Did you know that auto glass technicians need to wear gloves when installing or replacing a windshield or other glass? Otherwise, the grease from their hands can prevent the adhesives from bonding correctly.
J.H. Apjohn invented the first set of windshield wipers in 1903. It involved a pair of brushes that moved up and down. This allowed the driver to periodically stop the vehicle to clean the windshield.
Are you seeing flowers? As auto glass restoration and repair experts, we know nicks, chips, and cracks come in all sizes and shapes. If the damaged area is generally round, and the missing glass forms a petal-like pattern, then you have a flower chip.
A crack in your windshield can spread over time, potentially impairing vision and severely affecting the protection offered by the windshield.
Many restorers use a specially formulated clay resin that so thoroughly cleans glass, it can remove deeply embedded dirt and grime found in the microscopic pores found on the surface of all glass.
Our modern word “window” is derived from the Middle English word, "windoge," meaning "wind eye." The word first entered our language in the 13th century, when German and Venetian glassmakers perfected techniques for making the sheet glass used in windows.
Windshield production saw several changes during the 1920s. Police Flyers, a variety of Lincoln sedans, were outfitted with bullet-proof windshields during this time. The glass and polycarbonate used to make these windows was nearly an inch thick!
When it comes to replacing your windshield, you have a choice of parts that are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or an aftermarket manufacturer. If you are using your insurance, they may require OEM; if you are paying for it out of pocket, you can save money with an aftermarket product.
In the 1920s, windshields became more difficult to penetrate when they broke. Car structures were actually strengthened because of this property, as they didn’t fall apart as easily if they rolled over.
The vinyl layer between the glass on many vehicles serves a purpose more than just making the glass stronger. If you’re in an accident, that vinyl layer can help catch flying debris before it enters your car and injures you or your passengers.
The "critical area" of the windshield is the area covered by the windshield wipers, especially on the driver's side. It's important to repair even minor damage to this area to avoid impairing the driver's vision.
Did you know that rock chips in auto glass are easiest to repair right after the damage has just occurred? Over time, rain will wash dirt into the crack, making it much harder to seal. It’s recommended that clear tape be used to cover a crack until it can be fixed.
Keep in mind that within the first 24 hours of a windshield replacement, the adhesive is still drying. Thus, it’s important to drive with care, as in some types of collisions (such as rollover and head-on), the windshield could literally pop off.
“The reason the windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small is because what’s happened in your past is not nearly as important as what’s in your future.” Joel Osteen
A plate glass manufacturing strike was resolved in 1937. For the first time, safety glass was required for all new cars after this strike.
Does your vehicle have side airbags? The current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require adhesives used for windshield installation to be roughly six times more powerful than those used on cars without side airbags.
In 1934, Chrysler continued its upscale line by introducing the Chrysler Imperial Airflow CW. This was the largest car ever made by Chrysler. It featured foldaway auxiliary seats, reading lights, cigarette lighters, and the first curved windshields on a production car.
If you have multiple cracks in your windshield, particularly if any or all of them are four to six inches or more in length, then the windshield will need to be replaced for safety reasons.
In the 1920s, when windshield production saw multiple changes, some car makers began to use windshield glass in creative ways. Rickenbacker made a car in 1926 that made safety glass a standard feature around the whole car.
Tempered glass retains its flexibility even as its strength is increased past that of regular glass. This glass is five to ten times stronger than regular glass and can be formed into many shapes.
Do you need auto glass restoration and repair? If there’s a chip in your windshield, you do. Our high-quality repair processes restore structural integrity, prevent the damage from spreading, and make the damaged area almost imperceptible, so your windshield looks nearly new.
Replacing the glass in a side window can be a tricky challenge, so it’s a job best left to professionals. The door panel needs to be removed, the height regulator needs to be in the proper position, and the glass needs to be carefully installed in the track.
The general recommendation is that old windshields that are pitted or hazed should be replaced for safety reasons, even if they are not broken. This is because these defects can magnify the glare of headlights from oncoming cars at night, creating a dangerous situation.
Much of today’s high-quality glass is produced in large sheets, using what’s known as the “float” method. Molten glass floats on a bed of molten tin, while pressurized nitrogen is used to polish the surface to crystalline translucence.
Did you know that warm weather conditions can cause windshield chips to spread into vertical cracks? This is because the heat distorts the shape of the glass, leading to cracking—a condition made worse by the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit.
If you have full coverage on your car insurance policy, then there’s a good chance that repairing any incidental damage to your windshield or auto glass could be covered. Contact your insurance to double-check.
Did you know? Many people think that it is faster and more cost effective to replace a cracked windshield than to repair it – that is probably not the case. Consult a professional before you make that decision.
