Car windshield repair. What damage can be repaired?

Windshield damage can happen to any driver. It turns out that it is not always necessary to replace it.

A few years ago, Millward Brown SMG/KRC conducted a windshield survey on behalf of NordGlass, Poland's largest auto glass repair and replacement network. The results showed that 26 per cent. drivers drive with damaged glass, and 13% do not pay attention to its condition at all. Meanwhile, ignoring glass damage is associated not only with a possible decrease in visibility while driving. This is also the risk of a fine, even in the amount of PLN 250.

without grinding

After winter, it may happen that the windshield in the car is scratched (the effect of scraping ice from the windshield and sand poured by sandblasters). Experts do not recommend then grinding the glass surface. Sanding is designed to minimize a portion of the material until the scratch disappears.

Unfortunately, at this point the glass is constantly changing its thickness. This action leads to a distortion of the driver's field of vision and so-called. reflexes, especially dangerous when driving at night or on a sunny day. In addition, sanding the windshield can also make the windshield less resistant to bumps and bumps, as well as body movement while driving. And in the event of a road collision, glass weakened by grinding can break into small pieces.

However, scratches can be repaired in different ways. If the damage diameter does not exceed 22 mm, i.e. five złoty coins with a diameter of at least 10 mm from the nearest edge, defects can be repaired at a specialized service center.

Repair process

What is the windshield repair process like? For example, in NordGlass services, the service consists in cleaning the damaged area, removing dirt and moisture from the damaged area and filling it with a special resin, followed by hardening with ultraviolet rays. Finally, the glass surface is polished.

Ambient temperature is also important in the windshield repair process. Therefore, for example, in winter, the car must be in the service room for a sufficient amount of time for the temperature of the windshield to equalize and stabilize. According to the manufacturer, up to 95 percent can be restored in this way. original glass strength and protect it from further cracking. The average repair time is about 20 minutes. The cost of such repairs is from 100 to 150 zł.

The editors recommend:

- Fiat Tipo. 1.6 MultiJet economy version test

- Interior ergonomics. Safety depends on it!

– Impressive success of the new model. Lines in salons!

However, experts emphasize that the time elapsed since the injury is of great importance for the recovery effect. The sooner we go to the site, noticing the damage, the better. The windshield cannot be repaired if the cracks are directly in the driver's field of vision. In passenger cars, this is a 22 cm wide zone located symmetrically with respect to the steering column, where the upper and lower boundaries are determined by the area of ​​​​the wipers.

Glass delamination

A common cause of glass damage is delamination, so-called delamination, i.e. loss of adhesion between the individual layers of glass. The windshield is responsible for about 30 percent. structural rigidity of the body. The influence of variable deformation forces, chemicals and temperature differences between the interior of the car and its external environment also affects the condition of the windshield.

Meanwhile, delamination weakens the adhesion of the layers of glass and thus limits visibility and reduces crack resistance. Unfortunately, such a damaged laminate is beyond repair and the laminated glass must be replaced before it cracks. Such damage should not occur if the glass is properly installed and no harsh cleaners are used that could react with the laminate.