The auto glass repair guide
The term auto glass refers to every piece of glass on the car. They can sometimes get damaged, in some instances, they can be fixed instead of being replaced. The need for auto glass repair can occur at any time. It could be a minor accident, or loose debris hitting your windshield harsh weather conditions for the breakdown of the car’s window system, with the major damage it is always advised to seek professional help.
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Common Car Window Issues
Typical car window damage
Auto glass repair and replacement centers around problems that arise from car window damage or malfunctions. It is vital to attend to damage like cracks or chips especially on windshields before they turn into bigger problems. Auto glass mainly refers to these areas:
Windshields (front and back)
Like all glass used in a car, windshields are made from safety glass which is specially made to reduce the chances of injury in case it breaks. The Windshields are made of laminated glass designed for the highest level of safety. It is made up of two pieces of glass, with a layer of vinyl between them. When heat and pressure are applied, it joins all three parts into one. When small objects like stones strike the windshield only the outer layer is damaged. In situations where there is a severe impact, the glass may shatter but it will not fly apart as the broken pieces adhere to the vinyl. For windshield replacement, you can opt for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) windshields or non-OEM glass commonly known as aftermarket glass.
OEM replacements have two advantages:– Since they were made from the original equipment that made your car windshield, it will properly fit your window frame reducing the noise and leakage problems- OEM glass makers often partner up with car manufacturers to enhance the overall functionality and performance of the glass made.
The windshield can develop a hazy film, be scratched or get chipped by debris. All this damage can affect the vision from your car.What determines whether a glass can be repaired or not depends on the where it is and its size. The most vital area on the windscreen is known as the A-zone. This is the area right in front of the steering wheel. In this zone, it is possible to repair cracks that are less than 1 cm in width. For damage outside this zone, the limit is 4 cm. Note, however, that any cracks that extend to the edge of the windshield will affect its structural integrity and will need replacement.
Side Mirrors
It is found on the car’s exterior for the purpose of aiding the driver see behind and along the sides of the car. Common causes of damage include:
- Reversing in tight parking spaces.
- Car collisions
- Failing to maintain the car
- Playing around with the power controls
- Failing to retract the mirrors when in an automatic wash
- Handling the mirrors too roughly
- Damage from debris like stones.
- The resulting damage ranges in types and severity.
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Side and Rear Windows
These are made of tempered glass, designed to disintegrate into small pieces so as not to severely injure anyone in the car. The tempering process also makes it stronger than an untempered glass of the same thickness.
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How to repair electric car windows?
Fixing power windows
Power windows are convenient and are found in almost all cars today. With so many electric windows, there are bound to be mechanical failures that occur. When figuring out where the problem is, start by checking the fuse and wiring. Below are the steps to follow when repairing electric windows.
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Find the fuse box, which is usually located under the dashboard close to the steering wheel, and look for blown fuses which are fairly easy to identify by the break in the metallic strip running up the middle of the clear fuse.Replace the blown fuse and see if this solves the problem. You will need to inspect the fuses with the aid of a flashlight Next, check for loose wiring going into or coming out of the fuse box. Be sure to tighten these wires and see if this solves the problem.Check the control switch. Clean it up and see if this works, if not remove it from its dock in the car door and check the electrical connections. If this still fails to do the trick remove the safety connector, safely disconnect the unit and set it aside.Following the manual remove the plastic access panel on the door by following the directions in the car manual. Carefully detach any wires and remove the door panel. Pull back the insulation, if it is present, to reveal the motor and using a test light check all the wiring. Be sure to ground the bulb first.Secure the window by tapping it in place to prevent it from slipping down while you work. Depending on the car model you may need to remove the window entirely in order to replace the window regulator assembly.Unmount the regulator from the door panel and inspect it. If need be replaced the faulty regulator, making sure you follow the instructions on the new motor. Some older car models have rivets instead of screws, in order to remove them, you will need a punch, a hammer, and a drill. Put back the new motor and reassemble the door parts. Remove the tape around the window and check whether the window works. Once you are satisfied, fasten everything back in place.
How to repair the windshield?
Fixing windshield damage
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A clean, clear windshield is essential for good vision and it is an integral part of the car’s body. It is important to repair windshield damage because if left unrepaired small chips and cracks can turn into bigger ones resulting in a full replacement of the glass.The windshield is a crucial piece of the car’s shell. If it fails it can affect the structural integrity and rigidity of the car.Because of this role, it is subject to mechanical stress, even driving over uneven surfaces can worsen small chips or cracks.It is prone to thermal shock due to the varying temperatures of the car interior and the outside. These sudden temperature changes can worsen the damage.It is possible to fix stone chips, but only if the surface is clean. Old chips fill with dirt and grime that cannot be removed. Delaying repair could mean the difference between a relatively cheap fix and expensive windshield replacement.Windshield repair is done using resin, which bonds worth the glass forming a nearly invisible repair.This typically takes about an hour to do. If you can cover the chip or crack with a coin, then it is repairable, anything bigger than that you will need professional help. Here are the steps to repairing a windshield:
Photo on cesarsautoglass.net
Determine if you need to repair it or replace it. Check the terms of your insurance and repair contracts, depending on your vicinity, insurance, and windshield type, the cost of the repair may vary.Look for signs of damage near the edges. These cannot be repaired, the whole windshield will have to be replaced.Consider where the damage is. The most dangerous damage would be in the A-zone and replacement or repair should be determined on account of the visibility.Measure the crack or chip length. Anything under 15 cm can be repaired at home if it is larger than that get professional help. If there are multiple cracks, take the car into a repair shop and ask if it can be repaired.
– Examine the chip and dents. Circular and semicircular crack is also known as “bullseye” must be less than an inch in diameter- A “star break” or a point of impact with short cracks spreading outward, must have all its cracks fit into a 3-inch circle. – Other crack shapes should fit into a 2-inch circle.
Also, determine the depth of the damage. Since windshield are made of two layers, find out if the damage extends past the vinyl. If the second glass layer is damaged, you may need to replace the whole windshield. Prepare the windshield by using a repair kit. Be sure to carefully read the instructions.Use the sun to help cure the resin quickly. Tap out any broken glass pieces and wear protective clothing while doing so. Clean and dry the windshield before you begin.Set up the applicator, load in the resin and position the applicator over the crack. Apply the resin along the crack starting from the top. Apply it according to the instructions, if the resin will not get into the glass, press the glass gently to get it started. Make sure the whole crack is filled in.The crack will still be visible now, using the thicker resin in your kit, fill in the chips and dents you may have missed.Cover the resin with curing tape, strips or tabs which are used to hold the resin in place to stop it from oozing out. Be sure to only use the curing substance provided as plastics or other substitutes may block the UV light. Leave the resin to cure and once it has hardened scrape off the excess along the windshield also removing the curing strips.If the windshield is still blurry or the crack is still visible enough to interfere with driving, you will need to cure it again with a special refinishing resin and wipe it clean once you are done
How to replace a broken window?
Sidecar window repair
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A broken window puts you at the mercy of the weather and can expose your car to theft, be it from road debris or it was smashed in an accident. Here are the steps to repairing a car window.
- Identify the damage well
- To access the remaining glass, remove the door panel
- Vacuum any debris and glass from the car’s interior
- Insert the new window
- Test the regulator to make sure that it functions well
- Replace the door panel
- Clean the new glass window well.
How to replace a car’s side view mirror
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Side view mirror replacement refers either completely replacing the whole mirror and the internal mechanisms, or just replacing the mirror. The damage the mirror gets determines the repair needed.The mirror will need replacement if:
- It is heavily cracked or missing.
- It distorts the reflected image.
- It hangs down or is completely detached
- You cannot move the mirror at all.
You Should note that replacing a side view mirror is no easy task, if the issues extend further to the controls, replacing the mirror could permanently disable these controls. The glass may not fit the mirror casing and will need to be cut with specialized tools the may not be readily available at home.Also, there is the possibility of injury from the glass as you repair it.With this in mind here is how to repair the side view mirror.
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Replacing the Mirror
- Find the right replacement. It should include the mount, glass, hardware and accompanying electrical connections. You can get these parts in an auto repair shop or online.
- Keep the car in park and turn off the ignition. Also completely roll down the car window on the side you are replacing.
- Disconnect the negative terminal to avoid any shock while working on the electrical components
- Remove the door trim panel and take off all the pieces and remove the panel off the door. Be careful while doing so and follow the wiring, taking note where all the wires go.
- Find the wiring harness and unplug it from the locking clip. Make sure you use the right tools to unplug the harness. You can skip this step for manual windows.
- Remove the damaged mirror setting aside all the nuts. Now insert the new mirror and match it to the old one. Thread all the wiring and hand fasten all the nuts.
- Plug back the power mirrors wiring into the harness making sure it properly locks in the clip. You can skip this step for manual windows and mirrors.
- Put back the panels and trim pieces and screw them in tightly
- Reconnect the negative cable back to the terminal and turn on the ignition and check if the mirror works.
Assess whether what you need is new glass. If the mirror assembly is still intact but the mirror is broken or damaged, then simply replace it. Find the right replacement glass from the local auto shop. If you cannot find the right replacement and auto glass shop can cut one to fit your mirror assembly.Carefully remove the remaining glass and clean the inside with a lint-free cloth. Using an automotive grade double sided tape or epoxy adhesive, attach the glass to the mirror assembly. While on the road, the most important thing is safety. Therefore, be sure to repair any damage to the auto glass on your car.