The front glass or windscreen of a car is a crucial but often ignored component of a car. Many owners think that windscreens are ornamental or decorative items of cars. Some will drive around with chipped or cracked windscreens without conducting door glass repair.
Importance of windscreen
- Windscreens are designed for many functions, but the main ones are:
- Preventing foreign objects like grime, dirt, and dust from entering the car
- Preventing the roof of the car from caving in and smashing during an accident
- Saving the driver from the initial impact of an accident
- Preventing glare from sun rays and ensuring a clear line of visibility to the driver
Thus, car windscreens are vital for safety objectives. They prevent water and road dust from entering the vehicle. In case of harsh weather conditions, car glass protects the car from street dirt, tree branches, rocks, and hailstones as the first line of defence.
Hence, the windscreen is made of toughened glass such that it will not shatter when subject to external impact. Even during an accident, the windscreen will not crack easily. In case of high impact, the glass will not shatter into sharp shards but will form into small pebbles that will cause minimal damage and injuries.
Need for routine maintenance
One of the highly neglected aspects of car care is routine maintenance. This is not just about daily cleaning of glass, though it is a good habit. Proper servicing and maintenance, as well as regular cleaning, may not only boost the lifespan of the windscreen but also keep one safe.
Simple and occasional maintenance can help to prevent major mishaps with the windscreen and save a lot of cash in terms of repairs in the long run. Following are five easy steps for keeping windscreen in top condition in the long run:
- Do not park under the sun
One must not park the car under direct sunlight. Careless parking of cars can put the whole car at risk, including the windscreen. Extremes of temperature can cause stress cracks in the windscreen, which would, later on, put the complete glass at risk of breakage. Additionally, an already existing crack could spread further because of extreme temperatures, particularly under direct sunlight. Even any glass tints may be sensitive to sun rays and get damaged. It is a wise practice to park the car in any shaded spot like basement or garage as much as possible to prevent breakage of car glass and enhance the durability of the car.
- Don’t neglect chips and cracks
Chips and cracks can emerge on the windscreen when external objects hit it with an impact. It might also lead to forming of bubbles between layers of glass. No matter what their size, such formations in the windscreen can cause substantial damage when left neglected. With the passage of time, they can spread in size and compromise the line of vision of the driver. There is also the case that the safety of the glass is so compromised that a total replacement is in order. Therefore, any nicks in the car glass must be dealt with seriousness since replacement is much more expensive than repair.
- Replacing windscreen wipers
The status of the windscreen wipers of a car impacts the windscreen in multiple ways. The windscreen is composed of two broad components: a metal structure within and a rubber coating externally. When there is wearing out of rubber coating, the windscreen is exposed to the metal part of the wiper. This implies that whenever one runs the wiper, the metal body will scrape against the windscreen might leave major scratches upon the car glass. There will also be degrading of wiper blades over time because of sunlight, moisture, debris, and wear and tear. It is advised that one must replace the wipers at least annually to protect the windscreen.
- Use cleaning products of good quality
One must avoid cleaning the windscreen with wrong chemicals like DIY cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners, etc., and abrasive materials like paper towels, household sponges, etc. These could leave blemishes and scratches on the windscreen, leaving streaks on the glass or causing damage to the glass tint. Experts recommend that one use cleaners created particularly for windscreen in the car using a soft cloth/ micro-fibre towel to protect from any damage.
- Do not slam doors
It is a no-brainer that slamming car doors can damage the vehicle. When the door is closed too hard, it can cause serious vibrations within the car, and the side windows might loosen and come away from their tracks. In case the glass already has small nicks, chips, and cracks, they could expand slowly every time one closes the door too hard. Thus, it is a good habit to close car doors gently.
- Seek professional help
For auto-glass repairs, it is wise to hire the services of professionals specialized in the work. Always choose an expert to fix any issues in the windscreen.
In sum, besides the above-mentioned tips, one can take care of car glass in other ways. Maintain a safe distance between one’s car and the traffic ahead, cover the car during extremes of temperatures and get windscreen checked occasionally. Best of all, consult a professional with a ‘door glass repair first’ policy.
