How Fast Should You Replace A Windshield?

Above, The Beast in the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Earlier this year, a pebble hit and chipped The Beast's windshield.

It left a small "star" shaped chip.

A few weeks ago, I got a windshield repair kit and fixed the chip. So far, it is holding well and no cracks have expanded from the chip.

Above, the chip's location.

If cracks were to form, I would have to replace the windshield. This week's trip to Durango, Colorado will be a test. It held fine during last week's trip to Albuquerque.

A general question of, "How fast should you replace a chipped windshield?" was posed by Do It Yourself RV this week.

It begins with:

A chipped windshield is not only annoying, but it could be compromising the safety of your vehicle. When a vehicle is designed, the windshield is a critical part of the structural integrity. Pressure on the roof of a vehicle with no glass versus one with glass will have a very different outcome.

That being said, having damaged glass in your vehicle can be a pretty serious thing. In contrast, for the glass to be such a large structural and safety feature, it is very strong and difficult to break.

To read more, go here. 

RV Windshield Repair Tips

Above, The Beast in the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is a topic that I will have to deal with: windshield repair.

A few months ago, something (likely a rock) hit my motorhome's windshield, leaving a small "star" crack on it. Fortunately, it hasn't expanded due to any stresses or temperature changes. It keep it in a RV garage.

Do It Yourself RV has posted five tips on RV windshield repair.

It begins with:

With enough miles traveled, RV windshield damage is inevitable. Small chips are common and easily repaired by glass shops quickly and for a minimal cost.

Although RV owners are limited in their ability to perform windshield repairs, there are some things you can do.

It’s more than just a windshield

A vehicle’s windshield is an integral part of the structure of the vehicle. Without the windshield, the roof and supporting posts are compromised in strength. A vehicle is designed and engineered to operate with all of its components working together.

Windshields are not like regular glass, which breaks easily and has little to no structural integrity.  Most windshields are laminated glass, which uses plastic sandwiched between glass to form one piece.

This makes them strong and resistant to shattering. If you’ve ever seen a broken windshield, you likely noticed that although it breaks, it does not shatter. This is due to the laminating process.

While glass repair is generally left to the pros, there are some things you should do when your RV windshield is damaged before it can be fixed.

To read more, go here.