One investment you could make yourself, aside from buying a car that is, is actually taking care of it. Aside from the care of the bodywork, you should give extra effort in taking care of your windshield. Although windshields are designed to protect you from weather conditions and the world outside, it doesn’t mean it could go off without proper care. Remember that your windshield ensures you of a smooth and safe ride every time. Could you imagine life without it? I’m sure you can’t. So here are a few tips for you to follow in taking care of your windshield.
General Care
Don’t slam doors – remember that the glass work in your car (windows, windshield and rear glass) encloses your vehicle tightly. So when you slam doors, the pressure inside your car could actually create a crack or even break your windshield. Remind your family members and anyone who rides with you to do the same and take part in taking care of your windshield.
Not too much sun – avoid parking your car where there’s too much sun hitting it directly. The heat of the sun can do bad things for your car in general but especially bad for your windshield. The heat and UV rays emanating from the sun can actually cause the durability of glass to wear. Regular exposure to heat of this sort can lead to your windshield glass to become brittle, and eventually crack or break.
Extreme temperatures – do not make it a habit to put your air conditioning, heater or defroster on high. The sudden change in interior temperature can cause damage not only to your windshield, but to all other glass pieces in your car.
Consider the weather – should it be raining where you are with gushing winds, remember to park in a safe area. And by safe I mean, avoid parking below trees and posts that could easily be uprooted and hit your car. This is actually just a reminder because I am certain this is pure common sense. Who would want to lose not just a windshield but the whole car right?
Cleaning tips
Choose the right cleaner – if you clean your car on your own, do not buy glass cleaners that contain ammonia. The chemical poses a threat not just to your car’s tint but to your health as well. It is best to clean with alcohol or vinegar. Or try other natural concoctions in taking care of your windshield.
Wipe with care – wiping with care is of course, already expected. So the tip here is to choose the right material to wipe with. I suggest using a rag made of microfiber or pure cotton. It’s a great material to dry off your windshield and leaves no mark or fiber onto the glass.
Be thorough – it is not enough to clean just the glass of your windshield. Clean the rubber gasket it’s attached to as well. The rubber gasket fits your windshield into place. That being said, it’s understood that the rubber weighs down the pressure off your car. Dirt and tiny rock particles can easily get stuck in this rubber and with no surprise cause your windshield to crack or break.
Remember the wipers – another important thing to remember is to clean your wipers properly. Do not get at it too hard as it may cause damage to how it functions and ruin your windshield instead of preserve it. Check the blades for foreign objects such as tiny rocks or dirt and wipe them off clean with a windshield fluid washer.
Worst case scenario
Don’t be Mr. Fix a lot. I’m sure you want to take pride in how you take care of your car. But there are just some things that you should not mess around with. And that is a cracked or broken windshield. Should you see a crack on your windshield, have it checked by an expert right away! Attempting to do some DIY fix could actually cause even more damage. Windshield repair requires the right equipment and expertise. What you think you may be saving by doing it yourself could actually hold you off even more dollars if you fail. Because by then, a repair might not cut it anymore and you’d be left with no choice but to have it replaced. And who would want that, right?
