Tips on When to Repair Your Windshield & When to Replace the Windscreen
                     Tips on When to Repair
Your Windshield & When
to Replace the Windscreen
The windshield is one of the vital parts of the car. And once it
is cracked, it is not usable, not pretty, and can result in some
precarious  situations.  Caused  by  the  Earth’s  fauna  and
different types of road debris, windshield cracks are one of
the most popular maintenance issues you can have with your
car.  So,  if  your  car’s  windshield  is  cracked,  repairing  it  is
cheaper  than  replacing  it.  Repairing  your  windscreen  will
depend on the factors like location, type, thickness, and size
of  the  fissure  or  blemish.  But  according  to  the  experts,
the windscreen can  only  be  repaired  if  it  is  smaller  and
shallow than 40mm in diameter. At the most, two chips can
be repaired. But it is better to replace the windscreen once
you  notice  a  crack.  It  is  because  even  the  minor  cracks
aggravate within a few days.
So, here are the tips to follow before or 
when you repair your windshield:
1.  Decide  whether  it  needs  immediate  attention:  Check
where the crack is located. Is it obscuring your view or off to
the side? If the crack interferes with your scope to see the
road, you must deal with it immediately by taking the vehicle
to the windscreen shop. But if it is not improving the ability
to check the road, grab the ruler.
2.  Avoid dirt and debris: One of the biggest things to protect
your car windshield from is dirt. If dirt fills the crack, it would
make the repair more complicated. But it never means that
you have to reach for a bucket or head for the car wash. And
when water seeps into the crack, the repair process converts
into a complete replacement. Use clear packing tape to keep
the moisture and dirt away from the crack. And it  will  not
obscure the view as well.
3.  Avoid temperature extremes: When your car windshield
has got a crack, remember that extreme cold is not good for
a cracked windscreen. So, refrain from putting the defroster
or air conditioner on high. Rather, moderately use the heater
to defrost the windows gradually.
4.  Park your vehicle indoors to avoid the sun: If your vehicle
has got a crack and you want to repair it instead of replacing
it to save windscreen price, then protect the vehicle against
sun and rain. Otherwise, the windscreen would heat up and
allow the crack to expand.
5.  Drive  your  vehicle  carefully:  Another  effective  way  to
ensure that the crack doesn’t get bigger before windscreen
repair;  you  have  to  drive  with  full  caution.  This  includes
avoiding rough roads and steering clear of potholes. Besides,
be careful when getting in or out of your car. Don’t slam the
door or the trunk.
When to replace the windshield?
There are some instances when it becomes very important to
replace your windscreen. One of the instances is that if there
is a hole through the windshield, then you have to repair it
ASAP. But in some cases, chips or smaller cracks can also lead
to  replacing  your  existing  windshield.  As  per  the  rule  of
thumb, if you have 3 or more cracks in the windshield, then
you have to replace it. Otherwise, the impacted windscreen
would  start  losing  the  ability  to  withstand  more  impacts.
Replacing the shield is also important if the crack in it is 14
inches or more than that.
Now let’s have a look at the tips for replacing your windshield
effectively.  You  can  either  visit  a windscreen  specialist or
can do the job on your own.
• Remove the trim: This is the first step to follow. Use a razor
to remove it effectively while loosening the windshield.
• Remove the windshield:  Once you remove the trim,  the
next step is to remove the AIG windscreen panel and lift it
away from the vehicle. Do it carefully so that it doesn’t break.
• Clean out and make the Pinch Weld ready: After removing
the  windshield,  the  next  step  is  to  clean  and prepare  the
pinch weld. Dust, dirt, and old urethane can build up to this
place  over  time.  Cleaning  it  out  before  installing  the  new
windscreen  is  important  to  ensure  that  the  new  shield
perfectly fits into the place.
•  Apply  urethane:  After  cleaning  the  pinch  weld,  apply
urethane to the edges of the pinch weld. The urethane works
as the adhesive or glue that holds the windscreen perfectly in
place. So, apply it evenly while ensuring it doesn’t dry or set
before the new windshield is put into the place.
•  Install  the  new  windshield:  This  is  the  last  step  of
the windscreen  replacement process.  Place  the  new
windshield  carefully  fitting over  the  hole  on  the car.  Fit  it
properly within the pinch weld. Once you position it properly,
push it into the place with suction bars and cups and held it
there for several minutes. Remove the suction cups and bars
when the urethane starts to set.
Source Link: https://mobilewindscreen.com.my/blog/repair-your-windshield/