Windshield Cracked And Getting It Replaced? Information You Should Find Helpful
If your windshield is cracked it is important that you get it replaced if the crack is very bad. This can be dangerous for you while driving and a small crack will become much worse quickly. If you have decided to get your windshield replaced, below is some information that you should find helpful.
Windshield Glass Protects You
Not only does your windshield protect you from road debris and the weather, it also provides your car with structural support. This means if you are in an accident and your car rolls over, the windshield can prevent the roof from caving in and injuring you. If your windshield is cracked it is not as strong and if you are in a rollover accident it would not support your car and the windshield would break all over you causing even more injuries.
Type of Windshield Glass
When you get your windshield replaced, the windshield replacement service will likely use laminated glass, which is extremely durable and hard to break. This means if something heavy hits the windshield it will be less likely to crack, and will even be less likely to break if you are in an accident.
Ask the technician what type of glass they are using. They may use a generic piece of glass or original equipment (OE) glass. If you have a newer car you should choose OE glass. Even if your car is not new you should still consider OE glass even though it is likely more expensive. There is also original equipment equivalent (OEE) that may be less expensive.
Windshield Glass Adhesive
Urethane is used as the adhesive to bond the windshield to your car. Ask the windshield replacement service how much pressure the urethane can hold. Depending on the type that is used, it can withstand hundreds of pounds of pressure. If you ever tried to push a windshield out of a car from the inside it would be impossible for you to do sue due to the urethane.
You will be able to drive your car in about an hour after the windshield replacement, but it takes a few weeks for the urethane to completely harden. Ask the windshield replacement service how many weeks this is. The technician will check inside your car to make sure there is no urethane that has leaked out onto your car's interior. If they find this they will fix it immediately before the urethane starts to harden.
The windshield replacement service can give you more information about this and answer any questions you may have.