What is windshield encapsulation in a car?

specializes in the production of automotive glass, triplex, stalinite and sheet clear or tinted glass. The company's employees fulfill orders in a short time, thanks to its own high-tech production. The company's products are certified, meet all quality standards and are sold in bulk for installation on imported and domestic models of cars, trucks, buses and minibuses, and agricultural machinery. There is also a wide network of partners where products can be purchased at retail.

How to protect your windshield from chips and stones

The windshield is the part of the car that is most susceptible to various types of damage.
In particular, the most common are chips and cracks from stones. This is due to the poor quality of roads, which causes crushed stone to fly into the glass and cause chips and cracks. A scratched body can be repainted, thereby eliminating the problem, but repairing a windshield is a risky action that, as a rule, does not lead to satisfactory results. That is why protecting the windshield from stones and chips is an important measure, which will subsequently provide savings on repairs.

Manufacturers rating

The spare parts market is diverse, which windshield manufacturer to choose, whether it is possible to save money on the purchase - questions that worry many car enthusiasts. Among manufacturers of budget and middle class models, in the price category of 4 - 6.5 thousand rubles. highlight:

• Steklolux, SAT (Russia);
• XYG, FYG, Benson (China);
• StarGlass, Guardian (Spain);
• NordGlass (Poland).

A wide range and compliance with European standards is confirmed by the brands having major contracts with leaders in the automotive industry.
The products are distinguished by their quality and excellent performance. Which company should you choose a windshield for a luxury car? We recommend products from PGW (USA), Sekurit Saint-Gobain (France), AGC (Japan), Pilkington (England). These companies are distinguished by a wide geography, and the unsurpassed quality of their products is ensured by innovative developments.

Information for your attention! During the repair process, a car insured under CASCO or OSAGO must always be equipped with original spare parts with the appropriate markings and catalog number.

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How to protect your windshield from stones

The ClearPlex solution is a product that protects your windshield not only from chips, but also from stones. The name represents a film that is designed specifically to protect the windshield from any damage. The product is distinguished by optical optimization, due to which the view of the road remains high-quality.

The principle of operation of protecting car glass from chips is that when a stone hits the protective film, the impact energy spreads across the entire plane, minimizing the occurrence of damage, and in some cases, even avoiding it.

The protective film on the windshield of a car is installed quickly enough, which reduces the time spent in a car service center. As a rule, the process takes no more than 2-3 hours. The product itself is exposed to high temperatures due to which the film heats up and becomes elastic. Next, the windshield protection agent takes on the required shape and size.

After the above operations, the product is pulled onto the glass as accurately as possible. The process is carried out extremely carefully - there should be no air bubbles left between the plane and the film. Properly placed windshield coating guarantees 100% protection from ultraviolet radiation, flying debris and cracks.

Car windshield coating: how the film works

ClearPlex reduces the chance of glass breaking even when struck with a hammer or bat. Also, the protective film that is installed on the windshield of a car prevents unauthorized access to the car and its theft.

In the event of an accident, such a coating can withstand significant impact, protecting passengers and the driver from large fragments. The film does not disintegrate from impact and is not deformed, significantly increasing the overall strength of the windshield.

ClearPlex is a clear film that does not impair driving performance. At the same time, the window will not fall apart even from a significant impact - the dense structure of the product will hold large pieces on itself, preventing injury to everyone who is inside the car.

Protective film for car glass: advantages

The product can withstand significant shock loads, providing reliable protection. The product also reduces the glare of oncoming vehicle headlights. And the most distinctive advantage is that the film on the windshield does not impede the view of the road while the car is in use.

Technical characteristics of ClearPlex film:

• high level of transparency;
• increased dimming factor, reducing the intensity of ultraviolet radiation and headlights of oncoming vehicles;
• tensile strength in the range from 19-24 kg/mm ​​2 ;
• multi-layering.

ClearPlex acts as an impact energy distributor, reducing the load on the windshield. Thus, the risk of disintegration is reduced to almost zero. Some car brands are immediately equipped with this type of protection.

Protective film on the car windshield from chips: operation process

To extend the service life, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to the amount of sand that gets under the car's wipers. Sand is an abrasive that constantly creates small cracks and scratches in the coating. This worsens the density of the film structure, reducing the technical characteristics of the product.

It is extremely important to promptly wash sand and other components from under the wipers. It is worth noting that detergents do not harm the coating, but a brush can. Therefore, such a remedy should not be too harsh.

The film also has an “anti-rain” property, speeding up the work of the wipers. The smooth surface of the windshield protection prevents the accumulation of dust and debris in the summer, and prevents the formation of frost in the winter. The product is easily cleaned from dirt and does not deteriorate the appearance of the car.

Types of glass

The service life of the product depends on the quality of the components and compliance with the technological process during the manufacture of the structure.
Original spare parts, including car glass, are marked with the abbreviation OEM, comply with European standards and are the standard by which all manufacturers are compared. Duplicates are manufactured under the ARG marking. How to choose the right windshield? Experts are unanimous in their opinion and advise giving preference to original parts. If the financial aspect is decisive, it is worth taking a closer look at inexpensive factory copies, while paying attention to the type of glass.

Hardened samples characterized by high fragility are produced under the T marking. Even the impact of a small stone can lead to complete destruction of the windshield. The only advantage is low cost, but this is a dubious advantage - saving on safety can lead to tragic consequences.

Triplex glass - WL, usually consists of two or more layers glued together with a polymer film or photo-curable composition. Provides the best protection, is durable, and has high performance characteristics.

Important! The spare part must have a factory marking containing information about the type of glass (T - tempered, WL-triplex), production date and compliance standard.

Protection methods

How to protect your windshield from stones? Two methods are used: special film and installation of especially durable material.

When choosing how to protect the windshield from damage, they take into account the features of all methods and evaluate the pros and cons. Both methods of protecting glass have their adherents, but you need to proceed from your own capabilities, plans and preferences.

Protective film

ClearPlex transparent film has proven itself well on the world market; it is manufactured in the USA. This is a transparent polymer material designed to be attached to the outside of glass. The principle of operation of the development is to absorb gravel impacts - the polymer absorbs more than half of the impact force, as a result the surface remains undamaged.

• thickness 112-115 microns;
• transparency 99%;
• almost colorless, with a slight blue tint;
• blocks 99% of ultraviolet radiation;
• reflects 90% of infrared radiation;
• takes the desired shape;
• does not leave traces of glue when dismantling;
• strengthens the structure;
• not damaged by windshield wipers;
• does not turn yellow, does not peel off (1 year warranty);
• provides anti-gravel protection for the car.

The polymer used is thermoplastic, installation is carried out with heating up to 230 °C. The film is attached to a soap solution - it is used to cover the car glass. The process has its own subtleties, so the work is performed only by a specialist.

According to reviews, the rubber band on the windshield is a good protector. But there is a drawback: over time, the surface becomes covered with small scratches, and the coating has to be changed.

Armored glass

Typically, armored car glass is installed for safety reasons, as it protects the driver and passengers not only from pebbles, but also from bullets. Such structures are called bulletproof. They consist of several sheets connected to each other by film - this is a more durable analogue of standard triplex.

The second option is also used - stalinite. Tempered glass, the strength of which is 4-5 times higher than usual. Stalinite can withstand small stones and hail, but it is not without its drawbacks - it may not withstand a strong enough blow.

How to repair damage

Repairing glass yourself requires skills, special tools and materials. Their purchase is not comparable to the cost of services in the service. In addition, amateur efforts often result in partial or complete destruction of the glass in the future. Therefore, windshields must be repaired in a workshop.

The work procedure includes preparation, when the surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried, repair of damage using professional equipment, and finishing with an ultraviolet lamp. Finally, the glass surface is polished.

Advantages of auto repair:

• the “original” glass is preserved;
• proven technology is followed;
• the necessary equipment and materials are used;
• repairs of any complexity are possible;
• restoration is cheaper than a complete replacement.

For repairs, you need a room with sufficient lighting so that direct sunlight does not fall on the windshield. These conditions were created in the workshop. It takes a specialist no more than an hour to repair minor damage. After completion of the work, the car is immediately suitable for use. Repair at a car service center is a whole range of activities that a simple car owner cannot carry out under normal conditions.

Our addresses

• Auto glass on Ryabinovaya
  , Moscow, st. Ryabinovaya, 65 District: Ochakovo-Matveevskoe (JSC) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
• Auto glass on Dybenko
  , Moscow, st. Dybenko, 7/1 District: Khovrino (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
• Auto glass on Silikatny
  Moscow, 3rd Silikatny proezd, 8 District: Khoroshevo-Mnevniki (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
• Auto glass on Osennyaya
  , Moscow, st. Osennyaya, 35 c3 District: Krylatskoye (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
• Auto glass on Vasily Petushkov
  Moscow, st. Vasily Petushkova, 3 District: Yuzhnoye Tushino (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
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  Moscow, Dmitrovskoe highway, 110 B District: Dmitrovsky (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
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  Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt, 37 c6 District: Begovoi (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
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  Moscow, Skolkovskoe highway, no. 33 b1 District: Mozhaisky (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
• Auto glass on Leninsky
  Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 127 bldg. District: Teply Stan (South-Western Administrative District) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
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  Moscow, Akademika Anokhina, 2 k9 District: Troparevo-Nikulino (ZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
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  Moscow, Nizhnie Mnevniki, 13a District: Khoroshevo-Mnevniki (SZAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 985 714-70-01
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  , Moscow, st. Lipetskaya, 27 District: Biryulyovo Vostochnoye (Southern Administrative District) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
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  Moscow, Orekhovy passage, 11 District: Zyablikovo (Southern Administrative Okrug) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01
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  Moscow, Belomorskaya st., 40 building 2 District: Khovrino (SAO) daily from 09:00 to 19:00 8 495 664-68-01

What to do if the glass is damaged

Even the most careful driver is not immune from this, so everyone needs to know what to do if a stone hits the glass:

1. Seal the defect with stationery tape. Where the tape adheres to the center of the chip, place a piece of paper or a layer of tape with the non-sticky side to avoid contact of the glue with the defective area and its greater destruction.
2. Turn off the heating and airflow into the structure.
3. If you notice a defect after a trip and the front windshield has frozen, you can turn on the blower to defrost, but at low fan speeds and low air temperatures.
4. In summer, you need to protect the damaged area from direct sunlight.
5. Contact a car service.
6. When traveling to a service station, choose smooth roads to avoid deformation due to shaking.

Features of transporting a windshield in a car

The windshield is a triplex - 2 glasses glued together with a film. The structure is strong when inserted into the body. But when loose, it can break even from a minor blow. When transported horizontally, it is easily deformed, losing its previous factory shape.

Therefore, for safe transportation, we recommend following three basic rules:

Transport glass only in an upright position.

Transport in a prepared vehicle with wooden cassettes or metal restraint systems with impact protection.

Carefully overcome any obstacles on the road

Do not risk transporting the windshield with your vehicle. There is a high probability of bringing only fragments. Why lose your money? Contact specialists with prepared vehicles. In a few hours, movers will transport fragile cargo throughout St. Petersburg or outside the city in the region.

Glass repair or replacement

This is determined independently. If the damage is located at least 10 cm from the edge, the front cover is replaced, even if the defect is small: a violation of the integrity near the edges reduces its strength characteristics. A damage size of more than 5 mm is also an indication for replacement. It is not difficult to repair, but it is only a temporary measure.

If a stone gets into the windshield, a chip of up to 5 mm is formed, it must be restored. You can do this yourself by purchasing crack filling gel, a UV lamp and tools.

1. Surface cleaning.
2. Filling the defect with a special composition with polymerization with an ultraviolet lamp.
3. Surface polishing.
4. Application of a protective coating. PERMA CLEAR is often used - the composition cleans stains and protects against re-contamination.

After restoration, auto glass is handled carefully: do not use high-pressure washers, avoid temperature changes in winter. To prevent repeated damage, reinforce with ClearPlex material.

Story

Here we look at the evolution of windshields on general purpose passenger cars. It should be borne in mind that it was slower on trucks, and many models of open sports cars even in the 1970s used a simple glass shield instead of a windshield, which barely covered the driver.

Early period

Oldsmobile Curved Dash 1901-1907 did not have a windshield
The first cars had an open body and, like open horse-drawn carriages, did not need glazing. However, the increase in speeds quickly forced designers to think about protecting the driver and passengers from the oncoming air flow. In addition, closed carriage-type bodies began to appear, in which the windshield was a necessary part.

The very first version of the windshield was a round transparent shield mounted opposite the driver on the steering column. The protection it provided was close to symbolic, however, its presence has already made driving more comfortable and safe.

Already at the beginning of the 20th century, many models had a windshield made of the same material as a regular window glass. Later they began to make it from tempered glass, which significantly increased safety. However, tempered glass shatters into fragments even with a not very strong impact, so this technology was only suitable for a windshield with reservations.

Ford model T with folding windshield, top section folded

On open bodies, the windshield was made folding in full or in two halves, and on closed ones it was usually suspended on upper hinges and could be folded outward to improve interior ventilation (therefore, the windshield wiper axles were located on top of the glass). This is how the windshield was until the mid-1930s; changes affected only the shape of the glass; in addition, they began to make it only in one piece, without dividing into two halves or windows. In the 1920s, windshield wipers appeared with electric, mechanical (manual or from the engine shaft) or pneumatic (from vacuum in the engine intake manifold) drive.

Some models of open cars (usually called "dual-cowl phaeton", they had two separate passenger compartments) had two windshields, separate for the front and rear passenger compartments. Probably the last car of this type was the Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton, produced in the USA in 1952 for participation in various official events.

Back in the 1920s, “safe” windshields of the “triplex” type appeared - made of two layers of glass and a layer of film laid between them; for example, on the Ford A and its licensed version GAZ-A, the windshield was three-layer. The first such glass was installed on the 1919 Ford T model. When struck, such glass did not break into pieces, like ordinary glass, and did not crumble into small fragments, like tempered glass, but cracked, remaining on the film. The film of the first three-layer glasses quickly turned yellow, but in the event of an accident (which were no longer uncommon in motorized America in those years), such a windshield was much safer.

• Windshield "shield" on a 1913 Ford T.
• Ford model 40 (1934) with the windshield slightly open.
• "Hispano-Suiza" 1924 with "Dual-Cowl Phæton" body - two windshields in folding frames.
• 1924 Studebaker Light Six with windshield sections slightly open.

V-shaped glasses

Already by the mid-1930s, developments in automotive design had provoked an important change in the design of windshields. As a result of the popularization of the works of a number of researchers, for example the German Edmund Rumpler (English) Russian. and Hungarian Paul Yaray (English) Russian[1], in the area of ​​air flow around the car, the shape of the body becomes more rounded, better meeting the requirements of aerodynamics. In such conditions, a solid flat windshield installed vertically or almost vertically no longer suited the designers.

However, the technology for mass production of curved glass did not yet exist in those years. The solution was V-shaped windshields made of two flat halves, which fit well into the rounded contours of car bodies of the second half of the 1930s. The splitting of the glass into two parts connected by a partition with a seal, located at some angle to each other, forced the installation of two windshield wipers, since one could not clean both halves of the V-shaped glass (although a passenger-side wiper was for some time an option available for extra money).

1934 Chrysler Airflow Interior of the Airflow model. The windshield is clearly visible; it consists of two flat halves separated by a pillar. The gates on the instrument panel served to open the glass slightly for ventilation.

One of the first examples of the use of such a solution was the Chrysler Airflow model, created as a result of continued research in the direction set by the earlier works of P. Yaray[2]. It is curious that modern researchers classify the body of this car as “false streamlined”, since the actual reduction in air resistance did not exceed 25%.[2]

V-shaped windows began to be positioned at a certain angle to the vertical (initially it was small and amounted to about 20-35°), which made it possible not only to improve the external perception of the car, to make it visually more dynamic, but also in practice to somewhat improve the streamlining of the bodies.

For safety reasons, folding and tilting windows, popular in the previous era, are gradually being abandoned - to the detriment of interior ventilation, which was now carried out through a system of rotating “windows” that appeared in the glazing of the side doors. The windshield on all types of bodies is beginning to be installed inside a powerful opening using a rubber seal. When a driver or passenger’s head hits such glass strongly, it will fly out entirely from the opening, extinguishing the energy of the impact. Cars with a windshield fixedly fixed in the opening could often be distinguished by the lower location of the windshield wiper axes - previously they had to be placed on top so that they would fold down along with the glass.

These design innovations became generally accepted throughout the second half of the 1930s and 1940s. The only exceptions were some open cars, for example, the military Willys MB (1941) had a folding windshield in a lightweight frame.

1936 Panhard Dynamic with composite panoramic windshield. In addition, the steering wheel was mounted in the center of the car, and the engine had no valves (Knight's sleeve valve timing system).[3]

These years saw the first attempts to improve the driver's visibility by creating panoramic glass, at the same time somewhat improve the streamlining of the car, and to a greater extent, give it a more streamlined appearance.

1952 DeSoto with larger V-shaped windshield.

Since the technology for producing curved glass of this size was still lacking, the windshield was assembled from several smaller flat ones separated by pillars[3] ( in the illustration on the left

).

After the war, the shape of car bodies began to change rapidly, however, the windows still remained V-shaped. At the turn of the 1940s and 50s, there was a revision of the proportions of passenger car bodies, the height of the sides of the body decreased, and the glazing area increased, due to which the area of ​​the windshield also increased[4] ( in the illustration on the right

).

Bent windshields

A 1948 Cadillac with a curved windshield in two halves.
Buick 1950 model with a windshield made of two bent halves. By European standards at the time of its appearance, 1956-57, the curved front and rear windows of the Volga GAZ-21 were a progressive solution; but in the USA by this time, a new generation of glass - panoramic - had already dominated for several years. Increased requirements for the optical quality of the windshield did not allow it to be curved for a long time, although rear windows were made curved long before that; for example, the Pobeda, which went into production in 1946, had a curved rear window. In this case, its use was not very successful - the glass was small in size, moreover, defects in production were not uncommon [5], and due to imperfect production technology, the glass did not have the necessary optical properties - straight rails through it looked strongly curved .[6] The rear window of the ZIM (1949)[7] was also bent, and by this time it was possible to solve the technological problems, and the size of the glass was significantly increased compared to the Pobeda. The windshield on these cars remained V-shaped with two flat halves[7].

The first curved windshield on a production car appeared in 1934 on the most expensive versions of the Chrysler Airflow model line, but did not become widespread. Curved windshields began to appear on mass-produced models only in the early 1950s. Of course, they fit better than the V-shaped ones into the smooth, rounded contours of the cars of those years. Meanwhile, from a practical point of view, they had many disadvantages - they were less easily cleaned with a windshield wiper, they were more complex and expensive to produce, and they glared in the sun. In addition, the technology for manufacturing bent glass of the “triplex” type did not exist for some time, and after its appearance they were expensive, so initially bent glass was forced to be made into simple tempered glass, although the technology for manufacturing flat “triplex” was well mastered even in pre-war times. In the USA, they learned to make bent “triplexes” back in the fifties, but in Europe, as well as in the USSR, their widespread use began only in the seventies.

Initially, curved windshields were made of two halves, like the old V-shaped windshields. Such windshields appeared on Cadillac cars back in the 1948 model year. Somewhat later, curved windshields appeared on other American cars - in 1949, on Chevrolets - in 1950, on Dodges and Plymouths - in 1951, Fords - in 1952, and one-piece ones, etc.) . They are also starting to make the rear window bent. Washers with manual, vacuum or electric drive are beginning to appear, at first as an option.

Later, curved windshields spread throughout the world. The first curved windshields in the USSR were installed on Moskvich-402 and Volga GAZ-21 (1956).

The area of ​​the windshield, as well as glazing in general, continuously increased over the next decade, both due to an increase in its height and bend, and due to a greater slope, which made it possible to significantly improve visibility and, accordingly, the active safety of the car. The increased glass area has led to the fact that the car's interior has become more visible to an outside observer, which led designers to the need to more carefully develop its style, bringing it into line with the body. In particular, in the 1950s, interiors became popular, the color of the trim corresponding to the body, or, on the contrary, forming a specially selected pleasant contrasting combination with it. Added to this are the latest developments in the field of artificial materials - plastics, leatherettes, fabrics with lurex, and so on.

Panoramic windshields

Panoramic windshield on a 1953 Cadillac Panoramic windshield on a 1959 Edsel Corsair.
USA. The pinnacle of technology development in the 1950s in the field of automobile glass manufacturing was panoramic windshields. Cadillac again became a pioneer here - on the Eldorado model in 1953, a panoramic windshield appeared, the corners of which curved onto the sides of the body, and the pillars were vertical. In those years, this seemed very unusual, and the technologies that made it possible to produce such glass had just been developed. However, in 1954, all Cadillac models already had such a windshield. And in 1955, most American manufacturers joined them. The rear windows are also starting to be made panoramic, initially in three parts.

A 1959 Mercury with a very extravagantly shaped windshield. 1959 Cadillac 4-door Hardtop with an unusually large Vista-style panoramic rear window.

The peak of development of “panoramas” was the 1958 and 1959 model years. During this period, windshields appeared with pillars “piled back” with a reverse slope, pillars that were curved in various ways, etc. Mercury offered cars with a windshield that had a curve in the upper part, extending onto the roof and supposedly allowing for better visibility of traffic lights in the city. During these same years, tinted windows and windshields with a darkened upper part became widespread in the United States; Even so-called athermal windows appeared, that is, they do not let heat into the car interior and prevent it from heating up from the sun's rays (however, their prevalence in those years was low).

The most extreme version of glazing on a production car in those years was, perhaps, the Cadillacs and Buicks of the 1959 model year in the four-door hardtop body: they had not only a huge panoramic windshield with reverse tilt pillars, but also a very wide panoramic rear the so-called “Vista” type, and also a completely flat roof panel supported by very light pillars. The appearance was excellent, however, this roof design turned out to be dangerous when the car rolls over, and after a year it was discontinued.

American concept cars of those years had even larger panoramic windshields; for example, on the Ford Nucleon nuclear car project, the one-piece panoramic windshield had to extend far onto the sidewall. Other concept cars even envisaged replacing the glazed cabin with a fully glazed aircraft-type canopy, or even two separate canopies (for the right and left halves of the cabin), but in practice this did not come to this.

The "Chaika" GAZ-13 had real panoramic glass, although its pillars were slightly deviated from the vertical ZIL-111 - one of the Soviet "show stoppers" at the Expo'58 exhibition in Brussels

In Europe, however, the new product was treated with more restraint - especially since the technical level of Europe lagged behind the North American one, and many cars in those years still had V-shaped windows (including the domestic Pobeda GAZ-M- 20 and ZIM), or even solid flat ones (“Moskvich-400”, old Fiat and Renault models still in production, Lloyd 600 / Alexander, and many others). More modern cars - such as the Volga, BMW 501 or Mercedes-Benz Pontoon - already had curved windshields and rear windows installed, but most manufacturers had not yet thought about introducing “panoramas” according to the American model. European companies closely associated with the American auto industry - Facel-Vega, Opel and Vauxhall - tried in the late fifties to bring to market models with "American-style" panoramic windows, but on a European-sized car - much more compact than most American ones - this design solution led to a sharp reduction in the size of doorways and difficult entry into the cabin, which caused quite fair criticism. More practical Europeans opted for ease of entry and exit rather than flashy design. As a result, panoramic windows were used infrequently in Europe, and, as a rule, in the least extravagant version - minimally extending onto the sidewall and with pillars traditionally piled back. This is exactly what the windshields on the domestic Chaika and ZIL-111 were like. Most European car manufacturers simply missed the relatively short era of the heyday of panoramic windows.

The American-style Vauxhall Cresta only lasted from 1959 to 1962 and was replaced by a much more modestly styled model

By the end of the 1950s, it became clear that the vertical - and, moreover, reverse-sloping - windshield pillar (in the USA such a pillar was called for its characteristic “dog leg”

-
dog leg
) interferes with entry and exit from the car, weakens the body and causes excessive deformation in an accident.[4] The panoramic glass itself is also not without its drawbacks - it glares a lot and distorts the picture. Finally, the very development of American design, already at the very beginning of the 1960s, led to the appearance of cars with more square, “chopped” lines, into the exterior of which panoramic windows did not fit well. The result was a simple, nearly flat windshield that was new for the 1961-62 model years in the United States. Semi-panoramic glass, which had small bends in the lower part and a curved pillar of the opening, existed for several years, but by the middle of the decade they also completely disappeared.

Thus, even in the USA, the history of panoramic glass actually came down to a relatively short period - from 1953 to 1961, and they became widespread only from 1955 to 1959...1960. And it only produced a few top-class models (Imperial) with semi-panoramic windshields until the mid-sixties.

The most consistent “supporters” of American design in Europe were the designers of Opel, which resulted in the appearance of models like this “Capitena” of the 1958-59 model. However, in Europe this model was met with devastating criticism, in many respects precisely because of the panoramic windshield and rear windows, which made it difficult to enter and exit the car. The 1961 Chevrolet Impala with the original semi-panoramic windshield. The strongly curved semi-panoramic windshield did not fit well on the 1965 Chrysler Imparial. into the car's angular design. The only reason for its preservation was budgetary restrictions, which forced the company to use elements of an outdated body developed at the beginning of the decade on this model.

Nowadays, however, there is a partial return to the idea of ​​a panoramic windshield, but now this term no longer denotes a strongly curved glass extending onto the side of the body, but only the presence of relatively small additional windows in the A-pillars of the roof, separated from the windshield itself. This style appeared on minivans (for example Renault Espace), and is now often used on small cars with relatively high bodies, like Toyota Auris. Windshields that partially extend onto the roof of the car are also somewhat common, mainly on French models. There is no talk of returning real “panoramas” in the foreseeable future due to the radical tightening of requirements for vehicle safety in the event of a collision.

Further history

A modern Cadillac with a glued-in windshield.
By the mid-1960s, panoramic windows were practically forgotten. The rare legacy models from the previous era continued to be equipped with them for some time, but the majority of cars received windshields that were curved just enough to fit into the angular design of cars of that era. In the following decades, no significant innovations occurred. Windshields are angled back further every year to improve aerodynamics; Accordingly, their area and manufacturing complexity increase.

In the 1980s - 1990s, due to the advent of new technologies, the design of the windshield and its opening changes: rubber seals disappear, now the glass is glued directly into the opening - this reduces aerodynamic drag and increases body rigidity, but requires increased precision in glass manufacturing and developing a technology for applying a special coating to its edges for strong retention in the opening with glue.

New coatings are appearing that reduce glass contamination. Heating built into the windshield is gaining some popularity. The technology for producing three-layer glass continues to improve, and it is becoming safer. Athermal glass, which does not allow the heat of sunlight into the interior, is becoming widespread. The windshield wipers and washers are automatically activated by a rain sensor.

An interesting development is a system for displaying speed data and other information on the windshield. Another new product is a night vision device for driving in the dark, which projects an image directly onto the windshield.

Currently, the windshield of a modern car is a precision-made, technically complex, knowledge-intensive product, a product of evolution that has taken decades.

Three ways to protect your windshield from stones

Drivers of different vehicles may encounter a serious, and most importantly, unexpected problem - small and medium-sized stones can bring serious negative changes to the appearance of the car and to the windshield in particular. While driving at high speed, such stones fly off from under the wheels of cars (yours or a passing one) and fly in all directions. It would seem that the threat is minimal. But that's not true. Experienced drivers can say with confidence that even a small pebble can leave a trace of its presence in the form of a crack on the windshield. Of course, such a case can happen, but it is rare. However, if you value your car, you need to know ways to protect yourself from this trouble.

Which auto glass should you choose?

Since the use of glass with encapsulation will bring nothing but dividends to its owner, there is no need to talk about making a decision to install it. Another thing is that when faced with choosing a product for your own car, you may notice that windshield encapsulation is now carried out in more than 80% of purchase cases.

How to choose the right glass, and what to pay attention to before purchasing? First of all, your choice greatly depends on the location of the purchased product. If in stores and markets there is no reason to doubt the quality of the kits, then a purchase at a car disassembly may result in the installation of either an unsuitable product or a suitable low-quality product.

It is very important to get clear measurements when choosing the glass that is right for you. Pay attention to the appearance of the glass. It should not show signs of use, chips, cracks, scratches, abrasions, etc. In addition, high-quality triplex never contains air bubbles in the ribs of the structure. Check compliance with GOST, make sure the product is original (information can be found on the marking part of the glass, which is located in the corner).

Windshield Marking and Encapsulation

Special protective film

This film is very popular among drivers, because it is the simplest and most effective way to protect glass from stones. It is glued to the outer surface of the glass. This is mainly done by specialists in car services. This film itself is absolutely transparent, so there will be no problems with visibility. The material from which it is made is high quality and highly durable. It is thanks to this that you can be sure (at least for a year, because that is its shelf life) that scratches, cracks, chips and pits from stones will not appear on the glass. Another useful property of this film is protection from interior overheating and ultraviolet rays. Agree, this is a very important plus.

Pastes

Most often they are formed from windshield wiper blades that were not changed in time and they became unusable. Spot marks can occur due to tangential impacts with a hard object. Sometimes they appear when transporting several removed glasses - one rattles against the other. Rubbing does not affect the integrity of the glass; further destruction does not occur.

Repair : not being repaired. The only way to remove the marks is to polish the glass. When polished, the glass may become distorted, which will significantly impair visibility.

Armored glass

Expensive, but worth it. Even if you are not a bandit, a politician or a superstar, such glass will always come in handy for any person. Installing armored glass is not such a simple procedure. This pleasure ranges around $1000. Yes, it’s expensive, but your own safety is more expensive, because armored heavy-duty glass does not crumble in the event of impacts or an accident, unlike ordinary ones. Well, in the case of stones, there is nothing to worry about at all - with such glass you can forget about this problem forever.

Own vigilance

Perhaps the cheapest of all the options given. As you know, stones fly off where there are a lot of them. Therefore, when driving over rubble and other accumulations of stones, you need to reduce your speed, drive as slowly as possible, and also monitor other road users. After all, it is better to prevent the problem in advance than to change the windshield, the replacement of which will cost the owner a pretty penny. Therefore, here you should rely only on yourself and your strengths.

I hope these tips will help you protect your car from stones and preserve its appearance, and you will save your money, time and nerves.

How to behave on the road so that you don’t need auto glass repair

If you have to drive on a rough road or there are potholes on the highway from time to time, avoid driving recklessly. The greater the distance between cars and the lower the speed in potentially dangerous places, the less likely it is that crushed stone will fly onto the windshield.

To protect your glass from cracks on winter roads, beware of cars with ice build-ups on the body. The stuck pieces of ice also fall off, flying into the cars behind. Ice floes are not inferior to stones in hardness and are also quite capable of ruining the appearance if hit accurately.

Exercise extreme caution on sections of the route marked with a repair sign. There the prospect of “catching a stone” is much higher.

Try to avoid potholes and pits in all situations, but at the same time monitor the situation on the road so that as a result of your maneuvers you do not create an emergency situation for nearby cars.

Even if your windshield breaks at speed, don't panic. In most cases, triplex is placed in front, which does not fill the interior with small fragments, but remains connected to the last by the inner film. Turn on the emergency lights, reduce speed, pull to the side of the road.

Functions of protective films

Armor film for car windows serves, first of all, to increase their strength. Armoring auto glass does not increase the strength characteristics so much that they are able to withstand the impact of bullets. One of the main purposes of these materials is to protect people inside the car if any object hits the glass. With such an impact, it will not break into fragments, but will remain intact or, in the worst case, crack. This is due to the fact that the protective film not only absorbs, but also dissipates impact energy. As is clear from this, booking car windows is a good option in case of an accident. After an impact, the armor film prevents further cracks from spreading through the glass.

In addition, manufacturers position the thickest versions of armored films as a measure of protection against attack, since the glass reinforced with them can withstand a blow, for example, from a bottle or bat. In addition, especially durable options can even withstand the impact of a blast wave from a fragmentation grenade that explodes near the car. These protections should be sufficient for most consumers.

In addition to its main functions, armored film also performs some secondary tasks. One of them is that armoring car windows somewhat increases the sound insulation of the interior. After applying these materials, the car becomes not only safer, but also more comfortable.

Armored film protects not only the interior of the car, but also its glass. They often suffer from the ingress of various particles, the impact of branches and worn-out windshield wipers, and we are talking, first of all, about the windshield. As a result of exposure to the above factors, it receives damage in the form of scratches and chips, and becomes cloudy. Consequently, armoring a car windshield with film allows you to extend its service life, protecting it from chips and other damage.

Panoramic windshields.

The peak of technology development in the 1950s in the field of automobile glass manufacturing was panoramic windshields (and a little later, rear windows). The pioneer here was again the Cadillac company - the Eldorado model in 1953 acquired a panoramic windshield, with vertical pillars and corners curved onto the sides of the body. For those years, this seemed very unusual and new, since the technologies that made it possible to produce such glass had just been developed. But despite this, by 1954 all Cadillac models had such windshields. A year later, most American manufacturers joined them. The rear windows are also starting to be made panoramic, initially in three parts.

The 1958-59 model years were triumphant for the Panorama. It was during this period that windshields appeared with pillars “piled back” with a reverse slope, pillars curved in various ways, etc. Mercury offered cars with a windshield that had a curve at the top that extended onto the roof and supposedly made it easier to see traffic lights in the city. During these same years, windshields with a darkened upper part and tinted glass became widespread in the United States; even athermal glasses appeared, i.e. preventing heat from entering the car interior and preventing it from heating up from the sun's rays.

The most original glazing options were found in production cars Cadillac and Buick of the 1959 model year. The body is a “four-door hardtop”, a huge panoramic windshield with reverse tilt pillars, as well as a wide panoramic rear window (“Vista”). The completely flat roof panel rests on very light pillars. The appearance was excellent, however, this roof design turned out to be dangerous when the car rolls over, and after a year it was discontinued.

American concept cars of those years had even larger panoramic windshields; for example, on the Ford Nucleon nuclear car project, a single-piece panoramic windshield had to extend far onto the sidewall. Other concept cars even envisaged replacing the glazed cabin with a fully glazed aircraft-type canopy, or even two separate canopies (for the right and left halves of the cabin), but in practice this did not come to this.

Europe was greatly inferior to the United States in terms of technology. Many cars had old V-shaped windows, or even flat ones from one piece. Only the relatively modern Volga, BMW 501 and Mercedes cars had curved windshields, but they didn’t even think about introducing “panoramas”.

And when the time came for the next change in the model range, panoramic windows had already gone out of fashion in the USA. In the late 1950s, designers came to the conclusion that vertical or reverse-angled windshield pillars made it difficult to get in and out of the car, weakened the body structure and caused excessive deformation in an accident. Panoramic windows are also not without their drawbacks - they distort the picture and cause a lot of glare.

In addition, panoramic windows did not fit well with the exterior of American cars in the early 1960s; bodies with more square, “chopped” lines became popular. As a result, this resulted in a simple, nearly flat windshield being the final addition for the 1961-62 model years in the United States. Semi-panoramic glass, with small bends in the lower part and a curved pillar of the opening, also did not last long. Thus, the history of panoramic glass in the USA was reduced to a relatively short period - from 1953 to 1961, and they became widespread only from 1955 to 1959-60. And only Chrysler produced top-class Imperial models with semi-panoramic windshields until the mid-sixties.

As a result, only those European manufacturers (“Facel-Vega”, “Opel”, “Vauxhall”, “ZIL” [ZIL-111 and ZIL-130] and “GAZ” [GAZ-13]) that were oriented to the West , managed to produce cars with this design. The rest of the car manufacturers simply skipped the period of panoramic windshields.

Nowadays, panoramic glass does not mean a strongly curved windshield that extends onto the side of the body, but only the presence of relatively small additional windows in the A-pillars, separated from the windshield itself. It is in this style that the body of the Renault Escape minivan is made; it can also often be seen on small cars with relatively high bodies, like the Toyota Auris. On French models, windshields that partially extend onto the roof of the car became widespread.

Film application

It is advisable that glass armoring be carried out by a contractor who has experience in such work, since their implementation requires some skills. This is explained by their high complexity, which is due to the large thickness of the armor film in comparison with the tinting film. The most difficult is to apply this material to glass with a large bend.

The principle of applying armor film is similar to gluing tint. First, the material is marked in accordance with the previously measured area of ​​the elements being processed. After this, the film is applied to the glass and evenly distributed over the surface using a hairdryer. Incorrectly carried out armoring of car windows is noticeable by the bubbles remaining under the material.

Pasting headlights is somewhat easier due to the smaller size of these elements, so it is often done independently. A fragment cut to the size of the part with ledges of 2 mm is applied to a previously cleaned and degreased headlight and heated with a hairdryer to give shape. Next, the protective layer is gradually removed, gluing and smoothing the material with a spatula. Upon completion, trim off the excess, reheat and iron the film.

Glass for special equipment

Are you looking for high-quality auto glass? You've come to an experienced manufacturer!

In industrial, construction working conditions, it is important to take into account every little detail. Selecting glass for an excavator

/loader should be carried out meticulously, as well as the selection of spare parts. The driver of special equipment must say with complete confidence: “My cabin is my fortress.” Your task is to organize comfortable conditions, take care of purchasing reliable auto glass so that work continues regardless of weather conditions, dust, and dirt. The Bor glass catalog contains more than 200 items of tempered and triplex glass for special equipment, among which you can find a suitable option. "Glass-Lux" does not offer handicraft fakes - all products are made in accordance with GOST, of appropriate quality, in factory conditions.

In the catalog list you will find:

• HITACHI, KOMATSU glasses – glasses
  for loaders, excavators of famous Japanese brands;
• glass CATERPILLAR
  , BOBCAT, CASE, JOHN DEERE, MUSTANG, TEREX – glass for American brands of special equipment;
• auto glass for the Turkish brand HIDROMEK;
• glass JCB
  , NEW HOLLAND – glass for British brands of special equipment that are popular all over the world.

We produce auto glass with and without silk-screen printing, depending on the customer’s needs. We produce glass in exact accordance with the original geometry of the original, standard sizes of specific models of special equipment. The Glass-Lux catalog contains the exact dimensions of auto glass.

Buy from us:

• car windshields (simple, top, with a hole for the wiper, without a cutout);
• auto glass for doors (top left/right, with and without cutout);
• auto body glass;
• rear auto windows.

We guarantee high quality of manufactured products: Borsky products meet the requirements and standards for the production of auto glass for special equipment

. We are ready to help you fully glaze your cars! Check the availability of glass models by calling wholesale purchases and partner retail outlets.

Features of operation

It should be borne in mind that, although the armored film protects the glass from chips and scratches resulting from external factors, it itself is very sensitive to some of them, especially to small particles in the form of dust and grains of sand. Under their influence, the material becomes cloudy, resulting in poor visibility. Therefore, to extend the service life of the film, it is necessary to regularly clean the glass and windshield wiper blades. For the same reason, you should not use hard brushes when washing glass. At the same time, the armored film is not sensitive to chemical detergents, as evidenced by reviews.

Test methods

4.1. The thickness of the products is measured with a micrometer according to GOST 6507 with an error of 0.01 mm in the middle of each side. The thickness is taken as the arithmetic mean of the measurement results, rounded to 0.1 mm.

4.2. The shape and dimensions of bent products are checked using a maximum contour control template, which has a perimeter support surface 10-15 mm wide, the shape of which must correspond to the shape of the product. When checking, place the product on the template until the contour of the product matches the contour of the template as closely as possible. Then, with the product lying freely on the template, check with a probe in accordance with GOST 882 or a ruler in accordance with GOST 427 the gap between the edge of the glass and the control stops or the outline of the template and between the supporting surface of the glass to a depth of 10 - 15 mm from the edge of the glass. The shape and dimensions of shaped flat products are checked against a control template of the maximum contour by measuring the gap between the product and the template with a feeler gauge in accordance with GOST 882. Measurements with a feeler gauge are carried out with an error of 0.1 mm. The dimensions of rectangular products are checked using a control template or a metal ruler in accordance with GOST 427, or a metal tape in accordance with GOST 7502 with an error of 1 mm.

4.3. The transverse curvature of bent products and the deviation of the generatrix of cylindrical products are checked with a metal ruler in accordance with GOST 427 or other measuring instrument with an accuracy of 1 mm by measuring the largest gap between the concave side of the glass and a ruler or template resting on the edges of the glass in the direction perpendicular to the main bend of the product.

4.4. Deviation from the flatness of flat products is determined by placing them with their convex side up on a verified horizontal surface and measuring the gap with a feeler gauge in accordance with GOST 882 or other measuring instrument. Deviation from flatness is determined for each side. The maximum value is taken as the test result.

4.5. The shift of one sheet of glass relative to another and the exit of the adhesive film beyond the edge of the glass are measured with a metal ruler according to GOST 427.

4.6. Appearance indicators (defects) are determined visually in diffuse daylight or similar artificial lighting (without direct sunlight), placing the glass vertically and viewing it perpendicular to the glass surface from a distance of 0.6 - 0.8 m. Linear dimensions of glass defects according to appearance is determined with a metal ruler in accordance with GOST 427 or a metal tape measure in accordance with GOST 7502. Distortion of the color of road signals is determined visually by viewing a color filter installed in front of an illuminated screen through the heat-absorbing glass.

4.7. Determination of light transmission Light transmission is determined according to GOST 27902. Tests are carried out on three samples. The light transmittance of flat laminated glass is checked on products or samples, and of bent laminated glass - on samples cut from the flat part of the product. The light transmittance of curved tempered glass is checked on samples from the original glass, and flat glass - on samples of the original glass having the same thickness as the tempered glass or products. The test samples can be of any size. The light transmittance of vehicle windshields with a darkening strip is checked on samples cut from zone B for passenger cars and zone 1 for other types of vehicles. The measurement is carried out at three points on each sample. The arithmetic mean of the measurement results of three samples is taken as the light transmission value.

4.8. Impact resistance test of laminated glass

4.7, 4.8. (Changed edition, Amendment No. 1).

4.8.1. The impact test with a ball weighing 227 and 2260 g and a dummy is carried out in accordance with GOST 27903. Dummy testing of other glasses is carried out on samples measuring (1100 x 500) (+25)_-0 mm. Before testing, all samples are kept at a temperature of (22 ± 5) °C for at least 4 hours. Before testing samples of windshields of vehicles at a temperature of plus (40 ± 2) °C and minus (20 ± 2) °C for impact with a ball weighing 227 d samples are kept at these temperatures for at least 4 hours.

4.9. Mechanical strength test of tempered glass

4.9.1. The mechanical strength test is carried out in accordance with GOST 27903. It is allowed to carry out tests on products, while bent hardened products are tested on a stand, which is a rigid support frame in the shape of glass. The stand should have a supporting surface about 15 mm wide, covered with a rubber gasket about 3 mm thick of medium hardness in accordance with GOST 7338.

4.10. Fracture test

4.10.1. Tests for the nature of destruction are carried out according to GOST 27903 on three products for flat glass and four for curved glass. To preserve the picture of the nature of the destruction, instead of photosensitive paper, it is allowed to use adhesive tape, paper, fabric, or plastic film according to the regulatory document. The number of fragments is counted on the glass in the zone of the roughest and smallest destruction. The area limited by cracks is taken as a fragment in unscattered pieces. The number of fragments in a square measuring 50 x 50 mm is added up from the number of fragments included in the square and half the number of fragments intersected by the sides of the square. The length of the fragments is measured with a metal ruler according to GOST 427.

4.11. Test for light fastness, temperature resistance, moisture resistance

4.11.1. The light resistance of laminated glass is determined according to GOST 27904 on three samples. Samples are cut from the top of the products as follows:

1. for windshields - the upper edge of the sample is the upper limit of the zone for determining light transmission (2.2.4);
2. for other glasses, the top edge of the sample is the top edge of the glass.

It is allowed to carry out tests on samples installed motionless.

4.11.2. The temperature resistance of laminated glass is determined # GOST 27904 on three samples. Samples are cut from three glasses so that one of the sides of the sample is part of the upper edge of the glass. Before testing, the samples are heated to (60 ± 5) °C.

4.11.3. The moisture resistance of laminated glass is determined according to GOST 27904 on three samples. The samples are cut so that one of the sides of the sample is the edge of the glass.

4.11.1 - 4.11.3. (Changed edition, Amendment No. 1).

4.12. Determination of optical distortion of windshields

4.12.1. The essence of the method is to project a grid of circles onto the screen through the glass being tested. Changing the shape of the projected circles when glass is placed in the path of the beam gives the amount of optical distortion. Tests are carried out on four samples.

4.12.2. Equipment Projector of the LETI type or another type, giving a clear image on the screen, with a lens having a focal length of 90 - 120 mm and a light source with a power of 250 - 500 W. A slide made of transparent material with a clear image of a grid of circles printed on it. Stand for installing the windshield at the required angle. Control template for measuring the diameter of circles. Ruler according to GOST 427.

4.12.3. Carrying out the test An image of the slide without the glass under test is projected onto the screen, achieving a clear image of it. The diameter of the projected circles should be 8 mm. After adjustment, the glass under test is installed at an angle of inclination in transport. Using sequential horizontal and vertical movements, the surfaces of the areas being checked are scanned, measuring the amount of distortion in the diameter of the mesh circles.

4.13. Determining the displacement of the secondary image of windshields

4.13.1. The displacement of the secondary image is determined according to GOST 27902 using a “ring and spot” target on the installation. The front wall of the chamber (View A) must have a hole with a diameter of 12 mm and a concentric slot 2 mm wide, the internal diameter of which, depending on the area being tested, should be 79, 123 mm. Tests are carried out on four products. (Changed edition, Amendment No. 1).