Posts Tagged glass
Auto Glass Repair Technology – Finding the Right Repair Guy
Windshield repairs have saved consumers millions of dollars over the years by allowing factory installed auto glass to be safely repaired with scientifically designed plastic resins. In the 1960’s laminated windshield glass was introduced. With the use of polyvinyl butyral the inner layer that laminated glass came into wider use by auto makers. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that true windshield repairs became possible. Until that time, all that could be done was to force some oil-based fluid into the damaged area to disguise it, but the results were poor and offered no real repair qualities to the safety or strength of the damaged area, as you can well imagine. From the first giant repair machine, originally introduced by 3M, to a myriad of equipment and companies that specialize in all aspects of glass repair, the search to find the right repair guy has become quite a challenge for “Joe” consumer.
Poor quality repairs can happen even when the most experienced repair person is at the helm. Windshield glass is layered like a sandwich, and it’s the outer layer of glass that receives all the activity from the harsh road environment. The poly layer in the middle flexes and holds the inner and outer layers of glass together so splintering is reduced and strength is added to the vehicle’s roof. When an object hits the windshield it will cause a hole or crack that runs to the inner glass layer. Even if the damage is small, the first thing that immediately contaminates the area that is broken is good old air, and it’s that air that shows up as a dark gray blemish within the windshield. Don’t mistake this blemishing for water or dirt settling inside the damaged area. The cracks in the glass layer can be so tight that moisture in any form could not penetrate the area.
Tags: auto glass, auto glass repair, auto glass repair shop, broken windshield, glass, glass repair, parts, tire repair, windshield, windshield glass, windshield repair, windshield repairs, windshieldsRelated posts
Automotive Three Stage Paint
Today’s automotive paint is durable and resistant to stains and has a high gloss. Vehicles of today primarily utilize a two stage paint process know as base coat, clear coat. There are a number of three stage colors that have become popular. The best example is the pearl white that General Motors uses on the Cadillac. When viewed from different angles the paint color appears to change. This is due to the mid coat, which is applied after the base coat and before the clear coat. The mid coat contains pearlescent powders that cover a broad color spectrum. If you look closely, you can see the small flakes of purple, reds, blues and other colors that give the pearl look to the finish. This type of refinishing is also known as” Tri Coat” with some paint manufactures.
This three stage process drove painters crazy when attempting to match colors. Typically, when a fender replacement was needed, blending the color back into the door to achieve a proper color match was required. In preparation for the blending operation all items are removed from the door such as handles, glass, moldings and trim. The base coat or first stage was applied to the fender and partially into the door. The second stage is the application of the clear coat, which is applied in two coats over the fender and complete door.With the addition of another spraying process after the base or first stage, the blending into the door did not produce an acceptable color match. The industry had to come up with a solution to this problem. The answer required a procedure known as zone refinishing.
Tags: automotive, automotive paint, glassRelated posts
Auto Windshields – Car Windshield Replacement and Repair
It is a fact that auto windshields tend to crack or break and then need replacement and repair. This happens for several reasons. For example, a chip of gravel can hit the windshield while the car is moving. Accidents can obviously cause the windshield to break completely. Extreme cold weather conditions are also often the culprit. Many times, car windshields from becoming victims of acts of vandalism or careless driving of others. The point is that the windshields of cars are made of tempered glass, glass, but it is still susceptible to damage.
The problem is that the replacement of windshields of cars is a costly affair. A viable alternative is to repair the windshield, which most insurance companies now in place to accept the replacement. In fact, even waive the deductible of the client that he or she must choose to repair rather than replace the windshields of cars. This makes financial sense for insurance companies too, because save millions each year in this way. By repairing rather than replacing a car windscreen, windscreen keeps the original integrity of the seal from the factory. In short, everyone wins. Windshield repair is a high-margin specialty, so it is a huge industry.
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