No car owner wants to hear that the problem the car is having is in the transmission. Transmissions are one of the most expensive parts that a car owner might have to replace – if the car is old enough, it sometimes makes more sense to replace the car entirely than to replace the transmission. But I’ve found that there are ways to save when you need transmission work! Not only are there ways to save money on a new or rebuilt transmission, there are also ways to locate transmission problems and have them fixed before they become too serious. This blog is designed to help you take better care of your transmission, and avoid paying too much for transmission repairs.
Auto glass can become scratched due to debris, such as rocks or twigs, hitting the glass at high speeds. While they may seem like negligible issues to begin with, if left untreated they can spread, causing the structural integrity of the entire window to degrade and requiring the entire pane of glass to be replaced. However, if you act quickly, you can quickly and easily repair small scratches without having to replace the entire window. There are two main methods to doing this: you can either do it yourself at home, or take your vehicle in to a shop.
Glass Sealer
Most automotive stores, hardware stores, and even gas stations will sell auto glass sealer, which can be used to fix scratches or dents up to six inches long. Avoid applying the sealant if your windshield is wet, as moisture can prevent the sealant from setting properly. Additionally, the sealant tends to work best at room temperature. Simply buy a tube of this and apply it carefully along the length of the scratch, using the included brush, and then rubbing it evenly with a soft, lint-free rag, ensuring that there is no excess spread on the rest of the glass.
Let it sit for a while (the exact time will depend on the type of sealant used, and can be found on the bottle) before you begin driving again. If the crack begins to reappear, you'll have to refill the sealant, but if it becomes a chronic problem, you should bring your vehicle into an auto glass shop to have it repaired.
Professional Repair
Though it will cost more than the tube of sealant that you purchased, professional auto glass repair for small scratches and dents will not be exorbitantly expensive. Additionally, depending on your insurance policy, having small scratches fixed may be covered, as they are not caused by collisions. Professional auto glass shops won't replace the entirety of your scratched window, but will instead pour resin into the scratch, and then let it harden.
Once the resin has hardened, it is cured to increase its durability and then polished so that it is even with the rest of the window and transparent, which prevents the repaired scratch from distracting you while driving. If the scratch reappears or continues to spread despite the resin, you may need to have the entire window replaced, as the resin may not be enough. Contact a company like Service Pro Auto & Truck Repair for more information.
Share3 November 2015
