All You Should Know About Windscreen Crack Repair

It is quite a common experience for one to be driving carefully down a highway, and suddenly, flying debris smashes into the car windscreen. One may be glad to be safe from the mishap but now will have to face the challenge of dealing with the crack or chip caused in the windscreen by the incident. One needs to opt for windscreen crack repair or total glass replacement.

Composition of Windscreen Glass

Modern windscreens are composed of three layers through which the seams are invisible. In the windscreen, a layer of vinyl plastic is sandwiched by two layers of curved glass for the sake of structural and protective reasons. Such a formation prevents flying debris from entering the interior of the car through the windscreen glass.

Such glass construction not only prevents the shattering of the window it also reduces the potential of big pieces of sharp shrapnel of glass injuring occupants of cars. The majority of chips and cracks cause damage to only the first layer of glass, which makes it possible to repair the glass rather than replace it.

Common Culprits

There are several environmental objects and everyday items which can cause cracks on the windscreen. 

Following are the most common culprits:

Rocks/ pebbles/ stones

These are the highly common assailants of the windscreen. They are mostly picked up by car tires and flung at the windscreen. Usually, they cause tiny cracks and chips, but if speedy and large enough, they can compromise all three layers of glass on the windscreen.

Insects

Bugs truly bug the quality of the windscreen. These jumping, flying and multi-legged beasts will damage the windscreen if they impact the latter at high speed and big impact.

Birds

These soaring beings can become missiles if they hit the windscreen at top speed. Low flying birds can accidentally strike the windscreen and shatter the complete piece of glass.

Litter/ road debris

Most people are lazy to get rid of waste materials and often dump them on the road while driving in the car. Car windows are used as trash chutes. Such leftover items tend to fly and impact the windscreen of either one’s car or a car behind.

Bolts/ nuts/Nails

These are the common things that crack the windscreen. Trucks with heavy cargo often litter the road with such offending items that can hit the windscreen of the car behind it in rapid-fire succession.

Types of Cracks

There are various kinds of cracks that need different technology to fix them. There are three main categories of cracks in windscreen glass:

Stress cracks: These cracks typically form not just after the impact in a single incident but from repeated impacts that cause the glass to fail. Such cracks can also occur when the car is exposed to extreme cold or heat.Edge cracks: Like the name suggests, such cracks form at the outer edges of the windscreen and stretch towards the centre of the glass.Floater cracks: These tend to be around 2 inches or more from the edge of the windscreen and can worsen by the impact of cold or heat.

Types of Fixes

There are two main kinds of fixes for windscreen cracks: Replacements and Fillers. The names reveal the exact functioning of these cracks.

Fillers

These are clear adhesives or glues which are used for treating minor cracks, fractures and divots. They are used for fixing and repairing the most common kinds of cracks. Large cracks and holes cannot be fixed by fillers. But, repair of small cracks can be completed mostly by DIY.

Replacements

The windscreen needs to be replaced when holes or cracks are so big that they cannot be repaired or fixed with fillers. Such cracks are big, often spanning the complete windscreen.

How to Prevent Worsening of Cracks

First, one must decide whether the crack needs immediate attention. If the crack is located at a point that interferes with the line of vision of especially the driver, the crack does need quick attention from repair professionals.

Now, determine whether there is a need to either repair or replace the car glass. In case the crack is less than 12 inches in length, the integrity of the windscreen will not be compromised and may not need replacement. It is a must to consult an expert to make this decision.

Avoid debris and dirt: Both of these can worsen the severity of the crack. To protect against both, apply packing tape to the spot of the crack.Avoid extremes of temperature: Avoid keeping the defroster or air-conditioner on high as cracks can worsen with heat or cold.Drive with care: Avoid bumps and potholes as well as the habit of slamming car doors.

In sum, safety must be a top priority while conducting windscreen crack repair. The sooner one takes the car for repair, the better. It is also imperative to consult professionals for the job if DIY is not for you nor suitable for the severity of the damage.