity necessary in the event of an accident.

DO IT YOURSELF KITS: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME

There are many inexpensive DIY (Do-It-Yourself) windshield repair kits on the market. Those that come to mind include "Liquid Glass," "Pitstop," and "Fix-A-Windshield," to name a few. These are simple plastic devices that essentially use the same process. Most cost around $10 to $20 and have a one time use.

Reviews on DIY kits vary greatly. Some report good results, while others regret making their own attempt at repair. The only certainty is that a successful repair is not certain.

According to Edmunds.com, these kits are essentially "inexpensive band-aids" that don't provide a complete repair. The reason is simple science. The basic idea of windshield repair is to remove the air contained within the rock chip and completely substitute it with resin, which can be up to 2000 times as dense as air. Removing the air is essential to minimize the pressure inside the rock chip, allowing the resin to flow and reach the entire break. Unfortunately, cheap DIY kits simply are ineffective at removing all of the air. What is more, they do not provide the amount of pressure necessary to force the resin to reach tighter areas of the break, leaving much of it untouched. What may appear to be a decent repair job may in fact just be a band-aid that will fail to prevent a crack from spreading.

Finally, cheap windshield repair kits are just that: cheap. It follows that the resin used to fill the break is also cheap. Acrylic resin used by professional windshield repair technicians can range from $50 to $100 an ounce, depending on the manufacturer. So it makes sense that the resin from a DIY kit repair can dislodge over time or become discolored, which has been reported by many users. Also, once the repair is complete, it is impossible to re-repair.

Are DIY Windshield Repair Kits Worth The Money?

All of us have been there. We're driving along, going about our business, and suddenly, something hits the glass. You might be lucky and only have a small scratch or pit on your glass. You may see some damage if you are not so fortunate.

Although it's a small problem, this situation is urgent. You can save money by purchasing a DIY (do it yourself) rock chip repair kit at your local auto parts store and then doing the work yourself.

You're a person who knows a thing or two about auto repairs. You think to yourself performing this seemingly easy repair is the right call. The YouTube videos make the task look easy. Before you spend your money, you should know a few things.

Pulling Back The Curtain On These DIY Windshield Repair Kits?

These products are very affordable. These products cost between $15 and $20 US. Inside the package is a set instructions, a small container of resin, an injection tool, and curing film. Everything seems to be there, right? Could it really be this easy? As you peel back the onion some other factors start to emerge:

• How much pressure is required?

• The rock chip example pics don't look the same as yours.

• The temperature outside might be too cold. Or too hot.

• There is no customer service when there are questions.

Here's the monkey in your wrench: If the repair you try isn't completed correctly, you are screwed. No one, not us, not any other glass repair technician can fix a botched repair. Once the resin has been injected into the crack, its there for good. Whoever attempts the rock chip repair has only ONE chance to get it right. If this fact is even mentioned at all in the instructions, it buried somewhere in the fine print. Break out your magnifying glass to try and find it. 

And worst of all: the cost of a windshield replacement. For newer cars equipped with cameras powering lane departure and forward collision avoidance systems, the fees commonly exceed $1,000.

What Is Missing From DIY Windshield Repair Kits?

Us. Or someone like us. A qualified professional. During our careers, we've performed more than 10,000 rock chip repairs. Our experienced windshield repair technicians can determine exactly what is needed to repair the glass, the correct amount of pressure to be applied and if the glass is too hot or too cold for the repair to be done properly.

We use the best resin on the market, professional grade injectors and high powered LED UV lights to cure the repair. We also finish off the repair by using a thicker resin to fill in the impact point, cure this area, remove the excess resin by scraping it smooth with a razor blade and the buff this area with our pit polisher material.

If you decide to choose the windshield repair option, do it now. The last thing you want is to put off repairs. The crack will have more time to grow. Once this occurs, the glass must be replaced. If you don't want to risk messing up the repair yourself, then give First Choice Windshield Repair a call. We will happily do the work at your home or workplace.

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