Clear Tape On Windshield Crack
Егор Ульянов
I recently had a windshield stone chip on my RAV4. Unfortunately, I was able to book a time for repair in the dealership 3 weeks after the chip appeared, not sooner than that. I immediately after the chip appeared covered it with transparent tape to prevent dirt in the area of the chip. The chip looks like a star: there is the location where the stone hit and several
The solution of adding a tape wasn't however even a semi-permanent one. When driving in the rain and having to use the windshield wipers, the combination of water and wipers caused the transparent tape to fly off. So, I drove for some distance until I decided to put a new piece of transparent tape again over the chip. Unfortunately, according to weather forecasts there's a chance of slight rain before I finally have the time for repair.
Did I do correctly when I decided to cover the stone chip with transparent tape? Should I keep on adding new pieces of tape as old ones fly off due to water and windshield wipers? Or are they able to clean the stone chip area before the repair?
The web sites say you should use tape and it may effect the repairs if water goes into inside layer. Carwash can make water and cleaning agents to go inside the crack due to use of pressurized water jets.
So 2-3 chip repairs and you will start losing money on next one. Also one thing to consider is if your insurance will cover it if the crack widens and you have to get windscreen replaced. It may be more profitable to not get it fixed at all.
So obviously a piece of tape isn't going to prevent a chip from "spider-webbing" into a crack if you hit a pothole or a speedbump or something. I don't think dirt is going to further the damage in the short term. If you never intended to replace the windshield its a moot point, since crack formation is borderline inevitable anyway.
The one thing that your piece of tape could be affecting is water. Water can potentially make its way into the crack, and if it froze afterwords, it might widen it. On the other hand, it might act as a conduit for the water: condensation forms under the tape, then gets in the crack, then freezes. Mind you I've never SEEN this happen, it just seems like something that could happen, if you think about it.
Short Answer: No I don't think its worth it to cover the chip with tape. You don't gain any additional protection by having the tape there. If the chip is fillable, any proffesional will clean the area off before they attempt to fill it.
Using water or a glass cleaner can further damage your windshield by seeping into the inner safety layer through the cracks or chips. If this happens, you might have to completely replace your windshield instead of getting it repaired. Moreover, having moisture get stuck inside the crack can also interfere with the resin and prevent it from adhering properly or cause discoloring.
Another temporary way to keep your windshield intact is covering the cracked area with a piece of clear tape. Doing so will protect the affected area from being invaded by moisture and dirt, and will keep it clean. Moreover, a clear tape will not obstructing your view while you drive.
Be careful about the type of tape you use! Using the scotch or duct tape you find in your supply cabinet will do you no good. Not all tapes can keep moisture or dirt out, and can also block your view of the road. Thus, only use clear packing tape for this temporary fix.
While clear tape and a clean, dry windshield will be able to temporarily hold the damage for a little while, your ultimate solution lies with getting it professionally repaired or replaced. Sure, the moisture and dirt may be kept out for the time being but the tape is nowhere as strong or as adequate to keep the crack from spreading.
A slight speed bump, a slam of the car door, or even a shift in the temperature can further increase the problem. Thus, it is imperative you get in touch with an auto glass repair shop ASAP to have your windshield looking good as new in no time. Not only will this save you from the hassle of constantly checking if your windshield is held together, it will also save you money in the long run.
1. Front side wing vents and windows that have a substance or material in conjunction with glazing material that has a light transmission of thirty-three percent plus or minus three percent and a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent plus or minus three percent.
2. Front side wing vents and windows that have a substance or material not attached in conjunction with glazing material that is used by a vehicle operator on a moving vehicle during daylight hours as provided in section 28-922.
6. Side windows that are to the rear of the driver and rear windows that have a substance or material in conjunction with glazing material that has a luminous reflectance of thirty-five percent plus or minus three percent or less.
10. The rear window or windows if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors that are on both left-hand and right-hand sides of the vehicle and that are located in a manner to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the motor vehicle.
(a) The bottom edge of the material is at least twenty-nine inches above the undepressed driver's seat when measured from a point five inches in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver's seat in its rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied on the windshield or side or rear windows or with an object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed or applied in or on the motor vehicle in a manner that obstructs or reduces a driver's clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows.
C. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not place, install, affix or apply a transparent material on the windshield or side or rear windows of a motor vehicle if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmittance of the windshield or side or rear windows.
D. Each manufacturer shall certify to the director that the product or material the manufacturer manufactures or assembles complies with the reflectivity and transmittance requirements of this section.
F. A person who sells or installs objects or materials under this section shall set forth in a conspicuous manner that the installation of the object or material to the driver or passenger side window may be illegal in some states.
G. On application from a person required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun that is supported by written attestation of this fact from a physician licensed pursuant to title 32, chapter 13, 14 or 17, the department may issue an exemption from this section for a motor vehicle belonging to the person or in which the person is a habitual passenger. A person may operate a vehicle or alter the color or reduce the light transmitted through the side or rear windows of a vehicle pursuant to an exemption issued by the director.
1. "Light transmission" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, that is allowed to pass through the product or material including the glazing to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.
2. "Luminous reflectance" means the ratio of the amount of total light, expressed in percentages, that is reflected outward by the product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.
While driving a car or SUV on the road, you remain exposed to a number of external elements. You never know when the tire of a passing vehicle picks up a pebble and it comes flying onto your windshield. As a result of this impact, the windshield of your vehicle can get a chip or crack. If something like this happens, what are you going to do? The first thing you should look for is a reliable auto glass company and schedule an inspection of the glass damage. But until the damage is fixed in a proper manner, you also need to protect the windshield. This is because a minor damage can easily expand into a major one due to impact or pressure.
At Magic Glass Repair, we always advise car owners to get the repairs done without any delay and safeguard the damaged glass until our technicians arrive to perform the job. While you wait for the repairs, follow these useful tips to protect your windshields and prevent the damage from worsening.
After you have noticed a chip or crack on your windshield, the first thing you should do is keep your car in a safe place. So, either park the vehicle in a garage or a shaded area near your home or office. Keeping your car parked in a garage offers multiple benefits such as protection against theft and vandalism. In this way, you also safeguard your vehicle against harsh weather conditions or very low and high temperatures and protect the broken windshield as a result.
When your car is inside a garage, it does not remain exposed to dust and dirt or the risk of falling branches. A chipped or cracked windshields can sustain further damages due to the impact of external elements.
If the front windshield or the rear window glass breaks while you are away from home or on a holiday, you should park the car in a shaded area. No matter where you are, your broken windshield needs protection. Whether it is snowfall or sunlight, you need to shield your vehicle against all those elements that can spread the chip or crack even further making the repairs expensive. It is also a good idea to cover your car or SUV with a full cover. The point is you should keep the windshield safe after it has sustained damage until repair is done.
Car windshields are manufactured to withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy winds, hail, snowfall etc. But, even most of the high quality automotive glasses are also vulnerable to chips and cracks on a scorching summer day. Actually, automotive glasses can tolerate high temperatures, but the problem begins when temperatures begin to fluctuate on an extreme level.
c80f0f1006