Photo: How to choose and buy glass for a car (freepik.com) Author: Konstantin Shirokun
One long crack or a large chip in an unfortunate place is enough for the owner to have to look for a new glass for his car. Where to start and what are the nuances when buying auto glass?
Read about the main nuances of choosing a windshield for a car in the RBC-Ukraine article.
A car window doesn't have to be completely broken to require replacement – especially if it's a windshield. However, on the latest generation models, the choice is complicated by several additional factors. In fact, we'll talk about car windows in general.
Where to start when choosing auto glass
In the case of a windshield, you should start with the fact that you should not rush to throw away your old glass. The fact is that there can be many windshield versions for the same car model. And on your broken glass there may remain not only signs of its version, but also metal or plastic parts you need: a mirror bracket, rain sensors, active cruise control, cameras, etc.
When starting to search for glass, first worry about its installation on the car – find a workshop that will undertake this work. And agree with them all the nuances of selecting glass and its installation.
Where to buy glass for a car
Even in a relatively small city, you will have several options for places where you can look for glass for your car:
Auto glass installation workshop . This is almost an ideal option, because it is convenient to get everything at once – information, a part and the service for its installation. The only obstacle may be the lack of glass that will suit your car and your wallet. It may also be a hindrance that specialized workshops have multi-day queues;
Spare parts stores . Usually, there is glass for the most common models and configurations. Before buying, arrange for the transportation of the purchased glass to a workshop where it will be mounted on the car. The nuance is that experience and certain devices are needed to transport large-sized auto glass;
Auto parts market . The only difference from an auto shop here is a larger selection, including in the cheapest segment. And just like in a shop, the market will tell you the addresses of small workshops for installing auto glass;
Auto salvage (dismantling) . In fact, if we are not talking about a windshield (they can be scratched), this may be the best place to buy. After all, at a salvage yard you can get an original glass at an affordable price – given that the glass (not the windshield) is a part that practically does not wear out over the years.
Which windshield to choose
The windshield is the most important for the driver, because first of all he sees the situation on the road through it – therefore it is the choice of the windshield that should be approached carefully. Auto journalists of rbc.ua know the disadvantages that low-quality glass for a car can have.
Thickness . Very often, manufacturers of auto glass save on its thickness. Despite the fact that for many car models this parameter is important, because correctly glued glass works in the power structure of the body. Thickness is also important from the point of view of fixing the glass in its opening;
Mounting of devices. At the top of the windshield, many models should have a zone for mounting sensors and cameras. Sometimes the glass is supplied as spare parts with brackets for this equipment glued on. There are car configurations, on the windshield of which closer to the driver's seat a special coating is applied to display the image of the projection display. Also, the glass can be heated, both the parking zone of the wipers, and completely. That is, it is important to figure out in advance what devices are on your glass – and look for a product specifically for them;
Defects. Even microscopic chips on glass, obtained during careless transportation, over time cause the development of large cracks, so such specimens should not be purchased;
Color shade . Often, owners do not know that cars of certain respected brands often have their own signature shade of glass. This does not mean tinting, but the shade of the glass itself, barely noticeably tinted in its mass. So, not all manufacturers add the pigment needed for painting to the glass, and this is important if the owner wants to preserve the completely authentic look of the car.
In brief
Experienced craftsmen who have been working with auto glass for many years claim that today the market is widely represented by high-quality Chinese-made auto glass – non-original, but with a minimum of differences from it. That is, in many cases, the owner does not necessarily have to look for the “original”. On the other hand, experts advise paying more attention to the choice of the workshop where the glass will be installed. After all, it must be installed not only firmly and accurately, but also using the right glue, which will provide the necessary rigidity of the body in an accident and in everyday use.
Materials from Autocentre and Motor were used in preparing this article .
Let us recall that RBC-Ukraine recently reported why pedestrians are not always right.