What is Windshield Pitting?
May 2, 2024
Introduction
Have you ever noticed small, annoying pits or divots on your car’s windshield? This is commonly known as windshield pitting, and it’s a common issue that many drivers face.
It occurs when tiny rocks, debris, or even sand particles hit the surface of your car’s windshield, leaving behind small indentations or pits. These pits can be unsightly and, over time, can even obstruct your vision while driving.
In this blog, we will provide a detailed guide on the causes, symptoms, impact, preventive measures, and available repair and replacement options for car windshield pitting. Keep scrolling to learn them!
Understanding Windshield Pitting
Auto glass pitting, or windshield pitting, is a common issue that reduces windshield clarity. They are small, shallow window marks or pits on your car’s windshield. When road litter, sand, and other natural pollutants fall on your car’s windshield, they lead to these holes. Over time, these holes may fill and obscure the glass, making driving risky.
Windshield pitting is a natural result of the wear and tear your windshield experiences on the road, but there are ways to prevent and even repair it. For that, you need to understand what causes windshield pitting and how to address it to keep your car’s windshield in top condition.
Causes of Windshield Pitting
Many things can lead to Window pitting, but it usually occurs for these basic reasons:
- If you drive in regions with significant concentrations of dust or sand, it may increase windshield pitting.
- Small debris may cause pitting on the windshield when it collides with the glass. This is because of the high speed and frequency of cars that travel on highways and other routes with high traffic volume.
- Extreme weather conditions or any alterations in temperatures, particularly during the winter, may cause the glass to expand and contract quickly. This can create stress on the surface of the windshield and may even result in the formation of pits.
- Acidic rain, tree sap, and bird droppings are all examples of substances that have the potential to produce chemical interactions with the surface of glass, which may lead to pitting.
- Strong cleaning agents or abrasive building materials are another reason behind windshield pitting.
Unfixed windshield pitting significantly hampers overall safety. For instance, bright light hitting holes may dazzle you and weaken the windshield, making it more prone to shatter in an accident. Therefore, always replace a windshield on time to protect the driver and others before it is too late.
Impact on Visibility and Safety
A pitted windshield may impair visibility and safety. Therefore, fixing the pitted windshield is vital for your car’s safety and steadiness. If kept unattended, it may have the following impacts:
- Driving Ability: Pitted windshields make driving difficult. When strong light hits them from the side, the holes glow so brightly that it’s hard to see. You may have trouble seeing people, road signs, and other cars. This makes crashes more likely.
- Windshield Structure: Pits in the glass can also weaken its structure, making it more likely to break in a crash. If the window breaks while the car is moving, this could put the driver and other people on the road in danger.
- Windshield Wipers: Cracks in the windshield can damage the wipers, making it harder for drivers to clear snow, rain, and other things off the windshield. This will impact road visibility, raising the risk of an accident.
Prevention and Maintenance
While windshield cracking is unavoidable, there are ways to reduce its impact. If you can’t go for a pitted glass repair, you can reduce window pitting damages by maintaining your car’s windshield. Here are a few tips:
Tip 1: Pitting is less common if you clean your windshield regularly and remove dirt immediately.
Tip 2: Another preventive measure is to address chips and cracks immediately to avoid a complete windscreen repair. This is an affordable and convenient option.
Tip 3: Check your wipers regularly to prevent glass wear. To protect your automobile from the weather, cover it while not in use and avoid scratching the glass when washing. Regular windshield inspections by professionals may detect early wear and tear and keep it pit-free.
Tip 4: Avoid harsh cleaning agents and anything that might harm the glass.
Tip 5: Instead of high-pressure water jets, which may force debris into the windshield, clean it with gentle soap and water.
Tip 6: Your glass may need a protective film or coating to prevent road debris and other pollutants from scratching.
Windshield Pitting Repair and Replacement Options
When dealing with pitting on the windshield, microscopic ones, you may consider numerous repair and replacement solutions, including the following:
- Windshield Repair: For tiny pits, windshield repair is generally affordable. A competent glass repairman may patch the gaps with a specific adhesive to strengthen and improve visibility. This may prevent the pits from growing, preventing the need to replace the glass.
- Windshield Replacement: If the pits are deep or weak, consider replacing the windshield. You can address this concern with a trained vehicle glass specialist at NuVision to remove and replace the damaged windshield to restore optimum safety at competitive rates. When larger pits can’t be repaired, replacement is usually preferred.
- Protective Coating: A protective coating may prevent holes and other damage to your glass. These covers prevent outside elements from reaching the glass, reducing cracking. Regularly applying a protective coating to your windshield helps keep it clean and durable, reducing the need for replacement or repair.
Conclusion
Tiny or microscopic windshield pitting is hard to notice. Over time, sand and road debris struck the glass, creating these holes. Chipping may not appear alarming, but it weakens the windshield, making it more prone to fracture or shatter in an accident.
Pitting may also impair drivers’ vision, particularly in poor weather, increasing collision risk. To avoid driving hazards, examine your windshield for cracks and fix it as required.
Protect your vision on the road with NuVision Auto Glass, the #1 Auto Glass Company. You can visit the website to learn more about preventing windshield pitting and ensuring clear visibility for safe driving.
FURTHER READING
➤ What Does a Pitted Windshield Look Like?
➤ How to Prevent Windshield Pitting
