WHY WINTER IS THE WORST TIME TO LEAVE THAT CRACK IN YOUR WINDSHIELD

In the winter, we tend to procrastinate a lot and many people appear to be less motivated. The reason for this could simply be; it’s cold! I’m sure most of us would rather bundle up in bed as opposed to going outside and attending work, or running errands. Even the process of running into your car and waiting for it to heat up (if you don’t have a car starter) can be a drag. Toronto auto glass experts receive a lot of calls from people who unfortunately were struck by the “winter laziness” spell. These people waited a bit too long to repair their crack for many different reasons.

First of all, it’s important to understand the advantages of your windshield and exactly how unsafe you and your passengers are should you refrain from repairing it right on time. Your windshield doesn’t just block debris from flying in your face, it also protects your roof from caving onto your head during rollover accidents, holds up the structure of your car, allows your airbag to deploy and more! Now, in some situations, experts have noticed that most vehicle owners wait to repair their windshield because they don’t have the funds right away. Did you know that in some cases your insurance company can actually cover the costs for you? As soon as you see a crack or chip in your windshield – especially in the winter time, you should call your insurance company and see if you’re covered. The great thing about having them fix the issue for you is that your driving record is not affected. Windshield damage is not comparable to an at fault accident. Your monthly payments will remain the same! So, never hesitate to call your company and see what they can do for you. One of the main reasons as to why you should never leave a crack or chip in your windshield during the wintery months is, the extremely low temperatures has a huge effect on whether your chip or crack will grow – resulting in an expert having to replace your whole windshield are opposed to repairing it. The cost to repair a chip, on average, is $30. The cost to repair your entire windshield, on average, is around $200. If procrastination could save me $70 then I’d surely take action ASAP. But, it’s important to note that it’s not all about the money. Your safety is at risk too. As stated above, if your windshield is even the least bit damaged, it can fail to save you when you are involved in an accident and your air bag may actually fail to deploy. In the winter time, especially around the Christmas season, accidents in the Toronto area occur 5x as more as any other time in the year. This is mainly due to icy road, horrible weather and last minute Christmas shopping. Due to these statistics, you can see why it’s important for you to refrain from driving around with a damaged windshield in the winter time. Police officers in the Greater Toronto Area are also starting to hand out tickets and fines for drivers who are operating a vehicle with a damaged windshield. This has been a common practice for a while now and you can be fined up to $100 in some cases. Drive safely, and never leave that crack or chip in for too long!

THE REAL ADVANTAGES OF A WINDSHIELD ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Most people believe windshields have one person – to keep air and flying debris from entering their car. In fact, almost 80% of the vehicle owners in the Greater Toronto Area believe that to this day. Toronto auto glass experts continuously express to their clients what the importance of a windshield really is. The benefits brought forth to us by windshields are endless.

To start, your auto glass is not just any type of glass. It is specifically made of laminate glass and tempered glass. Tempered glass is used on the rear and side windows, whereas laminate glass is used on your windshield. Experts refrain from using regular glass on cars due to its inability to remain intact upon impact. In most cases, your windshield won’t completely shatter, however, if it does, it is structured to avoid cutting through your skin. Laminate glass is dull, unlike regular glass which is sharp. Now that we know a little bit about the type of glass that is used for our windshield, we can move on to its benefits and advantages. Many people are unaware that their windshield and air bag is actually connected. Should the unfortunate situation occur that you are in an accident, and your windshield is already damaged, there’s a chance that your airbag will refrain from deploying. It is imperative for you to ensure to replace or fix your auto glass as soon as possible so that you can avoid serious injury and death. Your windshield also holds the structure of your car together.

Every piece of your car plays a vital role when it comes to granting you with the ability to safely arrive to your destination; however, your windshield has one of the biggest jobs. If for example you were involved in an accident and your car rolled over, the only thing protecting your roof from falling on your head is your windshield. It is evident that if your windshield is damaged, it will fail to effectively protect you. When it comes to windshield maintenance, you should always remain on top of thing. Many people have tested the waters to see how long they could glass with a damaged windshield, and have truly regretted it. Visiting a Toronto auto glass shop as soon as you notice damage is always the best idea. Experts also stress that the importance of practicing safe driving habits on the highway so that your windshield doesn’t end up being damaged.

You should always drive at a safe speed and remain aware of your surroundings. Another important safety feature that is offered by a windshield is the ability to keep passengers from flying through the glass and onto the road. Due to its layer of polyvinyl, it is able to absorb a person’s impact, preventing them from serious injury. Windshields will always play vital role in the auto industry. Without a proper windshield, auto glass shops aren’t event allowed to sell their cars. Windshields must undergo a series of test that determine whether they are safe enough to be attached to a vehicle. Auto glass experts also set up mock accidents to test the overall strength of the windshield. It is imperative for you to remember how important your windshield is to you and your passengers.

PROTECTING YOUR AUTO GLASS ON THE HIGHWAY

In the Greater Toronto Area, driving along the highway can be extremely dangerous, and often nerve wrecking. Reason being, many motorists are in a rush, there are a plethora of truck present, the amount of rocks flying around are endless and the roads aren’t always as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Scarborough auto glass experts continually express how important it is for vehicle owners to drive with care – especially on the highway. It is quite common that you’ll come into contact with large vehicles during your commute. In saying that, it is important for you to remain a safe distance behind them. Driving too close to a large truck could lead to windshield damage due to flying debris.

Last years alone, there were over 20,000 cases reported to auto glass experts from residents who were struck with a rock due to a large vehicle being too close to them. The unfortunate thing about those situations is, your insurance company most likely won’t cover the damages and you’ll have a hard time suing the truck driver. Man trucks have signs on them that read, “Stay back 3 metres” for safety reasons. Your windshield is definitely strong, and built to withstand impacts; however, it can still crack easily due to flying debris. Another important tip when it comes to driving on the highway is, don’t ever go over the speed limit! Yes, often times, you may go over 5kms, however, going over even 20kms and higher not only puts your windshield at risk, but it also results in large fines. Many people are unaware of the fact that 80% of accidents that occur in the Greater Toronto Area are caused by speeding. In these accidents, many cars end up with shattered windshield glass and damaged front bumpers. 

Always look out for signs that display speed limits, and follow them! Whitby auto glass experts often express the importance of signaling and checking your blind spot before switching turns. Simply checking your side view mirror and then switching lanes is not enough! You must look over your shoulder, as someone can be in your blind. At the same time, you should be signaling. Failing to signal leads to many accidents on the highway and vehicle owners can be fined as well. It is in your best interest to ensure you are driving safely and you refrain from failing to perform the little duties that can cause huge impacts. Remember, on most highways, you are going around 100 km/hr. That being said, the smallest touch can created the biggest impact. Texting and driving on any road, but the highway specifically, can also lead to windshield damage. Distracted driving has been one of the main causes for deaths in the Greater Toronto Area. It is imperative for you to put your phone away and focus on the road. Many lives are lost on a daily basis due to bad texting and driving habits. Expert auto glass repair workers have replaced hundreds of windshields in the past due to texting and driving. Always remain focused, so that you can safely arrive at your destination. If your windshield s already cracked or chipped, you should never drive on the highway. In fact, the only place you should drive is to an auto glass shop. Driving at high speeds with a damaged windshield is extremely dangerous. If flying debris hit the damaged area, there is an 80% chance that your auto glass will crack completely – resulting in obstructed views.

Mississauga auto glass

It certainly takes more time to remove windshield decal when you compare that to actually applying it. Once you peel the sticker off of your auto glass, you’ll notice adhesive material still remains. This material is often hard to remove if the proper methods aren’t used. Mississauga auto glass workers have received a plethora of calls from vehicle owners who have damaged their glass in an attempt to remove their windshield decal. Unfortunately, some of those very same customers decided to repair their auto glass on their own, and refrained from avoiding these top windshield damage repair mistakes. Experts will explain how to avoid damages and effectively remove your decal below.

You will need:

·         Micro fibre cloths

·         Razor blade

·         Soap and water mixture OR Fabric softener and hot water mixture

·         Denatured alcohol 

There are a few ways in which you can effective remove your windshield decal. If one way doesn’t work for you, simply try out the next option. If all options seem to be giving you trouble, don’t hesitate to call an expert for help.

First, you must peel as much of the sticker off of the window as possible. By doing this, you are simplifying the entire cleaning process. If some areas are extremely hard to remove, you can use a razor blade. However, make sure the razor blade is not dull, as this can lead to damaged auto glass.

Secondly, grab a bucket and fill it with your hot water and dish soap mixture OR your fabric softener and hot water mixture. There should only be a few drops of dish soap or fabric softener in your hot water. Stir that around for a bit and move onto step 3.

Thirdly, dip your rag into your mixture and wipe it along the stickered area of the auto glass. Once you no longer feel or see the windshield decal, grab another cloth and wipe the windshield again, but use plain water this time. After a few wipes, take a dry cloth and dab the auto glass until it’s completely dry. 

If Your Windshield Decal is Still Present

You can use a razor blade in order to scrape the rest of the windshield decal off. If this is also not working for you, then it’s time to bring out your denatured alcohol. This solution has been proven by many Mississauga auto glass experts to effectively remove windshield decal in many cases.

Simply grab some paper towel and wet it with your denatured alcohol. After that, rub the solution along the affected area. It is up to you as to whether you’d like t use your razor blade again for further assistance. Once this is done, clean up your auto glass by using fresh water and a new cloth. 

A survey was done in order to see what solution worked best for the residents in the Greater Toronto Area. It seems as though the soap and water mixture was a favourite! 

Remember, if nothing seems to be working for you; don’t hesitate to call an auto glass expert, or even the decal company that installed your stickers. There will always be a solution to your issue!

If you plan on installing window decal, you should ask the company these following questions:

·         Do you remove the window decal for free? If not, what’s the price?

·         Can I remove the stickers on my own?

·         Are the materials you use safe for my auto glass? 

Be cautious! If you the methods above don’t work, refrain from creating your own. You don’t want to be put in the unfortunate situation of having to visit an auto glass shop for windshield repairs.

Whitby auto glass

In the Whitby auto glass industry, professionals often stress how important it is to take proper care when repairing your windshield. Often times, people make common mistakes during the repair process that end up costing them an immense amount of money to fix. If you avoid common mistakes, you will surely save a lot of time and money.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes?

Professionals always ask their clients what they did in order to cause further damage to their windshield. Over the years, they have heard the following reasons a plethora of times:

·         A DIY kit was used

·         The crack/chip was left there for too long

·         They went to an auto glass shop that was reputable

·         They watched various videos online in hopes of repairing the damage

·         They tried to repair their damage is temperatures that were either too hot or too cold

·         The right products weren’t used

There are many more issues that experts have been faced with pertaining to windshield damage. Proper repair techniques must be used in order to ensure you are not adding to the damage.

Windshield Replacement vs. Windshield Repair

Understanding your windshield and knowing how to repair is a crucial. Using a DIY kit is something that even the most professional Whitby auto glass workers avoid. They are often equipped with low quality resin (which is used in order to seal the damage) and other supplies. The instructions are never clear and not even the most detailed video can assist someone who is inexperienced with this process.

Another common mistake mentioned above is when vehicle owners leave the damage in their windshield for too long. This is normally done if the driver feels as though the crack can stay there due to the fact that it’s not obstructing their view. Little do they know, their windshield does much more than just provide them with the means to see the road ahead. Your windshield also works with your airbag to ensure it deploys properly in the event of an accident. This is a known fact that many vehicle owners are unaware of. If your windshield is damaged, there’s a high chance that your airbag will refrain from deploying – which means you and your passengers are in great danger. A damaged windshield will never work as effectively as one that is in good shape.

Now, finding an reputable repair shop isn’t always a walk in the park. It takes a lot of research. You can simply ask your friends who they have been to, or, you can even search online to see reviews. An auto glass technician can either solve your problem, or make it worse.

Many people are unaware of the fact that Whibty auto glass workers must repair windshields in certain temperatures. If it is too hot, or too cold, this will in fact cause more damage to your windshield. Room temperature is needed in order to effectively repair your windshield. Experts use specific products that are of the high quality for the purpose of effectively repairing your auto glass.

The Best Solution

All in all, your best bet is to visit a reputable auto glass shop so that your windshield can be repaired with ease and last you a long time!

Markham auto glass

It’s always important to have a good understanding of whether you need your windshield to be replaced or repaired before entering a Markham auto glass shop. Reason being, there are some technicians who unfortunately aren’t too skilled or they’re just in it for the money. The more you know, the more you’ll save.

Now, before we discuss how to determine whether you need to replace your full windshield or do a simple repair, we’d like you to take note of the following tips below that will help you to avoid being placed in this situation all together:

·         Repair cracks ASAP

·         Don’t drive too closely behind trucks

·         Try not to speed on rocky roads

·         Park in shaded areas as frequently as possible

·         Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight

·         Never wash your windshield in the sun

·         Use cleaners that are specifically for auto glass

·         Always do background checks on the auto glass shops that you decide to enter 

Repair or Replace?

The severity of the damage that is caused to your windshield depends on whether it can be replaced or not. The tools and reputation of the Markham auto glass shop also has an effect on what can be repaired or not.

If your crack is over 6 inches long, you can almost guarantee that it needs to be replaced. If the crack is around 10cm long, then you have a good chance of doing a simple repair. In either case, you should always double check with a reputable shop and refrain from attempting to repair the crack on your own. Many DIY kits aren’t composed of high quality materials and don’t contain enough information in order for vehicle owners to repair the damage properly.

Your windshield will need to be replaced if:

·         There is a huge hole in the windshield

·         The crack is over 6 inches long

·         There are multiple cracks along the windshield

·         There are many contaminated cracks

·         Extensive damage is present on both sides of the windshield 

Your windshield can be replaced if there is no extensive damage present. As stated above, so long as your crack is under 10cm long, there is a very high chance that it can surely be replaced. You should refrain from leaving your small cracks in your windshield for long periods of time due to the fact that they can surely grow. Auto glass experts don’t even know how long it will take for your crack to grow or what really affects it – so, it is imperative for you to repair the damage as soon as possible. 

Crack Types

Studying the vast amount of cracks that can occur on your windshield will help you to determine whether your windshield will need to be repaired or replaced. Some of the main cracks are:

·         Bulls-eye cracks

·         Chips

·         Small cracks

·         Pit cracks

·         Floater crack

·         Edge crack

·         Combination break

·         Stone break

Take a look at this picture below provided to us by the Markham auto glass in order to receive a visual of the some of the main windshield crack types:

Scarborough auto glass

Many car owners choose to tint their window whether it is for the privacy aspect of it or just for the aesthetic appeal. Tinting your windows also provides some layer of protection to your car windows when it comes to sun damage and warm climates as well as providing you and your passengers with some degree of shade. Cleaning tinted car windows is a very easy task to complete according to many Scarborough auto glass experts. It doesn’t require any special products or any special skills on your part. On top of that, it can be done in less than five minutes with a little bit of practice and precision. You want to be very careful when completing this process because minor things can damage the tint on your windows thus destroying the look of your car such as not using the right cleaners or not cleaning quickly and efficiently.

The first thing you’ll want to do is wash the exterior, or outside, of your car. You want to use a glass cleaner on the outside portion of your car windows. Then, you want to wipe off any of the excess product right away to prevent and streaking or water marks. Once you do this, on the inside of the car windows, you’ll want to use a paper towel and some water to remove any fingerprints and other kinds of residue and marls on the window. Using a glass cleaner on the insides could damage the tint on you window and make it separate and deform. You also do not want to use a window cleaner that has ammonia in it, such as the standard Windex. As many Scarborough auto glass have proved, the ammonia in the window cleaner would cause the tint to turn a purple color. You want to choose a streak-free window cleaner that has been marked as “ammonia free.” You can buy window cleaners like Vinegar Windex, the green one, or any of the citrus Windex cleaners. There are also specific cleaners made for tinted windows such as Eagle One’s 20/20 which is recommended by many. You can also go very simple and use just soap and water or vinegar and water to clean the tinted windows of your car. However, be aware that the vinegar will leave a bit of an odor on your car that can be taken away by a mild soap and water solution.

When cleaner the window, you want to avoid putting any kind of product on the edge of the tint. Any kind of water, water-soap solution or glass cleaner on the edges of the tint could cause peeling or deformation. However, if the tint on your windows begins to peel or bubble up, you’ll want to use a credit card wrapped in a piece of paper towel and use it to smooth out any of the imperfections that have been created. It is important to note that you always want to push the bubbles, or any other imperfections that could be fixed, to the edge of the tint or pop the bubble with a needle if absolutely necessary. However, be careful not to stretch or tear the tint.

Once you do all of this, you are done. It is recommended by Scarborough auto glass professionals that you make sure you have let everything dry properly and watch to make sure nothing happens to your tint after you have finished cleaning it.

Mississauga Auto Glass

Mississauga Auto Glass experts claim that windshields are the most overlooked safety feature of a car. In a head on collision, the windshield keeps you in the car and acts like a backboard for the passenger air bags. In the event the car rolls over, the windshield supports the roof, preventing it from collapsing on the passengers. In the case of windshields, ignorance is not bliss it is deadly. There are three kinds of car windows to look at, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), dealer supplied and Non-OEM glass which is commonly referred to as aftermarket glass.

OEM: OEM glass suppliers are trusted by the biggest car manufacturers from Toyota to Mercedes. The glass is subjected to millions of dollars worth of research and development. Computer assisted engineering and design program put the windshields through stringent strength and quality tests. Before the glass is even allowed to come off the assembly like they have to go through a dozen quality assurance tests including an optical laser scan. Some of the biggest OEM manufacturers are Pilkington, Mopar, Carlite and AP Tech. In a situation where you have to change your windshield, best option is to go with OEM certified screens.

Dealer: You do not have to worry about dealer model windscreens, unless you drive a high end model or something like a Ferrari. Dealer windshields are essentially the same as OEM glass, with one distinct difference. They are manufactured with the symbol and seal of a particular car company. The companies that make OEM glass are the ones who make dealer glass. You could call it custom made glass because it is made by special order.

Non-OEM or Aftermarket Glass: Aftermarket glass is not held in the same esteem as it’s counterparts. If OEM glass is so much better what is the point of aftermarket glass. The only really reason is, it is a much cheaper option. It is the type of windshields that are made for lower quality models. It is pretty much windscreens that are purchased through a third party company which is not affiliated with the dealer. OEM parts are patented and protected by copyright trademarks, non OEM manufactures copy these parts with little differences to ensure they do not suffer a lawsuit. Doing this is not illegal, as there are a number of companies like Safelite that specialize in manufacturing these goods. All the glass has to do, to come off a production line, is survive minimum safety requirement guidelines.

Knockoffs: Believe it or not, like copy-cat handbags there are knock off Chinese and Vietnamese windshields. They do not follow any safety regulations and end up alongside actual brands. Like any good knock off, on the surface the quality and texture is hard to spot. That is why it is important to have a professional Mississauga auto glass expert install your windshield because they have the expertise to spot a fake.

If you are on a tight budget you might be tempted to go with an aftermarket company. Brampton Auto Glass Changers prioritize that no matter what the cost always try to go with an OEM brand. The manufacturers go above and beyond modern safety rules to give you the most secure and trust worthy product. They are also the best fit. You never have to deal with dealer quality windscreens unless you have something really fancy. If you do have a high end sports car, I doubt budget would be a problem.

USES OF RECYCLED WINDSHIELDS?

We have glass all around the house. Glass tables, cutlery, windows, there are even glass houses. Sometimes we forget just how much glass we are actually surrounded by. The ornamental  glass industry alone is a multimillion dollar business. India’s  glass manufacturing industry generates a profit of over 50 million US dollars, that is given the current currency conversion rate. India is not even big in glass manufacture. The biggest contributor to the glass industry  are countries in Europe. Internationally, it is a multibillion dollar industry.

According to Scarborough Auto Glass experts, windshields and car windows make up roughly 21 percent of the production. An industry like that would produce massive amounts of waste. The thing with glass products is, they are considered to be fragile. With  the number of cars on the road, you have accidents left and right. Overall it is a business that generates a ton of waste. There are new initiatives to deal with the excess. A new program is specially dedicated to recycling car windshields.

Previously you could not recycle windshields, the size of each individual layer and the PVC layer in the middle made it difficult to process a fully formed windshield. A new machine mashes the full panel into star dust. The entire windshield is manually rolled into a seventy inch long and fifty inch wide, roller which separates the PVC layer while smashing the glass into  little quarter inch homogenous particles. You can practically make anything with glass particles like this. Once melted down, you have a fresh molten source for new glass.

Multi-Purpose Bowls: Recycled windshield can be made into everything from fish bowls to vases. A funny fact is, if you put tinted glass directly into the machines, the resulting glass pebbles retain the colour of the tint. Making the result perfect for making ornamental glass pieces.

Walls and Doors: In Portland, Oregon, most glass doors, shower doors and glass walls are made of recycled windshields. Canada’s own Mosaic Art Source, inspired by artist Ellen Blakely creates stunning glass mosaics made out of recycled windshields. As many Scarborough auto glass experts know, the mosaic artworks are attractive, inventive and downright ingenious. Recycled windshields are also sturdy enough to walk on. You can use it on floors and to make glass houses. A big use for recycled windshield glass is to make greenhouses. In a country like Canada, a lot of farming has to be done in a greenhouse environment due to the long and intense winter months.  Windshields are a great pool of resource for other sectors in the glass industry.

Windshields: You guessed it, you can use crushed windshields to make new windshields. There are car companies, like Ford, that use recycled windshields to make new windshields. If you need a new windshield, there are a number of Auto Glass changers that provide that option. If you are really environmentally concerned, always look for windshield replacements at local junkyards. For everyday models, you can find windshield replacements quite easily.

If you want to contribute to the recycled windshield industry, there are a number of recycling plants that have the equipment needed to process windshields. So if you go to Scarborough Auto Glass for a replacement, ask them to give you your old one. Take it to a recycling facility, to get that feel good feeling. Your little way of helping the environment.