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A vehicle’s windshield plays an important role in the safety and structural integrity of a car. It not only acts as a shield against the elements and the debris that fly towards the car while a person’s driving, but also provides added protection for the driver and the passenger in the front seat in case of a collision. The following lines are going to give you some information on when is the right time to get a windshield repair and replacement San Antonio, Texas.

Glass Inspection and Cleaning

To keep a car’s windshield clean you should always use microfiber or soft cotton towels along with non-ammonia cleaners to remove mud and stains from the glass without causing any streaks. Avoiding an ammonia-based glass cleaner is especially a good idea when a window has been tinted since the ammonia in the liquid cleaner can damage the extremely thin tint film on the auto glass. Since an auto glass can severely hinder the visibility of the driver, which could lead to accidents, it is crucial for a car owner to check the windshield both inside and outside for any minor chips or cracks. Even minor star shaped rock chips or small cracks, while they might not look serious, can spread fast, if left unfixed, leading to a further decline in visibility for the driver. If a windshield needs repair but is being left unattended to, it can form small pits. With time these micro pits build up after being exposed to airborne particles that hit the windshield whenever your drive the car. These pits in turn, reduce the visibility of the driver when illuminated by the headlights of oncoming cars or when facing towards the sun.

Why DIY Isn’t an Option

While small cracks and chips can easily be fixed on a windshield without having to go to the windshield repair shop, the truth is, the DIY options cause more harm than good for the driver in the long run. That’s because people don’t have the right tools, nor the experience that’s necessary for carrying out a windshield repair. On the other hand, once you spot a small chip or crack on your car’s windshield it is best to contact your nearest auto glass repair shop so that your windshield can get repaired by experienced professionals who know what they’re doing.

Repair or Replace?

This is a common question that many people find asking themselves once they have found a chip or a crack on their windshield. Normally, any chips or cracks on a vehicle’s windshield can easily be repaired by an auto glass repair shop, but the results vary depending on the severity of the damage to the windshield. That being said, a qualified auto glass repair technician can repair a cracked or chipped windshield without leaving behind any dark blemishes that could obstruct the vision of the driver. Before the technician will begin, they will first assess the situation of the windshield and give the car owner a quote along with answering any questions on the expectations after the auto glass repair.

Location

Even good repairs may leave behind some dis-coloration, blemishes or unevenness, especially when a vehicle owner opts for a mobile service. This is why it is best to always make sure that your vehicle is parked somewhere where there is shade and not directly under the sun. If you live in a location where it rains or snows frequently, make sure you park the car somewhere where the elements cannot get to it. This will not only save the auto glass repair technician’s job from any hindrance, but will also make sure that the procedure is carried out smoothly. Those who opt for the efficient mobile service, when it comes to windshield repair or replacement in San Antonio, Texas should not drive their car at least for an hour after the auto glass has been repaired to give the bonding agent enough time to dry.

The Cost

The amount of work required for an auto glass repair will mainly depend on the damage to the glass. While small chips and cracks will not require a replacement, larger damage to the windshield could leave no other option but a windshield replacement. As a rule of thumb, deciding on whether or not a windshield is in need of a repair or replacement can be done by using a neat trick: take a dollar bill and place it on top of the crack or chip on the windshield. If the damage is spilling out the sides of the dollar bill, the windshield will need to be replaced, since that is a pretty significant amount of damage that will hinder the visibility of the driver while maneuvering their vehicle. On the other hand, if the chip or crack’s damage remains within the dollar bill, it is possible to get the auto glass repaired with minimum amount of discoloration or unevenness on the glass. A simple repair of a windshield should cost less than $100, while replacing the windshield will obviously cost a lot more. That being said, both the repair and replacement costs will depend on the amount of damage done to the glass, and the type of windshield you choose for the replacement.

The Options

Windshield repair services usually offer two options to their customers in case of windshield replacement. The first option is to replace the vehicle’s windshield with an auto glass that’s not from the original manufacturer, but comes pretty close to the real deal, without skimping on the quality and durability of the glass. This option is a lot cheaper than the next option, but the good news is, it offers just as much durability and safety as the windshield from the original manufacturer of the car. The second option is to get an auto glass directly from the manufacturer of the car. This of course, costs mush more than the previous option. The bottom line is when going for a windshield repair and replacement San Antonio, Texas, the best thing you can do is to hire a service that have technicians who are experts in their craft, such as Auto Glass in San Antonio for a full-service experience.