What To Do When Damage Occurs To The Windshield Of Your Vehicle
Windshield glass is durable but can crack or chip in the right situation. Dealing with a glass chip or crack right away is often the best idea, depending on the amount and location of the damage to the glass.
Glass Repair
If you have a chip or crack in the windshield, take your car or truck to an auto glass repair shop for an evaluation. The glass technician will look at the chip or crack and let you know if they can fill it or if the damage is too extensive to repair.
Filling small cracks with resin will remove the gaps and seal the glass, stopping further damage. However, if the damage in the glass is too long, or the resin can not get in and bond with the glass, the repair will not last. There are some size guidelines that the glass tech will use to determine if the windshield is repairable, but each crack or chip is different, so it is essential to evaluate each one.
If the crack is a good candidate for auto glass repair, it can be fixed quickly and last for several years. If you have several chips or cracks in the glass, you may want to drop the vehicle off so the shop can ensure each spot is fixed correctly for you.
Mobile Glass Repair
Some auto glass repair services offer mobile repair, and the technician can come to your home or work and repair the damage to the glass. The process is the same when done in the field, but the weather can play a role in the process.
The temperature needs to be warm enough that the resin cures correctly, and the repair is impossible in the rain because the glass must be dry for the resin to bond to it. If your car or truck is in the garage and there is room for the glass technician to work inside, rain is not an issue, but they may recommend the vehicle remains in the garage for a few hours after the repair is complete.
If the tech is unable to make the repair because of the weather, many auto glass repair shops offer the option to bring the vehicle to their shop or facility. Putting off the repair can allow the crack to spread as you drive the car, so it is crucial to make the repair as soon as possible, but several days is often not going to make the glass repair impossible. However, it is a good idea to avoid driving the car more than you must until the glass repair is done and has had time to cure.