Your vehicle’s windshield protects you from outside elements, strengthens your car’s structural integrity, and supports the functions of cameras and sensors. For these reasons, maintaining your windshield is vital for safety.
Windshield delamination is a common issue. Not sure what it is? Use this helpful guide to learn about its impact on your vehicle, how it can be prevented, and what steps to take after noticing it.
What Is Windshield Delamination?
Windshield delamination occurs when the layers of a windshield start to separate. Modern windshields are made of laminated glass, which consists of two layers of glass sandwiching a plastic interlayer, typically polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This multi-layer structure strengthens a windshield, ensuring that glass fragments stick to the interlayer instead of breaking apart when a windshield cracks.
When delamination happens, the bond between the glass layers and the plastic interlayer weakens. Small bubbles, discoloration, or hazy areas may form on a windshield, typically near the edges. When left unchecked, this problem can spread, compromising visibility and safety. It’s imperative to recognize these signs to prevent safety risks.
Why Does Delamination Happen?
Manufacturing Defects
Occasionally, improper bonding during the manufacturing process can lead to premature failure of the laminate layers.
Exposure to Extreme Conditions
Prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight, extreme heat, or freezing temperatures can weaken the adhesive bond over time. This is especially true in regions with intense seasonal changes since extreme temperatures put stress on a windshield.
Poor Installation
If your windshield was installed incorrectly or with substandard adhesives, it’s more prone to delamination. Skilled installation is crucial for long-term durability and reliability.
Water Seepage
When moisture seeps into the edges of a windshield, it can degrade the adhesive holding the layers together. This can happen more frequently if the weather stripping or seals around a windshield are damaged or deteriorating.
Vehicle Accidents or Damage
Even minor collisions or blunt impacts can compromise the windshield’s structure, eventually leading to delamination.
How Windshield Delamination Affects Your Safety
Reduced Visibility
The bubbles, haze, or discoloration caused by delamination can obstruct your view of the road, potentially increasing the risk of an accident. Particularly in adverse weather conditions, this can make it harder to spot hazards, other vehicles, or pedestrians.
Weakened Structural Integrity
The windshield supports a vehicle’s structural strength during an accident. Delamination can weaken it, increasing the risk to passengers during a rollover or collision.
Compromised Functionality of Features
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) rely on an intact windshield for accurate sensor and camera alignment. Delamination disrupts this system, potentially creating operational issues. Since ADAS are common in modern vehicles, a quality windshield is more important than ever.
Can Windshield Delamination Be Repaired?
Unfortunately, once delamination sets in, the separation of the layers is irreversible. If the issue progresses, a full windshield replacement is the only viable option. Replacing your windshield makes sure you can safely drive your car by keeping your field of vision clear and restoring your car’s structural integrity. A new windshield also maintains the effectiveness of built-in safety systems.
Preventing Windshield Delamination
The good news is you can take steps to reduce the risk of windshield delamination. To protect your windshield and avoid problems, take the following steps.
Park in a Covered or Shaded Area
Long-term exposure to harsh sunlight and weather can weaken the adhesive layers in A windshield. Whenever possible, park your car in a shaded area garage or use a car cover to minimize exposure.
Avoid High-Pressure Car Washes
While convenient, high-pressure washes can gradually weaken the bond over time by pushing water into the edges of your windshield. Instead, choose a gentle hand wash or a low-pressure setting to clean your car safely. By taking a few extra minutes with a gentler method, you can reduce stress on the glass components.
Regularly Check for Seal Damage
Inspect the edges of your windshield regularly for damage or gaps in the seal. If you notice issues, address them immediately to prevent water or debris from reaching the laminate layers. Doing so also keeps other parts of your vehicle, like the dashboard, free from moisture.
Schedule Professional Installation
If your windshield needs replacing, work with certified professionals who use high-quality adhesives. A poorly installed windshield is more likely to experience premature issues like delamination. Plus, technicians can give you expert advice on maintaining the new windshield for a long time.
Maintain Temperature Consistency
Extreme temperature changes can stress a windshield and weaken the bond between its layers. Avoid blasting hot air on an icy windshield or pouring hot water on frosty glass to defrost it. These practices can create minor fractures that weaken the structure over time.
Address Cracks and Chips Quickly
Even minor chips and cracks can grow over time and compromise a windshield’s structure, so repair them as soon as possible to prevent further damage. These small issues may seem insignificant at first, but they serve as entry points for moisture and weathering.
What To Do After Windshield Delamination
If you’ve noticed signs of windshield delamination, don’t wait to address them! Instead, follow this step-by-step guide.
1. Inspect the Damage
Check for bubbles, discoloration, or areas where the glass seems to have separated. You may have some time to address minor problems before they worsen, but it’s better to consult a professional. Even minor damage can cause more severe issues without intervention.
2. Schedule a Windshield Replacement
Since repair isn’t an option, replacing a delaminated windshield is the only way to resolve the issue. Choose a reliable and experienced service provider, like Fusion Windshield Repair, for windshield installation services. This is particularly important for vehicles with ADAS features since it prevents disruptions to functionality.
3. Calibrate Windshield Features
Modern vehicles have ADAS that rely on cameras and sensors mounted on the windshield, so you’ll need a windshield replacement calibration after replacing your windshield. This step is crucial for restoring accuracy and functionality so that your car operates as intended. If you skip this step, you may impair the performance of your safety systems.
Final Thoughts
Windshield delamination can compromise your safety when driving. Now that you understand what it is and how it can be prevented, you can take the necessary steps to protect your windshield with care and maintenance.
If you’re dealing with windshield delamination, Fusion Windshield Repair is here to help. We offer professional windshield replacement, installation, and calibration of ADAS features.
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