From National Windshield Repair Division (NWRD)
Cost Savings – a windshield repair is hundreds of dollars less than a replacement. A chip repair prevents a crack and crack repair prevents a replacement. Whether you have a chip or a crack get it repaired ASAP.
Safety – preserving the factory seal. If you are in accident the windshield is a major part of the airbag system and the roof support. Your best chances to avoid injuries or death is with the factory seal.
Quality – saving your windshield preserves the higher quality Original Equipment Manufactured windshield. OEM windshields have precise surface control so the wipers remove rain; are solar optimized to block UV and reduce heat buildup in a parked car by as much as 45 degrees F and while driving which reduces use of the air conditioner saving gas mileage and; have acoustic attenuation which give a quieter ride by reducing road, tire and wind noise. Click the section below to read more about “Glass Qualities and Properties of OE vs Aftermarket.”
From National Windshield Repair Division (NWRD)
Many OE (original equipment) windshields have precise surface control so the wipers remove rain; are solar optimized to block UV and reduce heat buildup in a parked car and while driving which reduces use of the air conditioner saving gas mileage and; have acoustic attenuation which give a quieter ride by reducing road, tire and wind noise. The aftermarket ARG windshields can be missing some or all of these qualities and none of this is disclosed.
Another difference between OEM and ARG is the levels of residual stress around the perimeter called the “Weak Spot” which causes windshields to fracture easier in this area and then crack. This is called an edge crack. OEM windshields by contract with the vehicle manufacturers limit this stress that causes them to fracture and crack easier in an OEM windshield.
To do this OEMs are made slower requiring more time and energy (heat/BTUs) during the bending and annealing process to limit residual stress in the edge area of the windshield. Vehicle manufacturers require the residual stress to be under 1,000 psi. The ARG glass may be annealed faster requiring less time and less energy (heat/BTUs) and with no contract limiting the residual stress it can be higher and edge crack easier.
Note: A windshields “from an OEM manufacturer” may NOT be an OEM windshield, it is a windshield from a company that also makes original windshields; it has completely different specs and is made in a different factory. This may be used by some to mislead the consumer into thinking they are getting an OEM windshield when in fact it is aftermarket.
Many OE (original equipment) windshields have precise surface control so the wipers remove rain; are solar optimized to block UV and reduce heat buildup in a parked car and while driving which reduces use of the air conditioner saving gas mileage and; have acoustic attenuation which give a quieter ride by reducing road, tire and wind noise. The aftermarket ARG windshields can be missing some or all of these qualities and none of this is disclosed.
Another difference between OEM and ARG is the levels of residual stress around the perimeter called the “Weak Spot” which causes windshields to fracture easier in this area and then crack. This is called an edge crack. OEM windshields by contract with the vehicle manufacturers limit this stress that causes them to fracture and crack easier in an OEM windshield.
To do this OEMs are made slower requiring more time and energy (heat/BTUs) during the bending and annealing process to limit residual stress in the edge area of the windshield. Vehicle manufacturers require the residual stress to be under 1,000 psi. The ARG glass may be annealed faster requiring less time and less energy (heat/BTUs) and with no contract limiting the residual stress it can be higher and edge crack easier.
Note: A windshields “from an OEM manufacturer” may NOT be an OEM windshield, it is a windshield from a company that also makes original windshields; it has completely different specs and is made in a different factory. This may be used by some to mislead the consumer into thinking they are getting an OEM windshield when in fact it is aftermarket.
From National Windshield Repair Division (NWRD)
You may have just ruined your windshield. DIY Kits can only repair about 10 percent of breaks and that is if they have proper instructions. Most break types cannot be repaired properly with these kits and an untrained person cannot tell if all the miniscule cracks are filled with resin. Many breaks also require drilling and flexing which an untrained person would not know how to do. Email us a photograph to info@nwrassn.org and the name of the kit to see if it can be re-repaired. You will notice that professional tools are more complex, made of metal, with suction cup(s) and means to level and control the flexing of a break so that the resin reaches the outer perimeter and tips of cracks. Do-it-yourself kits are not like this because it is too costly to manufacture a complex tool professional tool. Do you give yourself a haircut? Do you drill out and fill your own tooth cavities? No, you have trained professionals do it. You should do the same with your windshield because your windshield is a safety devise that can be a matter a life or death in an accident AND you have already paid for windshield repair if you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Dirty windshield cracks can let small particles in, which block resin from bonding to the glass. While keeping the area clean and using a car cover helps, it's hard to fully protect the gaps. Acting fast and getting repairs done quickly is the best way to avoid dirt getting inside the cracks.
You may have just ruined your windshield. DIY Kits can only repair about 10 percent of breaks and that is if they have proper instructions. Most break types cannot be repaired properly with these kits and an untrained person cannot tell if all the miniscule cracks are filled with resin. Many breaks also require drilling and flexing which an untrained person would not know how to do. Email us a photograph to info@nwrassn.org and the name of the kit to see if it can be re-repaired. You will notice that professional tools are more complex, made of metal, with suction cup(s) and means to level and control the flexing of a break so that the resin reaches the outer perimeter and tips of cracks. Do-it-yourself kits are not like this because it is too costly to manufacture a complex tool professional tool. Do you give yourself a haircut? Do you drill out and fill your own tooth cavities? No, you have trained professionals do it. You should do the same with your windshield because your windshield is a safety devise that can be a matter a life or death in an accident AND you have already paid for windshield repair if you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Dirty windshield cracks can let small particles in, which block resin from bonding to the glass. While keeping the area clean and using a car cover helps, it's hard to fully protect the gaps. Acting fast and getting repairs done quickly is the best way to avoid dirt getting inside the cracks.
Every windshield is made of laminated glass, which consists of two layers of glass separated by a thin poly-vinyl-butyral layer. When a crack appears, the multiple layers of the windshield can increase the likelihood of moisture and dust entering the damaged area, and become lodged within the crack and settle between the layers of glass. Once this occurs, it is difficult to remove these materials from the windshield.
Contamination can block resin from bonding to the glass and will remain visible after the repair is made. A temporary solution is to use clear tape to cover the break, which may help prevent debris from entering before a permanent repair is made. RainX can also enter the break and block the bonding process. Do not wash the windshield prior to having the repair made. Acting fast and getting repairs done quickly is the best way to avoid contamination getting inside the cracks.
Contamination can block resin from bonding to the glass and will remain visible after the repair is made. A temporary solution is to use clear tape to cover the break, which may help prevent debris from entering before a permanent repair is made. RainX can also enter the break and block the bonding process. Do not wash the windshield prior to having the repair made. Acting fast and getting repairs done quickly is the best way to avoid contamination getting inside the cracks.
Selecting the appropriate windshield repair resin for each specific application is essential to effective windshield repair. Utilizing an incorrect resin may lead to complications during chip or crack repair and can result in further deterioration caused by thermal stress over time. For both chips and cracks, a thicker resin is preferable, as the oligomer component of UV adhesives—which provides strength and durability—increases the viscosity.
Windshield crack repair vs replacement depends mainly on crack length. Cracks under 14 inches aligns with the ROLAGS guideline of 14 inches. Windshields usually suffer edge cracks due to weakness at the perimeter, while floater cracks from stone-breaks or temperature changes are less common. Most small cracks (3-6 inches) can be repaired, though some shops may recommend replacement instead. With proper tools and resins, both short and long edge cracks up to 18 inches can be repaired, but the U.S. standard is 14 inches.
Clifco Windshield Repair uses the proven and patented ultra bond tools and resins for crack repair.
Clifco Windshield Repair uses the proven and patented ultra bond tools and resins for crack repair.