CP Plus

The windscreen of a car is a lot more than just a piece of glass which keeps the rain and wind out. A clear and clean windscreen which is bonded is not only crucial for good visibility whilst driving, but is also an essential component of the body of the car, which contributes to its hardiness and strength. In this article, CP Plus provides drivers with advice on how to keep their windscreen and its wipers in excellent condition all year round.

The windscreen wiper blades of a car should be inspected for damage and wear at least twice a year. If they are making excessively loud noises when they are switched on, or are broken in some way, then drivers should replace them immediately. This can be done by a mechanic, or by the driver; however those who wish to replace the wipers themselves should do so in daylight, so as to make the process more straightforward. CP Plus say that drivers should never wait until their visibility has deteriorated, or bad weather has arrived to replace the wipers, as at this point, their safety on the road has already been compromised.

Cracks and chips from stones are not only a distraction when driving, but can also impair the driver’s vision. If the damage to the windscreen is directly in front of the driver, in what is known as the ‘A zone’ area, only cracks of less than 10mm can be repaired – larger ones will require the entire windscreen to be replaced. Small repairs involved cleaning and then drying the affected windscreen area, and then filling the crack with a clear coloured resin, which has optical properties which are similar to glass. This won’t completely repair the damage done, but the crack will be far less visible and will be smooth enough not to interfere with the wipers.

In terms of general visibility when driving, CP Plus says that drivers can improve on this by ensuring that their windscreen is clean on both the outside and the inside. Bear in mind that even if you or your passengers do not smoke, a hazy film which resembles the build-up of smoke will accumulate on the inside the windscreen over time and this will need to be wiped off every couple of months.