| Just because you get a chip doesn't mean you | | | | shatters both layers, the rubber membrane |
| need to foot the cost of getting a new | | | | will stop the windshield from falling in your |
| windshield. Why not do a windshield repair, | | | | lap. Windshield repair works for the rock |
| which uses modern technology to quickly and | | | | chips that have damaged the outer layer of |
| efficiently repair the windshield, It's a | | | | the glass. |
| much more cost effective solution. Here's how | | | | |
| windshield repair works. | | | | Start by buying a windshield crack repair kit |
| | | | at Wal-Mart, Sears, Canadian Tire, Lordco or |
| If you think about it, you'll agree that | | | | other department or auto stores. Once you've |
| ordinary house glass is pretty amazing. It's | | | | got your kit, dry the windshield to room |
| strong, clear, and really quite affordable. | | | | temperature. Don't bother trying to do the |
| Its only real drawback is that it is brittle | | | | repair on a wet day unless you can park |
| so when it breaks it can create dangerous | | | | inside. |
| shards, making it a poor choice for | | | | |
| automobile glass. | | | | Use a hair dryer to dry the window. This will |
| | | | pull the moisture out of the window so that |
| Plastic is safer, but it isn't scratch | | | | the repair works. If the windshield is dirty, |
| resistant so it doesn't remain clear enough | | | | clean it using a harsh cleaner such as |
| for automobile glass. Auto manufacturers' use | | | | lighter fluid. This will remove any grime or |
| tempered glass on the side windows which is | | | | film. |
| much stronger than house glass and when it | | | | |
| does break, it breaks into tiny little cubes | | | | The repair process is very straightforward. |
| that aren't as dangerous as shards. They can | | | | Peel the back of the adhesive strip and apply |
| still be sharp but they are far safer. | | | | it to the pre-cleaned glass. Center it over |
| | | | the chip, then burnish with a blunt object. |
| But tempered glass doesn't work for | | | | Peel away the remaining film. Line up the |
| windshields. Because the windshield is | | | | adapter so it's as vertical as possible, and |
| constantly being hit with tiny pebbles, sand, | | | | then stick it to the film. Again, burnish |
| gravel, and other road debris, tempered glass | | | | with a blunt object. |
| would have a very short life span. So | | | | |
| manufacturers started using laminated glass | | | | Take the cap off the syringe and attach it to |
| years ago. | | | | the adapter. Pull the syringe out as far as |
| | | | it goes. Hold this position for one minute to |
| Laminated glass is simply two thin sheets of | | | | create a vacuum. While you are holding the |
| tempered glass that are fused to a rubber | | | | vacuum the air in the crack begins to bubble |
| inner layer. The two sheets are independent. | | | | up in the syringe while at the same time the |
| What the rubber layer does is act like a | | | | adhesive seeps deep into the glass and chip. |
| sponge, absorbing the shock and reducing the | | | | |
| chance of breakage from small particles like | | | | That's it. Your chip is repaired. The |
| pebbles. | | | | adhesive is a type of resin that bonds with |
| | | | the chip and creates a seal, and thus a |
| If a rock hits the window hard enough you'll | | | | repair. You can also use the windshield |
| land up with a stone chip, but it usually | | | | repair kit on cracks. Once you've correctly |
| only breaks the outer layer of glass. If | | | | done the repair, the glass will no longer |
| something really big hits the window and | | | | spider and the damage won't spread. |