Ways To Protect A Windshield Crack Until You Can Get It Repaired
Posted on: 9 June 2017
Share
In an ideal world, you would be able to bring your car to an auto glass repair shop the second a rock flew up into the windshield and caused damage. However, we don't live in an ideal world and you may need to wait until you have time or money to get an auto glass repair done to your car. It is highly recommended that you have a repair done as quickly as possible to prevent the crack from growing. But if you have to wait, there are a few things you can do to protect the crack and minimize the likelihood of it cracking more until you can get it repaired. Here are a few tips for protecting a windshield crack.
Place Packing Tape Over the Crack
When you get a crack, place a piece of clear packing tape over the crack, being sure to press it firmly in place to remove any air bubbles. This helps to seal the crack up, keeping dirt and moisture out. Dirt and moisture can cause the crack to spread and prevent resin from properly adhering when you do get it fixed. Be sure to use clear packing tape, as other types of tape, such as duct tape and scotch tape, are not as effective on a windshield.
Park in the Shade
If you have a crack on your windshield, heat can cause that crack to grow. While you cannot keep your car out of the sun while you are driving it, you can keep it in the shade when it is not in use. This can prevent the windshield from growing hot and expanding, which in turn, causes the crack to grow. Try to avoid parking your car in the direct sunlight as much as possible when there is a crack in your windshield that has not yet been filled.
Avoid Extreme Temperature Differences
The last way to protect your windshield crack until you get it repaired is to avoid extreme temperature differences. When there is ice on your windshield, you may be tempted to pour warm water over it to help it melt. However, this extreme temperature change can cause the crack to expand, or worse, cause the glass to shatter. Likewise, when you get into your car on a hot day, you may turn your air conditioner on full blast. The extreme cold blowing against your hot windshield can cause the crack to worsen. When you have a crack in your windshield, you need to gradually heat or cool the windshield to help prevent the crack from growing.
If you have a crack in your windshield, you will want to get it filled as quickly as possible, such as at Glas Tek Windshield Repair. If you are unable to do it right away, placing clear packing tape over the crack, parking in the shade and avoiding extreme temperature diffrences can help protect the windshield crack until you are able to get it repaired.