The average person owns a lot of things, from electronic gadgets and devices to entire houses or properties. Of all their belongings, it is cars that people usually view differently and hold most dear. For some reason, they give their cars a special treatment, and they spend a lot of money trying to keep the vehicle in excellent shape. It makes sense if you think about it. You spend hours every week using the car, and, as a result, you form some sort of a bond with it. This is why it bothers you when you have a problem with your tires or brakes. The most annoying problem you could face, though, is a cracked windshield.
Here is how you can stop a windshield crack from spreading.
Clean the Windshield
Driving with a cracked windshield is not just annoying, but it is also quite dangerous. If the glass suddenly breaks while you're on the road, you will probably get into a serious accident. This is why you have to remedy this problem as soon as possible if a stone hits your windshield while you're driving and causes a crack. The first thing that you need to do is clean the windshield and make sure there isn't any dust or dirt so you can move to the next step.
Apply Super Glue
There is a very cool windshield repair kit that you can buy from stores, and it will probably contain super glue –– if not, get it separately. You can then apply that super glue to the crack, and give it time to dry. If you can't find super glue, you can use nail polish as a temporary solution. The glue or nail polish will help keep the crack together and prevent it from spreading any further until you have this problem fixed. It also helps if you covered the crack with some packing tape to protect it from any dirt or dust that might exacerbate the problem.
Consider Getting a Replacement
Now, this is where people's approaches will vary. After temporarily taking care of the problem, some people will leave the super glue in place and hope for the best, especially if it is a small crack. Others will go with the second option, which is replacing the windshield altogether to be on the safe side and avoid any unexpected complications on the road. If you're replacing your windshield, then you have to make sure you're hiring qualified technicians like Direct Quality Auto Glass to do it –– the last thing you need is for the windshield to fall off, while you're driving at 80 mph because it was not properly installed. The one you install also needs to be of the highest quality, and it is worth the investment because the windshield protects your entire car. Pro tip: look for providers who offer a warranty on new windshields.
Beware of Temperature
Until you replace the windshield, or even if you don't plan on doing it, you have to make sure your car isn't subjected to any temperature changes. The glass will expand if the weather is too hot, and contract if it gets too cold. So, you need to keep your windshield away from any variations, since the crack will definitely spread if that happens. So, park in the shade, or at least keep the front part of your car shielded from the sun. If the weather is cold, you should park the vehicle indoors until you have the crack repaired, or else the cold might destroy the windshield.
Avoid Highways
Driving on highways with a cracked windshield is never a good idea. For starters, the wind might prove too strong for the windshield, and the crack will probably start spreading. On the other hand, sand particles can be bullets at high speeds, and they will most likely help the crack spread. So, until you have the problem fixed, you should definitely stay away from highways or any roads that you would drive at high speeds on.
Why you Should Have It Replaced
The best thing to do with a cracked windshield is to have it replaced sooner or later. You can stop the crack from spreading, but it is still an accident waiting to happen. Never mind the unattractive look of a cracked windshield; it can be quite dangerous when you're driving since your vision could be easily impaired, and this can result in serious collisions.
What a lot of people don't know is that the windshield also plays a crucial role in accidents. It directs any impact force in front-end collisions to the chassis of the vehicle, which helps minimize the damage to the vehicle's interior, and, in turn, protects you from serious injury. This means that having an intact windshield is very important for safety considerations. So, make sure you replace it as soon as possible and get the best replacement in the market.
