Windshield Replacement versus Windshield Repair - What you need to know about the Glass Doctor windshield & auto glass replacement process.

Should you repair or replace your windshield? That's a good question. Glass Doctor can repair most chips and scratches in windshield glass, but if the windshield is cracked, it should be replaced to restore the structural integrity of the vehicle and protect the occupants.

• Glass Doctor offers a complete auto glass product line including windshields, side window glass, and mirrors for cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, tractors, buses and RVs.
• Glass Doctor backs our work with the G12^® windshield replacement guarantee.
• Glass Doctor handles the insurance filing for you and works directly with all major insurance carriers.
• Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) quality windshield glass is installed. Glass Doctor prefers OEM windshields because they are produced at the same factories the automakers use.
• Glass Doctor supports the only standards for windshield replacement in the U.S., the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS). More than half of all Glass Doctor locations have achieved the standards to be registered with AGRSS.

STEP 1 – Assessing the Damage - If there is a windshield chip it can probably be repaired using a special autoglass repair resin and polishing technique. If the windshield has a crack larger than the size of a dollar bill, Glass Doctor can take care of full windshield replacement with OEM quality glass with adhesives recommended by the manufacturer. Count on Glass Doctor for an expert diagnosis.

STEP 2 – Removing the Windshield - Extracting the damaged windshield seems easy, but care must be taken not to damage the pinchweld. This is the ridge around the car’s frame that holds the windshield in place. If the pinchweld is damaged the new adhesive may not seal correctly, resulting in leaks and rust corrosion on the vehicle’s frame. Glass Doctor uses the latest extraction equipment to ensure proper removal.

STEP 3 – Selecting the Correct Replacement Windshield - We know you want the job done right the first time. Glass Doctor offers OEM quality windshield glass because it fits correctly and restores the vehicle to its original condition. Most aftermarket windshield glass is made from a copy of a mold of an OEM windshield, not from the windshield’s original mold in the factory. So aftermarket windshields may not be to the exact dimensions or the glass may be too thin. This results in leaks, increased road noise, and possible failure of the glass in an accident. OEM quality windshield glass fits right the first time.

STEP 4 – Applying New Adhesive - An OEM quality windshield deserves OEM quality adhesive. Glass Doctor uses only quality adhesives by Dow and Sika, the same ones the vehicle manufacturers use. The proper adhesive is applied to the vehicle’s pinchweld and the edges of the replacement windshield.

STEP 5 – Installing the New Windshield - Glass Doctor follows windshield installation procedures set by the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council. Many Glass Doctor shops have earned the AGRSS certification, which includes following a 20-point checklist. The most important factor in a proper replacement windshield installation is following the recommended drive-away time. The adhesive must be allowed to set, or “cure,” for a specific time before the vehicle may be safety driven. Otherwise, the windshield may move in the pinchweld and will not properly seal to the frame. If the vehicle is in a wreck the windshield could pop out, exposing the occupants to greater risk of injury. For your safety, please follow the drive-away time instructions.

STEP 6 – Reviewing the G12 Windshield Replacement Guarantee - With G12, if an OEM-quality replacement windshield that a Glass Doctor franchise has installed is damaged or broken within 12 months of the replacement date, Glass Doctor will repair or replace the windshield glass only at no additional charge to the customer. This guarantee is redeemable one time and does not include: labor, kit, moldings or clips. Coverage is limited to normal road hazards, and other exclusions may apply. Talk with your Glass Doctor technician about G12, because we believe our product is how the customer feels when we are done.