Fixing cracks in the windshield of the car. Windshield Repair
New technologies for manufacturing automotiveWindshields increase their physical properties. Special modifiers make them more durable, wear-resistant and durable. Nevertheless, in the long term, exposure to mechanical influences does not leave a chance even for premium glass models. As a result, small and large defects form on their surface. And if small flaws can be eliminated by grinding abrasives, then sealing the cracks in the windshield of the car requires a more thorough approach. Restore the structure is helped by special tools and methods that an ordinary motorist can use.
Glass defect
Before any repairs to the windshield are madediagnosis of his condition - that is, a defect. At this stage, the severity of the lesions, their type and the appropriateness of the restoration as such are determined. Unfortunately, not always back-up compounds allow to bring the surface to its former state. At best, it will be possible to delay its complete destruction, which implies serious risks when operating the machine in this form. If the crack is shallow, then you can handle glue mixtures with it. In some cases, deep processing with coarse-grained abrasives also helps. But one thing, this is cleaning the surface of scratches, and the other - a serious crack in the windshield. What to do in the second case? To begin with, it is worth noting the use of the machine, since a branched crack can be followed by a fine. Then the tactic of damage correction is chosen. Before this choice, it is worth to familiarize yourself with the tools and tools that in principle can help in this situation.
Tools for repair
The introduction of glue into the niche of a crack is recommendedperform a bridge with an injector. The results of the defect with specific parameters of the crack make it possible to choose the optimal design. There are metal and plastic devices. It is more convenient to repair the windshield with a plastic tool, but for repeated use it is better to stock up with a metal pair. Further, for cleaning the problem area, a pump or a pneumatic gun is required - these devices will effectively remove the zone from the slightest dust particles.
In the case, you may also need an electric drill. With its help, the stresses are removed from the structure of the glass. The creation of small holes is desirable to carry out diamond nozzles. Thanks to the open space, sealing of cracks in the windshield of the car will be more effective, so it is necessary to drill along the edges of the chips.
Preparing the glass for sealing
The sealing operation can only be carried out afterthorough stripping. In addition to tools like a pump and pneumatic, use technical fluids that also degrease the surface. Then you can start drilling. This procedure is required and in order that the crack does not extend to the new area. Subsequent sealing of cracks in the windshield of the car from the edge of the hole usually strengthens the damaged area, minimizing the risks of formation of new defects. The whole surface of the glass should be protected from accidental damage. For this, polyethylene films are used, which can be fixed at the edges of the target area with adhesive tape.
What is the completion of the seal?
Experts identify three categories of glutinousthe compositions intended for repair of glasses - acrylic, polymeric and ultraviolet. Most acrylic materials are a low-melting plastic mass that protects the reconstructed area from sunlight, as well as the regenerating optical properties of the surface. Polymeric means are characterized by effective mechanical action, which makes it possible to fasten splits about a meter in length. Moreover, the composition on polymers does not even require the preliminary creation of holes in the extreme points of the damaged area. A separate group is the ultraviolet adhesive for cracks in the windshield, which features a set of components and a method of application. Suffice it to say that in the process of crystallization, that is, solidification, the composition requires direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This is a new technology of a kind of soldering under the rays of the sun, which as a result gives a strong binding of the two pieces of glass. If in the process of work there is no possibility to use natural light, then it is possible to apply a lamp whose wavelength will be of the order of 250 nm.
Technology of repair
The embedding operation should be started whenThe voltage on the working area of the glass has already been removed. Next, a bridge with an injector is installed. The caliber of the device with the seal will depend on the size of the resulting crack in the windshield. Repairs by one's own hands without the use of special equipment are possible if the thrust of the bridge is 4-6 kg. This is the average for a hand tool of this type and in most cases it is enough.
Fixation of the bridge is made so that the ganderjust under the line of the crack. From this point, you can start feeding the glue mixture to the damaged area. In this procedure, installation syringes, in the form of which the tubes for the glue itself is often supplied, will also help. When the sealing of cracks in the windshield of the car will be made, you can prepare for the last stage - drying. As already mentioned, it is allowed to use both natural sun rays during crystallization of the mixture, and special lamps with similar radiation characteristics. The main thing is that the air does not penetrate into the closed zone.
General recommendations on the course of the seal
Throughout the process, one should rememberaccuracy at physical influence on glass. The handling of the bridge and the injector is a particularly delicate procedure, which should be approached after a series of training approaches. There are also some nuances in the work with the glue mixture. Firstly, it is recommended to apply the composition point-by-point through special applicators. In some cases, manufacturers also offer lamellar materials for applying glue as resin. Secondly, all surpluses must be promptly liquidated. Also, in the question of how to remove a crack in the windshield, you can not do without grinding elements. After hardening, it is impossible to count on the formation of a completely smooth and clean surface. Using a fine-grained abrasive paste and grinding machine, you should carefully walk through the work area, thus eliminating traces of embedding.
Prevention of crack formation
Large cracks on the glass just do notappear even after a long operation of the machine. This leads to specific factors, many of which most motorists do not even suspect. For example, in a frosty winter, intensive use of a glass or salon heater can lead to similar damage. Especially when the "oven" is put at extremely high temperature without a smooth warm-up. The reverse situation occurs in the summer, when the temperature difference occurs against the background of an incorrect operation of the air conditioner. Many owners of cars try in such cases to stop a crack in the windshield due to the same seal, paying special attention to mechanical protection. But the temperature balance is again ignored, which leads to a deterioration in the state of the glass.
Conclusion
In the very presence of small chips and cracks, there is nothingunusual. Experienced motorists perceive such problems as routine and take timely measures to solve them. As practice shows, repair of the windshield in the part of eliminating cracks is quite possible in an ordinary garage. The user has enough to stock up with a repair kit, a fixing mixture and a set of accessories. But it is important to keep in mind several aspects. First of all, none of these repairs can completely restore the old structure of the glass in the damaged area. And also it is necessary to take into account the fact that each subsequent operation of embedding increases the chances of a collision with a similar problem in the future.
