Fun Facts About Windshields

Smart Glass?

Auto glass is constantly improving with time. From adding special UV filters and tints to windows to protect interiors, to creating ways to easily fix small cracks with resin, car manufacturers realize that auto glass is an important component of vehicles. Smart cars, once a dream of the future, are now a reality, and auto glass is following suit. In the future, windshields could incorporate digital information like maps and directions for drivers to easily reference while driving.

Additionally, glass continues to become safer. Most vehicles now use Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which help to alert the driver to nearby vehicles, road hazards and obstacles. The technology uses sensors that are primarily focused in the windshield. This means the auto glass repair industry will be changing as well. Instead of just fixing or replacing windshields, mechanics will now recalibrate technology to ensure that the safety features of “smart glass” are working properly to best protect drivers on the road.

Windshields Are The #1 Insurance Claim

Windshields account for about 30 percent of all auto insurance claims. From hail damage to cracks and chips, windshield repair is what policyholders most frequently claim. Since the windshield provides such a crucial level of safety for a vehicle, it’s beneficial that most insurance companies will assist in the cost of repairs or replacements.

Airbags Depend on Windshields

In many cases, auto airbags actually use the windshield to deploy properly. The glass assists to position the airbag properly upon impact. This is another reason shatterproof glass is so important, as well as having a well-installed windshield.

Windshield Wipers Were Invented by a Woman

Though many inventors had been working on cleaning devices for windshields, the credit and patent of wiper blades goes to American inventor Mary Anderson. Anderson was awarded the patent in 1903 for what she called a “window cleaning device.” The inventor of intermittent wipers whose frequency and speed can be controlled was Raymond Anderson in 1923.

Shatterproof Glass Was Invented by Accident

French chemist Edouard Benedictus inadvertently invented shatterproof glass when he dropped a glass flask coated in cellulose nitrate. Benedictus noted that the glass didn’t shatter, but wouldn’t patent this invention for automobiles until 1909. The contribution of laminated, shatterproof glass greatly improved the safety of cars, and was also incorporated into the eyepieces of gas masks during World War I.

Windshields Used to Be a Luxury Item

When the first automobiles started rolling out in the early 1900s, windshields were not standard. The windshield was an add-on item and consisted of a thin sheet of glass that could be folded down when it got dirty. Windshields increased the cost of a vehicle, and only the most wealthy car owners could afford this feature. Windshields became a standard automobile feature in 1915 when Oldsmobile started putting them on all their vehicles.

Winter Tips for your Windshield

When people think of winter car care, they usually think about flushing the radiator and buying snow tires. But your car is also at risk of getting a cracked windshield during the cold winter months.

Once nighttime temperatures start dipping into the twenties, it is important to think about caring for your windshield!

To protect your windshield in freezing weather, follow these winter car care tips:

• Avoid sudden temperature changes. Do not use boiling water to defrost your windshield. Turn on the defroster and let the windshield warm up slowly.
• Use an ice scraper to remove ice. You can scratch or chip your windshield using table knives or metal spatulas to remove ice. Plastic ice scrapers are cheap. The investment of a few dollars is worth it to save your windshield. Or try spray de-icer such as Heet or Rain-X De-Icer to melt ice on your windshield…you may not even need to use a scraper.
• Keep the Glass Clean. Running the wipers or using an ice scraper over stuck-on dirt is a common cause of windshield scratches. It is also easier to see small rock chips on a clean windshield than a dirty one.
• Replace Old Wiper Blades. Worn out wiper blades often fall apart in the winter, exposing the glass to the metal or plastic clips. Running the wipers in this condition can severely scratch the glass. If you live in a cold climate, try winter wiper blades…they are more durable and are made to handle clearing snow and ice.
• Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full. I recommend using a winter washer fluid that has anti-fog and ice mix in the solution.
• Get rock chips repaired. That rock chip you got last July could very well crack out your windshield in December! Sudden temperature changes may cause small chips to start cracking. Once your windshield cracks out, it is too late. You will be looking for someone to replace your windshield.

These simple and inexpensive tips can save you hundreds of dollars on the cost of windshield replacement.

If you need small cracks or rock chips repaired, call Windshield Repair Specialists at (469) 828-2465 .

During the winter, I am open from early morning to dusk.

Save Money • Save Time • Save Your Windshield

—If you are thinking about buying a DIY windshield repair kit, save yourself a lot of headaches by reading this article before you do. Don’t miss the tips about what to do if you already tried to fix your own windshield, and my professional advice if you do want to do-it-yourself.

I often receive calls to inspect windshield damage…it’s part of my job! Unfortunately, many of the rock chips I inspect were already repaired, but they failed and the damage is spreading.

You may be thinking those ruined windshields are caused by incompetent auto glass repair technicians, but that is not always true. They are often caused by the car owners themselves using one of those cheap windshield repair kits you can buy at auto parts stores.

I always hate telling someone that I can’t fix the failed repair. Once the resin is injected into the break and cured, that’s it.

Jump to If You Tried DIY but the Repair Failed

I understand…people are trying to save money where they can these days. But cutting corners with your windshield is not the best idea! The sad thing is that the cost of the kit and my inspection fee would have almost covered the cost of paying a professional to fix the rock chip in the first place.

What’s Wrong with DIY Kits?

Difficult rock chips require professional expertise and equipment to be properly repaired.

DIY windshield repair kits include instructions, a tool to remove broken glass from the break, a way to inject the resin into the damaged area, and a piece of curing film. The step-by-step instructions guide you through the process. What those kits DO NOT provide is years of experience and a trained eye.

Professional windshield repair technicians have fixed hundreds, if not thousands, of rock chips. This experience enables them to complete the job with the smallest risk of causing additional damage.

In addition, professional technicians:

• Know how much pressure to apply to the windshield to avoid cracking.
• Use professional equipment that allows them to fully fill the damaged area.
• Understand how to fix different types of windshield damage…star breaks, bullseyes, combination breaks, and cracks.
• Use high-quality resins with the correct viscosity according to the type of damage and windshield temperature.
• Can complete the repair in as little as 10 – 15 minutes. (Most DIY kit users report it takes them 1 – 2 hours.)
• Finish the repair by filling the pit and leveling it so the windshield wiper blades don’t catch on the excess dried resin.

As you can see, there is more to windshield repair than squirting resin into a hole in your windshield!

How to Save Money without Doing It Yourself

How do you save money on professional windshield repair? It’s easy!

If you have comprehensive insurance coverage, then your repair will likely cost you nothing out-of-pocket.

Not a penny.

That’s because most insurance companies waive the deductible for windshield repairs. (This varies from state-to-state. Check with your insurance agent.)

Companies that are insurance network approved often provide claim service as a convenience to their customers. For instance, at Windshield Repair Specialists, we file the auto insurance claim for you. You don’t have to do anything but fill out a short form.

If you do not have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can save money on the repair cost several different ways:

• Get it fixed as soon as possible. The larger the damage, the more it costs for the repair. For instance, a bullseye that spreads into a 6″ crack will cost approximately double than for repairing the rock chip alone.
• Get multiple breaks fixed at the same time. Most companies offer a significant discount for fixing additional rock chips on the same windshield if they are repaired at the same appointment.
• Charge It. Windshield chip repair is an emergency expense. Don’t hold off getting your windshield fixed because you don’t have the cash. Many windshield repair companies accept credit cards or have other payment options. You don’t save money up-front by paying with a credit card but you are preventing the damage from cracking further and possibly ruining your windshield!

If You Tried DIY but the Repair Failed

If you tried a DIY Windshield Repair Kit but the damaged area did not fill completely, the rock chip may eventually start to crack.

If this happens, call a professional right away. Once the break begins to crack, it can quickly spread across the entire windshield.

Professional technicians cannot always fix the failed repair, but they can stop the crack from spreading and totally cracking out your windshield.

Just be sure to tell the technician that you tried to repair the windshield yourself so they know what to expect.

Don’t be embarrassed. The DIY kit manufacturers pay millions of dollars for advertising to convince you that their products work as well as professional equipment! Everyone falls for a sales pitch now and then.

A glass tech will inspect the repair you did yourself. If there is a weak spot, they may be able to drill into the area and fill it with resin to prevent it from cracking. They cannot, however, drill into the pit and redo the entire repair.

Professional Advice

The next time your windshield is pelted by a rock, inspect the damage. Then, instead of reaching for that DIY Windshield Repair Kit, call a professional. You may save yourself hundreds of dollars on an unexpected windshield replacement.

If you want to try do-it-yourself, for best results, read the instructions before starting the repair and follow them exactly. Here are some other tips:

• Never try to fix your windshield when it is raining or the break is wet.
• Work in the shade so the resin does not cure prematurely.
• Give yourself plenty of time to complete the repair process. It takes longer to fill a break than you think.

Have you ever tried fixing your windshield yourself? How did it turn out?

How do you know what a quality windshield repair looks like? Or how do you know if your windshield can or should be repaired?

NWRA Consumer Advisory
Concerning Repair Quality

It seems there are new windshield repair companies popping up on ever street corner and at every car wash.

Many of these companies are outright scams practicing insurance fraud. Others are new businesses staffed by inexperienced technicians who have not been properly trained.

In response to an increase in complaints about poor-quality windshield repairs, the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) published a press release outlining repair guidelines for consumers.

To protect yourself, the NWRA recommends that repairs be completed by certified technicians. I am proud to be an NWRA certified technician (certified ROLAGS compliant and proficient). Not only am I certified at the highest level, I have over 10 years experience in the field, repairing all types of windshield damage on cars, trucks, and RVs.

My Pledge

I am a member of the National Windshield Repair Association and the Global Glass Conservation Alliance and pledge to uphold the ROLAGS standards for quality auto glass repair.

Find out more about Auto Glass Industry Standards:

• Repair of Laminated
  Auto Glass Standards (ROLAGS)
• NWRA Certification standards

If you have questions about whether the damage on your windshield is repairable, give me a call at (469) 828-2465. I will be happy to answer all of your questions or schedule an appointment.

Read more about auto glass repair at our sister site GlassLogic:

• How to Avoid Getting a Chipped Windshield
• Auto Glass Repair Scams

Save Money • Save Time • Save Your Windshield

Is Cheap Windshield Repair the Best Deal?

Twenty bucks for fixing a rock chip? When shopping around, you may find a wide range of quotes, from dirt cheap to ridiculously high. This article explains whether cheap windshield repairs are a good deal or not and what to watch out for when looking for the lowest price.

Not too long ago, I fixed a failed repair on a large combination break for a customer who paid $20 for it at a full-service car wash.

Large combination breaks are difficult to fix…repairing them requires time, patience, and the expertise of a windshield repair professional.

My customer mentioned the car wash employee only spent a five minutes working on it. That was not anywhere near enough time for such a complicated break.

Fortunately, I was able to drill into the repair and correct it. But often that doesn’t work. What bugged me the most was that my customer could have saved the extra cost by coming to me first. At least he only lost $20 and not his windshield.

What is the Problem with Cheap Windshield Repairs?

Here is what you may not know about discount repair technicians. Many technicians only get one hour of training before they are turned loose on unsuspecting vehicle owners. I’ve been at car washes and seen them at work first-hand…the techs didn’t know what they were doing and the equipment they were using was cheap, broken, or filthy.

Did you know?

According to a 2011 poll by AGRR Magazine, the U.S. average price for rock chip repair is $56.88.

Since $20 is way below the national average price for windshield repair, the idea is to get a high volume of repairs by upselling car wash customers. Quality doesn’t matter, they make their money on quantity.

When is Cheap Repair Okay?

There are times when going for the cheapest price might be okay. Here are a couple of scenarios when you might consider it:

• The repair is temporary until you can get your windshield replaced. For instance, if you are traveling out-of-state and don’t want to get a ticket for a cracked-out windshield, get a cheap repair then replace the windshield when you get home.
• Your windshield is already damaged. If the glass is already scratched, sand-blasted, and has lots of rock chips and you probably don’t care if the repair looks good or holds for very long.

Under these circumstances, it may not be a bad idea to go with the lowest price since you will have to pay for a new windshield in a few days anyway.

How to Find a Legitimate Auto Glass Repair Company

There are a lot of glass companies out there so be a wise shopper when looking for the lowest price. Here are some things to look for to help you figure out if they are legitimate.

Do they:

• offer a warranty in writing?
• have a professional business card with a working phone number printed on it?
• provide an itemized receipt printed with their business contact information?
• have good online reviews or are they referred by someone you know?

Some of the low-priced repair techs operating at gas stations, car washes, and going door-to-door are actually scammers. Before going for a cheap windshield repair from someone like that, think about whether the tech will be around if something goes wrong with the repair on your $400 windshield.

About My Services

As a certified professional windshield repair technician, rock chip repair is my specialty. I have been repairing windshields for 10 years and have worked on just about any type of rock chip imaginable. My work is guaranteed.

By the way, my rates are quite reasonable! If you are located in the Dallas Metro area, call me for a free quote.

Save Money • Save Time • Save Your Windshield