A-1 Glass Co., Inc.

Custom Glass Cutting for Restoration Vehicles

2012-01-26T11:51:00.000-08:00

Got a vehicle your restoring?, Need customer glass cut/installed?, Give us a call and we would be more than happy to help you out!!

Custom Glass Cutting for Restoration Vehicles

Windshield Safety & Replacement Auto Glass

2011-09-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of talk online about the 20/20 report on windshield safety that aired on February 25, 2000. It is shocking at how some auto glass installers are willing to risk your life - only to save a few minutes of their time. That is not the case with all auto glass installers - rest assured.

However, your replacement auto glass could be a risk, and you may not even know it. When getting windshield or window repair there are some things you need to know. Did you know that even if you wear your seatbelt and have a properly functioning airbag, without a windshield firmly bonded to your car, any safety precautions are worthless?

Your factory-installed windshield prevents the car's roof from caving in and deflects your airbag. An improperly installed windshield is likely to come out during an accident - just when you need its protection most. It has been said by experts that millions of replacement auto glass is not installed properly - as many as seven out of ten.

What can you do to ensure a safe windshield installation or window repair? Choose an auto glass company that values your safety, not savings a few dollars.

Educate yourself and ask questions. Pick a shop that is well established and stands behind their work.

Some common auto glass replacement common mistakes:

Not wearing disposable rubber gloves when handling auto glass Oils and dirt from the installers' hands can contaminate the bonding service of the windshield.
Not properly preparing the pinch weld, causing it not to bond fully. We recommend that your technician inspect the pinch weld and make sure that it is clean and free of scratches. If scratches are present the technician should eliminate exposed metal with a primer.
Not cleaning the auto glass properly or wiping it down with a dirty rag. This dirt can contaminate the auto glass bonding surface.

Your technician should discuss with you the adhesive used and the time it takes for it to properly bond the auto glass to your vehicle. This lets you make an informed decision as to when you feel the car is safe to drive.

Using butyl tape instead of urethane. Butyl tape is an inferior adhesive, only holding to 60lbs per square inch. Urethane, by contrast, holds to 600lbs per square inch.

One last tip: Chips can be repaired through window repair services, however they often will turn into full blown cracks requiring you to replace the windshield. If you choose to repair a crack, please do it right away to keep it from getting contaminated.

Desert Breeze Glass was established in April 2001 by Cathryn Scheeler. We pride ourselves in great customer service and quality. We can meet all your auto and home needs whether it is a replacement windshield, window tinting, table top glass, mirrors, and much more. For more information check out our website at http://www.desertbreezeglass.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_K._Scheeler

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1559850

Auto Glass Repair and Safety

2011-09-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

An improperly or poorly installed windshield or other vehicle glass is not a bargain, regardless of the cost. Your vehicle's windshield is a key component in accident safety. When it needs to be replaced, be aware that an improperly installed replacement can contribute to passenger airbag failure, and increases the chance of roof collapse in a roll-over.

A professionally installed modern windshield protects occupants in more ways than many people realize, it is MUCH more than a barrier against the weather. These days, a windshield is a key component in the structural integrity and safety of the passenger compartment, not just a wind screen. An unsafe windshield, one that is not installed properly or has been damaged by debris, can certainly cause unnecessary personal injury or even death. If the windshield separates from the vehicle in an accident, the lives of those inside are immediately at far greater risk of injury.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports over 40,000 Americans are killed and over 5 million injured every year in highway accidents. Over 30 percent of the fatalities occur when vehicle occupants are either ejected from the vehicle, or injured during rollovers. Windshields are intended to keep occupants inside the vehicle. The windshield also supports the roof thereby preserving the structural integrity of the passenger compartment and keeping it from collapsing and crushing driver and passengers.

The danger here is that insurance companies are always looking to cut costs. You may ask, how does that affect me? Windshields, safety belts, airbags and other safety feature should never fall victim to cutting cost at the expense of quality, but in some cases that is what happens. Some consumers will rely on their agent to locate a professional auto glass installer, but that could be a problem because occasionally they will direct you to a place that will get the work done for cheap, but this also might be a flag that corners are being cut.

Visibility and protection from the weather are both important functions of a windshield, but although these aspects are what mostly concern drivers, the role of the windshield in the vehicle's SRS (Safety Restraint System) is its primary function. The decision between a cheap installation with cheap parts and a professional installation with quality parts can mean the difference between surviving or perishing in a collision or roll-over.

Bruce DeDona is the owner of DeDona Tint and Sound, and co-owner of DeDona Auto Glass, providing the Piedmont with expert auto glass repair, as well as premier custom audio installations, window tinting, mobile video, security systems and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._DeDona

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4727477

Important Facts About Auto Glass

2011-09-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Auto glass looks just like every other glass we know of but it functions in a different way. It refers to all the glass that surrounds the passengers inside the vehicles. These include the vehicle's windshields, glass panel roofs, and the side and rear windows. These types of glass have been designed and manufactured with the safety of the vehicle's passengers in mind.

The windshield, for example, is a framed pane that is found in front of a vehicle. It is designed to primarily protect its occupants from the wind. But its functions go beyond that. The windshield is an integral part of a vehicle's safety restraint system. This glass helps strengthen the structural support in the car's cabin for up to 45% in cases of collision. In case your car rolls over, it keeps the roof from caving in and crushing you. It also allows the car's airbags to deploy properly and prevents the passengers from being ejected from the vehicle in a serious collision. This is why it is important to have it installed properly.

It is also an important element in the safety package of your vehicle. Hence, proper replacement should be considered a high priority if it is damaged. Not only will it maintain your vehicle's structural integrity but it also ensures that the vehicle's safety features are functional. The Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council, a not-for-profit corporation, is one of several agencies that ensure proper auto glass replacement procedures are being followed and that the company tasked to do the replacement is registered with the AGRSS.

Since cars are likely to encounter more than a dozen strains in its lifetime, from potholes to fender benders, the auto glass is designed to better withstand exposure to environmental tensions than the standard type of glass that shatters easily. Because of this consideration, the auto glass is manufactured into two types of safety glass, which serve different functions. The first is laminated glass, which is designed to protect the vehicle's structure and is the type used for the windshield. Tempered glass is the other type, which is specifically made to protect the passengers and is used for the side and rear windows.

Noting their importance, consumers should be careful when buying or replacing it. If your car's windshield has obtained severe damage, do not put off getting a replacement. Also, make sure that the companies or technicians working on your replacements have certifications from the National Glass Association and the AGRSS, among others. Once the damaged windshield has been replaced with a new one, wait for the recommended time to elapse before driving the car again.

Indeed, from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century, auto glass has improved significantly. It has been manipulated and innovated to become more shatter and puncture resistant, and has been improved to optimize passenger safety. Car manufacturers and auto glass makers continue to make it safer, stronger, easier to recycle, and more adaptable for new cars.

Anaheim Windshield Repair
OC Windshields
2560 W Gramercy Ave
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 209-5555

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gunther_Hoppe

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5298932

Windshield I.Q

2011-02-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

Most motorists don't realize the windshield plays and important role in the vehicle's safety restraint system (SRS), which also included air bags and seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports over 40,000 Americans are killed and over 5 million injured every year in highway crashes. Over 30% of the fatalities occur when vehicle occupants are either ejected from the vehicle or injured during rollovers.
A-1 Glass advises that every vehicle owner should be aware of the 5 most important safety functions preformed by their windshield:
1. Visibility: Windshields can become pitted and scratched from dirt and sand particles. Pebbles and stones can fracture the glass causing damage that, if left unattended, can break and require replacement and can affect vision.
2. Airbag Support: In many cars and trucks, the windshield supports the passenger side airbag during deployment. If a windshield is replaced improperly, the windshield could become detached from the vehicle in an accident. if this happens, the passenger side airbag will not deploy properly.
3. Cushion during accidents: Windshields cushion the blow if a vehicle occupant is thrown forward in a crash. Windshields are made of 2 layers of glass with polyvinyl material in the middle. The glass may break, but the polyvinyl layer is flexible and cushions the impact. This feature explain why windshields are made of glass not plastic. Plastic is rigid and unforgiving to a person's head and neck.
4. Barrier to ejection: The windshield cushions the occupants with the relative safety of the passenger compartment. If the windshield becomes separated from the vehicle, the occupants could be ejected through the windshield opening and into the roadway.
5. Passenger compartment integrity: Years ago, most vehicles had steel A-Pillars to support the roof. Today, it is the windshield that provides much of the support that prevents the roof's collapse during vehicle roll-overs.

The windshield must remain securely in place on the vehicle. if the windshield dislodges for any reason, it will not perform ad designed.

All A-1 technicians take your safety seriously that is why all our technicians are AGRSS certified.

For more information on the AGRSS standard go to http://www.agrss.org/

Welcome to the A-1 Glass Blog

2010-03-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

2009-08-28T15:34:00.000-07:00

A-1 Glass Co., Inc. is an established full line glass company. Since 1972 we have provided the Coulee Region with all of it's automotive, commercial and residential glass needs.

A-1 Glass Co., Inc. provides free mobile service for repair and replacement of glass on cars, trucks, farm and construction equipment, over-the-road tractors, and buses within a 75 mile radius of La Crosse, WI. Our fleet of installation vehicles is fully equipped with high output generators, air compressors, parts, vacuum cleaners and tools needed to complete the most demanding jobs in any "on the road" location. The addition of cellular phones further increase our customer service capabilities.

Silverline Windows

2009-08-28T14:57:00.000-07:00