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  • Aarons AutoGlass
    • Apr 29, 2022
    • 2 min read

Why Using a Certified Auto Glass Technician is the Best Decision You Can Make!



Safety is the name of the game! At Aaron’s and Ace we invest in our auto glass technicians, who are members of the Auto Glass Safety Council. Dedicated to the safe repair and replacement of auto glass, the AGSC requires techs to be re-certified every three years.


As members of the AutoGlass Safety Council it is our mission to make every auto glass repair and replacement safer by:


  • Developing and maintaining standards for the repair and replacement of auto glass

  • Educating and accrediting the industry

  • Promoting awareness of the AGRSS™ Standard and the repair Standard to the insurance industry and driving public at large


Our motivation: we want to provide our customers with the safest and most reliable auto glass repair and replacement possible. We do this by following the guidelines set forth by auto manufacturers and the safety council.


Real estate agents have to be certified, auto mechanics can be certified, and CPA’s need to be certified. This is important because certified individuals and businesses have demonstrated that they:


  • Operate using proven methods and modern information in their industry

  • Conduct business utilizing the most up-to-date up to safety regulations

  • Have a thirst for continuing knowledge and education in their field

  • Are an experts in their industry


How Does A Certified Auto Glass Technician Differ?


EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE


In order to become certified, auto glass technicians need to be able to demonstrate their knowledge through education as well as through on-the-job experience and training. They are required to have extensive training and work hours to safely repair and replace auto glass including:


  • High school diploma and/or GED

  • Depending on the type of certificate, 3 or more years in the auto glass industry with the ability to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:

  1. The properties of glass

  2. Removal and installation methods

  3. Tools of the trade

  4. Proper auto glass adhesives

  5. Glass safety standards


General and Master Certified Technicians of the AutoGlass Safety Council also have access to a variety of continuing education courses. As manufacturers develop new and improved safety features in vehicles, such as ADAS systems, auto glass replacement safety and installation procedures can also change.


SAFETY AND QUALITY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL


As Auto Glass Safety Council certified auto glass installers, we meet the ANSI/AGSC/AGRSS™ Standard and are committed to safety and quality at the highest level because we care about your safety. Our installers and technicians:


  • Follow automotive glass industry best practices for safe automotive glass installations

  • Meet the pertinent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

  • Follow industry best practices for safe automotive glass installation


Auto glass repair and installations certifications also guarantee that glass technicians will repair or replace your auto glass with 100% safety. An incorrectly installed windshield can lead to multiple issues including frosting, whistling noises, and instant cracks in case of an impact. Remember that your windshield plays a vital role in the structural integrity of your vehicle, so having a properly installed windshield using sealants that hold firm when a car flips over, can make all the difference.


You deserve peace of mind. A certified glass technician will not only repair your windshield but also test its strength before handing over the car to you. At Aaron’s AutoGlass, we use only the highest quality products from our adhesives all the way down to our glass cleaner. We do not sacrifice quality to lower our costs. That's why we back our work with a lifetime warranty.

 

Sources


https://learn.org/articles/Auto_Glass_Technician_How_to_Become_an_Auto_Glass_Technician_in_5_Steps.htm’


https://agsc.org/technician-certification/


lhttps://agsc.org/ansiagscagrss-standard/


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  • Aarons AutoGlass
    • Apr 29, 2022
    • 3 min read

Why High Quality Windshield Adhesives Are Important To Your Vehicle’s Safety

When we think about the function of a windshield most people typically think about the glass in the front of their car as being there to protect them from the elements, flying debris and bugs when they drive. In today’s day and age though your vehicle’s windshield is so much more than that!



As a fundamental safety feature, your windshield contributes up to 45% structural strength to the roof of your car, and in a rollover, up to 60%. If you get caught in a rollover, the windshield in the car works as a supportive beam and prevents the car roof from caving in and collapsing on you and your loved ones. It also acts as a backboard for your airbags, ensuring proper and safe deployment and aids in preventing passenger ejection from the vehicle in the event of an accident.


Suffice it to say, having the right windshield adhesives (the material used to adhere the glass to the car and keep it safely in place) plays a crucial safety role. The poorer the adhesive, the less reliable the bond between the glass and the vehicle body, which could result in the windshield separating from the car body in the event of an accident.


The Difference Between Windshield Adhesives


The top most common windshield adhesives are as follows:


Butyl


As described by Car Glass Guru: Butyl is a common sealant that was also used as a windshield adhesive back in the day. Butyl is a black tacky substance that works well to seal holes but doesn’t get used as a windshield adhesive anymore. That is because Butyl tends not to cure to a fully solid-state. This caused the windshield to have a very weak bond with the car so that during frontal collisions, the glass would actually eject out from the vehicle. Because of this, when adhering the windshield to the car today, manufacturers now use Urethane. Despite this, Butyl is still a good sealant and can be used to seal small holes. It holds up well against shock and temperature extremes.


Silicone


Although it may be a good sealant for water leaks in some parts of the vehicle, but it is NOT suitable to be anywhere near a windshield. Silicone does not bond to urethane is a big no no in the auto glass industry. Silicone should not be a windshield adhesive and shouldn't be used to bond auto glass parts.


Urethane


As described by Car Glass Guru: Urethane is also a black substance, but it cures full and is flexible. Once Polyurethane is cured, it has a holding strength of 10,000 PSI. This is extremely strong and is more than enough to keep any windshield glued to the vehicle. Polyurethane also works so well as a windshield adhesive because it is flexible. When a car is cornering, it inevitably flexes, and you need a windshield adhesive that can absorb that flex so that the glass doesn’t break.



Today and in the Future, Windshields will be Bonded with Polyurethane Adhesives


Polyurethane is the best choice when it comes to strength, quality and safety. That’s why Aaron’s AutoGlass uses SikaTack® MACH-30 XV. Sika is a world-class adhesive company.


SikaTack® MACH-30 XV is an all-in-one modulus, cold-applied, fast curing, high-viscosity polyurethane adhesive designed for use in replacing direct glazed automotive glass parts. When used as directed SikaTack® MACH-30 XV is an appropriate adhesive for use in auto glass replacement applications.


In comparison to other windshield adhesive, SikaTack® MACH-30 XV allows for consistent curing regardless of the climatic conditions (Can be used from 0 – 120 °F) as well as 30 minute Minimum Drive Away Times (MDAT) in most conditions.


 

Industry/Media Sources:






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  • Aarons AutoGlass
    • Mar 3, 2022
    • 2 min read

Why Calibrating Your Vehicle’s Windshield Camera is Important to Your Safety?

Making sure that your vehicle’s camera is properly calibrated after having your windshield replaced can be crucial to making sure your vehicle’s ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) is operating properly.



What is an ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems)?


ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) use camera-based sensors to help you, the driver of the vehicle, have a greater awareness of your vehicle’s driving environment. In conjunction with proximity and motion sensors, this camera-based system captures images of the sides, front and in some cases back of your vehicle to identify road markings, street signs, pedestrians, other vehicles and potential obstacles.


Most ADAS systems operate using a camera mounted to your car’s windshield. Windshield camera calibration brings your car’s ADAS system back to its original manufacturer settings. Recalibrating your windshield camera is crucial, as those front facing cameras are moved during a windshield replacement.


ADAS (Advanced driver-assistance systems) that can be affected can be organized into five broad groups, each representing multiple technologies based on research by NHTSA :

Group 1: Forward collision prevention:

  • Forward collision warning

  • Automatic emergency braking

  • Brake assist

Group 2: Lane keeping:

  • Lane departure warning

  • Lane keeping assist

  • Lane centering assist

Group 3: Blind zone detection

  • Blind spot warning

  • Blind spot intervention

  • Lane change merge

Group 4: Forward pedestrian impact avoidance

  • Pedestrian detection

Group 5: Backing collision avoidance

  • Reverse automatic braking

  • Back-up warning

  • Rear traffic alert



When Should I have my ADAS system calibrated?


According to every manufacturer, it is mandatory to recalibrate your ADAS during the following scenarios:


  • Windshield replacement

  • Collision

  • Replacement change in tires or ride height

  • ADAS lights are on or flashing


Even if the calibration is only slightly off your vehicle’s ADAS will not operate properly., endangering yourself, as well as your passengers, and putting you at risk of a major accident and/or injury.



What are the safety risks of having an uncalibrated ADAS?


In 2018 in one such scenario a man in Nova Scotia’s ADAS camera directed his car towards oncoming traffic. His auto glass replacement shop completed a windshield replacement and did not advise him that his ADAS system would need to be calibrated. Although the technology did allow the driver to resume control of the steering wheel and safely drive the vehicle. Since a majority of the main sensors are in the windshield, if the camera isn't recalibrated after a windshield replacement, systems like the forward collision alert system cannot work to help you avoid accidents and could lead to situations like these.


According to I-CAR research, 86% of vehicles today have some form of ADAS technology, which aids with driving issues such as blind spots or traffic sign recognition. While NHTSA says that ADAS technologies have the potential to prevent 20,841 deaths per year, or about 62% of total traffic deaths. Lane keeping assist accounts for 14,844 of this savings, while pedestrian automatic braking accounts for another 4,106 lives saved.



How do I get my vehicle’s windshield camera calibrated?

The calibration process varies from one vehicle to another, and may require a static and/ or dynamic calibration. It’s necessary for a certified technician to perform the calibration service as it requires specialized tools. Click here for more information on how Aaron’s AutoGlass can help with your windshield replacement and calibration.



 

TO LEARN MORE


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