The windshield is a key element of vehicle safety. Contributes 30% of the structural strength and prevents together with the side posts, the roof collapse when overturned.
A small damage caused by the impact of a stone reduces its strength up to 70% and can eventually become a dangerous crack due to stresses that supports vehicle in movement and the action of water, wind, cold or heat. In this state, a small thud or a sudden change in temperature can cause a crack or fracture that would require immobilizing the vehicle.
The company Car glass, the leading European franchise Auto Glass, says that is an element as important as the safety side guards and remember that most passenger airbags depend on a healthy state of the windshield to function properly.
This system, called Glass Medic, can repair below a two-euro coin impacts. A method of vacuum draw air and inject a special resin which eliminates the impact resistance and returns in 30 minutes without removing the windscreen.
The franchise Glassier offers a proprietary technology, developed since 1992 with the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of the Basque Country. The technology is called microcrystal and repair procedure is similar: remove the air and proceed to fill and seal the crack with the microcrystal.
Glassier highlights the superiority of this technology to two facts: it is possible to repair in less than an hour cracks up to 30 cm, on passenger cars and up to 120 cm, on buses. Also, the microcrystal passes a test “resistance welding”, i.e., its ability to adhere to the windshield.
Both companies have reached agreements with insurance companies for these repairs and are included in the policy cover. In most cases, the same agent or workshop is responsible for performing the procedures. However, it is advisable to consult the case with the insurance company before going to the workshop.
The repair price is between 40 and 60 euros, well below replacement rates. It also has the advantage of speed and comfort: the repair takes less than an hour and some franchises and workshops have mobile service units at home. Repairs are guaranteed, for up to one year.