QUALITY CHIP REPAIR

At My Chip Repair, we pride ourselves on providing expert auto repair and tinting services to our clients. Our team of technicians are highly skilled and experienced in all aspects of chip repair. We use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest tools to quickly and accurately fix any chip repair issues on your vehicle.  At My Chip Repair, we are committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring that our clients are completely satisfied with the work we do.

This is an article written in the NYU from Oct/ 25/ 2021 providing some information on windshield chip repair and auto tinting.

Automotive safety features have evolved immeasurably over the last century, in both structure and function. Windshields are key structural safety elements, and as such are no exception. They are designed to support the front part of the vehicle if it rolls, and not to shatter into harmful shards on impact. 

The technology used in auto glass repair has also evolved and improved, with the invention of newer, clearer and stronger materials. Cracks and chips can generally be repaired, if they are caught before they get too big or run too far. There are also kits available for do-it-yourself repairs, but these come with certain complications that make a compelling argument for getting the job done by a professional. This is because the resins used to repair cracks and chips come in different types, and not all react the same way, or should be used for the same purpose.

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Resins used for auto glass repair work are manufactured to fill in an area where glass is missing, adhere to the surrounding glass, and provide structural support to stop the surrounding glass from cracking further. Resins are used because they are clear, flexible and yet durable.

High quality resins will last a lifetime, whereas poor quality resins become brittle and ineffective quite quickly. Some low quality resins do not harden correctly, and some harden too much and crack under pressure.

Not all resins were created equal, and so it is important to use a high quality resin for an auto glass repair, as this is a safety feature of the car, and it needs to hold up under constant use, in all weather.

Viscosity

Resins come in different viscosities or thicknesses. Viscosity is measured in centipoise (cps). The higher the viscosity, the thicker the substance. For example, water has a viscosity of 1-5cps, while honey has a viscosity of 2-3000 cps.

Resins of a higher viscosity may take longer to cure or harden, and certain types of resins will have an ideal temperature range in which they should cure.

An auto glass repair professional should know which viscosity to use for the type of damage she is asked to correct, as resins for glass repair are available in 20, 40, 60, 90, 100 and 200cps. This is why technicians cringe when people suggest using nail varnish to repair a crack.

What the Department of Motor Vehicles says about Windshields

(c) Windshield condition.  With the exception of the conditions listed in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this section, each windshield shall be free of discoloration or damage in the area extending upward from the height of the top of the steering wheel (excluding a 51 mm (2 inch) border at the top of the windshield) and extending from a 25 mm (1 inch) border at each side of the windshield or windshield panel. Exceptions: 

(1) Coloring or tinting which meets the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section; 

(2) Any crack that is not intersected by any other cracks; 

(3) Any damaged area which can be covered by a disc 19 mm (3⁄4 inch) in diameter if not closer than 76 mm (3 inches) to any other similarly damaged area. 

(d) Coloring or tinting of windshields and windows.  Coloring or tinting of windshields and the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver is allowed, provided the parallel luminous transmittance through the colored or tinted glazing is not less than 70 percent of the light at normal incidence in those portions of the windshield or windows which are marked as having a parallel luminous transmittance of not less than 70 percent. The transmittance restriction does not apply to other windows on the commercial motor vehicle.