Chip Repair Technique For Tinted Windows
Posted on: 10 August 2020
Any chip or small crack on a car window requires immediate repair; otherwise the damage can grow until the only option is to replace the entire windshield. It's even more important to act quickly if you have tinted windows, though, since moisture can seep beneath the tint where the damage has occurred, eventually causing the entire tinted surface to bubble or peel away. Fortunately, repair is often possible using the following strategies.
Tint Removal
For most small chips, the repair technician will only need to remove the tint at the site of the damage. They will use a sharp blade to cut away the damaged tint film and reveal the glass below. If water has already seeped beneath the tint film, though, the tech may need to remove the entirety of the film. In this case, the tinting must be replaced over the entire window once repairs are complete.
Cleaning and Preparation
Once the tint film is removed, the chip and remaining edges of the tint must be prepared for repair. The tech will use an alcohol-based cleaner to remove any debris from both the chip and the tint. Since the cleaner is alcohol-based, it will quickly evaporate away and leave behind a perfectly dry surface that is ready for repair.
Chip Repair
A special type of resin is used to fill chips and small cracks on auto glass. The repair tech will inject this resin into the damaged area, filling all the nooks and crannies of the chip. Then, a special UV light is used to quickly harden and cure the resin. Once this is done, the tech will smooth and polish the repair until it blends seamlessly with the rest of the glass. The area is then cleaned a second time to ensure that there is no dust or debris left over from the repair process.
Tint Repair
The last step is to repair the tint. If the entire sheet of film was removed, then a fresh sheet will be applied and left to cure. In most cases, though, only a patch needs to be placed. This patch is cut to the exact dimensions of the hole in the tint. It's carefully put in place so that the edges of the patch meet perfectly with the surrounding tint. A heat gun is then used to melt the edges together until the seam is nearly invisible.
Contact an auto glass repair service if you notice any chips on or cracks on your car windows.
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