The Impact of UV Rays on Auto Glass
UV Rays and Auto Glass Damage in Miami, FL
Most car owners understand that the sun coming through their windshield and car windows can cause a sunburn or fade their vehicle’s upholstery. However, many people don’t understand the connection between UV rays and auto glass damage. The sun’s rays are harmful for many different reasons, and they can cause a variety of cosmetic and safety issues with your auto glass. At USA Auto Glass Florida, we understand the importance of UV protection for auto glass. We can help you protect your auto glass from UV damage in the Sunshine State and repair sun damage to auto glass. Read our blog to learn more about UV rays and auto glass damage in Miami, Palm Beach, and southwest Florida, and then call us to make an appointment.
Understanding the Effects of Sunlight on Car Windows
Your auto glass can block UVB rays from the sun, but it doesn’t block UVA rays very well. Some windshields can be treated to block UVA rays, but side, rear, and sunroof windows are not. The sun’s rays can damage your skin while driving or riding in a vehicle, and prolonged exposure or extreme heat can also cause damage to your vehicle’s upholstery, items in your vehicle, and your vehicle’s hard surfaces. Excessive sunlight exposure can cause leather seats to age prematurely and cause colors to fade on cloth upholstery. UV radiation from the sun and extreme heat can cause your dashboard to become faded, and in some cases it may even crack or split. UV rays can also weaken your auto glass or cause it to become discolored.
UV Radiation and Windshield Degradation
UV radiation can significantly impact the materials used to make your vehicle’s windshield and windows. Prolonged or excessive exposure to UV rays and heat can eventually break down the bonds in the glass and make it weaker and more susceptible to damage. Extreme heat exposure can degrade the adhesive used to hold your windshield, sunroof, and car windows in place. As your auto glass gets weakened, it is more likely to develop cracks and chips.
How UV Rays Affect Auto Glass Longevity
UV rays can cause a process called delamination. This is when the layers of glass and PVB (polyvinyl betrayal) that make up your auto glass begin to separate. This weakens the windshield and can cause bubbles to form in the glass. These bubbles impede visibility and decrease driver safety. Over time, excessive UV exposure can significantly age and deteriorate your glass to the point where minor damage quickly becomes major. A small chip or crack that could have been repaired easily will get much bigger much quicker and typically require car window replacement, windshield replacement, sunroof replacement, or auto glass replacement.
Sunlight-Induced Auto Glass Discoloration
UV exposure also causes something known as sunlight-induced auto-glass discoloration. This is when your windshield or auto glass looks hazy, dirty, brown, or discolored. This discoloration can affect the beauty and value of your vehicle and make it harder to see out of your windshield while driving.
Preventing UV-Related Windshield Cracks and Auto Glass Damage
It is also very important to understand how to prevent damage from UV exposure with auto glass maintenance. You can protect your auto glass from cracks and other damage caused by prolonged UV exposure and extreme temperatures. Here are some of our tips for protecting auto glass from UV rays:
- Avoid parking your vehicle in direct sunlight, especially if it will be there for days.
- Use a protective sunscreen or reflective windshield cover.
- Park your vehicle in a garage or under covered parking, or use a protective vehicle cover during extreme heat waves.
- Get windshield repair and auto glass repair right away for cracks and chips.
- Look for signs of UV damage, including discolored auto glass, hazy glass, faded upholstery, cracked or faded dashboard, and peeling or bubbling auto paint.
- Getting your windshield or auto glass professionally tinted with a protective tint.
Why Choose USA Auto Glass Florida
At USA Auto Glass Florida, we are a locally owned and operated auto glass repair company. We have been in business for over 20 years and have a trusted client base who value our honesty, integrity, experience, and efficiency. Each member of our team is highly skilled and trained and values hard work. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and improve the comfort, safety, value, and beauty of your vehicle with our auto glass services. No job is too big or too small for our team to handle. We will make sure the job gets done right the first time so that you can safely get back on the road as soon as possible. We specialize in windshield repair and replacement, auto glass replacement, car window repair and replacement, sunroof replacement, windshield camera recalibration, power window repair, and more.
Request an Estimate for Repair of Sun Damage to Car Windows
If you’re interested in learning more about protecting auto glass from UV rays, our team at USA Auto Glass Florida can help. Call us today or contact us online to ask questions, make an appointment, or request an estimate for the cost of repairing sun damage to car windows in Miami, Palm Beach, or southwest Florida. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will help you get back on the road as soon as possible with our safe, efficient, and affordable auto glass repair and replacement services.