Category Archives: Windshields

If you’re searching for “After Windshield Replacement Care Tips” this post should help you know what to do after you’ve received service. While your technician should give you instructions on what to do after your windshield replacement, this post gives you an online resource in case you forget or didn’t have time to listen to the care instructions.

Replacement Windshield Care

Whether your insurance paid for your repairs or you paid out of pocket following these steps will help ensure you get your money’s worth. If you drive too soon, get a car wash, or remove the adhesive tape too soon you can disturb the adhesives that hold your windshield in place.

How Soon Can I Drive My Vehicle?

The time the adhesive takes to dry depends on type of adhesive, humidity, and temperature. Generally it only takes about an hour to dry, but in some circumstances it may take up to 24 hours if special adhesives are required or if it is unusually humid. With T&S Auto Glass your vehicle will be ready to drive again the same day we work on it.

How Long To Leave Tape On After Windshield Replacement?

If tape was used as part of your windshield replacement please leave it on your vehicle for at least 24 hours after the repair was completed.  This gives the seals time to completely dry without the chance of dirt, dust, rain, or other debris to ruin the installation.  The tape also helps hold the windshield in the correct position.

When Can I Get A Car Wash?

Car washes use very high pressure water jets to remove the dirt, bugs, and grime from our vehicles. If the sealant and moldings are not yet dry these high pressure jets can ruin your windshield replacement. Vehicle owners who are dead set on washing their car within 24 hours of a windshield replacement should do so with hand wash and strictly avoid any high pressure hoses going anywhere near the windshield. Rain isn’t under any pressure, so owners shouldn’t fret if there is a storm in the forecast.

How Do I Know The Replacement Was Done Right?

The only way to know for sure if the job was done right is to undo it and remove the glass. Then you can inspect the moulding and know for sure. This is why it is important to only choose windshield replacement services from a reputable and experienced company. We back up out work with warranty because we train our techs and ensure they are committed to high standards and consistent quality.

Take It Easy

The sealant and moulding is vulnerable for the first 24 hours after a windshield replacement. That means you should take it easy with your vehicle and avoid jarring and unnecessary shaking. Try to avoid slamming your vehicle door as it causes pressure inside the car and may pop the windshield loose. You should also avoid going off-road or over unusually rough terrain. If you can you might also leave the windows gapped a bit to allow hot air to easily escape and avoid higher pressure inside the vehicle.

Select A Different Route

If you live, work, or commute through an area that is prone to having lots of road debris or if your windshield repair was vandalism you may consider a new route for your daily commute. If it was done in a parking lot you should consider an alternate area to park and report the damage to property owners.

Leave A Window Cracked

Another important tip after windshield replacement is to leave 1 window cracked at least 1 inch for at least 8 hours after your repair is complete.  This makes it possible for pressure to escape the vehicle as it warms up from the sun and sudden increases in pressure from closing doors.  Try to close your doors gently as possible for the first 24 hours.

Phoenix Valley Warrantied Windshield Replacement

If you live in the Phoenix Valley and need windshield replacement T&S Auto Glass offers high quality professional windshield replacement with warranty. We are detail oriented, highly skilled, and ensure that every single job is done quickly and correctly. Take a look at our 5 star google reviews to see what others are saying about our windshield replacement and auto glass services.

Call Today – (480) 345-8990

A few years back, cracks and chips in your windshield could not be repaired and needed to be replaced. However, today’s technology makes auto windshield repair easier and more efficient that ever depending on the location, size and severity of the windshield crack or chip. Wondering whether you should get your windshield repaired or replaced? Great, this guide will teach you the differences between each type and let you know what kind of cracks and chips can be repaired without replacing your windshield.

First of all, if you live in Arizona, it’s quite likely that your insurance will cover full replacement of your windshield if it is beyond repair. If you live in Arizona, skip to “what kind of cracks and chips can be repaired?”. If you don’t live in Arizona, start with the auto windshield repair section below.

Do I Need Auto Windshield Repair?

Auto windshield repair can save you money and is a quicker solution than auto windshield replacement but if your insurance company does not pay for chips and cracks, you will have to front the money yourself. Although, we have heard of some insurance companies waiving the deductible of the claim, making the repair free but not all insurance companies will do this. Make sure and call your insurance company before doing any repairs or replacements on your windshield. Professional auto windshield repair will prevent a crack or chip from spreading and help mask to damage without having to remove the glass. If you have a crack or chip in your windshield, you should get it repaired right away to help avoid the crack or chip from spreading. If your crack or chip has grown larger than a dollar bill you will most likely to auto windshield replacement, see below.

Assessing Windshield Damage

Windshields are designed for the purpose of providing structural support to the vehicle, and in order for them to fulfill this purpose, they need to be strong enough to withstand wind and external stress when the vehicle is travelling at great speeds. To ensure durability, windshields comprise of a layer of automotive safety glass we call lamination, sandwiched between and holding together two outer glass layers. This ensures that the structure of the windshield itself can withstand minor hits and damage from external stimuli.

But, inevitably, damage does occur. It could be a block of fallen masonry sticking through your windshield after the night of a storm, or a piece of flying debris that hit it when you’re speeding, the windshield can suffer both major and minor damage. In case of an everyday minor damage, the lamination will hold together the outer layers of glass, preventing the windshield from falling apart even if it cracks. Due to its durable nature, not all damage it takes requires that you replace the windshield, and in most cases, you may just be able to have the crack repaired. Below we have outlined how you can determine whether your car’s windshield needs to be repaired or replaced.

Repair or Replacement – Determining the Best Fix

As mentioned above, cracks and chips in the windshield don’t call for a replacement in most cases. But whether they do or don’t is dependent on four factors, an assessment of which will tell you what the best fix is in a certain instance. The size of the crack, its depth, the type of damage, and the location of the crack, all play a role in determining the seriousness of the damage the windshield has taken.

Your vehicle will need to be evaluated at a repair shop where various factors will be assessed in order to determine whether the damage is repairable or will require replacement. In addition to those mentioned above, these will also include the repair technician’s skill level, your expectations, and the likelihood of a durable repair.

Having the Windshield Repaired

Having a single chip or crack repaired shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes at the repair-shop. If it’s a deep crack or has been contaminated, pre-repair steps will need to be undertaken to prepare the damaged area for a potentially successful repair.

The actual repair job will involve the technician infusing a curable clear resin in the windshield’s outer glass layer, restoring its shape and structure, and improving the glass’s appearance. Curing and polishing the resin leaves behind a smooth surface and prevents the crack from spreading and causing more damage. A good repair technician should assess all the factors that will impact the repair and determine if a repair is the best course of action or if the vehicle will be better served with a windshield replacement.

In case where the damage is deep enough to have reached the middle layer of the windshield, the cracks itself needs to be deepened or widened with a drill to ensure that the resin will reach the middle layer. It should be noted that all repairs need to be conducted only after dust particles have been removed from the cracks and crevices, a task that can be achieved with the use of a small vacuum cleaner designed for this purpose.

After the injector has been attached around the damaged area and the resin inserted, the technician will remove any excess and cure and harden the resin under UV light.

What Kind Of Windshield Cracks And Chips Can Be Repaired?

This picture/guide below will show you what type of cracks and chips can be repaired. If your crack or chip is bigger than these examples you are going to need to get your windshield replaced.

Do I Need Auto Windshield Replacement?

Auto windshield replacement is the process of removing your old damaged windshield and replacing it with a new one. Replacing your windshield can be done fairly quickly but you will need to wait a few hours before getting back out on the road because the bonding materials need time to cure. Replacing your auto windshield is more expensive than auto windshield repair but as we mentioned in the second paragraph, there are tons of insurance companies who will replace your auto windshield for free, especially if you live the Arizona area.

Size and Depth of the Crack

If you had gone to a repair shop with a crack longer than a dollar bill about a decade ago, it would have been irreparable; some still are based on other factors, but modern technology has increased the likelihood of successfully repairing larger cracks and chips, with repair shops being able to repair cracks even 18-inches in length. Depending on the depth of damage and other factors, each case will have to be assessed on an individual basis by the technician, and a course of action determined.

Type of Damage

With a lot of different ways your car’s windshield can get damaged in, there are a lot of different cracks; some can be easily repaired, some not so easily, and others not at all. Among chips and cracks that can be easily repaired are:
– Bulls-Eye and Partial Bulls-Eye: circular and semi-circular cracks caused by circular objects,
– Star Break:short cracks branching from the point of impact,
– Dings and Crack Chips: cracks smaller than a quarter-dollar coin in size, and
– Pit: a small crater like shape formed by glass being rubbed off by sand particles.

Generally, small cracks and chips in the windshield that are no bigger than a quarter-dollar coin can easily be repaired by any auto glass repair-shop.

Multiple cracks on the windshield, however, even if they all small in size are harder to repair and will have to be assessed by the repair technician on an individual basis.

Location of Impact and Damage

Even if a crack is small enough to be repaired doesn’t mean that it should. This is because even the best repair jobs can leave scars in the form of blotches, or an un-even surface which, if in the driver’s field of vision, will hinder visibility and decrease clarity. When analyzing if the location of the damage will be in the driver’s sightline, technicians need to consider the heights of everyone that may drive the particular vehicle as that may vary.

Furthermore, chips and cracks near to the edge of the windshield that have caused considerable damage call for a replacement and not just a repair, as they compromise the durability of the windshield and the firmness of its hold on the metal frame it is being held in. If caution is not exercised in the risk assessment, they can prove to be harmful to the passengers’ safety.

Cracks and chips near the edge that aren’t fully visible are too close to the frame and may not allow for successful repairs.

• Some of the chips and cracks that can’t easily be repaired are those that:
• are on the windshield’s inner side
• are on both the glass layers
• are on the internal radio antenna or the rain sensor
• are in the driver’s field of vision
• are in multiple locations on the windshield
• are longer than 18-inches
• have been contaminated
• are on or near the edge

Having the Windshield Replaced

Any crack longer than 18-inches, or a chip that’s deeper than 2-inches will most probably call for a replacement as it will be extremely difficult to repair, with low probability of a durable repair. If you find yourself at this cross-roads, you’ll need to decide whether you’ll be going for a windshield with the same OEM, an aftermarket substitute from the OEM, of an alternative from a third-party.

In order to ensure your replacement is done up to industry standards, always choose a repair-shop certified by your region’s regulating body (Auto Glass Safety Council in the US). If you are a resident of the United States, you can visit their website at www.safewindshields.org to obtain a list of all approved repair technicians.

The replacement process involves 4 stages, In the first stage, areas around the windshield are covered with protective canvas to limit the activity to the concerned area. This is followed by removing the glue and seals from the edges and removing the windshield itself, leaving the frame bare. The frame is then coated with a primer on the inside where the windshield will be laid, while the windshield itself is coated with an adhesive sealer on the edges and left to rest for a short period of time. It is then laid in the frame and bonded.

The repair-shop will normally take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete the replacement process, although it could take slightly longer in some instances. After the windshield has been replaced, you are advised to not drive around for another hour so that the adhesives can dry down and bond, and the repair technician will tell you as much. The best course of action is to not drive at all and wait at the repair-shop for the adhesive to set.

For you to get a durable repair or replacement, you need to make sure that the technician you choose to carry out the task follows the set standards and assesses the damage with due diligence.

Other Factors For Auto Windshield Replacement vs. Auto Windshield Repair

Location of the chip or crack can decide if you need auto windshield repair or replacement. For example, if the crack is in the drivers line of site, it cannot be repaired. Also, if the crack is on the edge of your windshield it can spread fairly quickly and compromise the rest of your windshield. Even after repairing a chip it could leave some minor distortions that make it unsafe to drive. Its best to replace your windshield if you have either one of these issues.

If you’re not sure whether to repair your auto windshield or replace it, it’s best to seek professional advice from an auto body and auto windshield expert like TS Auto Windshield. Our technicians will first check if they can repair your windshield before suggesting a windshield replacement. Find a local Auto Windshield repair shop near you.

Our vehicles are investments and when a rock hits yours the first thing you think is a rock hit my windshield, who is responsible? Who will pay for the damages to my vehicle? It’s nearly impossible for you to know which vehicle in front of you kicked up a rock in busy traffic. If you are sure of which vehicle it was you do have a few options in Arizona.

• It is possible to sue the other driver, which is nearly impossible without them confessing to negligence.
• It’s possible to contact the other drive and file an insurance claim with their insurer.
• You can contact your own insurance company and let them handle it alone.

This scenario is based on the idea that the vehicle that kicked up the rock did so unintentionally. Rocks thrown from the roadside or dropped off overpasses are a whole other store that involves criminal charges. If you’ve been the victim of rocks being thrown at your vehicle, call the police immediately.

Unsecured Loads & Damage

Arizona state law states that:

“A person shall not drive or move a vehicle on a highway unless the vehicle is constructed or loaded in a manner to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping from the vehicle.” (A.R.S. 28-1098.A).

If the rock that hit your windshield fell out of a truck carrying an unsecured or uncovered load, you may be able to request that the trucking company pay for repairs. Proving it was their truck is complicated unless you have video proving that their load was in fact unsecured and the rock that hit your vehicle wasn’t simply laying on the highway.

This is an uphill battle as you will have had to have taken a quick picture of the vehicle or have a always on video recorder while you drive. If in fact you can prove that the truck was overfilled or unsecured the trucking company may take responsibility

Can I Sue The City or State?

The state of Arizona maintains highways but it is not possible to sue the city, county, or state for rock chips. ARS 12-820 is Arizona’s law preventing law suits for this type of situation under what’s called sovereign tort immunity. This measure protects public entities and public employees from lawsuits related to debris in the road.

How Do I Get My Windshield Repaired?

Using your insurance is probably the easiest way to get stress free windshield repair in the Phoenix Valley. Knowing for sure which vehicle it was that unintentionally ran over the rock that damaged your windshield is tricky, and even harder to prove. Luckily Arizona is also a state where it is possible with the right car insurance to get a zero deductible windshield replacement. So the best course of action is to contact your local windshield repair company or insurance company.

Phoenix Valley Windshield Repair

If you’ve got a rock chip or crack in your windshield T&S Auto Glass is your source for the most meticulous and professional windshield repair in the valley. We offer service at our shop in Tempe and also anywhere in the valley with mobile windshield repair. Our team will help you with every facet of the process from assessing the damage, helping with filing insurance claims, to meeting you at or your home or office to perform the service. Choose the best in windshield repair in the valley and enjoy the best customer service and quality of work with T&S Auto Glass.

If your looking for information on “free windshield replacement“, this article should help steer you in the right direction. This article will show you how to get your windshield replaced for free.

States like Arizona have special laws and policies when it comes to windshield replacement and repair. Some cities in Arizona are even eligible to purchase separate auto glass coverage that covers your windshield repairs for free, without having to pay your deductible. Some coverage’s in Arizona even cover windshield replacement for free. Also see below for a list of other states that have free windshield replacement.

What Cities in Arizona offer Free Windshield Replacement & Repairs?

Insurance paid for, free windshield replacement is available in Peoria, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Avondale, Mesa, Gilbert, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Chandler, Arizona. If you have comprehensive coverage and purchase the auto glass endorsement you will not need to pay a deductible when you replace your windshield.

Do I need To Pay A Deductible If I’m Replacing The Entire Windshield?

No deductible windshield replacement is possible depending on the type of insurance you have. Usually any repair to a chip or crack will be completely covered without the need to pay a deductible. Although, if you are replacing the entire windshield, you may have to still pay. It all depends on the type of comprehensive coverage you have and if you purchase the auto glass endorsement or not.

How To Make An Auto Glass Claim?

Here is how you start the auto glass claim process with you insurance company.

1. Call your insurance company to start the claim
2. Prepare details about the incident for questioning
3. The insurance company will go over you policy with you and explain what’s covered and what’s not

If you have the right auto glass coverage, your agency will arrange for repairs with an auto glass company. Some auto glass companies are even going mobile and can come to your home or office for the repair. Most claims are usually completed within 48 hours.

With help from auto insurance coverage, getting a windshield replacement has never been cheaper or easier. If you need windshield replacement in Chandler or Tempe, AZ call TS Auto Glass today.

Windshield Regulations

The U.S. Department of Transportation set forth the minimum standards for the condition of windshields. The level of visibility is the deciding factor and must be enforced by each state. The area above and around the steering wheel must be free from damage. This area is defined as inch out on either side of the steering wheel and two inches from the top of the windshield. A single crack is permitted in this area, but it must have no intersecting cracks.

If you’re searching for best windshield glass brands, you’ve probably got a chipped or cracked windshield. Finding quality replacement windshields is important not only for your safety, but also for maintaining the value of the vehicle. This post will help you understand what windshield glass is available and what works best. Many times in Arizona windshield replacement will be covered with no deducible through vehicle insurance policies that have full comprehensive coverage.

Windshield Manufacturers: Dealer, OEM, and Aftermarket

In Arizona, T&S Auto Glass is your high quality choice for windshield replacement. Whereas, in China the popular third party aftermarket installers include Brightpower, Dongguan, and ShiyanHuachao. It should be noted that America and Europe make third party aftermarket windshields, but in China and other countries in the far East, they are OEM.

Dealer

When it comes to dealer windshields, they are basically the same as an OEM windshield, with one main difference; the windshield has the dealer symbol emblazoned on it. For instance, if a person acquires their windshield from a Honda dealership, the windshield would have Honda located on the bottom corner. This occurs with all dealers.

Companies Providing Dealer Windshields

The companies that offer OEM windshields also offer the dealer windshields, with the top three manufacturers again being PPG, AP Tech, and Pikington. The only difference is the manufactureapplies the dealer name or logo to the windshield.

Manufacturers

The windshield (a.k.a. windscreen) is a significant element of a vehicle. When it gets damaged, it not only lowers the appearance, but the operation and safety of the vehicle. While a windshield is replaceable, there are various windshield manufacturers available to choose from. Also, each manufacturer may offer a different type of windshield for the same vehicles. These type of parts are known as aftermarket and OEM windshields.

In addition, there are situations where Chinese-made glass is just stamped with the name of an American company, this is because the American company placed an order with a Chinese manufacturer and not due to being a Chinese ‘imitation’. The OEM vendor is unable to participate in these type of practices due to the risk of losing the ‘approved vendor’ status, and breaking contracts.

OEM

There are several major OEM windshield brands, including Carlite, Saint-Gobain Sekurit (SGS), PPG, Pilkinton, AP Tech, and Mopar.

An OEM windshield include those installed by the manufacturer and produced specifically for the vehicle model type. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part could change between years as cost reduction is achieved by the manufacturer. An OEM windshield is going to have the exact same moldings and attachments as the original part, due to being the identical product with the same part number. For this reason, an OEM windshield is easily changed with the part from the same manufacturer. Obviously an OEM windshield is going to have the same standards as the original.

Companies Providing OEM Windshields

When it comes to OEM windshield production, there are many popular companies, including PPG, AP Tech, and Pilkington. These are long trusted companies within the auto industry for supplying windshields. Individuals looking to replace their OEM windshield can obtain one straight from the brand supplier.

Aftermarket

An aftermarket windshield is purchased at a company which is not affiliated with the dealer and does not carry OEM. For instance, Safelite is the leading aftermarket windshield carrier in the U.S. The windshields are offered at affordable prices, and do not have dealer stamps. However, they may not have the same standards as a dealer or OEM windshield.

Which Windshield to Choose?

It can become frustrating to locate the perfect option for a windshield replacement, as there are three main options available. The following should be considered by the car owner:

Safety: Dealer and OEM windshields are designed and produced to specifically fit the vehicle. This ensures the windshield provides a tight fit and upholds the safety standards. In addition, OEM parts pass government regulations, just as the original did.

Quality: When it comes to quality, aftermarket windshields may not provide the quality standards of OEM or dealer windshields.

Price: An aftermarket windshield tends to be less expensive, but OEM and dealer windshields provide better quality and safety standards.

It is typically recommended by auto glass professionals to go with an OEM replacement or dealer windshield replacement for the safety and quality they provide.

Phoenix Best Windshield Replacement Service

If you’re looking for the best windshield glass, installed with the best service, T&S Auto Glass is your choice for anywhere in the Phoenix Valley. We offer mobile windshield replacement in all of the cities in the Phoenix Valley including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe, and more. Every windshield replacement technician is trained and equipped to provide exceptional windshield replacement services using top quality windshield glass. When your car needs a new windshield trust the best and call T&S.

Schedule Windshield Replacement Today

480-345-0990 /602-667-3030 /623-878-5566

Typically, modern windshields are created from laminated safety glass, which is a treated glass and usually combines two curved glass sheets and a plastic lamina ted layer between for safety. They are then bonded to the window frame. Whereas, windshields for motorbikes are commonly created with high-impact acrylic plastic or poly-carbonate.

Car Glass

Car glass includes the rear and side windows, and a windscreen. Sometimes, there may be a glass roof. The side windows can be fixed, or a power or hand cranked window allowing it to be raised and lowered. A powered sunroof is a retractable and transparent window that can be fixed, powered or manually open.

There are models which provide sun blinds for the rear side and rear windows. Also, window shields are a feature which provides additional protection and safety from debris, while providing the driver more comfort. Most car glass uses a glass run channel to hold it in place, this also helps contain glass fragments if glass is broken.

The majority of car models today use laminated glass due higher safety and protection as it will not shatter into sharp pieces.

Car Windshields

The purpose of a windshield is to protect the occupants from debris, including insects, dust, and the wind while providing aerodynamic windows in the front. Windshields may have UV coatings added for protection against ultraviolet radiation. Although, this is typically unnecessary due to laminated safety glass absorbing the majority of UV-B. Whereas, the UV-B that remains, along with most UV-A gets absorbed by a PVB bonding layer.

The glass on a motorbike has the main purpose of shielding riders from wind, but less effectively than a car. On a racing or sports motorcycle, the main purpose is to reduce drag, providing an optimal aerodynamic design with his/her body, rather than shielding against wind when sitting up.

The Different Types of Auto Glass

The difference in glass used in your home and your windshield are very different. Unless your home has specially fabricated windows, when home window glass breaks it will shatter, creating very sharp pieces that can be harmful. Whereas, safety glass of car windows does not shatter, and designed to eliminate sharp pieces.

Auto glass is either laminated or tempered. Typically, auto glass deigned for the rear and front side windows and the rear window will be tempered glass, while laminated glass is used for windshields.

Laminated Glass

It is possible to trace laminated glass back to the 1920’s, as two glass sheets were placed together using a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) sheet between the layers. Then, fusing the layers together with extreme heat, the laminated safety glass was introduced.

Although laminated glass can break, it eliminates the shards from flying off in a collision. Laminated glass is fabricated to endure extreme impacts without shattering. Therefore, increasing passenger safety by eliminating potential injury of flying glass. Also, if a passenger is thrown into the windshield, laminated glass acts as a barrier.

Laminated glass is extensively used within the auto industry, but it may be applied for other applications where potential impact could occur. For this reason, many store and shop windows use laminated glass.

Tempered Glass

While the rear window and door windows can be created from laminated glass, there is less potential of human impact during a crash. For this reason, most models use tempered glass for these windows. Tempered auto glass is fabricated as a one-ply product, treated using a process of rapid heating and cooling. If tempered glass breaks, it shatters into thousands of non-sharp pebble like pieces, rather than sharp dangerous pieces.

Like with laminated glass, tempered glass can also be used outside of the auto industry. For instance, tempered glass is ideal for products such as cooking and baking dishes, cellphone screens, and sunglasses. Because of the fabrication process, tempered glass is strong and hard compared to untreated glass with the same thickness. Due to the overall structure of laminated glass, it is able to be repaired due to a small crack or chip, but when tempered glass breaks it will have to be replaced.

Auto Glass Repair Services In Chandler or Tempe, Arizona

TS Auto Glass offers auto glass repair in Tempe, Arizona for cars, trucks, SUVs and RV’s. No matter what kind of damage your vehicle’s glass has we can repair or replace it. We are the Phoenix Valley’s most meticulous auto glass repair company that offers service at our shop in Tempe, or mobile windshield replacement anywhere in the valley. When you want the best, choose T&S.

Call today to set up your repair or replacement appointment

(480) 345-8990 / (602) 667-3030 / (623) 878-5566