Can Car Washes Make a Windshield Crack Worse?
A cracked windshield is more than just a cosmetic headache. It’s mainly a serious safety hazard for you. Car owners often ask: Can car washes make a windshield crack worse, or should I wash my car with a cracked windshield? The answer is yes, certain car washes can worsen the cracks in your windshield. That’s why you need to understand how different car wash types affect your damaged glass. This blog will explain car wash cracked windshield in detail.
How Windshield Cracks Behave: The Science Behind the Spread
Windshields are composed of laminated safety glass. You have two sheets of glass bonded by a flexible plastic layer. This construction gives safety & strength to your cabin by preventing glass shards from scattering everywhere in an accident. Once a chip appears, however, the structural integrity of your windshield falls apart. This is what might happen to your damaged windshield:
- What if the temperature suddenly changes? When the temperature shifts suddenly, it may cause the glass to expand or contract. Hot water from a car wash hitting a freezing cold windshield will make it expand, while cold air on a warm windshield will cause it all to contract. These rapid changes will stress the glass and cause cracks to lengthen. The cracks may also branch out in spider-web patterns, i.e., thermal shock.
- What if there’s too much water pressure? High-pressure water jets used in automatic car washes can force water and dirt into cracks. They increase the internal pressure and encourage the crack’s propagation.
- What if the car starts vibrating? Conveyor belts and rotating brushes create vibrations and mechanical forces on your delicate windshield. Combined with fragile cracks, this physical stress worsens the damage, creating new fractures or extending existing ones.
Different Car Wash Types and Their Effects
- Automatic Car Washes: Automatic car washes use pressurized water jets, along with rotating brushes and air blowers. Contactless options avoid physical brushes. But the water pressure and temperature fluctuations risk worsening these cracks. When brushes actually touch your windshield, they add mechanical stress. Repeated vibrations also lead to crack expansion; they are bad for the cracks near the edge of your windshield.
- Manual/Hand Washing: Handwashing is the gentlest method for car wash damage prevention. You can reduce the stress on your windshield by controlling water pressure and not scrubbing near cracks. But make sure that the cleaners don’t scrub vigorously or use aggressive tools.
- At-Home Pressure Washing: Pressure washers deliver an intense water force that can worsen cracks and force dirt into crevices. So, avoid aiming high-pressure streams at a cracked windshield.
You can see that the combined effect of water pressure and thermal shock makes a cracked windshield quite vulnerable during washes. The water pressure forces moisture and debris into cracks. It weakens the plastic laminate layer inside the glass. Even mechanical brushes (that are called “soft-touch”) apply repetitive pressure and vibrations that add to this strain. That’s why it’s so important to choose the perfect tint shade for your car window for the next time!
4 Warning Signs Your Windshield Should Skip Car Washes
Cracks Longer Than a Few Inches
If you notice cracks measuring over 6 inches, that’s something really concerning. Data shows that cracks near the outer two inches of the windshield area are more prone to spreading due to manufacturing stress and vehicle frame tension. Edge cracks grow quickly because this area experiences greater stress during driving & temperature changes. Washing applies additional pressure (mechanical and thermal) that can worsen these cracks.
Deep/Wide Cracks Beyond Initial Chips
You can really prevent windshield chip spreading with this method. Deep or wide cracks that go beyond initial chips are dangerous. If you realize that the crack is deeper than ⅛ inch, it can compromise your windshield’s structural integrity. It’ll spread under water pressure or vibration during washing. But minor chips less than a quarter in size typically heal well with resin repairs. Wider cracks, however, require a more cautious approach.
Visible Branches Cracks (Spider-Web or Star-Shaped Patterns)
Branching or spider cracks indicate multiple fracture points. Such cracks are less stable and prone to worsening from physical stress and moisture intrusion. Their irregular shape allows water and debris to lodge deeper during washing, hastening deterioration.
Cracks Obstructing Your View
Damage in your primary line of sight presents safety hazards. This damage even violates legal standards in many states. Cracks near windshield-mounted sensors/cameras can impair driver assistance technologies as well. Washing can further degrade sensor performance and worsen damage in these key areas. That’s why you need a reliable Protector Windshield product to stay safe. This product will make sure that your windshield doesn’t get chipped that easily.
Car Wash Damage Prevention Tips: Protect Your Windshield
- Temporary Fixes: You should cover the cracks/chips in your windshield with clear tape to reduce moisture ingress until it can be repaired. Special windshield repair film kits can also provide short-term protection to your damaged glass.
- Choose Safe Wash Methods: Go for hand-washing car washes using gentle cloths and low water pressure. Stay away from automatic car washes or pressure car washes that blast high-pressure water or use abrasive brushes to clean your four-wheeler.
- Prompt Professional Repair: The best way to prevent damage to your already broken windshield is to schedule an auto glass specialist to repair cracks while they’re still tiny. Early repairs will stabilize the damaged glass, preventing spread.
How Protector Automotive Supports Glass Care
You need quality glass protection film to prevent the windshield chip spreading. What you need is the paint protection film provided by Protector Automotive. Our PPF and window tints will keep your vehicle safe from environmental damage & UV exposure. These products reduce overall glass & paint stress by minimizing the damaging impact of heat + sunlight.
Protect your windshield and vehicle with expert-grade solutions. Explore Protector Automotive’s window tint and paint protection films for enhanced durability and safety. Visit our blog and case studies for more insights on car care, glass protection, & maintenance best practices, and keep your vehicle looking and performing its best for years to come. Contact us today.
