Waco, Texas - According to the US Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council (AGRSS), a cracked windscreen is a safety risk: it can impair the driver's vision and put passengers at risk.
Automotive safety experts rank the windscreen as the third most important safety component in today's vehicles, behind seatbelts and airbags, said the AGRSS in a 5 May statement. And the association points out that while there are laws on seatbelt use and to prevent tampering with airbags, there are none on replacement windscreen installation.
AGRSS, which promotes safe auto glass standards, advises consumers to ask these questions before a replacement windscreen installation:
- Will the old adhesive be removed from the vehicle frame? If the adhesive isn't removed down to the adhesive manufacturer's recommended level, the fit may not be tight and the new adhesive won't bond correctly.
- Will the technician wear gloves to keep from contaminating the glass? If oil and dirt get on the edges, the new adhesive (urethane) may not bond correctly.
- Will the new urethane adhesive stand up to the high deployment pressure of airbags? The best available manufacturer equivalent urethane adhesive should be used, not butyl tape. Ask for adhesive made by Dow, Sika or the original car maker's adhesive supplier.
- How long does the urethane adhesive need to set until the vehicle can be driven? Every urethane has a "safe drive-away time."
US Windscreen replacement specialist Glass Doctor says it, "voluntarily supports the standard glass replacement procedures approved by AGRSS," and offers original equipment manufacturer (OEM) windscreens, to ensure a proper fit, which greatly reduces the safety risks.
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