We can often forget that the windshield is arguably one of the most important parts of our vehicles. The car windshield is also an area which is prone to damage and constantly exposed to the elements. Though modern windshields are quite strong, glass is still susceptible to many types of damage that doesn’t much effect other components.
Glass is a fragile material, even considering the processes modern windshields must go through to assure high strength and durability. However, there are a number of factors that can result in damage such as flying debris, wiper blade scratches, stone chips and many more. The most common of these is the infamous stone chip. There are a variety of factors that govern this type of damage, such as road surface driven on, number of miles, size and shape of windshield, rake angle and type of car. Some cars seem to be more prone to this type of damage than others.
As windshield are prone to being damaged and are highly exposed to the elements, it is always better to have any damage quickly repaired. Once the damage goes beyond a certain point, you may have no option but to replace the entire windshield. Car insurance policies vary widely; many insurance companies do not provide coverage for glass repair unless you have a more comprehensive policy, which may cost a little more, but in the end it can save you a lot of money and lost time.
In the meantime, however, if your windshield is free of dings and chips, there’s a few things you can do to keep it in prime shape for great visibility and safe driving.
Squeegee & Soapy Water
There is no need to buy a fancy cleaning solution for your car’s windshield. Just get a bucket of hot water and squeeze some mild detergent soap into the water. You can also use one part glass cleaner (made especially for windshields) to four or five parts of water. Do not use ammonia-based household glass cleaners for your windshield (especially for tinted windows), as they tend to be too harsh for most car windows and connecting parts around them. Saturate the windshield with your soapy water and use a squeegee to remove the dirt. Pull the squeegee from the middle of the windshield to the edge on each side and then pull it upward on the edges to get the residue off. Finish off the job with a microfiber cloth to remove any stray streaks or residue.
The Inside Surface
A much-neglected area of the windshield during cleaning is undoubtedly the inside face. Dirt can layer on the inside of the glass, over time making it more difficult to see. Use a microfiber windshield cleaning product with a handle that is specially made for this task, a great example is the
Windshield Wonder or the triangular Glass Master tool that gets into the corners of the glass. Spray it with plain hot water or a mixture of water and a small amount of glass cleaner, wring it out a bit so that it doesn’t drip all over the interior, and then move the brush around from corner to corner and finally into the middle to completely clean the inside glass. If you don’t have access to a tool like this, a soft static-free cloth will work just fine. The glass will self-dry streak-free with some tools, but you may need to go over it again with a static-free cloth to remove leftover residue traces.
Apply a Protectant
After you finish cleaning your windshield, spray it thoroughly with some Rain-X or a similar windshield protectant and then wipe it down with a static-free cloth. This will increase your visibility when it rains because the water literally sheets off the glass. Rain-X also comes in wipes that you can keep under your car seat and use periodically to prevent rainwater residue from sitting on your windshield.
The other windows in your vehicle are just as important as your windshield, so be sure to keep them clean and in prime condition using some of the recommendations above. If your windshield should need a repair, we’re here to do the job and do it right. Give us a call!
DeDona Auto Glass: (336) 851-1380
