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windscreens
SAFETY AND QUALITY:
Within a split second of a vehicle being involved in a head-on crash, tiny sensors detect the impact and immediately activate the airbag in an attempt to protect the vehicle's occupants. At full deployment, the airbag can absorb a significant amount of force as the full weight of an unbelted occupant may need to be restrained. To operate efficiently, the airbag needs to be supported by the vehicle structure and in particular, the bonded windscreen. If the windscreen is not bonded correctly, or proper Safe Drive Away Times (SDATs) were not followed, the glass has the potential to detach from the vehicle body, putting the occupants at great risk.
The Windscreen as a Structural Component
Many of today's vehicles have been specifically designed to include the windscreen as a structural component that increases the vehicle's torsional stiffness. Knowledgeable vehicle manufacturers select special, high-modulus polyurethane (PUR) adhesives for bonding the windscreen. When driving, this high-modulus PUR allows for the efficient transfer of dynamic forces from the road to the car body and finally to the windscreen, which ultimately results in increased vehicle stiffness and optimized handling. Relying on the windscreen as a structural component, the high-modulus adhesive also allows the OEM to minimize the thickness of the steel used to build the car, thus reducing weight, cost, and even improved fuel consumption.
The Windscreen as the Last Line of Defence
Obviously one of the most important functions of the windscreen is to prevent the ejection of occupants during an accident. Incorrect installation processes and unrealistic SDATs can put occupants at enormous risk during a crash. Even with today's legislation on wearing seatbelts there are those that still don't adhere to guidelines, placing even more emphasis on a properly installed windscreen. So, as a technician, or proprietor of a windscreen replacement business, are you comfortable with what you do knowing that your customers may be driving their vehicle without a seatbelt?
Within a split second of a vehicle being involved in a head-on crash, tiny sensors detect the impact and immediately activate the airbag in an attempt to protect the vehicle's occupants. At full deployment, the airbag can absorb a significant amount of force as the full weight of an unbelted occupant may need to be restrained. To operate efficiently, the airbag needs to be supported by the vehicle structure and in particular, the bonded windscreen. If the windscreen is not bonded correctly, or proper Safe Drive Away Times (SDATs) were not followed, the glass has the potential to detach from the vehicle body, putting the occupants at great risk.
The Windscreen as a Structural Component
Many of today's vehicles have been specifically designed to include the windscreen as a structural component that increases the vehicle's torsional stiffness. Knowledgeable vehicle manufacturers select special, high-modulus polyurethane (PUR) adhesives for bonding the windscreen. When driving, this high-modulus PUR allows for the efficient transfer of dynamic forces from the road to the car body and finally to the windscreen, which ultimately results in increased vehicle stiffness and optimized handling. Relying on the windscreen as a structural component, the high-modulus adhesive also allows the OEM to minimize the thickness of the steel used to build the car, thus reducing weight, cost, and even improved fuel consumption.
The Windscreen as the Last Line of Defence
Obviously one of the most important functions of the windscreen is to prevent the ejection of occupants during an accident. Incorrect installation processes and unrealistic SDATs can put occupants at enormous risk during a crash. Even with today's legislation on wearing seatbelts there are those that still don't adhere to guidelines, placing even more emphasis on a properly installed windscreen. So, as a technician, or proprietor of a windscreen replacement business, are you comfortable with what you do knowing that your customers may be driving their vehicle without a seatbelt?
Windscreens provide 60% of your protection in rollover accidents and shield you from wind, weather and debris whilst driving. It's worth
keeping them in safe condition, so here are a few useful tips:
Always get small chips repaired without delay; in cold weather the temperature difference between inside and outside surfaces will rapidly convert a small chip into the Cheddar Gorge (repairing chips is a lot less expensive than replacing windscreens).
Never be tempted to use a credit card to remove ice and frost - it'll just scratch the glass. Scrapers and de-icer are far better.
Never dispose of ice with hot or boiling water - it'll just fracture the glass.
Keep your windscreen clean: dirt impairs visibility not just by making the world outside look murky, but it makes sun-glare far worse too.
Replace worn wipers - they not only fail to do what they're meant to (wipe your screen clear) but they can actually damage the screen, too.
Keep clear sticky tape handy in the car - if you get a chip whilst driving, cover it with the tape until you can have the damage repaired.
If you do have to have a screen replaced, ensure that it comes with a guarantee, COMES AS STANDARD WITH CLEARWAY, that it's a factory recommended full cut-out (the strongest) and that it's made of OEM glass, the only glass that conforms to industry safety standards.
Especially when the season begins to turn nasty, ensure that your screen wash is regularly topped up - there's nothing worse than running out of screen wash in rain, sleet or snow.
Always get small chips repaired without delay; in cold weather the temperature difference between inside and outside surfaces will rapidly convert a small chip into the Cheddar Gorge (repairing chips is a lot less expensive than replacing windscreens).
Never be tempted to use a credit card to remove ice and frost - it'll just scratch the glass. Scrapers and de-icer are far better.
Never dispose of ice with hot or boiling water - it'll just fracture the glass.
Keep your windscreen clean: dirt impairs visibility not just by making the world outside look murky, but it makes sun-glare far worse too.
Replace worn wipers - they not only fail to do what they're meant to (wipe your screen clear) but they can actually damage the screen, too.
Keep clear sticky tape handy in the car - if you get a chip whilst driving, cover it with the tape until you can have the damage repaired.
If you do have to have a screen replaced, ensure that it comes with a guarantee, COMES AS STANDARD WITH CLEARWAY, that it's a factory recommended full cut-out (the strongest) and that it's made of OEM glass, the only glass that conforms to industry safety standards.
Especially when the season begins to turn nasty, ensure that your screen wash is regularly topped up - there's nothing worse than running out of screen wash in rain, sleet or snow.