When we talk about a car’s safety features, people usually think of airbags and seatbelts right away. You all know the importance of wearing a seatbelt and that airbags can save your life once an accident happens. But what about windshields? Most people don’t think about windshield protection when thinking about their car’s safety features. Which begs the question:
Do I really need windshield protection?
Unfortunately, windshields are a very overlooked car safety feature. Windshields help enforce your vehicle’s structure and aid in enhanced safety and durability. They are an important component of your car’s overall integrity. Let’s learn more about how to protect and maintain your windshield.
Why Windshields Are An Important Safety Feature
According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than six million car accidents happen each year in the United States. A staggering 30% of those accidents involve an occupant being ejected from the vehicle. For front end collisions, windshields play a very vital role in ensuring the passengers’ safety.
Like airbags and seatbelts, the front windshield is an essential component of the vehicle’s safety restraint system. The windshield actually provides the much-needed structure of the car’s cabin. For instance, during accidents with an overturned vehicle, the windshields help support the weight of the vehicle and prevent the roof from collapsing.
Also, your car’s windshield acts as the second line of defense during front-end collisions. And of course, they also protect the passengers from rocks and debris while on the road.
Do You Need to Protect Your Windshield?
While your car’s windshield is durable, it’s far from being indestructible. Once your windshield gets cracked, it becomes a huge safety issue. It’s also worth noting that in some states, driving with a cracked windshield is against the law mainly because it can obstruct the driver’s view. If you want to make sure that your windshields will serve you for a long time, windshield protection is a must.
It’s a good thing that there are numerous ways to protect your windshield.
3 Windshield Protection Options
1. ClearPlex Windshield Protection
One of the best ways to protect your windshield is to install a windshield protection film, such as a ClearPlex window protection film. ClearPlex is optically clear and adds better visibility during rain as it easily repels snow and rain.
Besides clarity, ClearPlex also offers superior protection by absorbing the impact of common road hazards such as rock chips, pitting, and bull’s eyes. This windshield protection coating also offers excellent scratch resistance and can withstand common abrasion sources like windshield wipers.
ClearPlex also protects the interior of the vehicle because it repels 99.9% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. And during an accident, the protection film keeps the windshields intact, reducing the chance for injuries.
Overall, ClearPlex is the original protection film, so it’s a product with a solid reputation.
2. Ceramic Coating
If you value longevity when it comes to windshield protection, a ceramic coating application might just be your best bet.
A temperature resistant ceramic coating is made from scientifically engineered synthetic liquid products. While it’s a highly concentrated product, it’s very safe to install. When applied to the windshield, it fuses with the uppermost layer of the glass and creates a semi-permanent protective layer. The coating is transparent and very strong.
This windshield protection film features hydrophobic properties because its smooth and flat surface helps in repelling water. Even during a rainstorm, your windshield isn’t just protected from the elements, but your visibility is also enhanced.
3. Windshield Treatment
Lastly, you can opt to use an automotive glass treatment for your windshield protection. Fortunately, there is no shortage of windshield treatment products that can improve the lifespan of your auto glass.
For example, there are “smart glass” treatments that you can apply to your windshield that enhance visual clarity. Some of these products are nanotechnology-based, which means that they can also protect the glass from sleet and grime. However, keep in mind that nanotechnology-based windshield treatments can be very difficult to apply.
You can also find multi-functional glass coating products that are designed for ease of use. These treatments are usually only for repelling water and improving visibility at night. One of the main downsides of this product is that you may have to reapply it frequently.
Protect Your Windshield Now
As you can see, there are many methods for windshield protection that you can use for overall durability and safety. Just like clear bra kits help your paint, the products we outlined above can improve the lifespan of your windshield and keep you safe.