You Don’t Need to Repair Minor Cracks or Chips

This is the first and most important myth that most car owners hear about. It is also a lie! If your windshield has minor chips or cracks you should definitely have it repaired. Over time, because of the influence of elements, temperature, driving style, etc., those small cracks will get worse. And depending on how long you put off the repair, they will grow beyond a point when you can no longer repair them and your only option would be to replace the entire windshield. So instead of doing a replacement, which can be costly, do a few minor repairs which are cheaper.

DIY Windshield Repairs Are Just as Good as A Professional Repairs

Many vehicle owners want to save as much as possible on windshield repairs so they tend to opt-in for do-it-yourself repair kits which cost way less than a professional repair. However, these DIY repair kits have one major problem – they are low in quality compared to the materials used by professionals.

Furthermore, auto glass repairs do require experience and training, in order to do it properly. Now, even though these DIY kits do contain some basic instructions (and you can find manuals online) they won’t be as good as a repair performed by a professional. In the end, you could do more damage and you will have to turn to a professional. And that repair might be costlier than the first one if it were done by a professional.

Windshield Repair Will Increase Your Insurance Premium

Vehicle owners often think that windshield repairs or replacement will result in much higher insurance premiums and costs. But that’s not always the case. The potential increase of insurance premium depends not only on the number of insurance claims you file but also on your insurance provider’s policy. The best thing that you can do is to clarify with your insurance company.

Auto Glass Services Are Expensive

This is yet another false myth. Even though paying for an auto glass repair/replacement out-of-pocket might not seem cheap, it’s definitely not as expensive as they make it out to be. Some auto glass repair shops offer you discounts for cash payments too.

Now the cost of auto glass repairs depends on the shop and the severity of the glass damage, in the majority of cases you won’t pay more than $100.

Hopefully, this information will make things clearer and you will turn to professional auto glass repair shops for both advice and service. If you have minor chips/cracks on your windshield, stop by at Auto Glass Express or contact us today and schedule an appointment.

The post Windshield Replacement and Repair – Myths Debunked appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

Here are some tips from our experts at Auto Glass Express on how you can protect your auto glass and windshield this winter.

First Defrost, Then Use the Ice Scraper

If you’re in a hurry, the quickest way to remove the buildup ice from your windshield and auto glass is by using an ice scraper. However, if the buildup is too big, using just the ice scraper might not be the best idea.

Ice scrapers are generally recommended if the ice isn’t too thick and you don’t need to use considerable force to remove it. If you do apply too much pressure, the ice scraper might actually damage the windshield and auto glass and you’ll need to repair it. So before you start scraping, make sure that you turn on the defrost function of your heating. This will significantly weaken the ice and you will be able to remove it easily.

Defrosting Auto Glass Is Good, but Do It Gradually

We covered this numerous times. Extreme temperature changes (hot to cold and vice versa) can cause your windshield to expand/contract rapidly. This rapid expansion/contraction can result in damage.

The outer layer (where the ice is for example) will remain cold and contracted, while the inner layer (which is blasted by warm air from the heating) will expand. These temperature differences can cause problems. Maybe not always and for everyone, but are you going to risk it?

If you’re keen on using the defrost function on your vehicle, make sure that you do it gradually. Start with a lower temperature and work your way up. This could take about 15-20 minutes if you do it properly.

Responsible Driving

Some drivers will take the time to thoroughly and properly clean their windshield so they could have a good view out on the road. But not all drivers are as responsible. Others might just remove enough of the ice so they can see the road and that is it. They don’t remove the snow that has piled up on top of their cars before they head out.

This type of habit can be pretty dangerous for other drivers. The snow on top of your car can quickly become airborne when you speed up and someone is tailgating you, that airborne snow can blindside them. This is a recipe for potential car accident.

Now, it’s highly unlikely that airborne snow will damage your windshield. However, chunks of ice that slide off another car will for sure damage your windshield if they collide with it. This damage might be repaired or it can be so extensive that you will have to do a replacement.

In order to avoid either of these scenarios, we highly recommend that you keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Abide by the 3-second rule at least, although we highly recommend that you extend that to 5 seconds. And of course, make sure that you thoroughly clean your vehicle (windshield and the excess snow) so that you don’t cause any damage to other vehicles.

Hopefully, these tips will help you maintain your windshield and auto glass in good shape and keep you safe on the road during this winter. If you need auto glass repair or replacement, contact our experts at Auto Glass Express and schedule an appointment or you can request a quote on our site.

The post How to Keep Your Auto Glass Damage-Free During Winter? appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

When your vehicle’s window is shattered, there are a lot of things that can get into your car like pests, water, and debris. All these things can cause extensive damage to your car’s interior. So until you get a chance to go to the auto glass repair shop, you need to protect the interior of your car. Here are some useful tips.

Clean Up The Broken Glass

The first and most important thing you need to do is to clean out all the glass and glass shards of the shattered window from your car. There will definitely be remains in the door too so make sure that you clean it up as much as possible. Don’t try to clean it with your bare hand. Shattered glass fragments can hurt you if you’re not careful so make sure that you wear thick protective gloves.

You won’t be able to remove all glass shards by hand, as some of them can be quite small. So for the rest, make sure that you use a high-powered vacuum to suck the smallest fragments up. And remember, even though you might not actually see them, the small fragments can be there in your car seat or on the floor. Vacuum the entire area just to be sure.

Window Frame and Seal Cleaning

No matter how powerful your vacuum cleaner is, you still might not be able to get all the pieces of auto glass around the window frame. So what you need to do is take a damp, soft cloth, wipe the area thoroughly and carefully clean it.

This way you will not only clean out any remaining pieces of glass, but you will also clean away the dust and debris that will otherwise prevent you from sealing the window in the next step. Now once the window seal and frame are clean, it’s time to seal it in order to prevent debris and water from entering your vehicle.

Covering and Sealing the Window

After you’ve thoroughly cleaned the window frame and seal the car interior, it’s time to seal the window. For this, you have a few options. You can either use a plastic cover with tape or just simply use tape.

Using plastic cover and tape – If you’re using the approach, you can use a clear drop cloth or a plastic bag. Stretch the plastic cover across the window and use smaller pieces of tape to secure it in place. Once you’re happy with how it looks, you can use longer strips of tape in order to secure it to the window frame. You need to seal the opening completely in order to prevent moisture and debris from getting in. And to be extra protected, do the same thing on both sides of the window, inside and out.

Using tape – This can also be a viable option if you don’t have a plastic cover nearby. This type of sealing is achieved by using longer strips of tame on both sides (inside and out).

Both covering techniques are ONLY a temporary solution until you can take your car to our auto glass repair shop to have a new window replaced. For your safety, make sure that you have this replaced as soon as possible. And in case you can’t wait for the next appointment, you can always opt-in for mobile auto glass repair/replacement.

The post What to Do With a Broken Vehicle Window While Waiting for Auto Glass Repair? appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

Our experts at Auto Glass Express see many customers with this issue so we’d like to share with you our thought on what are the most common reasons why your side windows aren’t working properly or at all.

Glass Misalignment

In every door of your car, there is a window track that houses and guides the glass during the upward and downward movement. Sometimes, the glass can’t function properly because it is misaligned within the track.

If the misalignment is partial, the side window can’t open and close fully. In case of full misalignment, the glass can’t function at all.

These misalignments can happen for many reasons, but the most common one is that the car doors were slammed too hard and the impact force was great enough to ‘knock’ the glass out of its track.

Another possible reason why the side window won’t close properly is that there’s something wrong with the window motor, and it’s not pushing/pulling the glass all the way up/down.

Now there’s no sure way to know which one is the culprit so in order to know for sure, you need to have the side door inspected by a professional. Contact our auto glass experts today and schedule an appointment.

Ice and Snow Accumulation

Car owners that park their cars outside during winter, should be prepared to deal with frozen windows. During the night, when it snows and it’s cold, a substantial amount of ice and snow can accumulate around the side windows which can shut them.

When this happens, many car owners try to open it forcefully but we highly recommend that you don’t do this. Forcefully opening the side windows can cause serious damage to the motor and it can stop working altogether. Instead, start your car, turn on the heating to moderate, and allow some time for the snow/ice to melt. This should fix the problem.

Damaged Weather Stripping

Every car’s side window has weather stripping which prevents air, moisture, dirt, and debris to get into your car. However, time and harsh weather can damage the weather stripping and your side windows won’t be able to close properly.

If your windows can’t close properly due to damaged weather stripping, moisture can get inside your car and if it’s cold outside, it can freeze and further damage the side window mechanism.

Signs of weather stripping deterioration are pretty easy to spot. The stripping will look dry, brittle and there will be seal deterioration. If you notice any of these, contact an auto glass repair shop to have it inspected and replaced.

Side windows can stop working (properly or altogether) for various reasons. Avoid doing any repairs yourself and contact Auto Glass Express today and have it inspected and repaired.

The post 3 Common Reasons Why Your Side Windows Aren’t Working appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

If you’ve lived in a part of the US where winter can get quite cold, you’re no stranger to ice on your windshield, especially if you’re in a hurry. In situations like this, you almost always can’t find the ice scraper when you need it. So you need to look for an alternative.

Experts at Auto Glass Express will share some useful tips on ice scraper alternatives in case you need to clean the ice from your windshield in a hurry.

Warming Up Your Vehicle

The safest (like 100% safe) method in removing ice from your windshield is to simply let your car warm up and defrost the windshield. This way doesn’t even require an ice-scraper.

Yes, this isn’t the quickest way to remove the ice, but if you start your car a few minutes before you have to leave, by the time you’re out the door, the windshield will be free of ice.

Even though this is the safest method of defrosting your vehicle windows, you should exercise caution. Instead of turning the defrost all the way up to maximum, try turning it on to low and medium. The sudden change in temperature (cold outside, warm inside) might damage your windshield. It’s best to take it slow. In 15-20 minutes, the ice on your windshield will melt and you can just use the wipers to remove excess condensation.

Use a Mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and Water

If you’re really in a hurry and you don’t have time to wait for the defroster to do its job, you can always use rubbing alcohol as an alternative. Yes, it’s true that alcohol is good for dissolving ice from your windshield. However, keep in mind that rubbing alcohol can still freeze below 5 degrees F so if it’s particularly cold that day, save this method for another time. Here’s the recipe for this solution:

• Take a spray bottle and fill 2/3 with rubbing alcohol and 1/3 with room temperature water
• Remove buildup snow from the windshield
• Spray the solution directly on the ice
• Wait a few minutes until the alcohol dissolves the ice
• Use your wipers to remove the remains of the ice from the windshield

Mixture of Salt and Water

Counties around the US that deal with the snowy and icy roads, spread salt to melt the ice. You can try this on your windshield as well. Of course, you SHOULDN’T sprinkle salt on it directly, but rather mix it with water and spray it on the auto glass. Word of caution. Using too much salt can also damage the windshield so we recommend using the following mixture:

• Take a spray bottle
• Mix one tablespoon of salt with two cups of room temperature water
• Spray the solution directly on the ice
• Wait a few minutes before the salty water mixture dissolves the ice
• Clean with your windshield wipers

Mixture of Vinegar and Water

A mixture of vinegary and water doesn’t dissolve existing ice. But you can use it as a preventative against ice. Since vinegary is highly acidic, it will prevent ice crystals from forming, thus keeping your windshield ice-free. The idea mixture should include:

• Take three parts of apple cider vinegar
• One part of water
• Mix it together in a spray bottle
• Spray the mixture onto your windshield before you head inside and leave your car in the driveway or a parking lot.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your windshield already has existing cracks or chips, we highly recommend that you avoid using this method. The acids in the vinegar can further damage the already existing cracks, making it much worse.

The post Ice Scraper Alternatives for Your Windshield appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

Those of us who part our car outside during winter, are well familiar with the tedious work of scraping ice and snow from our windshields. However, not many know that scraping ice with an improper scraper can actually damage the windshield, even though they are not designed to damage it.

Our priority at Auto Glass Express is not only to provide excellent service in auto glass repairs/replacements but also to make sure that you take good care of your windshield and auto glass. Here are some additional tips that will minimize the ice scraper damage on your windshield.

Use Plastic Tools to Remove Ice and Snow

Many vehicle owners think that it’s a smart choice to use a metal tool to remove thick layers of snow and ice. Not true! Even though metal is sturdier than plastic and it might get the job done faster, it can also damage your windshield.

Whenever you need to remove ice or snow from your windshield, make sure that you ONLY use plastic tools. Plastic ice scrapers are designed specifically for this purpose (to remove ice and snow) and they are not going to damage your windshield.

Metal tools or any type of hard object is just not built for this purpose and when you use it, you are risking causing deep etches in the auto glass. These etch can sometimes be deep enough that you will need an auto glass repair specialist to fix them.

You can’t scrape off every bit of ice as soon as you start the car. Plastic ice scrapers aren’t so strong, so you will need to allow the car 10-15 minutes to defrost. Then you will be able to remove the ice without too much trouble.

Pressure While Scraping

The windshield on every car has really small rock chips and hairline cracks, that is not visible to the naked eye. Under pressure, these cracks/chips can grow bigger quite easily, and this is why it’s important that you don’t apply too much pressure when scraping your windshield.

During ice scraping, make sure that you only use moderate force. In case you can’t remove all the ice, run your vehicle’s defrost for a few minutes. That will thaw some of the “stubborn” ice and you’ll be able to remove it more easily.

Don’t Tap the Surface

People that are in a hurry to remove a thick layer of ice from their windshield, tend to use shortcuts to loosen the ice and break it off. But this is, generally speaking, NOT a good idea.

One of the ways people try to break office from a windshield is that they pound the ice with the scrapper, trying to break it. Striking thick layers of ice is never a good idea. Even if you want to use a plastic tool.

We covered this many times, but auto glass contracts and expands depending on the outside temperature. During cold winter days, the windshield will contract and become more vulnerable. Pounding it repeatedly and forcefully with an ice scraper seriously damage the windshield.

Try removing the ice gently, give a few minutes for your car to defrost and it will be much easier. Being a bit late somewhere is a better option than damaging your windshield and needing a repair or a replacement.

The post Windshield Damage Caused by Ice Scrapers appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

Many drivers consider winter to be the worst season for a windshield replacement. They even think that replacing a damaged or cracked windshield is impossible. Let’s see if that assumption holds any merit?

The good news is that it’s absolutely possible to have a windshield replaced during winter and of course all other seasons as well. However, truth be told, the cold temperatures during winter can cause problems with new auto glass. Our experienced technicians at Auto Glass Express are here to provide a bit more details on how winter cold can impact your windshield replacement.

Mobile Installation and Windshield Replacement

As mentioned before, getting a windshield replacement during winters is possible, but you need to know that the installation process is slightly different than during other seasons. Winter windshield replacements usually require a different type of adhesive, which generally cures faster and can sustain cold temperatures.

Most adhesives used for replacements are meant to be used during warmer weather, instead of having a mobile replacement, you will need to do an in-shop replacement. Winter doesn’t necessarily mean that you absolutely HAVE to do an in-shop replacement, but there’s a high possibility that you will have to.

Cure Time During Cold Temperatures

In cold temperatures, the windshield resin will generally take more time to cure properly. But during in-shop replacement, this curing time can be reduced significantly because the installation temperature will be warmer and the adhesive will cure faster. When it comes to mobile windshield replacements, curing can take much longer because:

• When curing the resin, technicians use a special UV lamp. During mobile replacement, the power supply to the lamp might be diminished or limited
• If the UV lamp is cold, it won’t produce enough UV radiation to make the resin cure faster
• The resin itself won’t cure as fast on cold temperatures as it does on warm weather

The additional time required for a mobile replacement isn’t that long, but if you’re short on time, make sure to visit our Auto Glass Express shop in order to avoid any delays or complications.

Winter Moisture and Windshield Replacement

Moisture in general, whether it winter or spring/autumn can create certain problems during windshield replacement, especially if you’re doing a mobile windshield replacement. The surface needs to be completely dry in order for the adhesive resin to cure properly. But if you’re opting in for an in-shop replacement, you don’t need to worry about it.

Winter is well-known for unpredictable precipitation and humidity, so mobile windshield replacement is challenging. Moisture can become trapped between the new windshield and frame, then it can freeze and expand due to cold temperature and loosen the windshield over time.

In order to avoid this problem, you should replace the windshield in-shop and look to work with an experienced auto glass technician, who is certified by the Auto Glass Safety Council and knows how to perform these replacements. So contact Auto Glass Express today and let experienced auto glass technicians take care of your replacement.

The post Effects of Cold Weather on Windshield Replacement appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

With many years of auto glass experience under our belts, we know a few things about how to maintain a safe driving experience. We’ve seen many drivers that put off their windshield repair as long as possible. They even go so far as wait with the repairs when the crack, which was once small, turns into a bigger problem and they have to opt-in for a replacement instead of a repair. We will like to stress out 3 very important reasons why you shouldn’t wait to have a windshield repaired.

Chips Easily Become Cracks

The windshield on your car is designed and built so that it could sustain many things and not get damaged. However, sometimes a small chip from a pebble or rock can easily turn into a large crack, spreading edge-to-edge. When this happens, your windshield is seriously compromised and your vehicle will become less safe, putting both you and passengers at great risk.

We strongly recommend that you fix windshield chips as soon as no spot them. By doing this, you are not only preventing them to become a bigger problem, but you’re also ensuring the safety of you and your passengers and you are also thinking about your budget. Smaller chips are cheaper to fix than large cracks.

Damaged Windshield Is a Safety Hazard

No matter how big or small the damage on your windshield is, you can generally consider it as a safety hazard. On one hand, small cracks and chips can obscure your view of the road, which means that you can get into an accident more likely. On the other hand, if your windshield is damaged and you get into a car accident, it is more likely that the auto glass will shatter, causing you serious injuries. Your car’s windshield has two main roles. The first one is to protect you and your passengers and the second is to ensure the structural integrity of the entire vehicle.

It’s Illegal Not to Repair Your Windshield

A compromised windshield can often lead to traffic violations and accidents. Many states have special laws which say that it’s illegal to have cracks or chips in the center of your windshield OR to drive your vehicle if there’s significant damage to your auto glass.

Drivers that keep driving like this, could end up with citations or fines which could be avoided if they fixed their windshield.

We understand that not everybody has the time to come down to our auto glass repair shop for a repair. That’s why we also offer mobile auto glass repair services and we will come to you.

The post Get Your Windshield Fixed as Soon as Possible appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

In order to ensure maximum performance for your car, proper maintenance is a must. Some maintenance has to be done by a dealer or an auto glass repair shop, but in some instances, if you want to minimize the work a technician has to do, you can perform the maintenance tasks yourself.

Once winter starts approaching, you need to make sure that you take extra care of your car so that it performs well in harsher road conditions. In order to help you, we are giving you a list of tips that will help you minimize the maintenance costs and get your car ready for the winter.

Make Sure That You Check Your Fluids

As winter approaches and the weather is starting to get colder, the fluids in your car become more viscous, and they cannot perform as well as they do during the summer. As the weather changes, you also need to make sure that you have the right type of windshield washer fluid, motor oil, and antifreeze in your car.

Check Your Brakes

When winter comes and the roads start to get snowy or icy, you need to make sure that you will be able to stop your car safely in a moment’s notice. The stopping mechanism of your car included two main things: your brakes and tires.

Brake pads are the ones doing all the heaving lifting when it comes to baking. When you check them, make sure that there are uneven or unusual signs of wear and tear on the tires. As an additional test, you can take your car out to an open area with no traffic where you can perform a few tests to see how well are your bakes reacting and how quickly are they to stop your car. If stopping your car requires too much effort and you have to press the brake pedal too hard, then something isn’t right. Usually, the brakes should respond almost immediately after you gently press the pedal.

When it comes to tires, this is a really simple task. You don’t need any special measuring instrument in order to determine if your tires are in good health. You can apply the so-called “quarter method”. When you put a quarter into the thread, you can determine the amount you have left. If the tread doesn’t reach George Washington’s hairline, you need to think about replacing your tires.

Visibility

Various systems in your car are there to help your visibility but they can also hinder it. Your car’s windshield for example is one of them, but that is a bit too difficult to maintain without a help of a professional. There are also your headlights and wipers.

Windshield wipers have a very important role in cleaning your windshield when it’s rainy or snowy while you’re on the road. The rubber blades on the end of your wipers should be fairly flexible so that they adhere to the windshield surface perfectly and clean the glass completely in one motion. However, in time, due to wear and tear, the blades can get brittle and rigid and they won’t clean as well as before. Furthermore, they can even damage your auto glass.

Just like wipers wear off in time, so can headlight. Over time, headlights can get cloudy and provide less visibility which isn’t good when you’re driving at night or in a storm. Luckily, there are headlight cleaning kits that you can buy and use, which are good in restoring the most clouded headlights.

Hopefully, these tips will help you prepare for the upcoming winter. In case you see that there are damages on your windshield or auto glass, make sure to contact Auto Glass Express and have them fixed as soon as possible.

The post Auto Maintenance Tips for The Fall appeared first on Auto Glass Express.

You may not know, but auto glass or windshield damage generates more insurance claims than any other car part. This is why you should choose auto insurance that covers auto glass damages. And if you already have an insurance policy like that…good for you!

However, in case your auto glass or windshield gets damaged, filing a claim with your insurance might not be the best option, and here’s why.

Claims Might Affect Your Insurance Rates

Every time you file an auto insurance claim, your insurance provider has the option of increasing your rates. Yes, this can also happen even if you submit a claim for auto glass repairs or replacement.

Even though, it’s highly unlikely that one claim will mean higher rates. But as the number of claims grows, so will your insurance rate. Think of it this way. You are becoming a liability to the insurance provider so he might want to take necessary precautions.

If this is your first claim, and you’re the one at fault for your damaged auto glass/windshield, it is pretty likely that even one single claim will raise your insurance rate. This is, as we mentioned before because you present a higher level of liability and risk to the insurance company.

Discuss the Options with Your Insurance Provider

Not all insurance providers will increase your insurance rate because of a filed insurance claim and some might not be so open and forward about it. In case you’re not 100% sure, we highly recommend that you contact your insurance agent and ask them directly, whether or not, will insurance claims have a negative impact on your insurance rates.

With some insurance companies, the claims won’t affect your rates right away, but in the future. These are all important questions you need to have answered so that you don’t run into any surprises when you want to renew your policy. You’ll know exactly what to expect.

When Should You Apply for An Auto Glass Insurance Claim?

Filing an auto glass insurance claim sometimes might be a smart move, and sometimes it might not. Naturally, the final decision whether you want to file a claim or not is yours to make. If you decide not to file a claim, then you will have to pay for the repairs or replacement from your pocket, but even then, that might be a better option. You will pay a bit more once, instead of risking paying higher insurance rates monthly.

The same goes if the damage isn’t significant enough and the repairs won’t cost as much in order to meet your deductible. In that case, you don’t even need to think about filing a claim since the insurance provider won’t pay for it.

In line with the stipulations on your policy, you can file an insurance claim for the following scenarios:

Small chips and cracks – If the damage isn’t significant enough e.g. smaller than a one-dollar bill, your insurance company might waiver your deductible and cover the expenses for you if you decided to go for a repair rather than a complete replacement.

Another one’s fault – If your auto glass or windshield sustained damage that is a fault of someone else’s reckless driving, his/her insurance should cover your damages too. In this case, you won’t need to file a claim with your insurance provider. However, make sure that you get the other driver’s insurance information.

Accident forgiveness – Some insurance providers offer accident forgiveness as part of their policy. IF you’ve selected this as part of your insurance policy, there’s a chance that your insurance rate won’t increase even if you file a claim and when you’re at fault It is best to consult with your insurance provider to know exactly what are the terms.

The post Does Auto Glass Claim Affect Your Insurance? appeared first on Auto Glass Express.