Windscreen repair kits - For cracks and stonechips

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Windscreen repair kits - Why they work

There are many available windscreen repair kits in the market today. All you have to do is go to the auto parts department of your nearest convenience store and buy one. There are some products, however, that work specifically for different kinds of damages on the Windscreen.

You can also browse the internet for other ways of repairing the damage. You may even look for professional help to get your truck windscreens under expert maintenance.

What You Should Do When You Have Damaged Windscreens

Windscreen can be easily pitted and cracked after being hit by debris and other hard objects. It is essential that a Windscreen is repaired quickly - regardless of their severity, because as you continue to use the car, inevitably they will grow in size, which can distract or obscure your vision. Leaving cracks too long can eventually destroy your Windscreen. Actions needed to deal with Windscreen damages depend on the size of the pit and crack.

In general, if the damage is smaller than one inch in diameter, it usually can be repaired easily. If it is much larger, probably you're better off ordering a new Windscreen to be installed by a skilled technician instead of repairing it, as most of the time the weakened area will eventually give away. If the damage is very small, you can try one of the Windscreen repair kits available on the market, however, its durability compared to repairs performed by professional is still debatable.

If the damage obscures your field of view, repairing the Windscreen is often a dangerous choice. You should replace the damaged Windscreen with a new one as soon as possible. It is not a good idea to get a Windscreen from car junkyard, as it may have small defects and can have a very short useful life. Don't take a Windscreen from a totalled car, because collision shocks and air bag deployment often create excessive stress on the Windscreen. When buying a new Windscreen make sure it is an OEM. Choosing a poor windscreen could cause serious injury or even death due to an accident.

For this reason, the work should be performed by a trusted windscreen specialist. In many areas, Windscreen replacement business can do the job anywhere, including in your driveway. If you are unable to reach to a repair shop immediately, gently put some adhesive tape over the damaged area to slow the spread down. It is also helpful to drive as slow as possible and avoid bumpy roads. Do not touch the damaged area, try to keep it dry, and don't use air conditioning, heater or defroster, as changes in temperature and humidity can escalate the cracks.

What to Consider When Getting a Windscreen Repaired

Windscreen chip repair is a common problem when it comes to car maintenance. It is either caused by a stone kicked up on the highway or a hailstorm or an accidental drive over a deep pothole. Windscreen repair cannot be postponed because chips and cracks have a tendency to grow in size often becoming ineligible for repair.

Given the high cost of car components, many vehicle owners look for different ways to cut corners. One method they apply is they choose to mend a damaged windscreen rather than replace it. There is no problem in this approach because modern technology has made it possible to fix rock chips and cracks, but not all cases qualify for repair. The size, intensity and location act as decisive factors. Explained below are factors to consider with regards to Windscreen chip repair.

  • Level of Damage:

The first step involves assessing the level of damage. Chips and cracks in the Windscreen are of different types. The common ones are bull's eye break, half-moon break, combination break, star break or a linear crack. There is an impact site and a pit. The impact site is the site where the damage takes place while the pit is the point where the airborne object hits the glass. At the pit, there is always a missing piece of glass. The Windscreen is made of laminated glass. It consists of two sheets of glass with a layer of plastic in between.

Chips of diameter less than 1.5 inches and cracks less than 12 inches in length can be repaired, easily. Similarly, an auto serviceman can restore bull's eye, half-moon (partial bull's eye) and star breaks, effectively. Experts do not recommend fixing a combination break and a spider web break considering the severity of damage and expense. After all, a Windscreen plays an important role in the structural integrity of a vehicle. Replacement in the best option in case the chip obstructs the driver's line of vision.

Smaller cracks that have grown in size should not be sealed because it in an indicator of declining Windscreen strength. It should be replaced. If you have repaired the windscreen in the past and this is the second time, we suggest a new Windscreen.

  • Time:

The procedure takes about 20-30 minutes. However, it may take more time based on the level of damage and the number of chips that require sealing.

  • Do-it-yourself or Car repair facility:

Windscreen chip repair can be performed at home if you are willing to do it. There are Windscreen chip repair kits available in the market. Some contain ready sealing compounds while others require you to mix ingredients and prepare it. There is an instructions booklet to guide you. If you are not the type for do-it-yourself projects, you can approach a car repair facility. Trained professionals will analyse the condition to the crack and guide you on the best option.

  • Cost:

Minor to moderate damage is fixed at a minimal charge. The cost of repairing a damaged Windscreen does not usually exceed $50. There may extra charges for additional cracks and chips. A few auto repair companies visit your home or office to repair your vehicle. The service may be free or a charged one. If this is a charged facility, the price should be considered when calculating the cost. Read your auto insurance policy as part of the costs if not full might be covered by the policy.

Car Windscreen Repair - Things You Should Know About!

The Windscreen of a car, motorbike, aeroplane, or even a window is an American terminology. In British terminology, it is called windscreen and in Japanese English, it is called front glass. It is primarily used as protection from the wind, extreme temperatures, flying debris (such as pebbles, rocks, dust) and even ultra-violet rays for Windscreens with UV coating. Just like airbags and seat belts, Windscreens are very important safety devices. In the case of a collision or upturn, Windscreens keep the passengers inside the car. When Windscreens are improperly installed, they can be a source of danger; they can puff out of their mounting when the air bag blows up.

How much is the Cost of a Windscreen Repair?

  • For small cracks or damages in the Windscreen that may not necessarily require a replacement, the repair cost could be minimal or it will vary on the intensity of the damage. The key to cost cutting is to address the problem before it gets worst.
  • For damages that already require replacement, the cost is quite high and varies greatly on the type of car and the kind of glass that will be used. You may avail the benefits of your comprehensive insurance if you have one to assist you with the financial aspect.

What are my Windscreen Repair Kit Options?

  • Do the repair yourself.

This is a practical option for small cracks and damages to minimise the cost of repair. There are many do-it-yourself Windscreen repair kits available in the market. This will greatly help you do the repair yourself; saving on the cost of the repair and without the hassle of having to bring the car to a repair shop.

Simple steps to do a Windscreen repair:

Materials Needed -

  • Razor Blade

Windscreen Repair Kit, which typically includes:

  • Tube of Resin
  • Suction Cup Tool
  • Threaded Plastic Tube
  • Clear Finishing Film

Steps to Do the Repair -

  • Clean the Windscreen's surface, especially where the crack or damage is situated. Remove any small, loose pieces of glass with a razor blade. Use a Windscreen or window cleaner to wipe the surface and let it dry completely for the next step.
  • Fasten the suction tool device to the Windscreen and ensure that the hole is directly over the cracked surface. The suction cup tool consists of four suction cups connected to an x-frame with a hole in the centre. Push down the cups securely to the glass and adjust the position of the hole when necessary by gliding the x-frame's arms.
  • Put the threaded plastic tube in the suction cup tool's hole. The tube should appear like a hollow, large bolt. Lock-in the tube in the threaded hole as tight as possible. Check the tube's rubber tip to be on top of the window chip.
  • Set the tube of resin in the plastic tube, ensuring the resin tube's cap open. Pinch drops of resin, about two to four into the tube and on the crack or damage. Remove the plastic tube's centre nozzle and screw it down the tube to help push the resin on the crack.
  • When the resin is totally settled in, remove the kit from the Windscreen and put the clear finishing film over the surface. Even out the resin by spreading it all over the small cracks by using the flat side of the razor blade. Make sure the resin is totally dried before taking away the film and scrape away the excess resin from the surface of the glass.
  • Take the car to a specialist for Windscreen repair and replacement services.

This is a viable option if the damage requires the professional Windscreen repair services. The car repair shop has the appropriate equipment that could analyse the severity of the condition and could address the problem. It may just be a small crack but that small crack may compromise the safety of all the people we love.

No matter how small the Windscreen crack may be, it is always the wisest action to take preventive measures seriously. Keep in mind that safety is never an option, it is an obligation!

Windscreens: Road Safety Essentials

Windscreens work to safeguard the passengers from the wind or any debris that may otherwise injure them. Nowadays, manufacturers also apply special coatings to these screens to help block out the sun's destructive ultraviolet rays. These windscreens may look like they are made of glass but they are not. Companies make sure to put layers of safety glass in between for further strength and protection.

The thing is, no matter how strong they are, there are still going to be instances where they may experience damage. Here is some information on maintaining truck Windscreens.

Typical Causes

To avoid these damages, you have to know the common causes for such instances. The most common reason is the direct impact of foreign particles and debris. Small stones and gravel may seem harmless under normal conditions. At high speed, however, these can cause severe damage. The damage normally starts small. The cracks, however, can accumulate moisture, which then stretches the glass and causes more cracks.

Another reason of truck windscreens damaging may be due to ageing. All Windscreens go through the same manufacturing process. This means that all of its edges are prone to breakage after extensive exposure to pressure. This is because the glass edges do not have the support that the middle part has. Once a crack appears at the edge, it can spread to the whole screen soon.

Cold weather is also another reason for these incidents. If the temperature outside the vehicle is cold, this causes the screen to contract. Now, the passengers will require some heating inside the vehicle because of the weather, which in turn will make the screen expand. The opposing forces may sometimes lead to cracks and small breaks.

Safety Threats

  • You may ignore small chips at first. If left unchecked, however, this can cause accidents to your employees. Below are some of the dangers posed by having broken truck windscreens:
  • Poor Vision: Safe driving involves being able to see clearly, what is ahead of you. Cracks can make this impossible. Apart from the normal dangers of a bad weather, spider cracks on the screen can add up to vision impairment.
  • Airbag Failure: These safety bags have a tendency to hit the Windscreen upon deployment. Cracked screens offer little or no durability and may break into pieces if hit by the airbag, leading to severe injuries.
  • Reduced Structure Support: These Windscreens offer added support to the roofs of vehicles. This works especially if the car goes through an accident. If the glass in cracked, it may cause more destruction.

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£9.99

Windscreen repair kits - For cracks and stonechips

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