Glazier Palmerston North—Is Your Chipped Windscreen Repairable?

A small rock just bounced off the windscreen of your car, leaving a dime-sized chip near its edge. The damage doesn’t look too grave, so you will probably go for a repair rather than a full windscreen replacement—and you won’t likely rush off to the auto shop to do so. The problem, however, is that small chips sometimes turn into longer and wider cracks when they aren’t properly and quickly fixed, or when the windscreen isn’t replaced right away.

Windscreens are designed to withstand the stress of travelling on highways, but damage, of course, sometimes occur. Windscreens are made up of two layers of glass; the inner layer serves to hold the broken outer layers together in case of breakage. That’s the exact reason windscreens don’t fall apart when struck by objects. But, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about chips and cracks on your windscreen.

The professional glaziers from Manawatu Autoglass & Glazing share that most cases of windscreen chips and cracks are repairable, but the decision to replace or repair the windscreen depends on the following factors:

• Size – Chips that are about one-inch in diameter and cracks that are around three inches long are good for repairs. But, any damage larger than that must be addressed with a full windscreen replacement.

 

• Type – Some types of chips and cracks are easier to fix than the others. Short radial cracks, bulls-eye chips, and half-moon chips, for instance, are good for repairs. Windscreens with multiple cracks, on the other hand, can no longer be repaired, so you’ll have to replace the entire windscreen.

 

• Location – If the damage is minor, but it’s in the driver’s line of sight, it is better to get a windscreen replacement than repairs. Even great repairs leave behind discolouration or mistiness in the glass that can decrease your visibility when driving. Also, any crack or chip near the edge can weaken the strength and integrity of the entire windscreen. If that’s the case, have a professional glazier replace your windscreen so you don’t compromise you and your passengers’ safety.

 

If you aren’t still sure what to do with your windscreen, Manawatu Autoglass & Glazing is happy to help. The company is composed of some of the most experienced Palmerston North glaziers. Its team specialises in windscreen replacement and other glass repairs in Palmerston North. The company is also a proud member of the Glass Association of New Zealand. So, you can expect that all the work this team does is up to NZ Glazing Standards, ensuring you and your passengers’ protection and safety. Visit https://www.autoglassandglazing.co.nz, and get in touch with this team, today.