Most auto glass or windshield chips and cracks can be repaired however are you are trying to determine whether it’s best to repair or to replace completely?
here are the 4 factors that you need to take into consideration
*Please note that these points should be evaluated with a trusted auto glass expert/technician. For your own safety contact Auto Glass Mississauga here.
1. Size/Dimensions of the Crack
Repair & replacement technology is rapidly advancing in the auto glass industry, thus the ability to repair large chips & cracks improved every day in the bigger brands as well as the local shops. Currently, most chips less than a quarter in size, and the cracks less than 3 inches should be easily repaired. With those chips that are 3 inches wise and the cracks are up to 14 inches, the ability to be repaired will vary depending on the location on the glass and the shop technician’s capabilities.
2. Depth of the Crack
A windshield is a glass sandwich of 3 different layers, including an outer layer of glass, a plastic interlayer, and an inside layer of glass. If the depth of the glass damage is through the outer & inner layer, then it is too late to repair. A replacement job is needed.
3. Shape of the Crack
There are many different shapes of cracks & chips, and some are much more difficult to repair than the rest.
Here are some of the common cracks and chips that can be repaired easily:
- Ding
- Pit: The small piece of glass missing
- Crack Chip: The single crack size of a less than or equal to a quarter
- Bulls-Eye: The circular damaged caused by a circular object
- Partial Bulls-Eye / Half Moon: Damage caused by a circular object, and the damage is not entirely circular
- Star Break: The short radial cracks spreading off of the impact spot
4. Location/Position of the Crack
The location of the crack dictates the ability to repair the windshield. If the crack near the outer edge of the glass, it will damage the integrity and become a hazard for you to continue driving. Because the windshield holds up to 60% of the structural strength of the car when it rollover, it is crucial to has a new windshield installed.
The most dangerous spot to have the crack is within the driver’s line of sight. Anywhere inside the glass-covered by the windshield wiper. It doesn’t matter how well the repair job, there will be some distortion and possible glare when the sunlight hit the repaired crack. The ability of the driver will be impaired.
Finally, any damage directly to the sensors such as rain sensors, automatic braking systems, lane departure warning systems, or other automated driver assistance systems and their related components should not be repaired. Anything but a perfect view is required for these sensors to function properly.
A quick checklist to easily make the decision on repair or replace your glass
Your glass can be repaired if:
- Fixing the damage will not reduce the safety of the car in case of impact or collision.
- The crack is shorter than 12 inches or the chip or bullseye is smaller than 1 inch.
- Only the outer layer of the glass is damaged.
- The crack or chip is not close to the outer margin of the glass.
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