Chances are there will come a time when your windshield must be repaired. It could be your first car or your tenth, but sooner or later it’s probably going to happen. Whether it’s from a chip or crack, etching that occurs over time from salt, sand and other airborne debris, or that pesky film build-up that occurs from hard and calcified water for which Florida is famous. Face it, windshield repair is probably in your future. Here are 7 mistakes easy to avoid during the repair process:
1. Thinking that a crack is not important
While windshield cracks may seem insignificant, it’s incredibly important to repair them as soon as possible. Once a crack expands more than 3 inches, you might need a new windshield all together. Repairing a small chip is far better and cheaper than replacing the entire windshield.
2. Not understanding typical windshield damage
There is a difference between a chip and a crack when it comes to windshield repair. You can use the “silver dollar test” on your windshield beforehand to get an idea of the damage incurred. Take a silver dollar and place it on the dents and/or chips on your windshield. Any chip that is smaller in size than the coin qualifies for repair. Scratches on your windshield (surface-level ones) usually can be polished out, whereas deep scratches require windshield replacement. A crack in your windshield as a rule of thumb warrants a replacement, as cracks can cause structural instability in a windshield. Below you can see images of typical stone damage:
To learn a few keywords and terms around auto glass repair and make informed decisions, check out our Windshield Repair Glossary
3. Not getting a professional opinion
You might be tempted to repair your windshield yourself. It’s true that occasionally DIY repair kits may be somewhat effective and that DIY bloggers claim to have done it at a lower cost. But based on our experience, if you lack the right tools and training, you can further damage your windshield. Why not avoid unnecessary costs and consult with a professional first?
4. Repairing yourself and not having the right windshield repair tools
A good repair kit and resin are key to a successful glass repair, but there is more and DIY repair kits miss the mark. In our post Repair your windshield with a DIY kit or call a professional we explain why DIY kits often are NOT enough when it comes to windshield repair.
5. Working on a dirty windshield (assuming you opt to DIY)
This comes as second nature to auto glass professionals, but to a few it might not be known that to repair a windshield crack, the first thing is to clean the windshield of any sort of dust and debris. Ignoring this step reduces visibility and as a result is very dangerous.
6. Going only for price versus quality
While experience and expertise are very important in the quality you receive. The parts and products used play an equally important role. You want to find a shop that uses high quality products such as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) glass and adhesives.
7. Ignoring your auto insurance policy
The possibility of your insurance company covering the costs for repair and replacement completely depends on your type of insurance coverage. So make sure you understand your coverage well and the benefits that you are entitled to before tending to your windshield damage. Also note that your insurance is unlikely to sponsor any non-professional repair work (DIY).
Call Us Today
As a leader in windshield repair, we guarantee that our repair to your chipped or cracked windshield will be perfect and permanent! If it can’t be repaired, we can replace it using only high-quality glass and adhesives produced in the U.S. If you need expert advice, contact us at 321.223.4106