May 19th, 2009
With the high number of car related accidents, injuries and fatalities that occur every year, you might expect a significant level of safety regulation among car manufacturers, auto repair shops and the government. In general this is true; car safety standards continue to rise, while car related injuries, at least in the United States, continue to decline. However, these standards and regulations apply to the overall safety of the vehicle and ay not necessarily apply to individual parts of the car. When it comes to katy windshields, the burden falls on the consumer to ensure that their windshield is properly installed.
Poor Installation
There have been numerous news reports of drivers and passengers being ejected from their vehicle as the result of a failed houston windshield in a car crash. Many times, these accidents are the result of poorly installed windshield replacements. Windshields are installed with a urethane adhesive that is designed to bond the windshield to its frame. The federal government provides safety standards to ensure that the adhesive provided is strong enough to keep the katy windshield from popping out in a collision.
The problem occurs when the installation is rushed and the adhesive, which normally takes more than 24 hours to cure, remains wet and is not allowed to dry completely resulting in a weak bond between the windshield and the car frame. If the adhesive fails to hold the windshield, it will pop out from either the impact of the collision or the impact of the passenger side air bag when it tries to bounce against the windshield as it deploys.
Contaminated Conditions
Given the sensitive nature of the urethane adhesive and the importance of applying it properly to the windshield, any contamination would result in improper installation. If you need to get your windshield replaced, make sure that your auto glass shop employs and enforces strict installation standards that prevent contamination of the adhesive used to bond the windshield to the car. Oil and dirt from the hand can weaken the bonding adhesive. Replacement windshields should be installed with rubber gloves on.
Pinch Weld
The pinch weld is the material that “locks” over the windshield keeping it in place within the frame of the car; it is supported by a steel spine which gives it extra rigidity. Improper preparation of the pinch weld can result in faulty installation. In addition to making sure that your auto glass installer maintains a clean workspace, be sure to ask them what their process is for preparing the pinch weld. It is recommended that the pinch weld be kept clean and scratch free. If a pinch weld is not properly prepared, it may suffer from rust problems later on, which can further weaken the adhesive bond between the windshield and the car. This is a common problem with windshield replacement installation.
Know Your Technician
Windshield safety can mean the difference between life and death in a car collision. If your car requires a replacement windshield, make sure that you thoroughly research auto glass shops before making your decision. While there are safety standards set by the government, the only person that may be enforcing these standards are the consumers themselves.
Katy Texas Auto Glass Repair
http://autoglassinhouston.com
Tags: katy auto glass replacement, windshield repair, windshield replacement
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May 19th, 2009
Insurance
Many car insurance plans will give you the option of Houston Windsheild repair for free if the damage is the result of an accident. Windshield repair is much less costly than a full replacement making companies more willing to foot the bill. In the case of replacement, expect to pay a deductible.
Cost
Repairing a windshield in houston usually runs around $30-50 for the first chip and another $10-15 for each additional chip. Cracks can run around $100-$150, but this also depends on the length of the crack. In general, cracks that are longer than six inches cannot be repaired, though there are some companies now with products that claim to repair cracks of up to eighteen inches in length. Windshield replacement can run anywhere from $350 (for third party aftermarket windshields) to over a $1000 (OEM).
When in doubt choose OEM, it costs more because it is usually higher quality. You can check the information about the windshield (e.g. manufacturer information) from the markings on the side or on the windshield itself. Check online for details about manufacturer markings or identification.
OEM versus Non-OEM Aftermarket Replacement Glass
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) windshields are, in general, superior to aftermarket houston windshields, which are manufactured and sold as replacement parts. OEM windshields are higher quality because their manufacturing standards require that they be able to maintain their integrity in 100% of frontal barrier crash tests, while aftermarket windshields require only an 80% pass rate.
In addition, aftermarket parts are not required to meet the same build standards as OEM parts are and thus usually do not have the same impact tolerance as OEM windshields do. OEM windshields are designed to fit snugly into the frame of the car they are manufactured for. Aftermarket windshields are not; thus it is common for aftermarket windshields to have a higher rate of leakage of noise. Sometimes these windshields also show distortion in visibility especially when exposed to sunlight. Beware of aftermarket windshields that try to market themselves as OEM windshields. The phrase “from an OEM manufacturer” does not mean that the windshield is an OEM windshield; rather it simply means that the windshield came from the same manufacturer.
Windshield replacement is not regulated by the state or federal government so the burden lies on the consumer to make sure that they are purchasing high quality windshields that are installed properly. When in doubt, make sure to thoroughly research the manufacturer and always go with an OEM model. Also find an auto glass specialist that you can trust before making a replacement.
Houston Windshield Replacement
http://autoglassinhouston.com
Tags: houston windshield replacement, windshield repair
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May 19th, 2009
If you’ve recently found yourself with a broken windshield in Houston, now’s a good time to brush up on some important facts about windshield repair and replacement. Although you will most likely consult a professional in the case of repair or replacement, it’s important to have some knowledge about windshields to ensure that your chosen professional is doing their job properly.
Urethane is Strong, Butyl is Weak
Urethane is the chemical compound that is used to bond your windshield to the frame of your car. It is an adhesive that holds a pressure rating of over 500 PSI. This rating is important because it indicates the amount of force that the adhesive can withstand before it is broken and the windshield is released from your vehicle. In the past, butyl tape or sealant, another chemical adhesive, was used instead of urethane. It had a pressure rating of around 50 PSI. Make sure that your auto glass shop uses urethane and not butyl.
Glue Must Dry
In general, urethane should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before driving. In some cases, the wait may be longer. This may also depend largely on the adhesive used as well as the surrounding temperature and humidity. Make sure to ask your auto glass specialist how much time you should wait before you can use your car. If their estimate seems unusually low, e.g. two hours, go find another specialist. Many poor windshield replacement jobs are the result of poorly bonded adhesive.
Large Windshield Cracks Start Small
Large windshield cracks usually start small. It may begin with a small crack or a sizeable chip that, over time, expands as a result in temperature changes. This is especially the case when living in climates that experience extreme temperature swings. But even in more temperate regions, cars that are subject to cold temperatures (e.g. with the air conditioner on) and then moved into areas of warm temperature, (e.g. a heated garage) can be at higher risk of glass cracking. Glass will expand when heated and contract when cooled, if this expanding and contracting happens repeatedly in a short period of time, a small crack can easily expand into a large one.
Tax Deductible
Windshield repair or replacement may be covered under the comprehensive section of your car insurance policy. The typical deductible runs around $500, which can save you nearly half the cost of an OEM windshield, which is recommended for windshield replacements. In some states, there are no deductibles or a reduced deductible, saving you even more.
Houston Auto Glass Repair
http://autoglassinhouston.com
Tags: houston auto glass repair, windshield repair, windshield replacment
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