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Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: August 26th, 2018, 9:14 pm
by kmx321
I've always liked to learn the science behind stuff, and not just go through the motions. But my former employer didn't like me asking a lot of questions.
They would just tell me "Don't worry about that, just do the repair"
So now that I have my own WSR business, I still have questions that I can't find answers to online.

I like to explain to customers what I'm doing and the reasons behind it.
I tell them the reason why cracks/chips glare is due to air being trapped inside.
That's why when the air is removed it clears up.

I also explain to them that cracks grow because the windshield contracts & expands which causes the air trapped inside to be squeezed. All that pressure makes it grow.
These things happen when:
  • Hot outside and the ac is on
  • Cold outside and the heater is on
  • Bumps in the road
  • Dirt & Debris inside crack
Am I educating the customers or am I misinforming them?

Re: Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: August 27th, 2018, 11:43 am
by Dave M
All these years I thought cracks glared because they were upset or mad!! :lol:

Re: Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: December 9th, 2018, 3:36 pm
by Semper Fi
Dave M, there are hundreds of starving comedians out there and you are on here cracking free jokes (pun was intentional)!

Re: Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: December 9th, 2018, 8:18 pm
by ghost rider
When customers ask me why windshields break more in the winter I tell them if there's moisture in the break, it's like putting a bottle in the freezer.

Re: Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: December 10th, 2018, 6:33 am
by screenman
When asked if a chip will get bigger my stock answer is, every long crack I have ever come across started as something much smaller.

Re: Why do cracks glare? Why do they spread?

Posted: February 7th, 2019, 12:53 pm
by Mattimeo
In regards to the winter season we get a lot of people coming in due to cracking their windshields in the cold season. I actually wrote a piece about it and published it on here https://www.windautoglass.com/blog/prep ... he-winters/ I give it to customers that always ask me those kinds of questions.