Auto Glass Whitby Experts Explain How to quickly defrost and remove fog from your car windows

During the chilly winter months, you can end up spending a fair amount of time on the driveway waiting for your car windows to defrost or for the fog to clear. This can be troublesome if you are in a hurry or late for work. According to auto glass Whitby experts, you can use a few scientifically proven techniques to move the process along a lot faster.  These simple tips can cut the time needed to defrost your glass in half and in lighter weather, prevent fogging or frosting completely.

How to Choose the right settings 

The most logical thing to do, is to press the defrost button on your dashboard and just wait. According to auto glass Whitby professionals, this process could be greatly sped up. Scientifically speaking, warm air can holds more moisture than cold air. So, when you first blast the windshield with a burst of warm air, switch off the in-car circulation. Draw air in from the outside, cold air holds less moisture. When you bring the winter air from the outside into your car and heat it up, the absorption capabilities of the air increases, causing it to clear up the condensation on your windows faster. This can also be achieved by cracking the windows just a little bit to let more cold air in. Also, turn the AC on, this pulls moisture out of the air as it is passing over the cold coils. You windshield will clear up in a matter of seconds.

How to Prevent Fog Build Up 

Fog build up is just condensation which has frozen on top of your windshield. If you are leaving your car outside during the winter, put some kitty litter in a sock and place it on the dashboard, directly beneath the windshield. Silica gel is a better absorbent, but it may not be safe leaving a large amount of it in your vehicle, especially if you have small children. Having a moisture absorbent close to your windshield keeps the glass dry and it will reduce the fogging when it first starts to get cold. For the months of the year with light snowfall, you can just use a tarp to shield your windshield. It will stop the snow from making direct contact with the glass, preventing any frost from forming. 

Home Remedies for Frost Removal

Frost on your windshield should never be removed with hot water.  It might sound like a quick fix, but the rapid temperature change can damage the glass. All you need in order to make an easy homemade remedy is:

·         A measuring cup

·         Rubbing Alcohol

·         Water

Take a measuring cup and mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol together in a spray bottle. If you just spray your glass with the mixture in the morning, it melts the frost off within a minute. Even if the car was outside, overnight during a snowstorm, the frost will melt off in a couple of minutes. You can just take a cloth and wipe the residue of the glass. The best thing to do however is to just spray the windshield at night, the frost the resulting morning, will be at a bare minimum. This solution can be used to pretty much defrost anything, in a matter of minutes. You can also use white vinegar to substitute for the alcohol, but the resulting solution is not as effective. If you do not trust the home made remedies you can always purchase an auto glass defroster from a reputable auto body shop.   

Winter can be hard on your vehicles, but little things can make all the difference.

auto glass Brampton

Every driver on the road knows that terrible sound – the ping of something bouncing off the glass of your windshield. If this happens to you, visiting an auto glass Brampton repair centre is essential. Your windshield ensures that you, and your passengers, remain safe while driving, and is one of the most important parts of your vehicle to keep in good condition. Even if the damage is minor, you want to be certain that it won’t spread or lead to other issues.

An auto glass Brampton repair centre will help you determine if your windshield needs to be replaced, or if it can simply be repaired. Your repair centre will generally use these guidelines to determine how best to fix your windshield.

Size of the Damage

Most windshield repair service centres can fix minor cracks and chips using a special solution to fill in the crack or chip. There may be a small visible line where the chip or crack once was, but it will be repaired enough that the windshield is in moderate condition, and will allow you to see clearly. Generally speaking, chips or cracks larger than three to twelve inches will require windshield replacement, depending on the shop and the technique they use.

Keep in mind that major impacts, such as large rocks or other debris, will almost always require a full replacement. Solutions and gels can only do so much in these cases, and if the damage is deep within the glass, there is little that can be done to save the existing windshield.

Location of Damage 

Chips and cracks near the edge of the windshield spread much faster than those located in the middle, and even if you drive directly to an auto repair shop, there is a chance they will have already spread. In addition, these chips and cracks can impact the overall strength and integrity of the windshield, resulting in many shops advising full replacement.

Damage done directly within the line of vision of the driver will nearly always result in full replacement being advised. Even the best repairs can leave minor lines and distortions behind, which compromises the driver’s ability to see clearly.

Length of Time

If a crack or chip has been left in the glass without repair for long enough, it can spread to the point where repairing the glass will not sufficiently address the problem. In addition to the crack spreading, you’ll also have to worry about dirt, grime, and other debris working their way into the crack, further reducing the auto repair centre’s ability to fix the crack. This is why it’s important to visit an auto repair centre almost immediately after any damage occurs. Once damage spreads it not only means costly repairs, but it also reduces visibility overtime, making your windshield a hazard to safe driving.

If your auto glass repair centre advises that the windshield needs to be replaced, it’s important to take that into consideration. Many people may not want to spend the extra money on a brand new windshield, but it does directly affect the safety of the driver and passengers in the vehicle, as well as others on the road.

Do you know how to remove water marks from your windshield? 

Whitby auto glass Repair

Even if you take your vehicle to the car wash twice a week and dedicate an entire weekend to making it look spotless, there are little smidgens on the windshield that just refuse to disappear. According to the Whitby auto glass experts, these dull, discoloured marks on your glass are called water marks. The water at the car wash may actually be making it worse. This is because water which is not purified can contain:

• Calcium
• Minerals
• Mildew
• Numerous microorganisms, including different kinds of bacteria

The cleaning agent you are using may also be an issue. Depending on the sort of environment and cleaning agent you are using, the impurities in the water may be reacting with the cleaning agent directly on the top of your glass. Think of it as minute Petri dishes on the surface of your glass. Whitby auto glass experts say that this results in something called etching. Etching is a water spot that will not go away and only gets more prominent the harder you try to remove it. Believe it or not, but this cesspool of minerals and microorganisms can actually eat through the surface of the glass if not treated. Luckily, there are ways of removing the effects of etching.

Water spot remover: You will first need to find a proper water spot remover. These are specialized cleaning agents designed to remove calcium and target bacteria and mildew on the glass. Be sure to look at the ingredients section of the product before you chose to buy it. A lot of water spot removers use acidic chemicals in them. Avoid these if they are not properly cleaned, they can cause damage to the glass and can even burn your skin. Pick a remover that does not use acidic chemicals. 

Application: The process of removing water spots must always be done after the windshield is washed. For starters, water spots are easier to see on a clean windshield and water should not be added to the glass after the removal agent. Squeeze a few drops of the remover on to a sponge. Be careful, for a 10 by 10 inch surface of glass, do not add more than eight or nine drops of remover. Adding too much will make the glass look more opaque, the texture of spot removers is like lotion. The application process is the same as applying lotion to your skin. At first, the remover will seem concentrated but as you apply pressure and rub it in, the agent slowly starts to dissipate. Make sure to really apply pressure when you are rubbing the glass; the remover should penetrate right into the heart of the mineral growth on the glass.  

Final Scrub: The water spots will disappear after a few strong scrubbing motions. Leave the remover on the glass until it slowly turns clear and vanishes. The trick here is to never use water as part of the final clean up. The entire process is done after you have already used water to clean the glass. Just take a micro fibre cloth, especially designed to clean auto glass and wipe the entire area. The result is a spotless, crystal clear windshield.

It’s important to know how to protect your windshield in the spring time.

Water spots may seem harmless enough, but overtime they can cause serious damage to the windshield. The area of the spot becomes more prone to chips due to the reduced durability of the surface. Especially in a country like Canada. The winters are long with extensive snowfall, the windshield is also exposed to sporadic periods of rain and there are also hot, humid summer days. If you have your car cleaned by a professional, they should take care of water spots but it is always handy to have your own spot remover.

How to Protect Your Windshield in the Springtime

Your windshield can shine with the sun this spring! Take heed to the following information that was provided by our Whitby auto glass experts to understand how.

Use Ammonia Free Cleaners

Cleaners that contain ammonia are very dangerous for both your safety and your auto glass. It has been proven by experts that ammonia releases dangerous fumes that should not be inhaled – especially on the inside of your vehicle. The chemical ammonia also dries out leather, vinyl, plastic and rubber. Last but most certainly not least, any cleaner that is ammonia based cannot and should not ever be used on tinted windows. Many Whitby auto glass experts provide their customers with additional information that will prevent them from damaging their window tint – and avoiding ammonia is talked about the most.

Avoid Using Pure Water as a Cleaner

The act of using water is done by many people. It is important to note that water is not strong enough, or enough of a solvent to remove spots and stains. Instead of using water, do some research and locate a high-quality, ammonia free cleaner. They can be found at every local auto shop.

Do Not Wash Your Auto Glass in the Sun

During the process of washing your windshield, you should always work in a shaded area. The sun can easily cause your glass cleaner to evaporate at a fast rate and leave unwanted residues. Windshields are extremely sensitive and the temperature can have a huge effect on them.

Even when a technician is repairing your auto glass , the climate is always room temperature.

Do Not Use Sharp Objects

When a mark seems to take forever to come off of your auto glass, you may be inclined to use a sharp object for the purpose of removing it. It is important that you refrain from doing this due to the fact that this can lead to extensive auto glass repairs. Depending on the damage caused, you repair can cost between $30 and $200. It also depends on the make and model of your car.

If a spot seems to be stuck on, you can always call an auto glass expert. They have expert car detailers that only use high quality cleaners designed to remove stubborn marks.

Examine Your Windshield Wipers

In the spring time especially, we tend to use our windshield wipers a lot. In a case like this, you should examine them in order to ensure they are in good working order. Faulty windshield wipers can leave scratches on your auto glass and impair your driving.

How experts repair windshields

Everyone has a handyman in them, do it yourself repairs give you that sense of confidence and achievement. That being said, the outcome is never really as good as a pro. Trained experts know little secrets and tricks that make all the difference in the world. The same applies to the auto glass repair industry and according to Whitby auto glass, professionals differentiate windshield repair into three basic categories:

• Star Chips
• Resurfacing
• Basic Cracks

The basics to the repair remain the same, but professionals use their years of industry experience to make the final result impeccable.

Basic Cracks: These are the long, snaky cracks that are so deadly to the windshield. There are two ways of repairing the crack; the bulls eye method and the flex method. Whitby Auto Glass experts actually recommend the bulls eye method. The tip of the crack is drilled, to pop a bulls eye. This then creates miniature fractures in different directions which stops the crack from spreading. A probe is used to hammer a loop around the bulls eye to prevent those minute cracks from creating an issue. The bridge is placed over the bulls eye and the injection of the resin begins. The rest of the crack is repaired using an injector which is removed from the bridge.

The second method is the flex, this may be a two man job, depending on the crack. A small amount of pressure is applied from the inside of the car to the crack, pushing the crack outwards. This makes it easier for the resin it get a stronger foothold inside the cracked area. 

Resurfacing: Sometimes the windshield may not have deep cracks or chips but rather small dents and nicks. Resurfacing is the process of repairing those little nicks to make sure they do not develop into something more troublesome in the future. The first step is to use a drill on the little pit on top of the windshield, and the second step involves pouring a bit of regular resin into the dent. This resin is known as the primer, it is a prerequisite to applying the pit resin. The final step is to cover the dent with a cellophane patch. The process of resurfacing is done when a windshield is covered in small damaged areas. 

Star Chips:  Star chips or breaks are typically deep chips with small cracks that spread out in different directions. It is one of the most common types of chips seen on windshields. A drill is taken to the centre of the break and using a probe the resulting bulls eye is looped. The next step is the same as in any windshield repair; simply take the bridge and injector to apply resin to the break. 

This is how experts deal with basic windshield repairs, one very important thing to note is that the popping and looping of the bulls eye should only be done by professionals. If you do not have experience dealing with windshields and different types of damage, you may accidentally drill into the polyvinyl layer of the windshield. If that happens, you will end up with a much bigger and more expensive problem on your hands, and you may need to call your car insurance company.

HOW TO COVER WINDSHIELD REPAIR COSTS THROUGH CAR INSURANCE

Sometimes it happens because of weather extremes, sometimes it is an accident and on occasion it may even be because of a couple of rowdy teens. The fact of the matter is, windshield cracks and chips are one of the most common fixes you will need to make on your car. It is so common that there is an entire industry dedicated to Toronto auto glass repair. With such happenings being common place, every auto insurance package should cover windshield repair costs. However, before pulling out your wallet, contacting your insurance company and dealing with the finances, there are things you should be well aware of.

Quotes: Go to different auto glass companies and get as many estimates as possible. These estimates may vary greatly, but remember, not all quotes are made equal. There are certain things you should look into after you receive a final number. Look into each company. Are they using top quality glass, urethane and primers? Is it a company that provides 24/7 support and are all their technicians certified and back ground checked? Does the service come with a warranty? Be vigilant, otherwise you may find yourself moving head first into an auto glass scam. Once you differentiate the Toronto auto glass companies that check out, then you are free to look at the type of deal each of them are offering.

Picking an auto glass company that works with your insurance: Once you find an auto glass company that you are willing to entrust the job to, contact your insurance company. Most major auto glass repair shops in Toronto work with the big name insurance companies. This means the repair shop themselves can file your insurance claims. This saves you the time and effort of going through cumbersome paperwork. Even if the repair shop you have chosen is well known, it is always better to run it by your insurance company, just in case. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Shop around for an auto glass company that will accept insurance as a form of payment.

Insurance Plan: Most auto insurance policies will cover the costs of minor repairs which have to be made to your windshield. You may have coverage, but the cost may be below your deductible, in such a case you will have to go out of pocket. When an auto glass company gives you a final estimate, run it by your insurance company before making any assumptions. You have to do this because if the cost is above the deductible, you will be responsible for covering any deductibles that may apply. A lot also depends on the sort of claim you make. If you go with a ‘no fault’ claim the insurance company should cover it and as an added bonus, the cost of your insurance will not go up. It all boils down to your plan, the insurance company and locality. A basic plan will cover most small repairs but not a replacement. While a comprehensive plan will cover all the costs. However, this may be different depending on your locality. In Canada, auto insurance is regulated by provincial governments so it differs from province to province. Ontario has different rules compared to Alberta. You have to be fully aware of the type of insurance policy you have on your car. 

Accidents happen; it is a sad fact of life. It is a blessing if your insurance covers any repairs associated with your windshield, depending on the damage, they can be quite pricy. If you want your insurance to cover any damages you, yourself have to be careful. It is all about going with the right quote, picking the right auto glass company and having a thorough understanding of the policies of your insurance company.