Windshield Rock Chip Repair

		Rock chips appear in windshields seemingly under normal use.  Rock chips are not just annoying, they actually reduce the strength and integrity of the whole windshield.  Rock chips should be fixed promptly, in fact, all the states DOT's REQUIRE it for commercial vehicles.
Windshield rock chip repair is not only legal but those who need to see us the most have their windshields repaired right here at  KNOW CHIPS!!!			Should you get a rock chip then keep it clean by placing a piece of scotch tape over it and getting it fixed ASAP.   If you are in the central Iowa area or going to pass through Iowa soon then call us at 515-238-9025 and we will professionally repair it. We can come to you at your work or home or truck stop or you can come to our shop.
KNOW CHIPS is the only shop in central Iowa that uses a computerized rock chip repair system. The rock chips are easily repaired and inexpensive.... a fraction of the cost of replacement windshield.

BEFORE......		DURING			......AFTER
The Typical "Combination" rock chip fresh off the street.  When you get a rock chip put a piece of scotch tape on it right away and get it to us as quick as possible.			The Computerized Repair system at work.  This system regulates the exact amount of vacuum and pressure, to ensure the best possible chip repair.			After the repair process the rock chip is nearly invisible, but most of all, the strength of the windshield is restored and the possibility of a crack running from it is eliminated.

The rock came along and hit your windshield.........

                                       Ok,  be real -- you hit the rock!

Let us say you hit the rock, the rock was minding it's own business, just taking a nice flight, and you came along and hit it.  Just like that bug in the summer, except this time the rock got its revenge and left you with a spider web, of sorts.  Now your windshield is going to suffer for your inattentiveness, and wanton disregard for the rocks' safety.

The rock, as it hits your windshield,  is going to do one of several things.

1. Rock just bounces off with no damage......... you are lucky.

2. Rock makes a nice small abrasion, lucky again, no real bad damage.

3. Rock makes a Bull's-eye. Not good, now you look at it and see a small circle with a some dark black area in it. The black is air, now you are thinking, what should I do????........... easy, call KNOW CHIPS.

4. Rock makes a star break. NOT lucky. its harder to fix, and doesn't look as good many times. But at least you have KNOW CHIPS to call and fix it!

5. Rock hits and makes a crack, (DON'T go to the casino, it's not your lucky day.)     Call KNOW CHIPS, your windshield depends on it!

6. Rock hits the windshield and the rock shatters into powder and there is no damage to the windshield. (DO go to the casino, there is a jackpot waiting for you!)

               Now let's talk about the breaks you now have.

1. Bull's-eye, looks just like it sounds, a small dark circle with some dark areas in it. The dark area is air that got trapped inside of the break. The Bull's-eye air has the most potential of developing into a crack. The air can expand and expand on a nice sunny day. There is a cone inside of the first layer of glass, that has been produced usually by the object that you hit, in most cases a round edge on the rock hits and produces the Bull's-eye. The cone hits against the lamination, and then bounces back into place. Sometimes the weight of the rock and the speed of your car/truck is enough to cause the impact of the collision between you and the rock to start to powder the tip of the cone. Or make a Combination break where you will actually see a small Star inside of the Bull's-eyes.

2. Star break, is just what it sounds like, a star shape. With one or many radiating legs from the center of the point of impact. Not much air inside like a combo or bull's-eye. Usually the star is a little more stable than a bullseye, but dont bet that it won't crack on out. Its only advantage is that it has stopped for a while, and has little air to expand under temperature changes.

3. Combination, Easy to see, both a Bull's-eye and a star, kind of dangerous. Caused by hi-velocity and weight with how hard was the object. The danger is that you have all of the right things going for a crack to develop.

4. The Dreaded Crack, Cracks can develop at any time at all. If you were able to magnify a crack you would likely see something that looks like the Grand Canyon. Cracks can run across the windshield at speeds reaching as much as 5000 mph. But lucky for you, cracks can be fixed. Yes, its true, Some repair and replacement shops can't fix a crack, or at least they won't. Why? PROFIT. They like to replace. This is why it's important to keep a crack clean of dirt, road grime, water and all contaminants. Some cracks can actually be repaired quite nicely.

Rock Chip FAQ's

Question:
Do the rock chips disappear after you fix it?

Answer:
Clarity depends on the size, age, and the amount of glass missing from the break, and how much glass has powdered inside of the break. In most cases the damage to the lamination will be fixed at the same time the chip is fixed.

Question:
Should I have the rock chip repaired?

Answer:
Yes. Almost all breaks can be repaired, and should be attempted. If how ever an other technician has made an attempt, and it has not gone, then there is little an other technician can do to improve it.  Rock chips actually slightly degrade the strength and integrity of the windshield and easily allow cracks to start.

Question:
How long can I wait until I get it repaired?

Answer:
That is up to you, you should get it fixed right away before air and dirt get into the crack.  The sooner the better.  By putting a piece of scotch tape over the rock chip when it is fresh allows for a better fix.

Question:
Will my rock chip spread or crack?

Answer:
Yes. In most cases, there is nothing stopping your windshield from cracking on out. The more time that goes by, the more of a gamble you are taking. The rock chips tend to spread to or from cracks when there is a temperature change, such as running your defroster on high heat in the cold winter, or the hot early morning sun striking a cool car.

Question:
How big is to big to be repaired?

Answer:
Size is not the problem, we have repaired damage from under the diameter of a pencil lead, to the size of a dinner plate. If a bird, or something else soft, hits a windshield it can cause concentric rings to appear.  The damage itself and the placement will determine if it would be necessary to replace the windshield. Most other shops do not fix anything over the size of a quarter, because they do not have the equipment to do much more than that.

Question:
How long does it take to repair my windshield.

Answer:
Most repairs will take about 15 minutes (+ or - a few minutes) on average.

Question:
How long will the repair last?

Answer:
For the life of the windshield. All of our repairs have an unconditional guarantee, for life. usually much longer than you will be driving your car.

Question:
What if the repair doesn't work?

Answer:
Don't worry, we don't charge if for some reason the repair doesn't work

               By calling KNOW CHIPS at (515-) 238-9025 in Des Moines, Iowa, you get a second chance at seeing clearly out of that windshield again!!!
or E-mail to:  glassman@knowchips.com