Fixing Rick Chip Using A Rock Chip Repair Kit
Fixing Rick Chip Using A Rock Chip Repair Kit
Blog Article
There is nothing like avoiding life threatening accidents on the daily commute only to have a rock damage your windshield. Auto windshield replacement can be done in minutes. If the damage can be repaired before it spreads and becomes too severe, the windshield may not have to be replaced. It can be repaired by a professional or the owner can do it themselves. After the deductible is paid the insurance will cover the cost.
Any of these stone chips can be repaired. Beyond looking for these types of common chips, it is important to take into consideration the size of the damage. If the damage cannot be covered by a half dollar, the chip is too large to be repaired. Another important piece of information to consider is the acute area. The acute area is the area of the automobile windshield chip repair directly in the drivers line of vision. It is the same size as a piece of paper being held horizontally in front of the driver. In this area, the National Glass Association does not recommend a repair being done unless it is no greater than .95 of an inch. An easier way to imagine this is that a quarter should be able to cover the entire area of damage in the acute area.
First things first the chip should be repaired before it gets filled with grit. To do this, the chip needs to be drilled while the cracks in it get vacuumed. An acrylic or crystalene resin is then inserted via syringe into the chip to restore the air trapped in the crack. Afterwards it is dried with UV light which hardens the substance and reinstates the original state of the glass. Acrylic resin is made up of carcinogenic acid which turns the chips yellow over time. Crystalene resin has better clarity and doesn't change color over time. It's available at ultra-low consistency and high consistency. Extra resin is scraped away and then polished for a finishing touch. This kind of treatment usually runs about $45-$100.
You get a chip on your windshield in less than a second. The most common cause is flying rocks. A crack can happen just as quickly as a chip. You never know when that small little chip is going to turn into a crack that completely hinders your view while you are driving. You may not know this but your windshield provides up to 30 percent of the structural strength of the vehicle. If your windshield is not strong then it affects the entire car. Driving over one bump in the road or a pothole can turn your chip into a crack which will mean you need more than just a repair, you will need professional auto windshield repair.
Now you have 3 options. You can pay out of pocket, you can have your insurance company cover the cost, or you can do the repair yourself. The cost out of pocket will vary from $30-$60, depending on the company you chose. Filing with insurance is easy because it is no cost to you, and the auto glass repair company deals with the paperwork. You can also attempt the repair yourself, but if you do not feel comfortable, i would suggest calling a professional. There is a good step by step windshield repair Instructable available, as well as other information online.
Carefully read and understand the instruction manual that comes with your newly purchased windshield repair kit before performing the repair. Now, here's how to fix the cracks on your windshield. First, use an auto glass cleaner to remove dirt from the crack and the area around it. Then dry the crack using a clean rag or towel. Use a safety pin to take out any remaining debris on the crack. Next place the suction cup onto the windshield using the adhesive included in the kit. Then mount the injector on the suction cup. Next, inject the resin; this will remove the air between the windshield and the suction cup.
Not all chips and cracks can be repaired when windshield damage occurs. It is definitely worth the time to have any damage evaluated by a professional to avoid further cracking and damage and eventual replacement.