Ever been traveling down the highway, minding your own business when suddenly a flying pebble smashes into your windshield and causes you to lose sight of what you were doing? Your relief at having avoided harm is short-lived, though, as you must act quickly to prevent that chip from spreading. Here’s a look at the dangers of cracked windshields, as well as how to prevent windshield cracks from growing until you can get professional windshield repair San Diego services.
Exactly Why Is It Dangerous To Have A Cracked Windshield?
Rock chips are, without a question, a source of frustration. However, even if you have a tight schedule, you should make windshield repair a high priority. The longer you wait, the greater the chance that the break may spread. In addition, the buildup of dirt within the fracture can make it more difficult to complete a good repair.
If you allow a rock chip to develop into a full-fledged crack, it will be too late to repair it; however, you should still have your windshield replaced as soon as possible after it occurs. The reason behind this is as follows:
Accidents Become More Dangerous When A Windshield Is Shattered
In addition to protecting the interior of your vehicle, the windshield helps to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle. If you are involved in a rollover accident and your windshield is shattered, the roof of your vehicle is more likely to cave in, increasing your chances of suffering a major injury or death.
A Shattered Windshield Is Obstructive And Distracting
Cracks in the glass reflect light into your eyes, causing you to become distracted or even blind as a result of the reflection. Even worse, police officers can issue you a citation for driving with a damaged windshield as a result of these circumstances.
An Unsightly Cracked Windshield Is A Nuisance
Whether you want to sell your car or not, you want it to be in the finest possible condition! When you replace your windshield when it cracks, it demonstrates that you take pleasure in the vehicle you drive.
A Crack In The Windshield And How To Repair It
To stop or delay the progression of a windshield crack, there are a handful of options available to car owners.
Superglue Or Clear Nail Polish Can Be Used As A Fix
Remove any debris from the windshield with an auto glass cleaner and paper towels before attempting to patch the fracture. As a low-fidelity remedy, you can add clear nail polish or superglue to the chipped area. Allow the polish or glue to dry completely before applying a piece of clear packing tape over the affected area to help keep dirt out until the chip can be fixed professionally. Who knew you could make a temporary repair to a windshield with these common household items?
Use A Windshield Repair Kit To Fix Your Windshield
Genuine windshield repair kits can be purchased at your local hardware shop for a reasonable price. You must be comfortable boring a small hole into the top layer of glass using a 1/16-inch drill bit in order to apply this technique. After that, insert the specialist resin provided in the repair kit into the hole to seal the glass, relieve stress on the windshield, and prevent fractures from forming in the windshield. If you perform a good job, you may find that this is the only repair you require.
Keep Temperature Changes from Happening Too Quickly
As a result of the heat, glass expands and contracts when it becomes cool. In cold weather, directing a heating vent onto a chipped windshield may encourage the fracture to spread more quickly than usual. When this happens, you’ll have no choice but to get the windshield replaced. To avoid this from happening, park your car in the shade whenever possible and refrain from using the window defroster until the chip has been repaired.
In the event that your car’s windshield is cracked, the weather is your worst adversary. Snow, wind, and rain may all put a significant amount of pressure on your windshield, causing cracks to develop even deeper. When you’re driving, you can’t do much about them, so attempt to park as close to your destination as possible.
In addition, when it’s hot and sunny outside, it’s a good idea to park in the shade and avoid having your car washed with cold water on a hot summer afternoon. Temperature swings are detrimental to cracks in concrete.
Apply Nail Polish To The Entire Crack Surface
Nail polish, believe it or not, is one of those everyday objects that may be used to cover up a cracked windshield in an emergency. You’ll begin in the same manner that you did with the superglue, by thoroughly cleaning the windshield around the crack in the first place. After that, you simply paint a generous layer of nail polish around the crack to seal it in place. It is recommended that you perform this on both the inside and outside of your windshield for the best results. The nail polish will absorb into the fracture and solidify, preventing the crack from separating.
Structure It With Tape
This remedy will not be as effective as super glue or nail polish, but if you have no other option than to use tape, it will be of some assistance. When using it, exercise extreme caution. The tape needs to be applied tightly, but applying too much power will make the job more difficult.
For the most secure hold, you should apply the tape to the crack from both the inside and outside of the care container. Even though it should go without saying, make certain that you exclusively use clear tape for this task. Although duct tape is more durable, it is not worth sacrificing your visibility in order to do so
Use Caution When Handling Your Car
When you have a cracked windshield, it is even more critical to handle your car with caution. That implies you should close the door gently when you get in and out, rather than slamming it shut. Keep an eye out for potholes, dips, and other obstructions in the road that could cause your car to jolt and worsen the crack that already exists. Try not to accelerate or decelerate too quickly when driving.
What you must remember about all of these hacks is that they are only temporary remedies, and they are best suited for small to medium cracks, which are defined as cracks less than 12 inches in length. They can be really effective at keeping your windshield intact for a couple of days when you’re too busy to take it to a shop for repairs. However, don’t anticipate them to last for an extended period of time. Find the hack that is most convenient for you, and have the crack fixed as soon as possible after discovering it.
