Tag Archives: windshield repair

Car Care Resolution 2019

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions started over 4,000 years with the Babylonians. They wanted to find favor with the gods and start the year off right. While we don’t have that kind of goal, it is still a good practice to review and remind ourselves of what’s important and what we want to improve. Every area of your life can be improved – your fitness, your finances, etc. Did you ever include a car care resolution on that list? Your car is a very important component of your life to keep you and your family safe. Maybe you should as proper car care can help to keep you safe.

Here’s few items to check for your car care resolution:

Tire Pressure– as the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Driving with under inflated tires can be dangerous but on the bright side, it can improve fuel efficiency to have your tires with the proper psi.

Battery– Keep your battery erosion-free. Batteries don’t give warning lights.

Brakes– Have your brakes checked. You don’t have to be reminded on how important it is to have proper brakes.

Oil– Change your oil at regular intervals. Oil is the life blood of your car.

Wiper Blades– Change in temperature can make the rubber on your wiper blades hard and brittle. Torn or cracked blades won’t properly clean your windshield.

Gas tank– Try to have your gas tank at least half full at all times, especially if you live in a colder winter climate. This decreases the chance of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

Headlights– Replace before burnout when possible. The problem is – most drivers don’t know their headlight is out. Driving with a burned out headlight on a dark road poses a risk to both the driver and others.

Spare Tire– Be sure you have your spare tire on your vehicle and not laying in the garage.

Emergency Kit– Try to carry an emergency kit which includes jumper cables, flash light, basic tools, first aid kit, and water supplies – all things to help you survive until help comes to get you back on the road.

Mobile phone– Be sure you have your mobile phone fully charged or carry a back-up battery.

Car Wash– Have your car washed or wash it yourself at least once a month.

Once you follow this list, you will be happier and your car will, too.

Windshield Repair or Replace

windshield repair and replacement fresnoIf 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.

Chipped Windshield

car glass repair Fresno
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.

Wipers Can Scratch

car glass repairWindshield wipers are a life saver when they are in good condition. They make your view clear. When your windshield wipers get old, they can create hazardous driving conditions, like driving in the rain or at night. If the wipers cause streaks, it can block your view and make it difficult to see road signs or oncoming traffic.

How do windshield wipers scratch your windshield?

The rubber edge gets worn out or damaged leaving the metal exposed. Then the metal comes in contact with the glass. The windshield wiper blades are designed to press firmly against the glass and the movement of the blades can cause the metal to dig into the surface resulting in small indentations. The scratches and streaks will only worsen unless resolved.

What can you expect from damaged windshield wipers?

  • Scratches can reflect sunlight and headlights from oncoming cars
  • Blades will not wipe all the water off the blades causing limited vision
  • Water streaks can cause a distraction

Can windshield scratches be removed?

Depending on the depth of the scratches, many can be polished out, however, deep scratches on the windshield may require a full windshield replacement.

Regularly checking and replacing your windshield wipers is a good practice to avoid a full windshield replacement. Replacing your wipers takes very little time.

If you do need a windshield replacement, let 7 Star Auto Glass Fresno do the job. Our certified technicians can install a new windshield on any domestic or foreign vehicle.

 

 

 

Avoiding Windshield Glares

auto glass repair shopWindshield 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.

Clean the Windshield Inside and Out to Help Prevent Windshield Glares

Glares take place when auto glass is dirty. The haziness of the windshield allows the sun’s rays to enter the car in an annoying way, causing you to see glares. So a good way to get rid of glares and prevent a car glass repair is by regularly washing your windshield inside and out. Take a windshield cleaner, such as Rain-X Original Glass Treatment or Armor All Auto Glass Cleaner, and spray it over the windshield. Then, using a microfiber cloth (never use regular rags, towels, or sponges as they can scratch the glass), wipe the glass clean. You will need to repeat the same process on the other side of the glass. This will remove dirt and grime that have been building up on the windshield and stop glares.

Clean all Windows and Mirrors

Of course, cleaning the windshield is not enough to remove glares. You can still get glares through your windows and mirrors, as they can reflect other cars’ headlights and obstruct your vision. To prevent a car glass repair, take a look at your glass. When was the last time you cleaned it properly? It is extremely important to clean all your auto glass, including your rearview mirror, if you are having problems with glares.

Clean the Windshield Wipers

While cleaning your windshield wipers does not directly affect windshield glares, it does help you maintain your windshield’s cleanliness, which in turn removes glares. As a result, it is essential to frequently examine your windshield wipers and get them cleaned. Use your favorite washer fluid to wet a microfiber cloth. Then, use the cloth to wipe the windshield wipers. This will leave them in a good condition and help you keep the glass in a topnotch shape. Though, if your windshield wipers are old and have cracks in them, replace them with new ones, as the old wipers can scratch at the glass and cause even more glares. At the same time, always be sure you have enough washer fluid in your car so you can keep the windshield clean at all times.

Clean the Headlights

Another powerful way to avoid windshield glares and prevent a car glass repair is to clean your car’s headlights. This will help you view the road more clearly since other cars’ lights will not be brighter than yours and blur your vision. There are a couple of ways to clean the headlights. While wiping them off with a car cleaner and a microfiber cloth is good—even essential—you will find that you need to do an extra step in order to remove the yellow haze that is covering them. Therefore, what you will need to do is take baking soda and vinegar and combine a little bit of each in a cup. After that, you can dab your microfiber cloth in this homemade remedy and use it to wipe the grime and haze off the headlights. This homemade solution can be very effective toward reducing glares. In just a few minutes, your headlights will be clean as new.

Avoiding windshield glares is key to protecting your auto glass from a car glass repair. Plus, getting rid of glares can keep you safe on the road.

cracked windshield

Windshield Replacement Mobile

When you have a cracked windshield, driving to an auto glass repair shop is dangerous. The glass is fragile and not steady. It could shatter at any moment. In fact, anything could go wrong on the road. So, what is a person to do? Sometimes drivers forget that there are other options for getting a windshield replacement. For instance, getting a windshield replacement mobile service is a great option to staying safe. The best part is that it is convenient for drivers. Here are other reasons why this service is your best, safest option: Continue reading →

auto glass fresno

3 Blogs on Staying Safe with an Auto Glass Fresno Repair

When it comes to driving, safety comes first. No matter where your destination is, making sure you get there safely is a must. However, if you have a chipped or cracked windshield or window, driving becomes a risk. Nevertheless, with an auto glass Fresno repair, you can protect your car and get back on the road. Here are three blogs that will help you stay safe if you have an auto glass damage: Continue reading →

Fresno mobile windshield repair

Top 4 Fresno Mobile Windshield Repair Blogs

Often, when you need a windshield repair, you find yourself unable to drive to an auto glass repair shop. The reason for that is safety. How could you drive with a flimsy windshield that could shatter? You cannot. So, the best thing to do is call for a Fresno mobile windshield repair. Below are four blogs answering any questions you might have on mobile repairs: Continue reading →