Ways Your Auto Glass Can Be Damaged
ShareOwning a car comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only do you have to keep up with maintenance and repairs, but you also have to be mindful of how you use and store your vehicle. This is especially true when it comes to the windows and windshield.
Auto glass can be easily damaged if not taken care of properly. But it can also suffer damage from things beyond your control. Here are some of the most common ways auto glass can be damaged.
Direct Impact from Rocks and Other Debris
One of the most common ways auto glass is damaged is through direct impact from rocks and other debris. This can happen while you're driving or even when your car is parked. For example, if you drive on a gravel road, small rocks can fly up and hit your windshield. Your tires can also fling rocks and debris into the air, which can then hit your windows.
These rocks are usually small enough that they won't cause major damage, but over time, they can start to chip away at the glass. But sometimes, a rock can be large enough to cause a crack or even shatter your windshield. Other times, a tree branch might be to blame if it falls on your car. The branch could crack or break your window from the immediate impact.
If you do find yourself with a cracked or broken windshield, it's important to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Driving with a cracked windshield can be dangerous. The crack can obstruct your vision while you're driving and make it more difficult to see potential hazards on the road.
In addition, if the crack is large enough, it could cause the windshield to shatter completely if you hit a bump or pothole. So make sure you see an auto glass repair specialist immediately after you notice a crack, no matter how subtle it might seem.
Stains From Liquids Spilling on the Glass
Another common way auto glass can be damaged is from liquids spilling on the glass. This could be anything from water to coffee to soda. When these liquids sit on the glass for too long, they can cause very conspicuous stains.
In some cases, you might be able to clean the stain, but in other cases, it might be permanent. This can be especially true if the liquid is mostly acidic. The acid can etch into the glass and cause a permanent stain. And if the stain is in a place where you frequently look while driving, it can be very distracting and unsafe. Your vision could be very limited while you're trying to focus on the road.
If you do spill something on your windshield or windows, it's important to clean it up as soon as possible. The sooner you can get the liquid off, the less likely it is to cause a permanent stain. Remember that glass is generally a very sensitive material, so it's important to be careful with it.
Auto glass repair experts typically use special solutions to remove permanent stains that would otherwise be difficult to clean for the average person. But they have to strike a balance because some solutions can actually damage the glass if not used correctly. For more information on auto glass repair, contact a professional near you.