Tips
illustration by Ann Davis
Eric's Glass Tips - Have a good tip or comment you'd like to add here?
Please mention it at the "Contact Us" page. Thanks!
PREVENTING A ROCK CHIP FROM TAKING OFF BEFORE WE GET THERE
Avoid Temperature Shock.
Hot weather:
Park in the shade until the repair can be done. If you must park in the sun always leave the windows open at least half an inch and face the vehicle away from the sun. Hold off on washing the vehicle. Definitely not in a carwash. If you must wash your vehicle, get it into the shade to cool the glass down enough so you don't burn the back of your hand on it - that's a good temperature indicator. Spray your garden hose onto a hot windshield and you can kiss it goodbye.
Cold weather:
Sudden extreme heat in freezing weather will also cause a star to run. If the star is just above the hot air defroster vent on your dashboard - temporarily cover the vent in that area. This will shield the damaged area from extreme heat. Otherwise you'll soon have a long crack creeping across the base of the windshield.
WATER IN CHIP REPAIRS
Keep it dry.
It makes for a quicker repair. You can do this by covering it with a piece of tape before getting the windshield wet. If it’s just been rained on or washed let the repair technician know so it can be dried properly before the repair. Any moisture trapped inside the repair compromises the quality of the repair and could cause it to spread in freezing weather.
NEVER USE BLUE SCOTCHBRITE ON GLASS
NEVER USE GREEN SCOTCHBRITE ON GLASS
NEVER USE ANY COLOR SCOTCHBRITE ON GLASS
(even the finest grade, white scotchbrite, will scratch glass if you apply too much pressure)
GETTING STUFF OFF GLASS
To remove anything , especially tree sap or left over gum from old stickers and tape.
Just spray a little water on the area. Using a brand new one-edged razor blade, skim up a small area of stuff. Carefully wipe the blade clean onto a rag and continue. Only use a brand new blade, that one from yesterday that still looks good may scratch glass. Not worth the risk for 10 cents.