Your car’s windshield is one of the most critical parts of your vehicle. Not only do they strengthen the structure of your vehicle, but they also provide you with safety and security from external elements, such as rain, heat, flying debris, dust, etc. Aside from that, your car glass provides you with a clear view of the surroundings.
In the case of a car accident, a car glass will keep the vehicle’s structure in place. It will protect you and the passengers sitting in the car from flying out of the vehicle. As a result, it is crucial to take good care of your windshield.
In this article, we will share different types of car glass cracks and tips on fixing them.
So, let’s get started…
Types of Car Glass Damage
There are mainly four common types of car glass damages. Here is a detailed description of them, along with how to fix them. Take a look…
1. Bull’s Eye Crack
As the name suggests, the bull’s eye crack is almost circular in shape. Usually, these cracks are caused by significantly large objects, such as gravel, rock, pebbles, and debris. These cracks often occur in inconvenient places on a car’s windshield, ultimately disrupting or impairing the driver’s vision on the road.
If a bull’s eye crack is smaller in size, it can be repaired. But, if the damage is bigger in size, car glass replacement is the only way. Well, no matter if the crack is big or small, you should get it fixed as soon as you see a crack in the glass. Delaying the process can further aggravate the crack, making repairing the crack significantly more difficult. So, you should never wait to fix your car glass repair. Also, it’s always a good idea to get it done by professionals.
2. Half Moon Crack
A half-moon crack is more or less the same as a bull’s eye crack; it’s just a half-moon crack that is not circular in shape. It is named a half-moon crack because the crack resembles a half-moon. Usually, such cracks are caused when a blunt object hits your car’s glass.
As said earlier, irrespective of the kind of crack your car glass has suffered, you must get it fixed immediately. As a matter of fact, you should always consult a professional auto glass repair and replacement specialist. Doing so will ensure that your car glass repair is taken care of properly.
3. Star Break Crack
A Star break crack is a term used for a crack on the windshield that appears like a star. These cracks spread outward from the center and impair the driver’s vision on the road. In the case of high impact, your car windshield may suffer multiple damages. That is why it is recommended that you have them repaired as soon as possible. If you delay the process, it may lead to branching out to the entire car glass.
4. Combination Crack
It is, as the name implies, a combination of two or more types of cracks. Such cracks are extremely difficult to repair. Usually, the level of damage sustained by a car’s windshield is severe in case of a combination crack. That is why a combination crack necessitates the services of a highly skilled technician. Also, if the car glass is severely damaged, it is preferable to replace it rather than repair it.
How to Fix Car Glass Cracks?
Well, when it comes to fixing car glass, the size, location, and severity of a chip determine whether or not it can be repaired. In case, the crack can be repaired, there are some common repair mistakes that should be avoided.
Repair is sometimes sufficient, but a simple repair is out of the question if the break is severe. In these cases, windshield replacement is the best option. Whether you like it or not, you will need to replace your windshield if the break is three inches or more.
Moreover, if the chip damage is limited to the outer layer of the glass, it can be repaired with a simple repair job. However, anything more than that necessitates the replacement of a car window. Regardless of the cause of the scratch or crack, it is critical to act on windshield replacements before it is too late.
As previously stated, windshields are designed to protect you and your car from various elements.
Hence, it is critical to get your car glass repair done by expert technicians only.
If you wait too long to replace a faulty windshield, it may become a problematic situation for you. Every year, more than 15,000 people are killed due to careless driving with a cracked windshield. So, don’t take it casually!
It’s now time for some tips to maintain your car windshield.
Here we go…
Car Glass Maintenance Tips
Tip 1. Keep your car out of direct sunlight.
If you frequently park your car in direct sunlight, you are making a big mistake. Because of the high temperature during the day, the car glass may crack due to stress, and you may not realize it until the crack has grown large.
Keep in mind that glass tints are susceptible to the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. Long-term exposure is detrimental to the health of your car’s windshield. So, you should always park your vehicle in your basement or garage. This will protect your vehicle from inclement weather.
Tip 2. Get your car’s glass chips or cracks fixed immediately.
Whether your car has suffered a large crack or a small chip, it’s always recommended to get it fixed. Often when an object, such as debris or a rock, strikes the car’s windshield, it leaves the chip or cracks.
Irrespective of the size of the crack, you must get it fixed. Remember that these cracks grow in size over time and can jeopardize the structural integrity of your vehicle. If it happens, you will have no choice except to replace the entire glass. That is why it is critical to get them fixed as soon as possible when you see them.
Also, it is important to get them repaired or replaced by professional technicians only. They’re skilled people who utilize their skills to get you the best outcomes.
Tip 3. Don’t try DIY for fixing car glass cracks
Windshield replacement requires expertise and skillsets. Trying DIY is the worst thing you can do to your car and your safety. Take your vehicle to an expert in case of car glass crack. An expert can fix it perfectly without leaving a trace.
Windshield replacement or repair doesn’t take much time. A windshield repair usually takes less than 30 minutes, and a windshield replacement takes less than two hours. It isn’t too much for your safety!
Tip 4. Make use of high-quality cleaners.
It is critical to use the proper chemicals when cleaning your car’s glass. Using DIY cleaners or harsh soaps is not a good idea at all. Most of these products are chemical-based, which can leave a large number of scratches on the glass. Moreover, these products may also reduce the strength of car glass. As a result, you must purchase cleaners that are specifically developed for windshield cleaning.
Tip 5. Replace your car’s wipers regularly.
Just like your car glass, the wipers on your windshield are vital. Car wipers consist of two main parts: a rubber part and a metal part. When the rubber on your windshield dons out, it exposes the solid metal.
If the rubber component is not replaced, the metal component may scrape against the glass of your windshield, leaving scratches behind. As a result, it is critical to replace the wipers the moment you see them worn out.
Conclusion
So this is all about a car glass repair and the various types of cracks on a windshield. Because your car glass is an essential component, it is critical to keep it in good condition. You can do so by following the tips outlined in this article. Hopefully, you found this article to be useful. Keep an eye out for more informative articles and blog posts in the future