When driving behind another car on the highway, it is easy to get hit by a small stone in the windshield, body or optics. First of all, these are chips and cracks on the windshield. In this article, we will analyze the main types of damage, find out which defects we can fix on our own, and which ones are better to contact a specialized service station.
Types of car glass damage
The windshield can be safely called the most vulnerable point of the car. Various defects appear on its surface during operation. They can be divided into the following:
Remember that imperfections in the windshield not only make your vehicle look worse, but can also cause an accident. Don't put off windshield repair!
We eliminate scratches
The main reason for the appearance of small scratches on the glass is ordinary sand. It settles on glass, wiper rubber bands, seals and on a rag that you wipe your car with. Sand particles constantly scratch the surface. Therefore, visibility decreases over time. Polishing will help restore transparency to the windshield. Sanding is not recommended. Most likely, it will not be possible to carry out such processing independently.
For polishing the windshield, you can use folk remedies and professional materials. Before you start repairing scratches, wash your windshield thoroughly. Wipe it with a dry, clean cloth or a special glass cloth. Don't use newspaper.
GOI paste will help get rid of small defects on glass
To eliminate small scratches with improvised means, use toothpaste or GOI paste. The best effect is achieved when using GOI paste. A small portion of the paste is applied to a clean cotton swab or a piece of felt. Then rub in a circular motion on the problem area.
Windshield polishing helps eliminate small, superficial scratches
Reapply the paste and rub in circles in the opposite direction. To speed up the process, you can use a grinder with a felt nozzle.
Various types of polishes are available for polishing windshields in automotive supply stores. Before using pastes, we recommend doing a trial polishing on a small area of glass. The composition of polishes includes various kinds of reagents and it is not known how they will act on the glass surface.
Wash the glass thoroughly after polishing.
Removing deeper scratches is difficult. In this case, there are two options: you must come to terms with this state of affairs, or act drastically and replace the windshield.
windshield polishing video
How to remove a chip
After a slight blow to the windshield, a small chip remains on it. Such a defect most often occurs when driving on a freeway, where a higher speed is allowed. And even a small pebble from under the wheels of a car in front can cause damage. As soon as you find this kind of defect, try to quickly take measures to protect the chipped area from contamination. This will help the usual transparent adhesive tape. Stick it on the outside of the defect. Such protection will further facilitate the repair of the windshield and make it less noticeable.
Do not delay with the repair. A chip, or as experts call it a "bull's eye", with a probability of 80% can cause a crack to form over the entire surface.
Necessary materials and tools
To carry out high-quality windshield repair, it is necessary to prepare the following tools and materials:
For self-repair of chips and cracks, special kits are produced:
- pump for creating a vacuum;
- injector or syringe for photopolymer;
- blade;
- glue.
If you want to get rid of chips and cracks with your own hands, then pay attention to the windshield repair kits from DoneDeal, HANDY-MAN.
The main stages of repair
Video about chip removal
We close up the crack
Every driver needs to know that any crack in the windshield weakens the rigidity of the body. If such a car gets into an accident, the consequences will be much sadder than with a vehicle whose glass is intact.
What should be prepared for self-repair
Cracks up to 10 centimeters can be repaired with your own hands. To fix the defect, you need a tool:
Work procedure
Video: windshield crack repair
When is the best time to consult a specialist?
If a complex defect has appeared on the windshield, for example, a chip with cracks radiating from it, then it is better to use the services of car glass repair specialists. Do not fix cracks larger than 20 cm and chips larger than 3 cm in diameter by yourself. Entrust such defects to the masters, because their elimination requires special equipment and certain skills.
The cost of windshield repair depends on the condition of the damage, the extent of the defect, and the materials used. But in any case, such repairs will cost less than replacing the windshield.
Chips and cracks can be repaired both from the outside and from the inside. The strength of the glass is restored completely, transparency - up to 90%. The eliminated defect is noticeable only at a certain angle. Repair will take from 30 minutes to 3-4 hours. An article and a video on the topic will help you correctly assess the forces and make the right decision. Happy repair!
