Guide to Windshield Replacement in Tucson: Understanding Different Types of Windshield Damage and When to Replace

Being a responsible driver means taking care of your car’s maintenance and repair needs. This includes routine maintenance services such as oil changes and large-scale tasks such as engine repair work. But even if you keep up with these service requirements, there’s one auto component you may not have put much thought into maintaining — namely, your car’s windshield.

Are you wondering whether it’s time for windshield replacement in Tucson, Arizona? That might be the case — but even if you don’t need a new windshield, you shouldn’t ignore cracks and chips in your auto glass. Instead, keep reading for our guide to the different forms of damage auto glass can sustain and what type of service might be best for your windshield.

Why Auto Windshields Matter

Most drivers don’t think about their car’s windshield very often, and that’s by design. While you technically look at this component whenever you drive your vehicle, it’s meant to provide a clear view of the outside world — not call attention to itself. Even so, your windshield has many essential roles to play in your car.

If your vehicle didn’t have a windshield, you and your passengers would be continually under assault from dust, rocks, and other foreign objects. Additionally, windshields protect your car’s structural integrity; if you get in a crash, this component lowers the risk of a caved-in roof. As you might expect, windshields need to be in good shape and completely free of damage to perform these tasks.

Know These Common Forms of Windshield Damage

Auto windshields may be strong enough to keep drivers safe on the road, but they aren’t invincible. Regardless of how carefully you drive in and around Tucson, there’s always a chance that your windshield will develop a chip. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these forms of windshield damage:

Bullseye Chip

The name “bullseye chip” refers to the telltale shape of these damaged areas, which consist of a small dark spot surrounded by a ring. In many cases, bullseye chips can be fixed by qualified auto glass technicians.

Half-Moon/Partial Bullseye Chip

Partial bullseye chips look similar to standard bullseye chips, except for one major visual difference: instead of a full circle, these chips have a half-circle at their center. Repairing these chips tends to be trickier than fixing bullseye chips.

Star Crack

A star crack starts out as a full or partial bullseye chip. These chips turn into star cracks when they develop tiny cracks at their impact point. Depending on how long your star cracks are, an auto glass shop may or may not be able to fix them for you.

Combo Chip

In some cases, your windshield could experience multiple types of damage at once, otherwise known as combo chips. You might still be able to get away with windshield repair in this situation if your combo chip is reasonably small and located in a certain area.

Windshield Replacement or Repair: Which Service Do You Need?

When your windshield sustains any type of damage, your first move should be to set up an appointment at a local auto glass shop. Though you may need windshield replacement in this situation, the technicians might be able to resolve the problem by performing a windshield repair service instead.

Your windshield’s service needs will vary based on factors, including:

How large and deep the damaged area is. Are your windshield cracks no more than 14 inches long? If so, you’re in luck. These cracks are typically fixable, and the same is true for chips no larger than an inch in diameter. That said, you might still need auto glass replacement if the damage is affecting the vinyl/inner glass layer of your windshield.
What part of the windshield has sustained damage. No matter how insignificant your crack or chip appears to be, you might need a new windshield if the damage is in your direct line of sight while you drive.
The type of damage you’re dealing with. Any skilled auto glass shop can fix a bullseye chip, but star cracks and the like can be significantly harder to repair.

The good news is that you won’t be personally responsible for determining what type of work your windshield needs. When you visit a qualified auto shop in Tucson for windshield repair or windshield replacement, the mechanics working there can figure this out for you.

Request a Windshield Replacement or Repair Quote

Reasons to Prioritize Auto Glass Replacement

If you’re trying to save money on auto maintenance and repair, it might be tempting to think that you can get away with not fixing or repairing your damaged windshield for a while. But even if your windshield only has a small chip right now, this damage could quickly worsen. If that happens, previously repairable damage might necessitate a full replacement, costing you more in the long run.

This is just one reason why it’s always a good idea to repair or replace windshields that have been cracked or chipped. Damaged windshields can make it harder to drive, reduce your safety in a crash, and put you at risk of violating Arizona regulations regarding auto glass.

All About Windshield Damage and Insurance

Though you should always get windshield damage fixed right away, it’s common for Tucson drivers to worry about the cost of this work. Because of that, you’ll want to know exactly when your motor insurance will cover auto glass damage.

If you have a liability-only policy, your insurance won’t cover any repairs (including auto glass work). Meanwhile, collision coverage will assist you in paying for auto glass service — if your glass was damaged in a crash you caused, that is. As its name suggests, comprehensive coverage will help cover the cost of repairs or a replacement windshield in any situation.

Here’s How To File an Insurance Claim for Auto Glass Damage

Generally speaking, auto glass coverage claims won’t impact your insurance premium. Because of that, it’s a good idea to file a claim in any situation where the cost of repair or replacement would be higher than your deductible.

If you plan on contacting your insurance agency directly about auto glass damage, you’ll need to start by giving them some details. That includes when and how your windshield was cracked, what vehicles were involved, and your contact information.

Sometimes, you may end up handling insurance claims via a third-party claim service working with your auto glass shop. In this case, simply head to your shop of choice and provide vital information about your insurance policy. They’ll be able to file an insurance claim for you.

Don’t Try To Fix Your Own Windshield

Even if you understand why it’s necessary to repair or replace windshields when they’re cracked, you’ll probably still want to save as much as possible on this work. Because of that, you might have considered going the DIY route for windshield repair instead of scheduling an appointment for windshield service.

Despite this, attempting to fix your own windshield isn’t something we’d recommend. Not every type of windshield damage is fixable, and only skilled mechanics truly know whether your windshield crack can be repaired. Additionally, do-it-yourself products can’t compete with professional windshield repairs in terms of quality. Because of these issues, the best way to save money on windshield service is to find a Tucson auto glass shop that offers valuable promotions to its customers.

What To Expect From Windshield Repair or Replacement

Most drivers shouldn’t try to handle windshield service independently, but it’s still a good idea to understand the basic steps involved in windshield repair and replacement. If you need either of these services, here’s what the technicians at your auto glass shop of choice will do:

Auto Glass Repair

The most effective way to fix car windshields is the vacuum pressure repair process. By following these steps, mechanics can make your windshield as good as new with just half an hour of work:

First, an auto glass mechanic will drill a hole through the top layer of your windshield to remove glass particles or trapped air.
Then, the technician will attach a glass resin injector around the section of your auto glass that has sustained damage.
Once the injector forms a seal around the damage, it will alternate between vacuum and pressure cycles while filling this area with transparent resin. This is to restore your windshield’s appearance and structural integrity.
After removing excess resin, the mechanic will use ultraviolet light to cure it.
Finally, the technician will polish and clean your windshield.

Auto Glass Replacement

Windshield replacement typically takes longer than repairing auto glass, but not that much longer. Skilled mechanics can complete this process in roughly an hour by following these steps:

To start, your shop’s mechanics will remove your windshield’s retainers, adhesives, seals, clips, and fasteners.
When that’s taken care of, your windshield will be taken out by a piece of equipment that uses suction cups.
Once your windshield is no longer in place, a mechanic will remove broken glass and other debris in your car’s window channel or frame. Any rust they find in this area will be sanded and primed, as well.
After your frame has been cleaned, the primer will be applied to sections where the edges of your new windshield will sit.
Then, urethane adhesive will be applied to the edges of your new windshield.
The same equipment that the mechanic used to remove your former windshield will be used again to install your new auto glass.
For the final step, your new windshield will be cured while being held in place by clips.

Where To Get the Best Auto Glass Service in Tucson

If you’re looking for an auto glass shop that can handle windshield replacement in Tucson, pick the business local residents trust for this work — Max Auto Glass. The mechanics at our shop have Auto Glass Safety Council and Dow certification, making them qualified to provide any type of windshield service you might need. Along with that, you can get auto glass replacement or repair taken care of at your home or workplace thanks to our free mobile service.

Whether your windshield is suffering from a large star crack or a tiny bullseye chip, you shouldn’t have to wait to get the auto glass service you need. Reach out to us online, or give us a call at (520) 498-1234 to take care of this task as soon as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors can cause windshield damage?

Collisions are an obvious cause of windshield cracks and chips, but they’re far from the only factor that can result in a damaged windshield. Your auto glass can also suffer a crack due to vandalism, weather conditions, and flying road debris. In any case, you’ll need professional repair or replacement services to resolve this issue.

Can I drive immediately after windshield replacement?

While drivers don’t have to wait very long after they replace their windshields to get back on the road, they shouldn’t start driving immediately, either. The urethane adhesive connecting your new windshield to your vehicle needs time to cure. Your curing time can vary based on the humidity and temperature in your area, but you’ll want to wait a minimum of one hour before driving after a windshield replacement.

This isn’t the only step you’ll need to take to protect your new windshield early on. You should also keep retention tape in place for at least a day, leave your windows slightly open to prevent pressure from building up, and avoid using a sunshade or cover on your vehicle after your windshield replacement.

Does replacing a windshield devalue a car?

If you’re planning to sell your vehicle in the near future, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to get as much as possible for it. Replacing your windshield shouldn’t have a negative impact on your car’s overall worth, but keeping a cracked windshield in place will definitely lower your vehicle’s value. Because of that, you’ll be able to sell your vehicle for a higher price by taking care of this job.