Tag Archives: cracked windshield

Damaged Windshield San Diego

Every car eventually will suffer a cracked, chipped, or damaged windshield. Depending on the severity, it isn’t safe to drive. If the damage is in the line of sight, it will be a distraction for the driver putting him and other passengers in danger. At 7 Stars Auto Glass San Diego, we will beat any price and offer a warranty. We also have a mobile repair option where we come to you.

You can schedule an appointment at your convenience.

A trained technician will evaluate the damage and do the repairs. The main things is to evaluate whether a repair can be done or a full windshield replacement. Dings and chips can be filled usually. If cracks are caught soon enough, they may be repaired instead of a full windshield replacement. Therefore, it is important even to have the smallest chip repairs promptly before it turns into a large crack. This can happen at any time but especially if you go over a bump.

At the shop or on the road

For your convenience, you can choose to drop your car off at our shop or have us come to you at your home or office. Mobile repair is convenient as you can go on about your day while we are working to make your vehicle safe. Either way, we will give you the best service.

No matter if it’s a chip or crack, a windshield repair or a full windshield replacement, we at 7 Stars Auto Glass in San Diego will give you the best advice on what to do next.

At 7 Star Auto Glass San Diego, we are your source for high quality auto glass in San Diego, California. We have been in the auto glass repair and windshield replacement business for over 20 years. We provide quality windshield repair and auto glass replacement services wherever you are and whenever you need it. We carry a large inventory of windshields and windows. We use only original parts. To date, we remain one of the largest independent retail glass shops in the United States. We service all types of vehicles including domestic and foreign as well as semis, trucks and RVs. Our reputation is the highest not just for windshield service but also for any other types of glass needs including power windows, mirrors, sun roofs, and side glass. Other services include in-house tinting at discounted prices!

Chipped Windshield

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A chipped windshield can cause the integrity of your windshield to be in question putting yourself and your passengers in danger. We understand that whether you have a new or old vehicle, safety is the most important. We all rely on our cars to transport us and our loved ones on a daily basis. Taking this into account we strive to provide the highest quality windshield repair and replacement services available. Our main goal is to get you and your vehicle back on the road safely and quickly.

Why Repair a Windshield?

If a stone chips your windshield and the damage is smaller than an inch in diameter and not in the driver’s line of vision, we can repair it to prevent the crack from spreading. If you catch it early, an auto glass repair could be all you need and repair is a fraction of the cost of replacement. A chipped windshield could be dangerous and almost all chips will spread eventually.

When considering Windshield Repair:

Windshield Repairs are quick and affordable and can sometimes be covered by your insurance provider at little or no cost to you. Many insurance companies waive deductibles up to $500 if you repair rather than replace. Let one of our insurance billing specialists help you determine your coverage.

Small nicks or chips can turn into a large crack requiring a full windshield replacement. The sooner you have a repair done the better.

If you are unsatisfied with your windshield repair or the repaired area ever spreads, the cost of the repair will be credited toward the cost of a brand new windshield installation as long as we performed the windshield replacement.

A chip in your windshield can cause the integrity of your windshield to be in question putting yourself and your passengers in danger.

When you call us, we will dispatch a certified technician to remedy the issue quickly and professionally. We can dispatch a technician to your location of choice or have you come in to one of our service centers and have you back on the road in no time.

When we Replace a Windshield

When a windshield can’t be repaired the only alternative is to replace the cracked windshield with a new one. When we replace your windshield, our Certified Technicians follow certain safety standards to make sure your vehicle is as safe as when it left the factory.

Steps that will be followed:

The certified technician will explain in detail the service being performed.

The technician will remove your rearview mirror as well as other attachments to the glass like your EZ PASS, State inspection sticker (if applicable), parking sticker from work or school or other stickers like oil change details.

Completely and safely remove the old windshield and the old adhesive. It is critical that the old adhesive be removed and new sealant used to install your new windshield.

After the replacement is completed, the technician will reattach rearview mirror, inspection sticker or any other items that were previously removed, when possible.

The technician will inform you of the Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT) and other precautions to take with your new windshield. This is an important step that makes sure the adhesive has set fully and your vehicle is safe to drive.

Safe Halloween Driving

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With Halloween fast approaching, the Car Care Council reminds motorists to drive slowly, especially through neighborhoods, to be extra careful when entering or exiting driveways, and to make sure their vehicle’s brakes, lights and wipers are working properly for a safe Halloween.

“Motorists can help keep young pedestrians safe on Halloween by reminding children of basic safety rules, taking extra precautions when driving through neighborhoods, and inspecting vehicle safety items, like brakes,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “With daylight savings time on the horizon, October is also an ideal time to check vehicles lights and wipers to ensure maximum visibility.”

Check Your Windshield

A dirty windshield may look spooky but does not help to see children crossing the street. If the weather turns, cracked or torn wipers will also pose a problem to visibility. Check that all your lights are working for maximum performance and visibility on Halloween. This year the end of daylight saving time is after Halloween and that means children will likely be trick-or-treating at dusk when the sky is still bright, yet objects on the road can merge with shadows and fade into darkness.

Check Your Brakes

A vehicle’s brake system is the most critical safety item on a vehicle, but brakes wear out and eventually need replacement. Several factors that affect brake wear include driving habits, operating conditions, vehicle type and the quality of the brake lining material. Never put off routine brake inspections or any needed repairs, such as letting the brakes get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which can be potentially dangerous and lead to more costly repairs.

Note to Parents

“Parents should remind their little ghosts and goblins to get out of cars on the curb side, not the street side, to stop at all corners and to use crosswalks,” continued White. “Children should look left, right and left again before crossing, stay on sidewalks, avoid crossing through yards, and wear bright, reflective and flame-retardant clothing.”

reprinted from the Car Care Council. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

Car Care Tips

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Taking a good care of your car not only keeps your car looking nice but also protects you on the road. The better you preserve your car, the better it works. So, if you want to stay safe on the road, be sure to keep your car in the best shape. A couple of ways to do that is by following these amazing car care tips:

Cleaning Your Windshield Inside and Out

A clean windshield helps accomplish a couple of great things.

One, you can prevent sun glares.
Two, you can prevent scratches.
Three, you can have a clearer driving visibility.

Therefore, it is a wise idea to regularly wash your windshield inside and out. Be sure to rely on a windshield cleaner and a microfiber cloth for the job. You will have a flawless, clear windshield and stay safe on the road with this fantastic car care San Diego tip.

Do Not Wash Your Car Under 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.

Refill on Windshield Washer Fluid

Regularly refilling on windshield washer fluid can help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness. Plus, the less dirty your windshield is, the less glares you will have. This way, you can stay safe on the road. This car care San Diego tip is a great way to also preserve your car’s value!

Substitute Sponges for 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, switch over to microfiber cloths. They are gentle and safe on auto glass and car paint.

Clean Your Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar

The last but not least car care San Diego tip is to 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 like they had been when you first purchased your car. Hooray!

These five car care San Diego tips will not only preserve your car’s value and appearance, they will also keep you safe on the road.

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 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.

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.

Windshield Replacement San Diego

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At 7 Star Auto Glass San Diego, we are your source for high quality auto glass for windshield replacement San Diego. We have been in the auto glass repair and windshield replacement business for over 20 years. We provide quality windshield repair and auto glass replacement services wherever you are and whenever you need it with our in-shop or mobile service for all makes and models – foreign and domestic.

Warranty

We offer a Lifetime Warranty on Labor & Manufacturer Defects If for any reason our windshield replacement service does not meet your expectations, the problem will be resolved at our expense with the exception of chip repairs.

Mobile Service

We can come directly to your home, RV Park or business within a 40 mile radius of our shop.

Insurance

California insurance will reimburse you 100% to replace your damaged windshield. We will process all insurance company paperwork, and do direct billing with no hassle on your part.

Pricing

Because of our reputation and strong buying power, we are able to offer our customers quality auto glass workmanship at the lowest prices. We refuse to be undersold!

Availability

We have a large inventory of car glass. If the one needed is unavailable, it can be shipped from our in-town warehouse within 20 minutes. We use only original parts.

Repair or Replace

There are several things that our technicians consider on whether to repair or replace your windshield. Is the chip smaller than a quarter? Is the damage on the edge of the windshield? Is the crack or chip in line sight for the driver?

Technicians

Our technicians are professionally trained to work with a full range of windshield repairs and replacements, including repair chips and cracks providing safety to you and your passengers.

Windshield Safety

Your windshield was designed as the number one safety restraint system in your vehicle. Auto manufacturers say your windshield provides up to 60 percent of the roof crush protection in a rollover accident. Our windshields are OEM Quality.

Our Services:

Windshield Replacement
Windshield Repair
Power Window Repair
Windshield Tinting
Sunroofs
Side Glass
Mirrors

Auto Glass Future

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The world is constantly changing with advanced technology. Auto glass future may be changing also.

There are two types of glass in your automobile – laminated glass (mostly used for windshields) and tempered glass (mostly used for side glass).

Laminated Glass vs. Tempered Glass

Laminated glass is basically a glass sandwich. It is made of two or more plies of glass with a vinyl interlayer between (sandwiched, if you will, as in a car’s windshield). The glass will tend to stay together and case one in is broken – thus qualifying as a safety glazing material.

Tempered glass is made by heating and cooling a piece of standard glass in a tempering furnace. The glass, which must be pre-cut and edged before being put into the tempering furnace, is heated to approximately 1200°F and then cooled rapidly.

Now some companies are working to develop a chemically tempered glass much stronger than conventional automotive glass, known as soda lime glass. This glass could offer a lighter weight to windshields but with a great deal of strength.

When it comes to windshields, being stronger means being safer. The lighter weight can also help cars be more fuel efficient. Gorilla Glass was first used for smartphone screens in 2007. The Ford GT was the first to used Gorilla Glass for its windshield. Some new vehicle designs are using larger windshield, even full glass canopies. This means the glass needs to be more efficient for safety.

For now, laminated glass is the best option for windshields. It keeps passengers safer and has a sound-proofing benefit to it. Tempered glass is still a good choice for other auto glass applications. It can be broken more easily if breaking the window for exiting is needed.

As technology makes changes to auto glass, it’s important to you find an auto glass shop that keeps up with the latest for windshield repair and replacement

Bird Droppings – How To Clean Them Off Your Windshield

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Bird droppings happen anytime especially if you are parked under a tree. If not removed properly, bird droppings can lead to an auto glass repair. Many people choose to wipe the bird droppings off with a wet cloth, but is there a better way to do it? There are several ways you should NOT clean bird droppings:

Towels or Sponges?

Using a sponge to clean bird droppings from your car might seem like a good method, but it can damage your car. Although towels and sponges are often used to clean cars, they are not designed for car cleaning in general. Save your sponges and towels for household dishes. Microfiber cloths are a good choice because they are soft and do not scratch the glass or paint of your car. Thus, if you need to wipe them off, only use microfiber cloths.

Windshield Wipers?

Windshield wipers are regularly used to clean the glass and keep it clear. However, using your wipers to clean bird droppings damages the wipers and sometimes even scratches the glass. It is better not to use windshield wipers if you have bird droppings on your windshield. This will help you prevent an auto glass repair.

Dried Bird Droppings?

If they harden on your windshield and car paint. Therefore, removing them is sometimes difficult. Some drivers choose to scratch at the dried bird droppings using tools such as towels, brushes, or even their fingernail. This can not only scratch the droppings but scratching it can lead to a car glass repair.

Then What Should You Do?

Microfiber cloths are the best choice. Products like WD-40 can soften the bird droppings. Spraying this oil on the the droppings makes wiping them off with the microfiber cloth easier.

There is a right and a wrong way to clean the droppings off your car and windshield, and doing it the wrong way can lead to an auto glass repair. Prevent a costly repair with these simple tips!