Safety Alert - Windshield Repair
Drilling windshield chips to the center laminate, may create a safety hazard.
Many windshield repair techs were trained and believe that most if not all windshield chips should be drilled to the center laminate (Poly Vinyl Brutal or PVB) for proper repair.
The truth however is that it is not needed and by damaging or even penetrating the center laminate (PVB), your safety and life may be at risk.
The windshield is part of the Safety Restraint System (SRS) which is made up of the seat belts, air bags and the windshield. The SRS system is designed to keep you safe and protected in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. If thrown through a damaged or improperly installed windshield, you have an 8 out of 10 chance of being killed. In an article May 14, 2006, WTVR 6, Richmond VA, Leo Cyr, Vice President of the National Glass Association (NGA) Auto Glass Division, states "All three SRS components must be undamaged and in proper working order for the driver and passengers to realize the full intended safety benefit."
It is recommended by the NGA's Windshield Repair Committee that any windshield in which either the center laminate has been pierced or the inside layer of glass is broken, be replaced. The center laminate (PVB) is regulated to a thickness of 15 thousandths of an inch; not much thicker then a piece of paper.
The Auto Glass Repair Technician Reference manual from the NGA and the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) states in drilling it should not be to the center laminate (PVB).
Other reasons that you should not have the windshield chip drilled to the laminate:
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Chips in the tint band, (usually tinted blue or green in the top of the windshield) when drilled to to the laminate a clear spot is left after the repair.
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Heads Up Display Windshields; when damaged by drilling to the laminate will leave a clear spot, but more importantly when done over the display area, may distort the display. These windshields we under stand start at around $1000 to replace. Vehicles with this include Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Corvette and Buick Rendezvous, among others.
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Heated Windshields; damage to the heating elements may occur resulting in cold spots on the windshield.
All this said when choosing a shop for your windshield repair, one should choose a shop that is aware of this situation, like Glass Aid.
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