The windshield is an essential part of your car regarding visibility on the road and safety. A sturdy windshield is critical to maintaining a vehicle’s integrity, while a cracked or damaged one could put the driver, other passengers, and road users at more significant risks. In accidents, the windshield absorbs the impacts, preventing the car’s occupants from being thrown out. However, a damaged windshield cannot sustain the pressure, leaving the car occupants at risk of injuries and even death. Nevertheless, the following are some of the frequently asked questions about windshield replacement.
Most people usually have difficulties deciding whether to repair or replace their windshields. However, you can make the right decision by performing the quarter test on your windshield. Take a quarter and place it on the damaged sections of the windshield. Any dents more minor than the coin qualifies for repair, which ensures a quick turnaround time. However, cracks and dents that peak out and are more extensive than 1.25 inches will need replacement.
An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windshield is an auto glass manufactured by the same company as your car’s original windshield. On the other hand, an Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) has similar standards to the original car glass, but a different company manufactures them. You can use either of them when replacing your car’s windshield but, OEM parts are usually the best since they carry a warranty.
A typical windshield repair usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes but, a replacement can be lengthy, ranging between 45 minutes to one hour. Besides, windshield replacement requires a waiting period of at least a few hours for the adhesives to cure and bond with the frame perfectly.
Although the ones discussed above are fundamental questions regarding windshield replacement, you may still want to make additional inquiries with your car service provider. That will offer you better insights into the common issues about windshield replacement and the steps involved in the process.
Innovation is rapidly transforming every sector of the automotive industry from manufacturing to repair. It offers more efficient and sustainable corrective measures at lower costs than most conventional procedures. Besides, technology also facilitates proper diagnosis and repairs based on the condition of the car. The following are some of the futuristic technologies for car collision repair that you should know.
New technologies are changing car construction and, that means auto repair experts too should update their methods and equipment. Today, many car manufacturers use aluminum for car designs mainly due to its lightweight and strength, allowing cars to meet the safety and fuel economy regulations. Unlike steel cars, aluminum body panels require new repair strategies since they cannot be re-shaped. Experts should repair aluminum car panels using special riveting and welding equipment. Experienced technicians also use advanced steel for auto body repair. Those new techniques may be costly but will make your car stronger, smarter, and long-lasting.
Futuristic cars like the Tesla Model S are Wi-Fi hotspots that can remotely perform a wide range of tasks. The cars can independently initiate software updates to correct various issues, including performance problems, fuel mileage, and safety glitches. Auto repair experts can also use the technology in many practical ways. For instance, auto repair experts can use wireless data transmission to perform a comprehensive diagnosis of the car after a collision accident, allowing them to identify all the problems with better precision.
New cars have complex hybrid devices, sensors, and computerized systems that control most of the functions. Those components are also changing the strategies for collision repair. Augmented Reality could soon enable auto technicians to conveniently access visual information, guiding them through every repair step. It also allows the mechanic to visualize the hidden parts of the car, ensuring detailed and effective car repair. Volkswagen is among the first car manufacturers to adopt the idea with their MARTA (Mobile Augmented Reality Technical Assistance) interface for VW XL1, featuring an intricate diesel-hybrid drivetrain.
As technology advances, we expect to see even more transformative innovations for conducting car collision repairs. Adopting them will enable auto technicians to improve efficiency and ensure more sustainable car collision repair solutions.
After a recent post from Dent Dawg, a San Antonio Dent Repair blogger, he shares that minor auto body damage happens all the time. Bumper scrapes, door dings, and scratches are all too common. Some damage requires skills, experience, and specialized tools to fix. However, you can repair some dings, dents, and scratches at home. You need to know what to do and how to do it to achieve excellent results.
Fixing a simple paint scratch can seem pretty simple. However, it’s not that easy because filling in the paint scratch using touch-up paint might not do the trick. If your vehicle has a deep paint scratch that shows the underneath primer, you may have to fill it.
You may also require multiple touch-up paint coats or scratch fillers. After drying the touch-up paint, sand the surface smooth using fine sandpaper. 400-grit sandpaper is ideal for this job. Once you’ve done this, wax the body to restore the original shine of your vehicle. Work on small areas to avoid doing a lot of work.
You will find different types of car paints matching that of your vehicle. But, you should use your vehicle’s paint code as provided in the owner’s manual. Check the code sticker under the hood or door sill. If you want to paint a large area, custom-mix the paint and then load it into the aerosol sprayer to ensure a perfect match.
If your vehicle has minor dents, pop them out safely from behind. You can use a suction cup to pull out the auto dent. However, the car dent may need refilling and repainting the damaged area. And this is not difficult, but you might need specialized skills. That’s why you should probably take your car to an auto body repair shop.
Although some auto body repair work may seem easy, you can damage your vehicle trying to fix it without the help of an expert. To avoid this, take your car for auto body repair at a reputable shop.
Car accidents happen all the time. Some people drive carelessly while others are careless drivers. That’s why even the most careful drivers visit auto body shops. To ensure that your vehicle looks and performs better after an accident, make sure that it is repaired at a professional and reputable auto body shop. Here are some of the most common repairs that can be done at an auto body shop.
Grocery carts and flying stones are some of the things that cause dents on vehicles. Unfortunately, these dents are easy to notice. If you don’t have them removed, they will eventually cost you a lot more to repair. A professional auto body shop can remove them using the paintless dent removal technique.
This technique does not involve sanding, painting, or the use of fillers. Experienced technicians use specialized tools to smoothen out the dents and restore the original look of a vehicle. Nevertheless, only competent and experienced technicians should perform paintless dent removal to ensure excellent results.
Perhaps, your vehicle has been involved in an accident that necessitates repainting. In that case, take it to a reputable auto body repair shop. This will ensure that the tainted paint job is fixed professionally. Surface scratches, rust, and other auto body damage can be fixed by repainting your vehicle.
A good auto body shop has trained and experienced technicians that perform auto paint color matching, sanding, cleaning, and painting professionally. Corrosion-resistant primer and a sprayer are used to paint cars professionally.
In some cases, the window of a vehicle is damaged beyond repair. In that case, a good auto body shop can replace it. But, if the window or glass can be repaired, the auto body shop will do the job. A good shop will recommend repair or replacement after analyzing the damage carefully.
Frame straightening and testing can also be done at a reputable auto body repair shop. Essentially, a good auto body shop will fix any damage to your vehicle and restore its brand new appearance.
Many people want to travel solo but they feel guilty whenever they think about leaving their partners behind. So, how do you travel alone without feeling like you’re being selfish? Shedding this travel guilt and making you the priority is not easy. You need the right mindset to plan a solo trip guilty-free. Here are some of the thoughts to consider.
Maybe your spouse is not interested in traveling. If you think about it that way, you will be freeing them of the guilt of keeping you from traveling when you take off solo. Thus, you could be feeling guilty about the idea of wanting to travel alone when you could be doing them a favor.
You deserve to be happy. And, your partner will be happy on realizing that you’re doing what makes you happy. A smile can be contagious. Therefore, travel solo to come back as a happy person and spread this happiness to them.
You may be responsible for caring for your children, parents, and friends. In that case, traveling alone provides a chance to take some time off the duties. It’s an opportunity to make you a priority. This rejuvenates your body, mind, and soul, thereby enabling you to take care of the others better.
Traveling with a partner or a friend involves giving and taking. However, a trip with a partner or a group might not provide what you want. In that case, avoid dragging other people and go solo.
Engaging in a selfish activity like solo travel can be a gift to another person. For instance, you may have been generous with your talents and time. In returning your generosity, the recipient may want you to take time to yourself and travel alone.
Essentially, you don’t have a reason to feel guilty for traveling alone. If that’s what makes you happy, consider going on a solo trip.
