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Windshield scratches are a typical problem. Nearly every windshield is vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources, including flying objects, worn-out wipers, or just plain bad luck. Although these scratches might be annoying and make driving more difficult, don’t worry—with the appropriate methods, you can restore the clarity and condition of your windshield.   In this post, you will discover the various kinds of windshield scratches and the significance of keeping your windshield clear. We’ll walk you through determining the extent of scratches and offer efficient ways to fix them. Continue reading!   Clear Windshields and Safe Driving You are unaware of how much a clear windshield contributes to your safety and driving pleasure until it gets damaged.   An intact windshield offers a clear view of the road ahead while driving. This is very important for you to drive safely. However, even minor scratches can affect your vision. These damages scatter light when it falls on them and cause a momentary glare, which might lead to accidents.   A windshield repair or replacement immediately can reduce safety risks.   Understanding Windshield Scratches Windshield scratches are shallow and only impact the outer layer of the windshield. The following can cause these scratches:   1. Defective Wiper Blades Wear and tear can cause the soft rubber lining of windshield wipers to disappear. When a hardened wiper travels across your windshield, whether or not there is dust trapped beneath it, scratches can result.   2. Improper Cleaning An abrasive or dirty cloth can scratch your windshield, especially when scrubbing forcefully or using harsh cleaning agents. Additionally, improper cleaning tools or methods can grind dirt particles against the glass, creating micro-scratches that accumulate over time and degrade visibility.   3. Road Debris and Stray Branches When flying stones, pebbles, garbage, or even a stray branch strikes your windshield, it can cause significant scratches that, if ignored, could get worse over time. Particularly when they occur at high speeds, these collisions can result in deeper gouges as well as small surface scratches, raising the possibility of more significant windshield damage.   Assess the Severity of Scratches You can assess how severe the scratches are and choose to repair or replace the windshields. Method of Assessment Type of Scratch Course of Action Physical Inspection Run your fingernails across the scratch   fingernail doesn’t catch at all—a minor scratch fingernail catches slightly- a moderate scratch fingernail catches significantly- a deep damage DIY Repair Professional repair Windshield replacement Location In the driver’s line of sight or windshield edge In the peripheral areas of the windshield. Windshield replacement DIYwindshield repair – for minor scratches professional repair – for moderate damages   However, it is better to get a professional assessment of your windshield scratches.   DIY Methods to Remove Windshield Scratches Many vehicle owners turn to DIY methods for a cost-effective solution to windshield scratches. Always keep in mind that these work for superficial scratches.   1. Glass Scrub Compound This glass cleaner gets rid of scratches. Apply a small amount of the compound to the scratch and rub it in with a microfiber cloth. Continue doing this until the itch goes away. Do not forget to mist the area with water to avoid drying out.   2. Toothpaste You can use whitening toothpaste with baking soda to cover small scratches. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the lesion and massage it in. Remove any extra toothpaste by wiping. Continue doing this until the scratch is completely gone.   3. Clear Acrylic Nail Polish This comes in handy for shallow scratches. You apply a layer of nail polish on the scratch and wipe off the excess with a damp cloth.   4. Acrylic Scratch Remover The liquid acrylic scratch remover fills the scratch and dries into a transparent coating covering the damage.   You can approach auto glass technicians for professional repair if you cannot fix your windshield scratch with home remedies.   Using a Scratch Repair Kit You can go to a local auto glass shop, where they will use a glass repair kit with Cerum oxide.   Here is how to remove windshield scratches with this kit.   Clean the windshield of dirt and debris. Pat dry using a microfiber cloth. Apply the cerium oxide to the scratch. View the scratch from a 45-degree angle, and if you can see a dark area, you know that the scratch is filled. You can remove air pockets by slightly pressing the side and center of the scratch.   The same methods also remove tiny scratches caused by worn-out wipers.   Fixing Deep Scratches on the Windshield DIY solutions can suffice for minor scratches, as these tend to affect only the surface of the glass and can be polished away with relative ease. However, if you are wondering how to fix deep scratches on a windshield, follow the steps mentioned below:   Evaluate the Damage: Take a close look at the scuff to ascertain its depth. It might need to be professionally repaired if the scratch is deep enough to catch your fingernail or to noticeably alter the light streaming through the glass. Seek Professional Assistance: It’s essential to speak with an auto glass professional about deep scratches. They are able to evaluate the degree of the harm and decide if a complete windshield replacement or repair is required. Consider a Windshield Replacement: This can be the wisest course of action if the safety of the windshield is compromised by deep scratches. This reduces the possibility of future damage or accidents brought on by poor visibility and guarantees the structural integrity of your car.   Preventive Measures to Avoid Windshield Scratches You can prevent scratches from damaging your windshield.   Windshield wipers need to be replaced as soon as they wear out and remember to wet the windshield before using a wiper. Also, keep the wiper fluid reservoir filled fully. Using the right cloth and the right cleaner to clean your windshields can minimize the appearance of scratches. To avoid scratches, park your car in an enclosed space. Maintain a safe driving distance to keep flying debris from harming your windshield. You can use plastic scrapers to remove ice from your windshield. Fix small scratches immediately to prevent them from spreading.   Conclusion Windshield scratches can be made to appear less noticeable, but they can never completely disappear. It can be really annoying to look through dings in your windshield while driving.   Vision obstruction poses a risk to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Larger and deeper scratches on the windshield require replacement, but smaller ones may usually be repaired.   If you are looking for a trusted and reliable auto glass company in Florida for windshield repair or replacement, look no further than Auto Glass America. Join 70k customers and take advantage of their premium same-day doorstep windshield replacement with a lifetime guarantee offer. Contact us now!

ANSI/AGRSS 002-2002 is often called as AGRSS. It stands for the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standards. Developed by the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council, this standard provides guidelines to ensure that automotive glass replacements are done safely and efficiently. Here’s all the standard operating procedure laid down in terms of safety and regulations:   Scope and Purpose of ANSI/AGRSS 002-2014 The scope of Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard aka ANSI/AGRSS 002-2002 is to develop and publish nationally recognized automotive glass replacement safety standards addressing procedures, education, and product performance.   Here are purpose rules laid down in ANSI/AGRSS 002-2002   To improve the performance and practices of industry technicians and raise their level of professionalism. To guide the industry in auto glass replacement procedures that meets the pertinent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requirements. To provide guidelines and objectives for groups that supply products, education, and training for the industry. To promote public awareness of the need for safe installation procedures, which will reduce the risk of personal injury and/or death from traffic accidents. To provide a comprehensive auto glass replacement standard. To achieve a higher degree of consistency among installation practices. To create an automotive glass installation benchmark for anyone engaged in the replacement of automotive glass.   Adhesive Bonding The guideline states that those engaged in auto glass replacement shall follow the adhesive manufacturer’s application instructions as provided by the manufacturer directly, or through the private labeler. Products must be stored and controlled according to manufacturers’ requirements as provided directly or through a private labeler. No automotive glass replacement shall be undertaken using an adhesive glass retention bonding system that would not achieve minimum drive-away strength by the time the vehicle may be reasonably expected to be operated.   Adhesive must be applied so that the finished bead cross section profile and dimensions meet or exceed original equipment configuration.   If the OEM installation was polyurethane, then the glass must be replaced with polyurethane or an equivalent adhesive bonding system. If the OEM installation was butyl, polysulfide, or other non-polyurethane, and the vehicle is licensed for highway use, adhesive bonded stationary glass installations shall be performed using polyurethane or an equivalent retention system unless in conflict with current OEM specifications.   Vehicle Preparation The standard guideline says that those engaged in automotive glass replacement shall not undertake or complete such installation when any related condition would compromise the retention system and the owner/operator shall be so notified.   Selection of Materials The guidelines states that those engaged in automotive glass replacement shall use retention systems that are produced under documented quality assurance standards. Those engaged in automotive glass replacement shall use glass products meeting the requirements of ANSI Z26.l as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205. Those engaged in auto glass replacement must use either an OEM approved retention system or equivalent retention system as certified in writing by the equivalent retention system manufacturer directly or through a private labeler.   Those engaged in automotive glass replacement shall obtain and follow written comprehensive and current application instructions from the retention systems manufacturer or private labeler. These instructions shall include at least the proper use of the retention system storage specifications, minimum drive-away time charts containing temperature and humidity variables if applicable, and any special procedures required for adverse weather conditions. Those engaged in automotive glass replacement shall require that lot numbers and expiration dates be printed on appropriate products.   Post-installation Instructions The guideline has specifically instructed that the vehicle owner and operator shall be advised of the minimum drive-away time under the circumstances of the replacement. Once the replacement process is complete, technicians are responsible for guiding vehicle owners on post-installation precautions. This includes advising on the necessary duration to refrain from driving, ensuring the adhesive sets properly. Moreover, owners should be briefed on the care measures, like abstaining from cleaning or exerting pressure on the freshly installed glass. It’s equally important to educate them on potential warning signs like unexpected leaks or noises, which could signify issues with the installation.   Inspection and Verification Upon completion of the glass replacement, a thorough inspection is necessary to confirm compliance with AGRSS safety standards. Establishments or technicians aligned with AGRSS might be subject to routine evaluations to validate their conformity to these standards. Maintaining detailed records of every installation, encompassing the materials utilized, technician information, and specific vehicle data, is pivotal for addressing any subsequent installation concerns.   Proper Training Technicians installing replacement automotive glass shall be fully qualified for the tasks they are required to perform. Such qualifications shall include, at a minimum, completion of a comprehensive training program with a final exam and a continuing education component.   Takeaway Automotive Glass Replacement ​Safety Standards ​are pivotal in ​ensuring the ​safety and well-being ​of vehicle ​occupants. These standards, ​meticulously crafted ​and regularly updated, ​guarantee that ​replacement glass meets ​the highest ​quality, strength, and ​clarity specifications, ​matching or even ​surpassing the ​performance of the ​original glass. ​Adhering to these ​standards not ​only upholds the ​structural integrity ​of the vehicle ​but also ​ensures that drivers ​maintain clear ​visibility under diverse ​conditions.

It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete the claim process. The only information you need can be found on your insurance card. (Policy Information and the VIN #).