Windscreen of a vehicle is the best place to have a good vision of the road ahead of your vehicle. It is very important to clean and maintain your windscreen every day. The driving ability of a vehicle is affected by the windscreen condition.
Windscreens are made from laminated glass, which means that it has multiple layers that help to resist breakage and protect occupants in a collision. Windscreens also protect against flying debris on the road. Windscreens are built to withstand shards from rocks, stones, and other objects on the road.
Taking care of your windscreen is an important part of vehicle maintenance. Not only will it make your car look better but it will allow you to see clearly while driving and reduce your risk of being involved in a collision due to a dirty windscreen.
Here are some tips for maintaining a clear windscreen:
- Your windscreen can get dirty just like any other part of your car so it needs cleaned regularly too. Dust and dirt particles can cause scratches or even cracks in your windscreen if left unattended for too long. Make sure you clean your car’s exterior including the windows at least once a week to avoid having problems with your windscreen later on down the track.
- Wash your windscreen with warm water and a mild detergent at least once a week. This will remove salt and other harmful deposits from the glass.
- Brush ice and frost off your windows to prevent ice-crystal damage to the glass. If you get caught in a freezing rainstorm, pull over to a sheltered area and wait until the rain freezes on your windows before attempting to drive again.
- Remove bugs, sap and other debris with an old toothbrush or squeegee after washing your windows to prolong the life of the paint job and avoid scratches.
- Use good quality oils and polish rather than cheap scratch removers that can damage your paintwork and leave unsightly streaks on the windscreen.
- Severely scratched glass can be restored by professional polishing, but this is expensive so it’s best avoided by regular cleaning with baby shampoo, toothpaste or special nano-polish products that are specifically designed for glass surfaces.
Look for on the windscreen is scratches, which are easier to fix than cracks. These can cause problems with visibility at night, as light refracts through the scratches and distorts what you are trying to see. They are usually caused by flying stones, insects or road grit being hit by another motorist or flying off your own vehicle due to speed or pressure changes in the wind.
To remove them, use special cleaners designed for this purpose. These can be bought from most motor factors and are reasonably priced. Click here for more information.
Next, check for chips, which are easily repaired by removing the outer layer of glass with a knife or sharp razor blade and then replacing it with a matching piece of tinted safety glass. This should only be done by someone who is expert at windscreen repair.
