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When to Replace or Repair Your Windshield

Cracking up is no laughing matter

Incoming! Incoming! Ping—your windshield's been hit. Where a nanosecond ago you had a clear expanse of perfect glass, now you've got a nasty pockmark.

The best thing to do is to fix the little ding as soon as possible. Okay, maybe this isn't the high drama of a real war movie, but no one can deny it's a major hassle. Windshield dings and chips have a way of escalating into an even nastier web of cracks, or a single crack that races across the windshield until it runs out of glass.

So, what to do? The best thing is to fix the little ding as soon as possible, stopping the inevitable escalation into becoming a big mess.

Unfortunately for the consumer, there are no real standards for what windshield defects can be repaired and what degree of damage undermines the strength and integrity of the windshield and warrants full replacement. This should change within the next year as the National Glass Assoc., in conjunction with experts in the glass industry, are working toward those standards.

Guidelines

In the meantime, we're left with some logical guidelines and pure common sense. State vehicle codes aren't much help either. Many states do not have laws regarding windshield damage. Others, like California, are vague. California vehicle code 26710 states that it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle with a windshield in "such defective condition as to impair the driver's vision."

The often-used guidelines for defects are: If a ding fits under a quarter, repair it; if the crack fits under a dollar bill, repair it. Anything larger than those two sizes probably warrants windshield replacement.

Here's more bad news: Some insurance companies will not pay for repairs, but are willing to pay for windshield replacements, according to Matt Larson of Delta Kits, Inc., a windshield repair system manufacturer. As you delve into the topic of automotive glass, it starts to get foggy. According to Larson, not all windshield replacements are safe. To help figure out exactly what to do, it helps to understand what auto glass is supposed to do.

Types of Glass

The side and rear windows of your vehicle are tempered glass. When hit hard enough, tempered glass will crumble into little, fairly harmless pebbles. This effect is a good thing because it allows victims of auto accidents an exit from the vehicle if the doors are compromised in the crash.

So, it's obvious how important it is to get minor dings or cracks repaired to avoid replacement and, if you have to have the glass replaced, to make sure the installation is done by qualified technicians.

Proper Repair

The windshield's integrity can be compromised by something as seemingly minor as an imperfect seal. Old sealant has to be removed, leaving approximately 1/16-inch of bonding surface. The new glass and the vehicle pinch-weld should be cleaned and primed. Technicians must wear gloves to avoid contaminating the glass. Urethane adhesive should be used. Plus, you need to find out how long you must wait before the vehicle can be safely driven and what limits should be observed during the adhesive curing time.

Once a windshield has been installed, carefully look over the work. Is the windshield perfectly centered on the car? Is the molding smooth and flat, or is it broken or showing gaps? And, finally, is the glass flush with the vehicle's body? Remember, this isn't just a matter of keeping the wind out of your face, it's a major safety issue.