When it comes to repairing damaged windscreens in the UK, skilled auto glaziers offer services that restore visibility and enhance the structural integrity of your windscreen, making it appear as good as new. Let’s delve into the world of windscreen repairs and explore the process in more detail:
Understanding Windscreen Damage:
Windscreens can suffer various types of damage, some less severe but equally important to repair. It’s crucial to address even minor cracks or stone chips, as they tend to expand over time and due to vibrations, potentially rendering your vehicle unsafe to operate. Commonly used terms for categorizing windscreen damage include:
- Cracks: These can be simple cracks, intersecting lines, or complex cracks extending to the windscreen’s edges.
- Stone Chips: Occur when small stones or pebbles impact the windscreen, leaving behind circular damage.
- Bullseyes: A specific type of stone chip that creates a small “eye” at the center, often with a section of glass knocked out.
- Star Crack: A combination of a stone chip with radiating cracks.
- Half-Moon: Similar to a stone chip but in a half-circular form.
- Combination Cracks: These come in various forms, such as floater cracks, cloverleaf cracks, bee wing cracks, and more.
Determining Repair Suitability:
Not all windscreens can be repaired. Severely damaged windscreens necessitate replacement, which tends to be costlier. It is advisable to address windscreen issues early to avoid more extensive damage. Windscreens that cannot be repaired include those with:
- Damage protruding inside the windscreen.
- Damage to internal car sensors (for ADAS windscreen systems).
- Complex, spiderweb-like cracks.
- Long cracks and intersecting cracks.
- Cracks extending to the windscreen’s edges.
DIY Windscreen Repairs:
While it’s possible to undertake DIY windscreen repairs using repair kits available for as little as £10, there are risks involved. DIY kits may save money but lack the professional tools and techniques employed by auto glaziers. An inadequately executed DIY job can lead to a worsened windscreen condition. It’s generally recommended to entrust this task to a professional.
Windscreen Impairment and MOT:
Maintaining a clear, unimpaired windscreen is essential to pass your yearly MOT test. Driving with a damaged windscreen, depending on the location, size, and severity of the damage, might be illegal, leading to citations and three penalty points on your driving license. The MOT considers any damage exceeding 10mm within the driver’s immediate field of vision to be an automatic FAIL. Additionally, damage exceeding 40mm in specific areas or significant scratches affecting the driver’s vision leads to an automatic fail.
Professional Windscreen Repair Process:
Professionally conducted windscreen repairs typically take about half an hour, depending on the damage’s extent and severity. The general process followed by automotive glaziers includes the following steps:
- Cleaning: Removal of small glass pieces and debris from the damaged area using a fine razor scraper.
- Creating a Vacuum: The use of specialised tools with suction cups to establish an airtight vacuum over the damaged area.
- Applying Resin: Injection of clear resin into the damaged area, often requiring multiple applications.
- Curing: Accelerating the curing process using handheld UV lights to achieve peak structural stability.
- Finishing Touches: Application of a resin coating, curing, and polishing to create a seamless surface.
- Repeat this process as necessary for multiple stone chips or small cracks until your windscreen appears as good as new.
Connect with Professional Auto Glaziers:
Calling an auto glazier may not be a call you want to make, but it’s one you have to make if you’ve faced a shattered windscreen or need to address a significant stone chip. Services like Automotive Glass simplify the process by helping you find reputable, affordable, and independent auto glaziers across the UK.
