Do you have to replace your windshield if it has only one small chip? What if there are two or three? When does windshield damage cross the line into dangerous or illegal territory?

Car owners should be aware of what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to auto glass repair. Too often it’s assumed that it’s OK to drive around with a few chips in your windshield, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your view.

Regardless of how it affects visibility, windshield damage of any level is a threat to your safety and should be repaired.

Your Windshield Is Part of Your Vehicle’s Structure

The windshield is a key component in protecting your car’s roof from caving in if you are in a serious accident. It supports the vehicle’s structure. When your windshield is damaged, it’s more susceptible to further cracking.

When Is One Small Chip Too Dangerous?

Even one chip has to be repaired. Otherwise, it can quickly turn into a larger crack the moment you drive on rough gravel or hit a pothole.

Most chips can be repaired, as long as they are smaller than a few inches and they aren’t located in the driver’s line of sight or near the edge of the windshield. You should know that many experts recommend that you replace your windshield once it has three or more cracks or chips, to ensure the continued safety of you and your passengers.

Location Will Determine Repair or Replacement

Talk to a qualified auto glass repair technician before you assume that a repair will do the job. With many windshield chips, it comes down to the location. Since repairing a chip could leave behind a slight imperfection, many technicians with experience will tell car owners to replace the glass if the chip interferes with driver visibility.

Also, if the chip is close to the edge of the windshield, replacement is probably the best bet, since these chips are more likely to turn into cracks that spread to the frame’s edge, weakening the entire windshield.

Trust the Experts at Glasshopper

Time is of the essence when your windshield is damaged. Temperature fluctuations and less-than-favorable driving conditions can make auto glass damage worse.

When is it time to repair or replace your windshield? The experts at Glasshopper Auto Glass have the answer. Call us today to schedule your mobile windshield repair or replacement and we will come to you!

When you need windshield repair in winter, a number of factors come into play that you don’t have to worry about during other times of the year. The top two issues repair technicians agree upon are temperature and moisture.

Winter precipitation and rock-bottom temperatures can make it harder to execute an effective windshield repair, but it’s not impossible. In fact, sometimes it’s necessary to get windshield repair in winter, and your vehicle is in good hands at Glasshopper Auto Glass. Our repair shop is experienced in resolving all auto glass problems throughout the year.

Moisture Be Gone!

When repairing a chip or crack, your technician will make it their first priority to remove all moisture from the damaged area. Leaving moisture behind makes it harder for repair material to bond with the auto glass. If moisture is trapped within the windshield, freezing temperatures can cause this moisture to freeze and expand. It will put internal pressure on the auto glass and can lead to additional cracks and damage.

Warming Up the Windshield Is Vital

Secondly, your windshield can’t be frozen — we have to warm it up before we start the repair process. The best way to do this is by starting the car and using the defroster. As the car’s engine warms up, so will the air, gradually warming up the glass in preparation for repair.

Choose the Right Products

Windshield repair in winter requires a specific type of repair product. One of the most important features of any repair product is its curing time. Cold weather extends the time it takes for resin to cure, so it’s important to use a product that cures quickly.

During the curing process, the windshield must maintain an even temperature, so we may do the repair indoors to control the climate.

Should You Wait until Spring?

Many vehicle owners ask us if it’s better to wait until the weather warms up to get windshield repair. We firmly say, “No!” every time. A damaged windshield puts your safety at risk. If you were to get into an accident, your car’s frame wouldn’t be as strong, putting it at risk of collapse. Also, winter is one of the key times you need maximum visibility, and a cracked windshield interferes with this, obstructing your view of the road.

For all these reasons, and because of our capabilities in cold weather, we highly suggest scheduling windshield repair in winter with Glasshopper Auto Glass.

When you get your windshield replaced, you want to be sure your new auto glass is secure. You trust your installer to use the right technique and follow manufacturer guidelines, but what if they make a mistake along the way?

Unfortunately, when windshields aren’t installed correctly, it puts your safety at risk. The windshield helps maintain the integrity of your vehicle’s frame and prevents roof collapse in the event of an accident.

If you notice any of these six signs that your new windshield isn’t installed correctly, make sure you take action right away:

1. Water Leaks Around the Edges

When it rains or you take your vehicle through the car wash, you may notice water seeping in around the edges of the windshield. Maybe it’s only a few drops, but still, that’s a leak, and it’s a sure sign your windshield wasn’t installed correctly.

 2. You Hear a Whooshing Sound at High Speed

You know that subtle yet annoying sound of whistling air when your car picks up speed?

You might commonly associate it with a window that was left open a crack. If it’s coming from your windshield, though, you have a problem. The sound might be quiet or it could be dramatic; either way, it’s a sign of poor windshield installation.

3. The Glass Looks Wavy

The easiest way to spot a subpar windshield is to look at it in direct sunlight. Does the glass look smooth? Is the view clear?

If there are any bumps, imperfections or waves that affect your visibility, it’s indicative of low-quality auto glass.

4. It’s Not Flush with the Car’s Frame

When the windshield pokes out noticeably and doesn’t sit smoothly within the frame, that’s another sign of a problem. Probably the glass doesn’t fit quite right — your previous installer chose the wrong windshield.

5. You Hear Rattling Noises

Does your windshield rattle or shake when you go over a bump? If you hear any strange noises, it’s probably because your windshield is loose in its frame.

6. The Old Adhesive Is Still There

At each auto glass replacement, the previous molding should be scraped away and new adhesive installed. If your installer added new adhesive on top of old and just plopped a new windshield in, your windshield won’t be weatherproof.

Give Us a Call

You can book an appointment with Glasshopper Auto Glass fast, and the best part is we come to you. We can meet you at home, work or school and take care of the replacement right way. For fast, convenient repairs, contact Glasshopper.

A rear window replacement requires the assistance of a technician with auto glass repair experience, but the project is a little different than a front windshield replacement.

When your rear window shatters, maybe you assume it will cost the same and take the same amount of time to repair as a front windshield. While this could be the case, it also may not.

The materials and labor are different for rear window replacement. Why?

The Results Are Similar

Maybe it was a rock, piece of a tire, block of wood, flying landscaping tool, baseball or a falling branch. Whatever the cause, your back window is broken and now you have crumbled glass everywhere and a cold draft. You need to get it fixed stat, especially before it starts to rain (or snow).

The difference with windshields is, they don’t shatter. And by law, you don’t have an option — you have to get your broken windshield repaired right away or you could get ticketed. It’s a safety concern.

A back window is also a safety concern, but it’s less likely the police will notice. And the comfort factor is more of an issue — you can’t drive around with a broken window in winter!

If you got a quote from an auto glass professional, the projected invoice might have looked different than what you’re used to, and you may wonder why.

Rear Windows Are Made of Different Glass

Windshields are made of safety glass. This is glass that has been laminated and joined with another piece of glass, with a film of vinyl in between. It will never shatter in a crash.

Rear windows are made of tempered glass — glass that has been heated to extremely high temperatures then rapidly cooled. This process makes it much stronger than any other type of non-tempered glass. Tempered glass won’t shatter either — it will crumble. There won’t be any jagged edges to deal with, just tiny sand-like crumbs that will get everywhere.

So since you’re paying for a different type of glass, the price will be different.

Defrost Grids Are Needed

If your rear window has a defrost grid that’s connected to your car’s heating system, the technician will have to install this as well. This process can add to the cost of rear window replacement.

Your Car Needs a Cleanup Too

Typically, auto glass technicians include cleanup in their quote so you don’t have to go searching for tiny bits of glass throughout your car.

Need Help?

Glasshopper Auto Glass is here for you when rear window replacement is necessary. Contact us today to get a quote for your car.

A scratched windshield is more than a nuisance; it’s a danger. If your vision is obstructed in any way, it poses a risk to you, your passengers and other motorists on the roadway.

Is it possible to fix a scratched windshield without replacing it? If the scratch isn’t too long or too deep, the answer is yes.

But when is a quick fix is possible, and can you do it yourself?

Minor vs. Major Scratches

First, you must determine the depth of the scratch before deciding if a DIY repair will work.

Run your fingers over the edge of the scratch. Does your fingernail catch in the indent? If so, this scratch is too deep for an amateur repair. Contact a repair professional like Glasshopper Auto Glass to help. Deep cracks require immediate attention, as they can quickly spread and threaten the integrity of the windshield and the vehicle.

But if the scratch is smooth to the touch, you can likely use an affordable auto glass repair kit to buff it out.

Compound Glass Repair

You can find auto glass scratch repair kits at most auto body or hardware shops. Look for a kit that uses a compound with the active ingredient cerium oxide. This is the chemical that helps bond the compound with the auto glass.

Wash, Apply, Rinse, Dry, Polish

Follow the instructions in the auto glass repair kit. It will likely tell you to wash your windshield first with soap and water. Once the glass is clean, apply the compound to the scratch using a cloth. Rub it completely into the damaged area.

Next, rinse the scratch with water to remove any excess compound. Dry the entire windshield.

After allowing the glass to sit for at least 30 minutes, it’s time to restore the entire windshield to a full shine. Rub polish in circular motions, wipe the excess away and let it dry.

When You Need Professional Help

Glasshopper Auto Glass can provide the help you need when an at-home fix won’t work for your scratched windshield. If it’s possible to safely and effectively repair the scratch and preserve the windshield’s structural integrity, we’ll do it. Otherwise, we can replace your windshield quickly and affordably to make sure you aren’t at risk on the roadways. Contact us today to schedule mobile service with your friendly local auto glass repair experts.

You need windshield repair … again. A stray flying rock, a fallen tree branch — do you just have bad luck or is your auto glass out to get you?

Regardless of why your windshield is damaged again, you know you need windshield repair right away. Maybe you have been putting it off because you had a bad experience last time with your auto glass repair company, but resist the urge! A secure windshield is key to a secure car.

To cut down on your frustration, follow the six steps below to get great windshield repair fast.

1. Take a Picture of the Damage

You might not end up claiming the damage on your insurance policy, but you should take a picture of it anyway, because if you change your mind, you will need proof.

2. Measure the Crack

Get out your measuring tape. Once you know how long the crack is, it will help you decide if the glass should be replaced or if a repair is possible. If the crack is less than 6 inches, you may be able to repair it. If it’s longer, you need a new windshield.

3. Find a Trusted Repair Specialist

Check out online reviews and ask your friends for recommendations, but make sure the windshield repair company you select has a long résumé of success. Plenty of amateurs will gladly take your money and deliver a subpar repair, but you can avoid this by asking the company you select for past referrals and information about their work.

4. Opt for Mobile Service

Scheduling mobile windshield repair can save you tons of time and preserve your safety. When your repair company comes to you, you don’t have to risk driving around with a compromised windshield. You can get your auto glass fixed while at home or work and getting other things done instead of sitting in a waiting room.

5. Let the New Windshield Set

Ensure the repair is completed successfully by waiting for the glue to set properly after your technician leaves. Follow their instructions on how long to wait to drive afterward.

6. Get a Copy of the Receipt

Get an itemized copy of the receipt for all work completed on your car. This will be important if you decide to file an insurance claim.

Windshield repair is a cinch when you trust Glasshopper Auto Glass to handle the job. Call us today to set up your mobile service appointment — we come to you!

A foggy windshield isn’t just annoying — it’s dangerous, especially when it forms on the inside of your vehicle. You can’t just switch on the windshield wipers to take care of it, and you’re too busy driving to wipe down the interior glass.

What should you do? Don’t panic!

Why Does it Happen?

A foggy windshield isn’t impossible to fix fast, but first you need to know why it happens.

When fog forms on the outside of the windshield, that’s because it’s more humid outside than inside the car’s cabin. Thankfully, wiper blades can easily clear the windshield. You can also raise the interior temperature by turning off your air conditioning, or at least raising the temperature.

The real problem is when you have an interior foggy windshield. It’s hard to wipe down, plus it leaves streaks on the glass that further interfere with your view of the road. Fog forms inside when the air in the car is more humid than the air outside. What can you adjust to make it go away?

Turn Off Recirculation

First things first — turn off the interior recirculation option. Otherwise, the car will continue feeding the damp, moist air through the system and you will still have a foggy windshield. The recirculator button has an outline of a car with an arrow inside. Turn it off before you do anything else!

Turn on the A/C

Next, it’s time to de-humidify the car’s cabin. Turn on the A/C, which will remove moisture from the air and bring the cabin humidity down, matching the drier exterior air.

This is a common problem that can happen regardless of any outdoor temperature changes. Your car’s cabin can get a foggy windshield because of extra passengers breathing or even from piping-hot takeout sitting on the front seat. But when you know how to fix it fast, you aren’t at risk anymore.

The Good News? It Will Soon Be an Outdated Problem.

New cars are coming out with automatic anti-fogging features. Models from Chrysler and Fiat have climate control systems that include windshield sensors that scan the glass to ensure visibility is good regardless of the weather.

Soon, you won’t have to monitor windshield fog at all — your car will automatically adjust your recirculation and A/C settings for you.

When You Need Windshield Repair

A foggy windshield isn’t the only problem you might experience when it comes to auto glass. Windshield chips or cracks also interfere with visibility and threaten your safety as well. Thankfully, you have Glasshopper Auto Glass on your side. We will come to you and quickly repair your windshield so you can drive confidently, knowing you can see and you’re safe. Call today to schedule your windshield repair appointment.

You can add smart windshields to the list of clever devices that enhance your life, such as your smartphone, smart TV and smart refrigerator. Now it’s your car that will help you exert less mental energy to get you where you need to go.

While smart windshields are mostly still in development, the next decade of car manufacturing will feature many interesting changes for that pane of glass that will soon do much more than protect you from the wind.

How it Works

A smart windshield won’t solve all your problems, but it is designed to minimize most of them, while helping you keep your eyes on the road.

You will be able to see your speed projected on the windshield, eliminating the need to look down at your dashboard. You will also be able to see your next navigational turn — no need to check your smartphone’s map or listen closely to voice directions.

Better yet, the technology is constantly improving. While most smart windshields today only show these data points on one area of the glass, Toyota has patented technology that moves the information around based on where it’s easiest for you to see. By analyzing steering angle and speed, the interior and exterior cameras will locate your viewpoint and place the information you need in the optimal spot for easy viewing.

Ads While You’re Driving? It Will Soon Be a Reality.

One of the latest changes involves all that extra windshield space you don’t use while driving. Advertisements soon may be popping up on your smart windshield. In fact, by 2030, this type of advertising is expected to generate $1.5 trillion.

Need gas? Your smart windshield (connected to your smart car) will tell you when you’re running low on gas and all the local prices. You’ll also find out which gas station you should choose if you want a 99-cent cup of coffee — your windshield will show you the best deal based on your past locations and buying history.

Tech execs are even talking about allowing you to order fast food through your windshield using facial recognition software that’s connected to your credit card. Just pull off the highway and pick it up.

Goodbye Blind Spots — Hello Automatic Wipers

Jaguar has a plan to produce a 360-degree windshield that eliminates blind spots. Swedish technology company Semcon is developing a program that will activate your windshield wipers based on anticipated splashes and precipitation, preparing to clear your view before the water ever hits the glass.

What Does This Mean?

At Glasshopper Auto Glass, we’re determined to stay ahead of all smart windshield technology so we can provide our customers with the best service possible. You can trust us with your windshield today, and into the future, whatever advanced technology will bring! Schedule your appointment with our highly skilled, knowledgeable technicians, and trust your windshield is in good hands.

A certified auto glass technician is a trained professional. They don’t replace windshields as a side job — it’s their career. It takes time and money to invest in high-level auto glass training, and that’s why the results a certified auto glass technician deliver far exceed what you’ll get from a fly-by-night amateur.

Depend on a certified professional to replace your windshield.

Your Windshield Is a Safety Device

Seventy-five percent of people who are thrown out of the vehicle in an accident do not survive. Your windshield keeps you in the car. In addition, it provides up to 60 percent of the car’s structural support if the vehicle rolls over. You don’t want to leave over half your car’s stability to chance, do you?

Windshields do more than protect you from precipitation and guard against flying insects. They keep you safe. Allow only a highly trained expert to replace your windshield. Faulty work is a direct threat to your safety.

Certified Techs Use the Best Materials

A certified technician knows that using original engine manufacturer (OEM) parts in auto glass repairs is the best decision. They will only use aftermarket auto glass that’s approved and guaranteed to offer the same effectiveness.

They don’t settle for subpar materials to make a bigger profit. They put your safety first.

Skilled Installation of the Latest Technologies

Many modern windshields offer advanced technology. Proper installation is key to ensure they work as they are supposed to. From rain and light sensors to HUD technology, a qualified installer has been trained to repair it all.

Protect Your Vehicle’s Value

If your new windshield isn’t installed correctly, it may be prone to leaking. This can lead to rust inside your vehicle, which can seriously detract from your car’s value. Plus, a leaking windshield is definitely not a safe windshield. When you depend on a proficient installer, you don’t have this problem.

You Aren’t at Risk Due to Common Mistakes

Some of the common mistakes made by unqualified technicians include touching the seal with their bare hands. Oil from the skin jeopardizes the seal’s ability to fully mold to the glass. Technicians are supposed to use gloves to prevent this problem.

Also, a fully certified auto glass technician will be sure to prepare with the correct materials, such as primer, to ensure full stabilization of the new windshield.

We don’t cut corners, and our staff of certified auto glass technicians is here for you! Call Glasshopper Auto Glass today to schedule an appointment, and we will come to you.

Window tint is an attractive upgrade for your car, but is it legal?

Before you spend money making changes to your auto glass, do some research. In Utah, you can get window tint and still avoid a rejection sticker when you visit the motor vehicle registry for an inspection. You just need to know the rules.

Why Do You Want It?

Window tint offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. The visual appeal is the most obvious reason car owners want to tint their windows. Many people love the way it looks. It transforms your stock vehicle into a sleek, personalized ride. It helps your windows blend better with darker trim, and makes them stand out from chrome finishes.

The functional benefits are a major advantage too.

First off, tinted windows offer privacy. No prying eyes at stoplights can see in, but you can still see out. Second, it helps reduce the physical discomfort of living hot, dry Utah. The sun beats down here mercilessly, but window tint reduces heat absorption inside your vehicle. In fact, it’s the product’s central purpose.

Recent changes to state laws make it a finable offense to leave your car idling beyond two minutes in Salt Lake City. You can’t keep your A/C on while you run into the store, but you can trust your tinted windows will help block UV heat and maintain a cooler interior. It can be a major relief in the heat of the summer.

Utah’s Current Law

Regardless of the reasons you want to modify your windows, everyone has to abide by the rules. Utah law states that windows behind the driver and front passenger sides have no limitations on tinting.

When it comes to the driver and passenger windows, restrictions get more complicated. You can add tint, but it must allow at least 43 percent of light in. No tint is allowed on the windshield, except for a 4-inch strip at the top of the auto glass, or to the AS-1 line.

How Does the Law Compare to Neighboring States’?

Many drivers have issues passing Utah’s vehicle inspections, especially when they are relocating from a neighboring state. Utah’s vehicle laws are stricter than surrounding states’. Idaho and Nevada require at least 35 percent of light allowed in, Wyoming requires 28 percent, Colorado 27 percent and New Mexico requires the least at 20 percent.

If you’re concerned about whether your modified, tinted auto glass will pass inspection, talk to a qualified window tint installation professional. Call Glasshopper Auto Glass — we can help assess your auto glass before you visit the motor vehicle registry.