How to repair windshields effectively?
Windshields, also called moons, glass or front glass, make up the part of the vehicle whose first function is to protect the driver and passengers without subtracting visibility to drive. In the past they were made of tempered glass, which did not allow for the idea of repairing windshields but had to be replaced in order to preserve their properties.
The existing windshields are made of laminated glass, and its structure consists of two sheets of glass between which a layer of safety laminated polycarbonate is inserted. In case of an impact, they explode without releasing particles of glass that, logically, could damage the occupants of the vehicle. Motorcycle windshields, on the other hand, are usually made of durable acrylic.
How to fix a windshield, if possible
The way to decide how to repair a windshield is to assess what type of break is the one that you should try to compose. In some cases it is not possible to make any repairs, either because it is physically impossible or because the damages are of such a magnitude that, even repaired, could compromise the safety of those who travel inside the vehicle.
Considerable damages that are close to the windscreen frame do not offer guarantees when repaired, since the moon is not safe. It is also not advisable to repair splintered windshields at the driver’s sight, when there are two break points separated by 10 centimeters, or when the crack is deep and exceeds 45 centimeters in length. In all these cases a replacement of the moon is necessary.
How to fix windshield in general?
To explain graphically how a windshield is repaired it is possible to detail that, usually, it is a process of injection of transparent resin, whose properties and consistency are special to fill and to seal the space that is formed in the glass when crashing.
Once the resin is injected, it is cured or cured by exposure to ultraviolet light of 365 nm wavelength. In this way, the crystal recovers almost 100% of its structural strength, and up to 90% of its clarity or transparency. You can repair all kinds of simple stars, in addition to lines up to 60 centimeters, but this in a specialized establishment. The most frequent breaks to be repaired with resin injection are those of bull’s eye, star, bat wing, an open line or certain combinations of these breakdowns.
When and how to repair windshields that allow their arrangement
It is highly recommended to perform the repair as soon as possible, as this will prevent the breakage from increasing or spreading. On the other hand, it is only possible to consider how to repair windscreens with open lines successfully if they proceed immediately, because the longer the time, the more likely the crack will become contaminated. In this case, even if it resists repair, it will not be completely transparent. It is necessary to make sure that the damage is located on the outside of the windshield, since if the breakage is in the inner layer or if it crosses the windshield, repair will not be possible. The way to check where the damage is very simple, since the starry part is felt by just passing over the finger or nail.
Repair scratched windscreen
After considering how to seal windshields with the resin injection method, it is possible to imagine that this type of method will not be valid if the loyal has scratches. A scratched windshield is not only unsightly, it can greatly reduce the visibility that the driver needs to move safely.
If the scratches are not too deep, they can be easily polished even at home, using cerium oxide. This element is especially suitable as it becomes transparent when exposed to ultraviolet light or sunlight. In case the scratches are too deep, it would be better if the moon is polished in a professional establishment, although often the only alternative is replacement.