Why DIY Windshield Repair Kits Are A Bad Idea
Your windshield is one of the primary safety features of your car. It also serves to protect the driver from the oncoming winds, which may carry debris, while providing maximum visibility at the same time. The windscreen also separates the indoor and outdoor environment of a vehicle for heating and air conditioning purposes. However, a windshield can crack when it is hit by a hard object. This can include a piece of rock or a branch from a nearby tree, among other things. When this happens, the screen may get cracked or chipped.
Since these problems cause visibility issues, windshield repair should be done as soon as possible. This ensures the cracks do not spread. There are DIY windshield repair kits Allentown PA that people sometimes use whenever their windshield develops a crack or a chip. While some people think that these kits offer an effective solution, they are dangerous.
The Problem With DIY Windshield Repair Kits
Contents
When a rock hits your windshield, your windscreen can crack or chip. Depending on the size of the rock and the speed you were moving at, the crack or chip can either be small or large. When you have a DIY windshield repair kit, it uses epoxy in the kit to hold the cracks/chips together. It is supposed to prevent the problem from exacerbating further. However, it is best to contact a windshield repair specialist to have your windshield effectively repaired or replaced. DIY kits can also be dangerous. The following are some of the reasons why:
They Are Typically Used Incorrectly
The main component in the DIY windshield repair kit is the epoxy. It is designed to bond and weld cracks or chips. However, the right amount of the material must be used in order for it to work correctly. Otherwise, the windscreen may become impossible to repair. You will end up having to replace your broken windshield that could have been repaired in the first place. It is more expensive to replace a windshield than it is to replace it. Additionally, when you use one of these kits, the bond may also be ineffective. This defeats the purpose of using the kit. In this case, it is best to have it professionally repaired to begin with.
Obscuring Visibility
The main reason cracks or chips in the windscreen are a serious concern is because they lower visibility. In fact, cracks/chips in the windshield have been cited as one of the main causes of road crashes. Unfortunately, visibility is reduced further when the adhesive material used to repair the crack dries incorrectly. In many cases, a thick line may form along the cracks/chips and this usually obscures vision. There also can be a misalignment. This leads to the misrepresentation of distance.
It Causes Further Cracking
As noted earlier, DIY windshield repair kits only provide a temporary solution to a problem that needs to be fixed by a professional to begin with. They are never a permanent fix. This is because the weld that is formed is not durable. As a result, when you continue using your vehicle without carrying out the necessary windshield repair or replacement, the glass can break even more so. This can also happen at an inopportune time. Imagine driving fast on the freeway only for the glass to break completely. Now assume that it’s raining or snowing outside. Your vision would certainly be impaired further. Auto glass cracks spread quickly and so this would put you in a risky situation. To avoid this, you need to take your vehicle to a qualified auto glass repair shop to have the windshield effectively repaired or replaced.
It’s An Unnecessary Expense
A DIY kit does not come cheap, so it is an added and unnecessary cost. Ideally, you need to take your car for repairs immediately or call for mobile windshield repairs/replacement. This will save you the cost of buying the kit. You can also avoid the risk of making your cracked windscreen irreparable. As mentioned earlier, auto glass cracks or chips can spread quickly. This is why it is important to take action right away when you notice that you have one.
Conclusion
Instead of wasting your time, money, and energy on a DIY windshield repair kit, it is best to go directly to a professional auto glass repair shop and have it done right the first time.
Call Liberty AutoGlass For All Of Your Windshield Repairs
Liberty AutoGlass offers windshield repair and windshield replacement, We use the highest quality materials with the most advanced auto glass technology available in the auto glass industry. This ensures that your auto glass is repaired correctly and quickly. Our mobile services allow you to go about your day as you normally would. We can repair your damaged auto glass at the convenience of your home or office. Liberty AutoGlass services windshields, back glass, door glass, vent glass, and quarter glass. All of our work comes with a guarantee.
We service Allentown PA 18101, Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Catasauqua PA 18032, Coplay PA 18037, Emmaus PA 18049, Hellertown PA 18055, Laurys Station PA 18059, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Northampton PA 18067, Whitehall PA 18052, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-7787 or (877) 90-GLASS if you have any questions. Click here to view our complete mobile auto glass service area in Pennsylvania.
