2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
Sometimes unpredictable situations arise on the road. No one is immune from various damages, be it a scratch on the body, a dent or something else. Very often, motorists are faced with the problem of a crack on the windshield. Such damage can occur for various reasons: due to improper operation of the stove in winter or due to stone from the wheels of the car in front. But be that as it may, the result is the same - a damaged windshield. And this situation is unlikely to please the car owner. Is there a budget option? Find out in our article today.
When and how can I repair?
When can a windshield be repaired? If we are talking about a crack on the windshield, its total allowable size is no more than half a meter. If there are several such damages, it is better to remove this glass and install a new one. But a small crack can still be repaired. What material is used for this?Specialists use polymer for windshield repair. It is a transparent chemical compound that works like an adhesive. The product tightens the crack and makes the glass integral in appearance. The procedure for restoring the windshield can be entrusted to specialists or done by hand. Fortunately, now there are whole sets for such work on the market.
Please note that auto glass repair resins are not suitable for repairing scuffs. In this situation, you need to do abrasive polishing. It is produced using a completely different technology. But the result exceeds all expectations.
Which polymer to choose?
Experts say the best glass repair resins are made in the USA. Among them, the leader is Poly CF PL-101. Its cost is 2.5 thousand rubles. This tool does an excellent job with chips, as well as deep cracks. Judging by the reviews, this is a very good product. American glass repair polymer is good at tightening the "beams" and repairing chip damage.
The product is capable of reliably bonding the most difficult star or crescent cracks. The restored surface looks no worse than new, which is very pleasing. Reviews say that one bottle is enough to eliminate the longest cracks in the glass. The volume of the polymer is 28 milliliters. Of the minuses, one can note only the high cost. But it is fully justified by a good result - that's what the reviews say. Thethe product can be safely recommended for purchase. There are also domestic analogues, but, according to buyers, they do not do their job well. The crack is visible at certain angles, and it is not always possible to match the glass.
What tools do you need?
In addition to the polymer itself, glass repair requires:
- Injector for introducing the adhesive into the crack. Experts advise buying metal injectors - they last for a long time. Plastic ones will be cheaper, but they are practically disposable.
- Pump. It is needed in order to create pressure when the polymer is injected (if it is deep damage). Also, the pump can remove excess air that has formed at the repair site.
- Drill with a diamond drill. It is desirable that the tool has an adjustable speed of movement.
- UV lamp. It will act on the polymer while it hardens. It is not scary if you do not have such a lamp. Without it, it will only increase the curing time of the polymer on the car glass.
- Cleansing and dehumidifying liquid (for example, "Antisilicone"). They are needed for surface treatment before making repairs.
- Scriber. This tool cleans up small pieces and expands the damage (so that the adhesive enters completely).
- Flashlight and mirror (to check for air bubbles in the adhesive).
Below we will look at how glass chips and cracks are repaired.
Chip repair technology
This procedure begins with site preparation. It is unacceptable that there is dirt and excess moisture on the windshield. To remove them, use special tools (we mentioned them above). Next, using a drill, you need to drill out the area with a chip. Remains of glass are removed with a soft cloth moistened with a degreaser. Next, we proceed to the introduction of a polymer for glass repair.
To do this, install the injector over the chip and draw glue into the syringe. Next, we introduce the syringe into the "nipple" of the injector. According to the instructions, at least two pumps should be made. Don't be afraid to pour in more resin. The composition must completely cover the chip. Next, we install an ultraviolet lamp at the repair site and wait until the polymer hardens.
If the work is done on a sunny day, the crystallization time will be about one hour. After that, you can remove the remaining polymer with a razor blade. Next, the glass is polished using an abrasive paste. So the surface will be perfectly flat. This completes the repair process. You can start full operation.
Crack repair
This operation will take a little longer. The repair kit remains the same. So, first we prepare the crack for repair. To do this, we take a drill with a diamond drill in our hands. At a distance of five millimeters from the edges of the damage, we drill a hole. This is necessary in order to relieve internal tension from the frontal one and further prevent the development of new splinters in an unpredictable direction.
At the next stage, we introduce the polymer. It is applied using the same injector according to a similar principle. Then you should wait until the composition completely hardens. An ultraviolet lamp will speed up this process. In the absence of such, the crystallization time increases to eight hours. After that, we produce abrasive polishing of the entire glass. At this stage, the car is completely ready for operation.
In closing
So, we found out what a glass repair polymer is and how to apply it in various situations. Remember that during operation, the windshield is regularly subjected to vibrations. Timely repair of the crack will prevent its further development and maintain the strength of the glass. After restoration, such glass will not differ in any way from the new, factory one.
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