Any of these stone chips can be repaired. Beyond looking for these types of common chips, it is important to take into consideration the size of the damage. If the damage cannot be covered by a half dollar, the chip is too large to be repaired. Another important piece of information to consider is the acute area. The acute area is the area of the automobile windshield chip repair directly in the drivers line of vision. It is the same size as a piece of paper being held horizontally in front of the driver. In this area, the National Glass Association does not recommend a repair being done unless it is no greater than .95 of an inch. An easier way to imagine this is that a quarter should be able to cover the entire area of damage in the acute area.
To ensure that you get the best auto glass replacement you simply need to let your fingers do the walking. Okay, so you aren't going to use the phone book but you can hop on the internet. You need to find a reputable company that comes with good customer reviews, a quality guarantee and, of course, someone that will help you deal with your insurance company, and having one that can give you a free estimate over the phone or online is an added bonus.
Of course, windshield repair is not something that we have to worry about on a regular basis. This is why you probably do not know where to begin finding an auto glass professional. Consider asking some friends or family if they have any one that they could recommend. A mechanic is another good source to find a good quality auto glass company who is going to treat you fair. The good thing about asking a mechanic is that they work with auto glass companies quite often. They know which ones their customers are satisfied with and which ones charge too much money.
Do-it-yourself repairs are the cheapest option but if not done correctly, it may cost you more. If you plan to do it yourself, it is important to choose the best kits. Research or seek the advice of experts so you would not be sorry. There are two types of windshield repair kits. The first is the less expensive syringe-type. The kit includes a syringe and the resin, intended for one-time use only. It contains just enough resin to repair one chip. The second type is the more expensive bridge system that includes the resin's and a plastic bridge. This type can be used several times because it is refillable.
A surface pit is a nick in the glass associated with normal wear and tear that does not penetrate to the plastic inner layer. This can be repaired if the damaged area has a diameter of not less than 1/8 inch.
To further strengthen the windshield, the auto glass is subjected to a tempering phase. The sheet is heated to a temperature of 1565 degrees Fahrenheit or 850 degrees Celsius. It is then subjected to blasts of cold air. A piece of PVB plastic is sandwiched between two pieces of auto glass. The sandwich is heated inside an autoclave. This bonds the components together tightly and removes any trapped air.