Getting Clear on Windshield Repair Kits Can DIY Windshield Repairs Fix or
Prevent More Damage? Is that rock chip in your windshield really starting to
annoy? If you're not ready to spring for a new windshield,you might be able to
fix that small chip yourself. And even if you can't make it perfect again,a
windshield repair kit can often prevent the damage from spreading further launch
x431 diagun. We had stars in the windshields of two of our cars and wanted
to see how well a do-it-yourself kit sold in auto parts stores worked. While it
didn't make the damage completely disappear,it reduced the visibility of the
crack and can ensure the break doesn't grow any larger. Since these kits are
inexpensive Band-Aids rather than a complete repair,keep your expectations in
check. The damage is unlikely to become invisible,but the small investment can
buy some time before you need a new windshield. Consider Your Options Replacing
a windshield can easily run $200-$500,and you can also hire a glass expert to
come and fix cracks,bull's-eyes and stars for about $75. However,their method is
only slightly better than what you can do yourself. The professional may use a
diamond-tipped drill,and have a better"bridge"-- the guide that attaches to your
windshield with suction to force resin into the crack. There are a number of
windshield repair kits on the market,including the highly rated
Fix-A-Windshield,which contains a plastic bridge similar to those used by
professionals. We tried the popular Permatex kit ($11.99) which uses a syringe
to suck air out of the break and then inject resin into the area to seal the
glass. Tools and Repair Time The kits come with almost everything you need for
the repair,which will take about an hour to perform. In addition,we recommend
that you wear latex gloves to keep the resin from contacting your hands,get a
towel to protect your car's finish and put a roll of paper towels under the
windshield wipers. Also,bring a bottle of glass cleaner for post-repair cleanup.
The first steps should not be done in direct sunlight and the windshield should
not be hot to the touch. For the final steps of the repair,you will move the car
to direct sunlight so you might want to pick a spot that has both sun and shade
nearby. Repair Steps You should always follow the specific instructions of the
kit's manufacturer,but here's a general overview of the process. Clean the area
around the break with an alcohol pad. Using a push pin,dig out any loose chips
of glass,making sure not to let the sharp particles come in contact with your
hands. A professional glass repair worker would drill a small hole through the
top layer of the windshield glass to allow the resin to better penetrate the
break. Clean the area again with the alcohol pad. Peel off one side of the
backing of the doughnut-shaped adhesive and press it on the windshield so that
it completely surrounds the center of the break. Firmly press the adhesive onto
the glass. Peel off the other side of the backing and press the"pedestal"onto
the adhesive so that it angles straight up. Snap or cut the tip off the tube of
resin and empty about three-fourths of the tube into the pedestal. This is hard
to do because you have no idea how much is in the tube. Just don't squeeze it
too strongly. Put the cap back on the resin and set it aside. Resin will now be
flowing into the broken glass area. With the plunger pushed all the way in,put
the syringe into the pedestal and push it into place so it forms an airtight
seal. Draw the plunger back to the indent near the tip of the plunger and then
twist it so it locks in this position. This will draw air bubbles out of the
broken glass area. Leave the syringe in this position for 10 minutes. Remove the
syringe to break the vacuum and allow air into the pedestal. Now,reinsert the
syringe so that it is airtight again. Holding the syringe in place with one
hand,press down on the plunger with the other hand and lock it in the lower
setting. In this step,you are using the sealed space,and the airtight plunger,to
force the resin down into the break. Leave the assembly in this position for at
least 20 minutes. Remove the syringe and use a safety razor (included in the
kit) to cut the adhesive doughnut and pedestal from the windshield. Some resin
will flow down and be absorbed by the paper towels under the windshield wipers.
Move the car into direct sunlight. Put several drops of the resin into the
center of the break. Place the plastic square over the resin and smooth out any
air bubbles with the edge of the razor so that the resin evenly coats the area.
Let it stand for 15 minutes (or an hour on a cloudy day). The ultraviolet rays
of the sun will harden the resin. Remove the plastic strip using the razor and
scrape the resin from the glass. Spray the area with glass cleaner and wipe it
down. Repair Tips Here are a few additional tips not generally found in your
kit's instructions: On large SUVs or trucks,reaching the break may be a problem.
Make sure you have a secure step stool or small ladder to reach out over the
hood. Protect the area of the car you're leaning against with a towel to avoid
scratching the car. Look closely at the break and be sure you pick out any
broken glass before you begin launch
creader crp123. It's important to do this so the resin will flow into the
broken area. If you use a syringe-type kit,make sure you understand the concept
of sucking the resin out of the break (to clear air bubbles) and then forcing it
back in with air pressure. Practice using the indented locks on the syringe
before squeezing in the resin. Be careful to press the doughnut-shaped adhesive
onto the windshield firmly all the way around. When we didn't pay enough
attention to this step,the resin worked its way through and trickled down the
windshield.
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