Tag Archives: car glass repair

Car Glass San Diego

Maintaining your car glass San Diego is something you should do regularly. This way, you can ensure your car is in tiptop shape, runs smoothly, and is safe. Therefore, for a flawless car, you should follow these five vital car care tips:

Cleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

You can prevent sun glares
You can prevent scratches
And you can have a clearer driving visibility

Thus, it is a wise idea to wash your windshield inside and out as often as you can. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have an immaculate, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care tip.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Frequently filling up on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less sun glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. Additionally, this car care tip is great for preserving your car’s value.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under the Heat

A lot of drivers do not know that washing their cars under the heat can leave behind watermarks and stains. Not only is this an unappealing sight, but it is also terrible for your car’s health. Stains can create glares on your windshield as well as leave behind scratches. Similarly, stains can cause your car paint to dull in color. Thus, it is best to wash your car when the sun is not sharp.

Swap Sponges with Microfiber Cloths When Washing Your Car

A lot of drivers wash their cars with a sponge and dry them with a towel. It should be noted that that is a terrible thing to do. Sponges and towels can scratch the paint and glass over there. As a result, it is not a good idea to use them. Instead, swap them with microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This last car care tip is amazing! Clean your car’s headlights with a baking soda and vinegar mixture. This mixture eats away at the hazy dirt blocking the lights. In a few minutes, you will have shiny headlights as if you had just purchased your car.

Maintaining your car is crucial for its safety. With these five amazing car care tips, you will keep your car in tiptop shape and have total comfort.

Repair or Replace Your Windshield

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If you are wondering whether it’s better to repair or replace car glass, you should consider some factors, such as visibility, safety, and size of damage.

The windshield can be repaired if only the outer layer is damaged or the crack is not close to the outer margin of the glass. You can also have it repaired if the crack is shorter than 12 inches or the chip is smaller than one inch.

Replacement is necessary when it impairs the driver’s visibility or the inner layer of glass has also been broken. Windshield replacement is also recommended when the damage is near the edge of the windshield or longer than 14 inches. Chips or bullseye damage larger than 3 inches requires replacement.

To reiterate the considerations, keep reading.

Safety

Safety should be #1 when considering driving with a damaged windshield. Remember that a broken windshield cannot provide protection to driver and passengers, like the roof collapsing.

Visibility

Can the driver see clearly with the damage? In some states, it is illegal to drive if the crack is in the driver’s line of vision.

Dimensions

It is generally accepted that chips or bullseyes up to one inch can be repaired as well as cracks as long as 12 inches.

Depth

Windshields are made of two layers of glass. If the damage penetrates through the inner layer of glass, it can’t be repaired – replacement is necessary. Also, even if the exterior layer is intact, the windshield should be replaced if the interior layer is damaged.

Position

Cracks close to the edge or corner of the glass can worsen and spread quickly, especially if the car goes over bumps or pot holes.

Advantages

While replacing a windshield will take longer and may be more expensive, it is a sure way to insure safety with the highest level of visibility.

Windshield Glares

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Windshield glares are one of the most annoying driving problems to have. They block our sight, blind us while driving, and cause us to nearly get into car accidents. Glares are a driver’s worst enemy. And since they can get us into car accidents, they can destroy our windshields. A good way to prevent an accident is to have a car glass repair. This can help eliminate those irritating glares. Obviously, you cannot get rid of the sun or streetlights, which are the culprits behind those glares. However, you can protect your windshield against those glares by doing a few things. Continue reading →

Car Care with Windshield Wipers

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Did you know that your windshield is very necessary for the structural integrity of your car? It’s true. Without the windshield, the roof of your car can easily collapse, since the glass is what holds it up. That’s why it’s essential to take care of your windshield by keeping it clean and sturdy, without any damages. Another way to protect your windshield from damage is by replacing the windshield wipers when they start getting old and worn out. This car care San Diego tip is a must to follow. Continue reading →

Why Do Windshields Fog Up?

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What can you do when your windshields fog up after starting to drive? Why does this happen and what can you do about it? There are a variety of reasons why your windshield would fog including humidity, heat, and condensation.

Humidity

Humidity causes a buildup in water that turns into water vapor. You breathe the humid air. This air comes out from inside your body or off of it. Windshield fogging tends to be more of a problem when there is more than one person in the car since there is more breathing.

Heat

Temperature is actually molecules moving. More moisture is held with warm air than cold. However, this isn’t a chemical reaction. The molecules aren’t holding on to water molecules. More water becomes gas when it’s warmer than it does a liquid. And, there’s more space between each molecule with warm air therefore, the water molecules can fit into this space.

Condensation

Moist, warm air condensing when it hits your car’s colder windshield causes condensation. This usually happens in the early morning. This is also why on humid, warm days when you have your car air conditioner running you’ll see condensation form at the windshield’s base where it meets the cool air.

When there’s 100 percent relative humidity, if the temperature decreases more, the water needs to find its way out someplace. On a morning that’s cool outside when there’s fog or dew on the ground, that’s because the moist, warm air contacts the cold ground.

How to Clear Away the Fog on your Windshield

You can clear fog in many ways. And although there’s no special way of doing it that works best each time, the two that are more likely to work better are as follows.

Put your defroster on a high setting.
Set the temperature to hot.
Turn off the recirculation setting.
Turn on the air conditioner.
Crack your windows.

Dry the Air Out

Your best option is to run your air conditioner, depending on your comfort level. This method works well when the outside temperatures are above freezing and damp, wet humans getting into the car causes the fog. While cold is best when running your A/C, you can still run the air at a warmer temperature and get rid of the fog.

Evaporate the Water Vapor

For an easy and fast fix, turn the heat on and run it through your defrosters. This causes the condensation to evaporate kind of like the moisture on your clothes evaporating when you turn the clothes dryer on. This method works better when there are colder temperatures and you are catching the fog buildup early.

When your windshield is extremely foggy, you can use a small squeegee or dry cloth to clear up the fog quickly and then turn on the cold A/C. Slowly increase the air’s temperature if you find the A/C is too cold for you until you dry out the air inside your car.

Keep in mind that when you’re drying air that’s inside your vehicle, you need to pull in the outdoors air rather than simply circulating inside air. These days, most defrosters already do this.

Now, that you know what to do when your car windshield fogs, do you know what to do if your windshield has a chip or a crack? Call 7 Star Auto Glass today!

Cracked Windshield Risk

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There are several reasons for not replacing the windshields. Little do they realize the risk they’re putting themselves and their families in by not having cracked windshield repair el cajon.

Excuses vary. Some say their insurance has a deductible that they currently can’t afford. Some say the crack doesn’t obstruct their view, while others say they just don’t see the necessity if it’s not shattered. It’s hard not to roll my eyes at all these answers. The purpose of this article is to tell you why it’s so important to have a good windshield on your vehicle and to give you some tips for when you make this very important purchase.

The Purpose of Your Windshield

Believe it or not, front windshields serve a much bigger purpose than just allowing you to see outside of the car when you’re driving. They also protect you from the rain, snow and other elements of weather. More importantly, however, are the safety features provided by your car’s windshield such as the 3 bullet points below.

It Acts As A Shield For Air Bags – Cheap, low-quality glass is more likely to crack or pop out, which can cause incorrect deployment or improper inflation of your air bags.
It Prevents The Roof From Collapsing – Many people don’t realize that the windshield of the car provides from 30% to 60% of the car’s structural strength. In a roll-over crash, a cheap windshield can cause your roof to collapse, which can be life-threatening to you and your passengers.
It Helps Prevent Ejection of Passengers in a Crash – Your windshield can also keep you from being thrown from your vehicle in the case of a collision. With the exception of seat belts, the windshield provides the most safety from being thrown from your vehicle. These are some of the many reasons why OEM glass is required by car manufacturers.

Safety Comes First

Purchasing auto glass for any part of your vehicle is more than just opening the phone book and choosing the first provider with the cheapest price. Safety should always be the #1 concern when we’re driving. Here are four safety questions you should ask windshield replacement service providers before you choose which one to use.

How Qualified are the Technicians Replacing Your Windshield? While windshield replacement service providers, also referred to as auto glass technicians, are not required to be licensed, they should be highly trained, experienced and knowledgeable of the whole process. With so many makes and models of vehicles around today all having different types and shapes of auto glass, windshield installation and replacement can be complicated. Ask your auto glass technician to provide proof they are certified. Do some research before hiring someone to do the job. Are they reputable? Will they take care of insurance paperwork for you? Check credentials while comparing costs!
What Type of Glass & Adhesive Do They Use?If your auto glass technician states he can get you a windshield cheaper than average, you should definitely question what type of glass is being used. Is it OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass? OEM glass is safer, sturdier and less prone to cracking. If you’ve gone so far as to require OEM glass, you will want to ask if they are using OEM adhesives as well. Low-quality adhesives do not work as well in wet or cold climates and take much longer to dry or cure. This can be a real problem if the car is used too soon after installation. In other words, the windshield may leak with the slightest impact if you start driving around before the urethane has time to dry.
How Soon Can You Drive Your Car After Installation? With the busy lives we all lead today, we seldom have the time to sit at a garage waiting for a new windshield to be installed. Auto glass providers often come to our home or place of business and do the work while we do our work. This is extremely convenient, but can be dangerous if we’re unknowingly driving the car before it’s ready. The glass and urethane need time to properly cure to the car in order to prevent future problems. This is known as “safe drive away time” and is listed on each bottle of urethane. Question your windshield replacement service provider on this safety issue, as well as if there are any precautions that should be taken a couple days after installation.
What Type of Warranty Do They Provide? If you’re like many others who have waited almost forever to finally replace your windshield, you’re going to want to make sure it last and, if it doesn’t, that they’ll replace it free. If you’re offered anything less than at least a 1-year warranty, question the type of glass that’s being used. Some companies may offer a lifetime warranty. If this is offered, you can almost assume they’re using high-quality OEM glass.

Windshield – Replacement or Repair?

As much as you may want to put off spending money on your damaged windshield, it’s very possible you may only need a repair. A good rule of thumb is that if the crack is at least as long as a dollar bill, it should be replaced. Even if it’s shorter than a dollar bill, it should be replaced if it extends to the edge of the glass. If the chip or crack is smaller than a dollar bill and it’s not extended to the edge of the glass, it may be able to be safely repaired. Additionally, if the crack is in your line of vision, it needs to be replaced.

While all the glass on your car is important, the front windshield is most important in terms of having it fixed when it’s damaged. Something to consider, insurance companies often will pay to have a windshield repaired because it may prevent a larger expense if it shatters completely. Also, some insurance companies require a deductible be paid for replacements, while others may waive the deductible. Contacting your insurance company could save you money! That being said, the main concern here is safety and hiring a certified technician will ensure the job is done correctly whether you’re saving money through your insurance or not.

Windshield Damage Repair

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There are many ways to get a crack or chip in your windshield – If you are driving down the road and a rock slams into your windshield, if you get caught in a hail storm, or a branch hits your windshield during a windy day. Temperature changes can also cause a cracked windshield. Nonetheless, if you fail to have the crack repaired, the crack can grow. This can cause your windshield to go from needing a repair to a more costly replacement. However, you may be wondering how much time you have to get the repairs you need before more windshield damage sets in. Temperatures, vibrations and dirt can all affect the crack.

Temperatures Affect a Crack

Temperatures can cause a crack to get larger. When it is hot or cold outside, glass expands and/or contracts. This can cause a crack to grow in size or change direction. Driving your car in direct sunlight or letting it sit outside on an cold night can be all it takes to affect the crack. Repairing your windshield as soon as possible can prevent this issue.

Vibrations Can Cause it To Grow

Another thing that can cause a crack to grow is vibrations. When you drive your car, it vibrates. If you turn the radio up loud, your car vibrates. Your car can vibrate as you drive over a bumpy road, when you hit a pothole or when you go over speed tables. All of these things rattle your windshield around and can cause the crack to grow. And unfortunately, there is no way to avoid most of these issues while you are driving. This is why it is important to repair your windshield as quickly as you can.

Dirt and Dust Can Prevent Repairs From Working

The last thing you need to know about driving with a crack or chip in your windshield is that dirt and dust can enter the chip or crack. When this occurs, the resin that is injected into the chip or crack to fill it may not be able to bond to the glass as it should. Your repair may not take. The longer you wait to have your chip or crack repaired, the more dirt and dust can enter the area. Taking your windshield to be repaired in a timely manner is the best way to ensure dirt and dust don’t build up within your chip or crack.

When your windshield is damaged, it is important that the damage be repaired as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine just how much time you have until a crack or chip grows and spread. Repairing the damage quickly helps prevent further damage that may cause you to need to replace your windshield, rather than simply repair it. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.

Cracked Windshield Safety

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Spring is here and that means unpredictable weather and severe storms. Hail poses a particular danger for car owners as it can shatter windshields. Whether damaged by an accident, rock, hail or something else, a cracked windshield can make a car unsafe to drive.

Can a car be driven with a cracked windshield?

It’s generally not dangerous to drive with a small crack in the windshield, but damaged glass should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible for two important reasons:

Windshields weakened by damage provide less protection.
Cracked windshields decrease visibility.

Windshields are specially designed to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers even if extreme impact causes them to chip, crack or shatter. They have two layers of glass laminated together. If one layer of glass breaks, the laminate and the inside layer of glass hold the windshield together, keeping pieces of glass from injuring occupants of the car or falling on the road.

This doesn’t mean that you should ignore a damaged windshield, however. Even a small crack signifies that the structural integrity of the glass has been compromised. Though not an immediate danger, if the crack is large, near or touching the edge of the windshield, the glass may have to be replaced and driving the car is not recommended.

Driving with a broken windshield should also be avoided whenever the damaged glass impairs the vision of the driver. With time, as moisture, dirt and even windshield washer fluid can seep into the glass sandwich layers causing discoloration and further decreasing visibility.

Another factor to consider when deciding to drive with a broken windshield, call for onsite repair or have the car towed, are the relative state laws. To ensure the safety of everyone on the roads, it is illegal to drive with shattered glass or glass that has sharp edges exposed. Drivers cannot operate vehicles if the windshield has any crack or discoloration that obstructs or interferes with their ability to see clearly.

Can Windshield Glass Shatter?

Most small chips can be repaired, One of the problems with cracks in the glass is that they spread.

In the case of windshields, chips and cracks create weak points in the glass that will likely spread due to a few factors – going over bumps on the road, changes in temperature that cause the glass to expand and contract all put stress on the glass. This additional stress causes the glass to shatter and the condition of the windshield will continue to get worse the longer you wait to get it fixed.

The good news is that windshields are engineered to hold together. Because the windshield is laminated, the glass shouldn’t separate from the frame or collapse into the car.

What Should I Do with a Cracked Windshield?

A shattered windshield must be replaced; large cracks or those that continue to spread will also likely require the glass to be substituted entirely. If your windshield has been damaged, contact your trusted car glass repair service to come up with the best solution to get you back on the road.

How Can I Avoid Hail Damage?

The months of May through September are peak season for hail when warmer weather brings thunderstorms, often including high winds and hail. Whenever possible, park your car in the garage. If severe weather strikes while driving, carefully pull into a gas station or under an overpass for protection until the hail storm has passed.

If you have a cracked windshield, call 7 Stars Auto Glass in San Diego and talk to one of our certified technicians to go over the best option for you.

Avoiding Windshield Glares

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Windshield glares are one of the most annoying driving problems to have. They block our sight, blind us while driving, and cause us to nearly get into car accidents (if we don’t actually get into one). Glares are a driver’s worst enemy. And since they can get us into car accidents, they can destroy our windshields. This, a good way to prevent an accident and a car glass repair is by eliminating those irritating glares. Obviously, you cannot get rid of the sun or streetlights, which are the culprits behind those glares. However, you can protect your windshield against those glares by doing a few things. Continue reading →

Auto Glass Replacement Reasons

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There are many reasons to have your windshield replaced but many drivers put it off until it shatters. Then it is a hazard for the driver and the passengers. There are some good auto glass replacement reasons.

The Purpose of Your Windshield

Your windshield does more than just look help you view the road. It acts as a backstop for your air bags. Incorrect deployment of your air bags puts your and your passengers at risk.
It also keeps your roof from collapsing. Many people don’t realize that the windshield provides the car’s structural strength. In a roll-over crash, a cheap windshield can cause your roof to collapse, which can be life-threatening.
It can prevent ejection of passengers in a crash. Your windshield can also keep you from being ejected from the vehicle in a case of a collision.

Safety First

Once you make the decision to have your windshield replaced, what questions should you know about the windshield replacement company.

The Qualifications of the Technicians – The technicians should be highly trained, experienced and knowledgeable of the whole process. Check their reputation.
The Adhesive is Important – OEM glass is safer, sturdier and less prone to cracking. Low-quality adhesives do not work as well, especially in wet or cold climates and can take longer to dry/cure.
How soon you can drive after installation – We are all busy and usually don’t have the time to sit waiting for a new windshield to be installed. Mobile windshield replacement service is convenient but it’s dangerous to drive the car before it’s ready. This is known as “safe drive away time”. Question your provider to take the proper precaution.
Warranty – If the auto glass replacement company offers a lifetime warranty, you can almost assume they’re using OEM glass, which is high quality.

Replace or Repair

In some cases, windshield replacement may not be necessary – only a repair may be needed. A good rule of thumb is that if a quarter can cover the crack, a repair may work instead of a full replacement. Even even that is true, if the crack is at the edge of the glass or if the crack is in the driver’s line of vision, a full replacement will be recommended for safety.