Chipped or cracked auto glass can happen at any time. Anything from a rock kicked up by a passing semi truck to an apple falling from an overhanging tree branch could result in windshield damage to your car. Fortunately, if you've got comprehensive insurance coverage, the fix should be both free and quick. Unfortunately, if you make any of the following all-too-common auto glass repair mistakes, things could become a bit more complicated (and expensive) for you.
Using a DIY Repair Kit
If you don't have insurance coverage, you might think it'd be a good idea to attempt the repair yourself. After all, your local auto supply store sells auto glass repair kits for a fraction of the cost of what you'd pay to have the work professionally done. Plus, there are a lot of online videos on how to use a DIY auto glass repair kit that make it look easy.
Save yourself the frustration, time, and money by avoiding DIY repair kits. The quality of the bonding resin included in these kits doesn't even come close to that used by a professional, and completing the repair is a lot harder than it looks. You're more likely to end up with a botched repair job that will cost you even more money to have done right in the long run.
Continuing to Drive Your Car
No matter how small the chip or crack on your windshield may be, you need to have it repaired as soon as possible. In the meantime, refrain from driving your vehicle whenever you can. If you absolutely have to drive it before having the glass repaired, at least put a piece of clear tape over the crack so as to minimize the chances of it spreading. Oh, and avoid washing your car, getting it wet, or leaving it exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations (in other words, park it in a garage or carport if at all possible).
Trusting a General Repair Shop
Finally, don't think you can trust just any general auto repair shop to fix your glass. You're much better off taking your car to be repaired by a company that specializes in auto glass. This way, you can ensure the job gets done right and the repair lasts for a long time to come. Furthermore, many auto glass repair shops will even work with your insurance company to get everything taken care of, which saves you the time and hassle of filling out paperwork and handling it yourself.
Share13 April 2015
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