Your car’s windshield is much more than just a piece of glass, it offers essential structural support for the vehicle and keeps hazardous road debris from flying into your cab. Although it plays such an integral role in your safety on the road, many Baytown drivers put their car’s windshield glass repair needs on the back burner. Often, this is caused by thinking they don’t have enough time for a quick repair or that the damage isn’t a big deal – but this couldn’t be further from the truth. At Joey’s Glass in Baytown, auto glass repair is fast, affordable, and reliable. Use this blog to learn about the most common windshield repair myths and why professional windshield glass repair is essential.
Myth #1: Fixing Small Chips in Your Windshield Can Wait
This is one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to auto glass repair. Many drivers investigate a chip in their windshield and think to themselves, “It’s tiny! I’ll just wait a week or two until payday before I get this repaired.” This decision to delay repair is the biggest reason that your small, insignificant chip can turn into a long, deep crack that may demand a complete windshield replacement.
The truth behind this myth is that even a small chip can grow exponentially in a matter of minutes due to unavoidable environmental factors:
- Thermal stress: In Baytown, fluctuating temperatures from the high heat outdoors and blasting cool AC can make chips worsen quickly. This is because glass contracts and expands with temperature, causing the chip to grow into a long crack.
- Vibration and potholes: Road bumps and potholes can not only make for an unpleasant drive, but they can also put continuous stress on the weak point of your glass, leading to jostling the break and worsening damage.
- Moisture intrusion: Rain is a frequent occurrence in the Baytown area, making it challenging to fully protect your chip from moisture intrusion. This can worsen your chip, especially during the winter months when it could potentially freeze overnight.
Remember, a repairable chip today is typically an expensive replacement tomorrow. If you want to avoid costly windshield replacements, don’t wait to stop in Joey’s Glass in Baytown for fast, simple auto glass repair service.
Myth #2: Auto Glass Resin Is An Inefficient, Weak Fix
Many Baytown drivers avoid windshield glass repairs due to a common misconception that resin is an ineffective, unreliable fix. This myth is incorrect – resin is actually one of the most modern and thoughtfully developed repair methods for windshields and can last for years after servicing. Some drivers might think that this technique uses a basic, sticky, and messy “glue” solution. However, the truth of the matter is that auto glass resin is a meticulously designed formula that is composed of high-grade materials such as acrylic and polymer resins. These make it much more effective than a simple glue.
This process requires skill to be highly efficient, and at Joey’s Glass in Baytown, our team is composed of experts – ensuring that your repair is precise and long-lasting. Our glass technicians begin the windshield repair process by carefully cleaning the chip to make sure there are no loose particles of glass, dirt, or other debris that could prevent a strong bond from forming. In some cases, we use a vacuum to make sure all debris is cleared before we begin injecting the liquid resin. Once the liquid resin has filled the damage, it is cured with a powerful UV light. Similar to the process of applying gel nail polish or tooth bonding, this light hardens the resin, making it highly durable.
Aside from just solving visibility issues and preventing more damage, auto glass repair with liquid resin typically makes your windshield glass even stronger by reinforcing weak points in the pane. If you want to keep your windshield in top-tier condition, liquid resin is the perfect fast and simple solution.
Myth #3: Windshield Glass Damage Larger Than a Quarter Requires a Windshield Replacement
If your damage extends beyond the size of a quarter, you may think that it automatically means you need a full-scale windshield replacement. However, this myth doesn’t take into account the modern technology and methods that modern auto glass repairs utilize. In reality, what matters more is the location and type of damage. Instead of basing the repair versus replacement decision on cents, these are the key factors that go into the difference:
- Damage exceeding repair limits: With today’s repair techniques, most auto glass technicians, like our team at Joey’s Glass, can repair damage up to the size of a dollar bill. Anything exceeding these practical, 3-4 inch limits might need a full replacement, especially if fine line cracks are involved.
- Location: If the damage is directly in your line of sight as the driver, it requires a replacement. This is because with certain angles of sunlight, the resin might cause a slight distortion through the glass.
- Edge damage: Lastly, if the damage is located near the very edge of your windshield, a replacement is required due to the structural integrity of your car. This is because the glass on the edges of the pane faces more stress and is prone to easier breakage.
Regardless of the size, shape, or location of the damage, having a professional auto glass repair team check it out is always the best plan to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.
Myth #4: Using a DIY Auto Glass Repair Kit Saves Money
DIY auto glass repair kits can be tempting, but most of the time, they cause more harm than good in the long run. Many of these kits come with cheap resin and a cheap, plastic injector. The resin is often significantly lower quality than the professional-grade liquid resin we use at Joey’s Glass in Baytown. Because of this, even if the resin was able to fill the void using the flimsy injector, it will never fully adhere to the existing glass and harden into a seamless, durable bond.
Additionally, attempting a DIY fix can completely ruin your windshield, necessitating a replacement rather than a quick, simple professional repair. Don’t waste your time and money on these kits; instead, let Joey’s Glass in Baytown help with your auto glass repair needs.
Beyond the Windshield Glass Repair Myths: When Professional Help is Needed
While most auto glass damage can be repaired, there are some cases where replacement is unavoidable. It is vital to understand these signs in order to keep you and your vehicle safe on the road. If your windshield has any of these types of damage, schedule your windshield replacement appointment today:
- Cracks over 6 inches long
- Damage located within the driver’s line of sight
- Damage that penetrates both layers of the laminated windshield glass
- Extensive pits or multiple deep chips
At Joey’s Glass, we understand that life is expensive, and sometimes it is hard to prioritize glass repair, especially with the upcoming holiday season. Because of this, we strive to not only provide the most reliable service for our customers, but also the fairest and most affordable. Don’t wait for your windshield damage to become worse. Contact Joey’s Glass today for a free windshield glass repair consultation in Baytown!