File picture: Volvo Car / Newspress.
We’ve all experienced that sinking feeling when a stone flicks off the road onto your windscreen.
If you’re lucky it will remain nothing but a small chip, but sometimes that chip quickly becomes a crack that spreads across your windscreen, and suddenly you’re faced with the prospect of having to invest in a new one.
But how bad does the damage need to be to warrant a complete replacement?
Interestingly windscreens are actually made up of two layers of glass with an inner layer of automotive safety film between them. This inner layer, or lamination, serves to hold together the broken outer layers in the event of an accident. That is why windscreens crack when struck by objects, but don’t fall apart and cave in on the driver in most circumstances.
Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), says it is important to understand that your windscreen is your protective shield.
“A crack or chip compromises the efficiency of a windscreen. Cracks can be repaired safely but there are certain rules. You shouldn't repair your windscreen if there are more than 3 cracks in totality and this includes past chips; the chip should not be too close to the edge of the windscreen and they shouldn't be in the A zone which is the area in front of the driver side,” he says.
Technology on vehicles is highly advanced and so is the windscreen which can be equipped with advanced driver’s assistance systems which help drivers prevent accidents and the seriousness of accidents. Cars with this technology will require special windscreens which needs to be recalibrated during the replacement process.
In general, however, most chips and cracks can be repaired. “Four factors are used to assess the damage – the size, type, depth, and location of the damage. This assessment needs to be done by a qualified auto glass repair technician who can then decide whether the windscreen is repairable.”
It is important to note that workshops and vehicle glass fitment centres that specialise in windscreen repairs should be able to repair chips of about 2.5cm diameter and cracks about 7cm long. Traditionally, any crack longer than that would not be repaired, and a complete replacement will be required. However, new technologies are making it possible to repair wider chips and longer cracks.”
The type of crack is also important as there are many different types of cracks, some of which can be repaired while others can’t. “In general, chips and cracks that can be covered with a R2 coin can usually be repaired,” says Ranft.
He adds that even good repairs may leave behind some discolouration, mistiness or unevenness so location of the chip or crack is an important consideration.
“If the damage is in the driver’s line of sight, a repair could distract the driver. Also, any chip or crack that is at or very near the windscreen’s edge where it meets the metal frame, weakens the windscreen and compromises passenger safety. If the technician can’t see the crack or chip in its entirety, then the repair can’t be done successfully.”
Typically, an average chip or crack will take about 30 to 40 minutes to repair. A windscreen replacement can be done within a few hours. “Depending on how busy the workshop or vehicle glass fitment centre is you may need to book your car in for the day or if it is already in for a service allow for some extra time,” he explains.
The key is dealing with a chip or crack as quickly as possible. He recommends speaking to your insurer about what is covered and what excess you may need to pay.
“Cracks lengthen before you know it. This is exacerbated by sudden changes in internal and external temperature, such as when a vehicle’s heater is switched on during cold winter periods.
“Another common mistake driver’s who leave their cars outside in winter make is pouring hot water over the windscreen in the morning to melt any frost. This is sure to lengthen an existing crack. Dust also settles inside chips which can cause further damage and make repairs difficult, so the lesson is if you don’t act quickly what could have been an inexpensive repair job may turn into an expensive replacement,” Ranft added.
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