by Steve | Mar 8, 2019 | Mobile Windshield Replacement
Modern windshields do a lot more than block the wind
Early cars, or “horseless carriages” as they were called at the time, didn’t have windshields. Since their top speed was so low, it wasn’t really necessary. However, when the twentieth century rolled around and internal combustion cars started to get faster, more common, and more practical, people realized pretty quickly that they wanted protection from dirt, insects, and debris that the wind blew into their cars. This gave rise to the first windshields. In this series, we’ll discuss windshield history and technology, then we’ll take a look at mobile windshield replacement.
Early windshields were designed to shield from the wind, but not much beyond that. They were essentially the same as a plate glass window you would find in houses of the time. Most were actually designed to fold in half with the idea being when the windshield got too dirty to see through, you folded it down out of the way and looked over top of it. However, these early windshields had another big problem – safety. Since they were made of plate glass, even a minor accident could cause them to shatter into long, pointed shards that were very dangerous to drivers. Of course, this was also long before airbags or even seatbelts were included in cars, making the plate glass windshields even more dangerous since occupants could be thrown through them in a crash.
The quest for a safer windshield
Windshield technology got a big boost early in the twentieth century due largely to a laboratory accident by French chemist Edouard Benedictus. Benedictus had been doing some experiments with a compound called cellulose nitrate when his assistant accidentally put away some of his lab equipment while it was still dirty. While the beakers sat on their shelf, the cellulose nitrate hardened into a clear, plasticky coating on the inside of the glassware.
Check back soon for Windshield is a Misleading Name – More on Mobile Windshield Replacement Done Right – Part 2. In the meantime, check out our page on mobile windshield replacement.
by Steve | Feb 26, 2019 | Mobile Windshield Replacement
This post is the tenth in a series on the basics of auto glass, auto glass repair, and mobile windshield replacement. If you haven’t read parts 1-9 yet, I recommend you do before continuing.
Ask about what certifications they hold and what standards they follow (continued)
At Chapman Auto Glass, we follow the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) set forth by the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC). The AGSC is the non-profit organization responsible for setting standards for auto glass replacement is the US. These standards are covered under ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS 003-2015, which is available to the public on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) website. It’s important to note that while this is a national standard for best practices, it’s voluntary, meaning auto glass replacement companies are under no obligation to follow it, and oftentimes less reputable companies don’t follow it either to save time or money.
At Chapman Auto Glass, every job we do is also covered by our lifetime warranty.
Standards for windshield repair
As the AGRSS covers standards for best practices in windshield replacement, likewise the ROLAGS (repair of laminated auto glass standard) covers situations where the windshield can be repaired rather than replaced. ROLAGS includes rules for what types of damage can be repaired versus when the windshield must be replaced, and also how windshields should be repaired.
High standards keep you safe
If the shop you’re considering for your auto glass repair or replacement doesn’t follow whichever standards are appropriate (AGRSS for replacement and ROLAGS for repair) then your windshield is not going to perform the way it was designed in the event of a crash. Your vehicles safety systems are no place to pinch pennies – make sure the shop you choose uses the right materials, the right techniques, and follows the right standards.
At Chapman Auto Glass, we use top-notch OEM parts, adhesives, and primers, our highly experienced technicians follow all the right standards, and every job we do is guaranteed. You won’t find better peace of mind than that in the mobile auto glass replacement and and auto glass repair industry. Learn more about how we do mobile windshield replacement here.
by Steve | Feb 12, 2019 | Mobile Windshield Replacement
This post is the ninth in a series on the basics of auto glass, auto glass repair, and mobile windshield replacement. If you haven’t read parts 1-8 yet, I recommend you do before continuing.
What is the Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT) or Minimum Drive Away Time (MDAT)? (continued)
MDAT is a term that is gaining ground in the industry, but both MDAT and SDAT mean essentially the same thing. If the company tells you that you can drive your vehicle immediately after the technician is finished, call another company. There’s no such thing as a windshield replacement that doesn’t have a SDAT, and anyone that says there is isn’t doing it right.
Ask about materials they use
The goal in a windshield replacement is to replicate original factory conditions as closely as possible. With this goal in mind, it’s important to use the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement windshields, adhesives, and primers. Aftermarket alternatives are often cheaper, but they aren’t subjected to the rigorous engineering and testing standards that OEM parts are. This is true of replacement parts everywhere in your car, but it’s particularly important for windshields since they are so critical to crash safety. Chapman Auto Glass uses Essex Betaseal Advance Cure Auto Glass Adhesive. This adhesive costs 2-3 times as much as standard urethane, but does a much better job of replicating the factory windshield attachment. Other companies may use a cheaper adhesive to cut costs and give you a lower priced quote, but it will not stand up to the same standards.
Ask about what certifications they hold and what standards they follow
There is no cohesive licensing body for auto class replacers, so it’s up to the individual business to make sure their work meets the right standards and is up to snuff.
Check back soon for Welcome to the Chapman Auto Glass Blog, Part 10! In the meantime, check out our page on mobile windshield replacement.
by Steve | Jan 24, 2019 | Mobile Windshield Replacement
This post is the eighth in a series on the basics of auto glass, auto glass repair, and mobile windshield replacement. If you haven’t read parts 1-7 yet, I recommend you do before continuing.
Using the right techniques in mobile windshield replacement (continued)
One example of the dire consequences of a sub-par windshield replacement is the unfortunate case of one Wisconsin woman, who was killed after her improperly replaced windshield gave way and she was ejected from the vehicle. In the investigation that ensued after the accident, one industry expert, Debra Levy of the auto glass safety council, said that, “…as many as 85 percent of so-called replacement windows are installed wrong.” (1) While it’s difficult to find exact numbers on how common sloppy or improper practices are in the auto glass replacement industry, it seems safe to say that there are millions of vehicles in the US that will not perform up to factory standards in a crash due to improper windshield replacements.
Vetting an auto glass shop
So, with all the sub par mobile windshield repair companies out there, how can you be sure the company you choose is doing it right? Well, there are a few questions you can ask that will give you a good idea.
What is the Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT) or Minimum Drive Away Time (MDAT)?
Curing time is important. Under ideal conditions, like a dry, hot, New Mexico day, and given the right adhesives, SDAT can be as little as an hour. However, if it’s cold and humid out, SDAT can be significantly longer – as much as several hours in certain situations and cases.
Check back soon for Welcome to the Chapman Auto Glass Blog, Part 9! In the meantime, check out our page on mobile windshield replacement.
Source cited:
1 – https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/13/cbs-2-investigation-an-improper-windshield-installation-can-be-deadly/
by Steve | Jan 10, 2019 | Mobile Windshield Replacement
This post is the seventh in a series on the basics of auto glass, auto glass repair, and mobile windshield replacement. If you haven’t read parts 1-6 yet, I recommend you do before continuing.
Using top quality materials in mobile windshield replacement (continued)
Another important material choice is in the adhesives used to attach the windshield to the car. At Chapman Auto Glass, we use Dow chemical adhesives – the same brand as is used by around 80% of modern vehicle manufacturers.
Using the right techniques in mobile windshield replacement
Once you’ve got the right materials lined up, the next step is to use the proper techniques in installation. Perhaps the most important caveat here is proper drying time. Each specific adhesive has a rated drying time that depends on humidity, elevation, weather, and other factors. If the installer moves the car or allows you to take the car before the adhesive has properly set, it will never set properly, the structural integrity of the windshield will be compromised, and it could pop out in a crash.
Drying time is crucial, but there are plenty of other places where a cut-rate shop can botch a windshield replacement. Barbara Walters and 20/20 did an investigation of improper windshield replacement that has been passed around on the internet quite a bit in the years since. In addition to improper drying times, they observed technicians installing windshields without gloves, which allows human skin oils to contaminate the adhesive that holds the windshield in and compromises its structural integrity. They also observed windshield being installed without primer, and windshields being installed without being cleaned. While these oversights and improper procedures are often done with the intention of saving a few minutes or a few dollars, the results can be tragic.
Check back soon for Welcome to the Chapman Auto Glass Blog, Part 8! In the meantime, check out our page on mobile windshield replacement.
