It is summertime in Atlanta, GA, and that means you will most likely be washing your car at home or taking it to an automatic carwash. If you plan on using a pressure washer or a drive-through wash, it is important to be aware of any existing damage to your windshield glass. The high-pressure water jets used to clean your vehicle can make damage, like windshield pitting, even worse. If you aren't careful, you may need windshield replacement or repair sooner than later. In this post we will go over windshield pitting, how it affects your vehicle's windshield and the appropriate way of repairing it.
Windshield Pitting
Windshield pitting is a common form of windshield damage that occurs whenever contaminants from the road such as sand, dirt, gravel, and other debris contact a vehicle at speed. The debris is very abrasive, and over time it wears down the surface of the glass. Vehicles that are used daily and vehicles driven at higher speeds will experience windshield pitting faster since they are regularly exposed to the elements and other activity. Unfortunately, aside from not using a vehicle, nothing can be done to prevent windshield pitting.
An easy way to tell if your windshield is pitted is to look through it when sunlight is shining on it. If it creates a glare, then the glass is pitted. It is very important to monitor the condition of your glass. Left unchecked, a pitted windshield can become difficult to see out of, making it a safety hazard. Furthermore, your windshield is an important part of your vehicle's safety system, and it is critical to keep it clean so you can be safe on the road.
The Issue with Polishing Pitted Glass
If your windshield is pitted you may be wondering, can it be repaired? Yes and no. Depending on how severe the pitting is, it may be possible to restore the surface of the glass. That being said, restoring a pitted windshield is no easy task. It is very time-consuming and requires special tools and rubbing compounds. Glass restoration services use buffers and polish on the glass to remove the damage, but a windshield replacement is always the best option. Polishing the glass can weaken it and cause it to become uneven. This can compromise its safety performance and distort the view through the glass. Skilled auto glass shops, like Glass Inc., do not polish pitting and advise complete windshield replacements.
Replacing a Pitted Windshield
Small cracks and chips can usually be repaired, but as previously stated, the proper way to address a severely pitted windshield is to perform a complete windshield replacement. Depending on the size and shape of the glass, a windshield replacement can range from $200 to upwards of $1500. In addition, driver assistance technologies, like lane departure warning systems, can increase the cost because the systems require recalibration, and the installation is more involved.
If your windshield has minor cracks or chips, auto glass shops can usually address these types of damage by applying a bonding resin that will fill the area. Once the resin has cured under an ultraviolet light source, the damaged glass becomes fused. In some instances, this solution can have great results because the repair is transparent and it is nearly undetectable. Nevertheless, using bonding resin to perform a repair ultimately depends on where the damage is located. In some cases, the repair can distort the view through the glass. Therefore, if the damage were directly in the line of sight of the driver, resin would not be an appropriate repair option.
Windshield pitting may not seem like a huge problem but it can become a safety hazard for you and other motorists this summer. If you are planning on a road trip or just getting out and about, it is an excellent time to assess your vehicle's windshield condition to check for pitting and any other damage. Debris from the road, high-pressure car washes, congested traffic, and windy conditions can cause existing damage on your windshield to become an even bigger problem. If you discover windshield pitting, chips, or cracks, Glass Inc. can assist you with a repair or complete windshield replacement. We offer mobile repair and replacement services along with on-site services at our office. Give us a call today or get a free estimate online.
#WindshieldReplacement #WindshieldRepair #WindshieldPitting #GlassInc
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