Due to the persistent onslaught of weather events, coupled with the daily wear and tear from passing traffic, bitumen roads across the country steadily deteriorate, meaning small stones and debris are lying in wait. These little rocks pose a significant risk to your vehicle’s windscreen by potentially causing windscreen chips and ultimately also windscreen cracks.

If you are unfortunate enough to have a chip turn into a crack in your windscreen… do you know if you can continue to drive with a cracked windscreen or not?

In this article, we’ll help you find the answer and walk you through the steps to take in the event of a windscreen crack.

The difference between a chip and a crack.

This seems obvious, but it’s good to know whether your windscreen damage is a chip or a crack.

A windscreen chip is a localised form of damage to the glass typically caused by the impact of a small rock or debris.  A chip can range in size and shape and generally doesn’t go beyond the first layer of glass. Whereas a windscreen crack is a more substantial and lengthier break in your glass that can happen instantly or develop over time.  You can’t miss a windscreen crack! One challenge with cracks is that once formed, they can also extend into larger damage, sometimes while you’re driving, and this can be unexpected and even impair visibility.

More about your windscreen glass

Your front windscreen is made of laminated safety glass. This type of “safety” glass is designed to respond to excessive amounts of force and break in a way that is ‘safe’, due to having an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that is fused together between two sheets of glass. This flexible clear interlayer is extremely strong and will hold the glass together on impact, rather than shatter. A crack usually occurs in the top layer of glass, and not affecting the bottom layer of glass, which is protected by the strong interlayer.

By design, your windscreen, if it cracks, will not shatter or fall in on the car’s occupants.

So, what causes a crack?

Often, it starts with a chipped windscreen, which may seem like a mild problem in the short term.  However, there is always the chance of the chip potentially turning into a large crack.

Your windscreen is a tough piece of vital glass in your vehicle, but when damaged by a chip (e.g. from a stone), it sometimes doesn’t take much for that chip to expand and crack.

Factors that can cause a chip to crack include:

• hail and storms,
• bumpy roads/terrain and vibrations,
• sudden temperature changes,
• putting pressure on the windscreen, and
• direct impact of any kind.

If this happens, the whole windscreen may need to be replaced at a higher cost, so it’s best to get on top of things. In fact, even if the damage remains as a chip but exceeds the following sizes, our technicians will need to replace the windscreen:

• Larger than a 5c coin (on the driver’s side and in the driver’s critical vision area)
• Larger than a $1 coin (on the passenger side or middle)
• Less than 5cm away from any edge of the windscreen.

Note the Australian Standard sets out a lot more rules for when a chip should not be repaired, such as proximity to previous repairs, maximum repairs in areas of the windscreen, and smaller sizes of chips of certain shapes, as well as when the chip damages both sides of the glass plus a few other things. Our expert technicians can advise you if your chip can be repaired once they’ve assessed the damage.

What happens if your windscreen cracks while you are driving (which, let’s face it, almost always happens)?  What do you do then?

My windscreen just cracked – can I still drive?

Apart from the inconvenience and extra cost, getting a crack in your windscreen will not mean you have to stop driving your car necessarily.

Every windscreen crack is different, no one is the same.  They can be across the whole screen or just a section.

The most important thing to remember is that your windscreen is designed to crack and remain in place (and not fall in or out).  So, if the crack/damage doesn’t interfere and obscure your visibility while driving (that is, the crack is directly in front of the driver’s critical vision area), and you feel safe to drive, you can still drive your car.

PLEASE NOTE:

• If your car has Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (referred to as ADAS), the forward-facing camera that is part of the ADAS system may be affected by the crack, especially if it is at the top of the windscreen. So, it may not be safe to rely on your car’s ADAS features until you get the windscreen replaced and your car’s forward-facing ADAS cameras recalibrated.
• Each State in Australia is governed by road rules, which determine when you are permitted to drive with a cracked windscreen. You should be aware that in some States, police can issue fines for cracked windscreens, so it is best to fix your windscreen as soon as possible.

Steps to take to fix a crack in your windscreen.

As mentioned above, cracks happen! Here’s what to do if you get one in your windscreen.

1. Assess the damage

If the crack has happened while driving on a road trip, and you feel safe to drive, and the crack is not obscuring the driver’s vision in any way, you can still drive your vehicle.

We recommend stopping at a safe and secure location, to fully assess the damage on the windscreen and the rest of the vehicle before continuing. If you don’t feel you can drive your car safely with the cracked windscreen, our mobile windscreen service may be able to get to you.

2. Call O'Brien

Call O'Brien  (we’re available 24/7) to discuss your options with our friendly team member. Whether you have insurance or not, our experts can help arrange your replacement glass for you, including kicking off the claims process if required.

With over 60+ service centres nationally, plus a network of expert Authorised Dealers as well, we can help arrange a booking at the location nearest to you or even opt for our mobile service (for select replacements).

We will do our very best to get you a booking as soon as possible. However, there are times when your preferred glass is not available immediately, or there is not a suitable slot available until a bit later. Know that we’ll endeavour to get your repair done as promptly as possible, but if there is a delay for whatever reason, like your windscreen glass needs to be ordered, be assured that provided it does not obscure the driver’s vision you can drive with a crack in your windscreen until it can be replaced, subject to State rules and regulations.

Got a crack in your windscreen, we’re your local experts.

Call O'Brien® AutoGlass today to help with replacing your cracked windscreen.

A cracked windscreen is always unexpected and usually frustrating, but with O'Brien®, we make the replacement process easy for you and worry-free.

Our skilled technicians can replace your windscreen in around 90 minutes, or if your car has ADAS, we can usually complete the replacement and recalibration within a day. Call 1800 059 829 today to speak to our friendly O'Brien® experts for help with your windscreen damage.

The post Can I drive with a cracked windscreen? appeared first on O'Brien.

Cue: our latest commercial, “Stop! Repair Time!”

Still waiting to see the ad? View here.

Our newest advertisement purposely breaks away from the typical O'Brien^® style seen on TV screens over the past few years. Taking a fresh approach to entertain a broader, younger demographic, we’ve used our ‘hero tech’ differently, telling the chip-to-crack story from the point of what you don’t want to happen.

“We never want to get comfortable in our advertising at O'Brien. As viewing habits change, we must adapt how our message and brand is conveyed. That’s why we’ve changed where you hear our jingle and how it’s played, plus using our branding in different ways to ensure the ad is still uniquely O'Brien. Bringing this re-vamped chip repair story to life was exciting”.
–Claudia Johnston, Senior Marketing Manager

While “Stop! Repair Time!” is a new twist on a tried and tested O'Brien^® message, some things will always stay the same…

Keeping it real with our real-life stars

In our latest campaign, three-valued O'Brien^® team members participated in making the commercial. Nat Rouessart and Emma Speechly starred in front of the camera alongside two actors, Tom and Sabrina, and the wonderful Winston. Plus, Ed Finlay recorded the voice that played over the radio in the opening scene.

“The shoot day was a breeze —definitely not your typical workday! The locations were outside, so a big change from our usual gig inside one of our Service Centres. Such a fun story made the day a blast, with plenty of laughs between takes and pats with the real star- Winston. It’s pretty awesome to swap out my technician hat for a bit and get in on these fun campaigns that I love being a part of.”
– Nat Rouessart, O'Brien^® AutoGlass Technician.

Adding to the fun of the day was having the talented (and handsome) Boston Terrier, Winston (who came along as a bonus extra thanks to Arielle at Two Giraffes creative agency). He performed like a pro, howling the jingle in tune and on cue.

Emma enjoyed hanging out with Winston in the back seat during the shoot (doing a great job keeping him on task), enjoying the fun company on set and the change of pace for the day (from her busy role at O'Brien^® head office).

“It was such a great day, and even better to see the marketing team’s hard work and all that goes on behind the scenes to make these amazing commercials. I was lucky enough to be slobbered on and kissed all day by the singing pup, Winston, who was the main star of the ad – sorry Nat!’
– Emma Speechly, O'Brien^® AutoGlass Business Improvement Leader

After the shoot day, Nat headed to the sound-proof booth at the recording studio to join Ed (where they both recorded their voice-overs like the pros that they are). Always happy to help and take time out from his job as a Mobile Technician, Ed travelled up from Wollongong to record his now familiar voice for the O'Brien radio commercial heard in the opening scene.

“The second I heard that Marketing needed me to be the ‘radio voice’ in the new ad, my eyes lit up. I love jumping from my usual day job as a mobile windscreen technician to working in a recording studio or on set, where I showcase my otherwise hidden skills and talents alongside Nat and the crew. It’s an amazing opportunity to be part of the well-known TV ads for O'Brien.”
– Ed Finlay, O'Brien^® AutoGlass Technician.

Did you know Ed is also a well-known face in O’Brien^® TV commercials? Check out some of Ed’s work here.

Keep an eye out for the singing Winston.

After a short test campaign in Sydney, the “Stop! Repair Time” advertisement is now showing across TV screens nationwide. We hope our audiences enjoy the fresh new take on our important message, and remember to call O'Brien^® to help fix your windscreen chip. You never know, you might be lucky enough to have Nat or Ed as your O’Brien^® technician!

At O'Brien^®, solving your problems is what we do. Delivering high-quality service with genuine care and expert support is our top priority. There’s nothing more satisfying than solving your problems with our dedicated team at O'Brien^®. From vehicle glass to home and commercial glass and electrical and plumbing services, our O'Brien^® team is here for you. So, call us today on 1800 059 829 or find your nearest expert here.

The post Meet the team behind the latest O’Brien® TV ad: “Stop! Repair Time” appeared first on O'Brien.

With 64 O’Brien® AutoGlass locations across Australia, there could be an expert technician nearby, ready to assist you with your vehicle glass needs.
Today, we wanted to shed some light on what the O’Brien® AutoGlass mobile service covers, so decided to have a chat with one of our most experienced mobile technicians, Mike Kelly from the Smeaton Grange Service Centre in Sydney.

We asked Mike a few questions about the work he does each day at O’Brien® to help keep his customers on the road. We hope you learn about the ins and outs of the O’Brien® Mobile Service and a few handy tips as well.

Q: Tell us about what services you provide as part of the O'Brien® AutoGlass Mobile Service.

Mike: Every service centre has at least one qualified Mobile Service Technician who specialises in providing convenient windscreen replacements and repairs. As a Level 5 technician with 19 years of experience, I primarily work on the road, replacing windscreens at customers’ homes, businesses, or even at the beach– essentially wherever our customers need us, provided it’s a safe location.

We can help with chip repairs, windscreen replacements (for non-ADAS vehicles), door and rear glass replacements and we can even offer additional services like windscreen wiper and cabin filter replacements as well.

When you make a booking, our call centre team can confirm if there is a mobile service option available at your service centre for the time you’d prefer.

Q: Is it safe for someone to drive with a chip or crack in their windscreen?

Mike: A chipped windscreen may seem like a small problem in the short term, but there’s a chance that that chip may spread and eventually turn into a large crack. There’s no issue driving with a chip, however, there’s no knowing when a chip could turn into a crack. In fact, it will often when you least expect it, so it’s wise to get a chip repaired as soon as it happens.

In the event of a crack appearing, if the crack doesn’t impede the driver’s vision, it’s usually ok to drive your vehicle to a safe location, but you should seek our assistance immediately afterwards. That’s what’s good about our Mobile Service, so you can avoid the need to drive with reduced visibility and unsafely.

Q: What tips do you have for customers that they can follow right away in the event of getting a chip in their windscreen?

Mike: A chip in your windscreen means that your windscreen is weak where this damage is, which means your windscreen could crack at any time. So, the best approach is to get it fixed as soon as you can.

A handy tool to keep in your glovebox is an O'Brien® Saver Patch Kit. These are free, and available at your local O’Brien service centre. This clear sticky patch can cover your chip and prevent moisture or dirt from being embedded in the cracks of the chip. While this patch won’t prevent the chip from turning into a crack, it could help improve the cosmetic appearance of your repaired chip. If the chip is kept clean, there’s a better chance of the repair being less visible. But the best thing is to act quickly to repair your chip, which can save you from having to replace your entire windscreen. Like we say in our ads, repairing a chip is definitely FASTER, CHEAPER and GREENER.

I repair lots of chips every day, as it’s very convenient for customers to have us come to them (instead of bringing their car into our service centre). And I always leave behind a few Saver Patch Kits (because you never know when you will get a chip).

Q: How long does a typical windscreen replacement take, and what is the process like?

Mike: At the start of my day, I’ll have already loaded up the new windscreen for your vehicle (which our branch team arranged to have ready at our centre when you first booked with us). This means I’ll have not only your new windscreen but all the tools I need to complete the installation when I arrive and once I’m there, at the customer’s location, I get straight to work.

On average, a windscreen replacement takes around 90 minutes to complete.

Once the replacement is done, we recommend you let the car sit for approximately half an hour to ensure everything sets properly which means you’ll usually be back on the road and safe, within about an hour and a half.

Note that if you go to a service centre for a windscreen replacement, you will need to allow an extra 30 minutes (depending on how busy they are), and if your car has ADAS features, it will require additional time for a recalibration to be performed.

Q: How do you ensure you have the right glass for each job?

Mike: At O’Brien®, we have a vast inventory of prefabricated glass covering a wide range of vehicle makes and models at our National Warehouse, something in the range of 150,000 different shapes and sizes.

When a job request comes in, we verify the vehicle’s specifications and promptly order the necessary glass from our national warehouse. Technicians like me are trained to identify the correct glass type, and our advanced inventory management systems ensure we make the accurate choice. Plus, with the extensive delivery network, the right glass is delivered to our service centres quickly as well.

Q: Can you provide the Mobile Service anywhere to customers?

Mike: We can provide our services at customers’ homes, businesses, or even at convenient public locations like shopping centre car parks.

However, for safety reasons, we typically require off-road parking to carry out the work efficiently. If a vehicle is stuck on the road due to damage, we’ll assess the area for safety and proceed accordingly. If possible, it’s also great if the vehicle can be kept under cover as working with glass in the direct sun can be blisteringly hot – that’s a great help to us. For example, if the glass is too hot, we have to wait until it cools down to perform a chip repair (which adds extra time to the job and can delay you getting back on the road).

As Mike, our mobile tech expert said: if you’ve got a chip in your windscreen, don’t wait.

Remember, it doesn’t take much for a windscreen chip to turn into a crack, plus, chip repair is faster, cheaper, and greener than windscreen replacement.

So, don’t wait for the chip to turn into further damage.

Have your windscreen chip repaired by a friendly expert technician like Mike who can come to you and help get you back out on the road fast.
Call 1800 059 829 or visit our website to book your repair or replacement today.

Do I look familiar? You’re probably right! You may have seen me in the recent O'Brien Group Brand ad. To view the ad, click here.

The post Behind the Scenes of O’Brien® Mobile Service: On the road with Mike Kelly, an O’Brien® Technician. appeared first on O'Brien.

Hailstorms can result in damage to property, especially cars. The impact of hail stones can damage your car exterior, side and rear windows, and windscreen.

According to a recent report from the Insurance Australia Group (IAG), hailstorms are likely to become more frequent and intense in Australia due to climate change, with large parts of southern and eastern Australia most at risk.

With that in mind, you’re probably wondering what you can do or use to keep your vehicle safe in a hailstorm.

Here are some ways to help protect your car from hail and potentially prevent the resulting vehicle repair costs if you happen to be where one hits.

4 tips to keep your car safe from hail damage

Thousands of Australian vehicles are damaged by hail every year. Depending on your circumstances, there are a range of options to help protect your car and keep it safe in the event of a hailstorm:

1. Check the weather forecast.

Prevention is better than a cure! Weather forecasts aren’t iron-clad but can often predict severe weather like hailstorms. Checking a dedicated app or website like the BOM Weather App can help you remain alert and aware, giving you more time to prepare or get undercover.

If your local council provides a weather alert system via SMS, it’s also worth signing up for. Plus, it’s handy to keep an eye (and an ear) on the news throughout the day, too.

2. Avoid driving during a hailstorm.

Driving during a hailstorm can be dangerous.

Not only can it be challenging to see, but the hailstones may cause damage to the body of your car, its windows or the windscreen. When going on an extended trip, always check the weather forecast to ensure no hailstorms are scheduled for when you’ll be on the road.

3. Park your car undercover.

The best way to protect your car from hail is to park your car in a secure undercover location, like a garage or carport. But this is not always possible.

If hail starts raining down while you’re on the road, help keep yourself safe by slowing down, turning your headlights on, and driving cautiously to a nearby covered car park or anywhere with some cover. If no shelter is around, when safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road and wait inside your car for the hail to stop. Make sure you don’t park your car under trees, by power lines, or near bodies of water that might flood during the storm. Stay aware of your surroundings and take the necessary steps to keep safe.

4. Use a hail car cover or blankets.

As the name suggests, a hail cover is designed to cover your car and reduce the impact of hail damage on the vehicle. While a hail cover may not completely prevent damage, it may reduce the severity of the impact that hail stones can cause.

Ideally, a hail cover should only be used as a last-minute option if proper shelter is unavailable. In place of a hail cover, another option is to use large, thick blankets draped over the car to minimise the damage done.

If nothing else is available, you can always use the car floor mats from your car to cover your windscreen glass, which may be the difference between being able to drive your vehicle or not.

Please remember that if you are caught up in a hailstorm, and your vehicle glass does get damaged, it can be dangerous to drive your vehicle as your vision may be impaired.

Call your O’Brien^® AutoGlass experts

Keeping an eye on the weather can go a long way in helping to protect and maintain your vehicle glass. In the unfortunate event of sustaining damage to your glass from hail, or you’re worried about a chip or a crack, the expert team at O’Brien^® AutoGlass will make it easy with our in-branch or mobile service.

At O’Brien^®, we have specialist technicians who can assist you whether you need a chip repair or a windscreen replacement. Not only does our vehicle glass comply with Australian and international standards, but no matter what make or model your car is, you can depend on us and drive away knowing the job has been done right.

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post Tips On How To Protect Your Car From Hail Damage appeared first on O'Brien.

That tiny chip might not look like much as it’s only small in comparison, but many factors can cause this damage to worsen, potentially costing you a new windscreen.

We asked our O'Brien^® AutoGlass team to share some of the most common factors as to how your windscreen chip could turn into a crack, as well as their top reasons why you should have your windscreen chip repaired ASAP.

What can cause a chipped windscreen to crack?

There are 5 common reasons why your car’s windscreen may crack after a chip. However, if repaired quickly, you shouldn’t need to worry about these situations.

1. Sudden temperature fluctuations

We all know that temperature changes can cause things to expand or contract, and windscreens are no exception. For example, be careful if you’ve parked in the hot sun for a while and then decide to turn on the air-con to quickly cool it down. Blasting cold air onto a chipped windscreen might cause it to crack. Or perhaps there’s a frost that’s left some ice on your windscreen and you’re trying to get the ice off by pouring hot water over your windscreen. You might be in for a nasty shock! These are just two scenarios where shifts in temperature can cause that chip to crack. So, the longer you delay the repair, the greater the chance that temperature changes will result in further damage.

2. Bumpy terrain and vibrations

Uneven roads can also cause issues. For example, the vibrations caused by driving on gravel roads, roads that are under construction, going over a speed bump or hitting a pothole could cause a bigger problem for your chipped windscreen.  Even the slamming of a car door could be enough to cause further damage. Extreme vibrations and bumps can add to the stress that already exists at the point of a chip in your windscreen, which could result in a crack.

3. Pressure on the windscreen

The last thing you want to do is lean on the windscreen or put weight on it from an object. Given it has weakened from the chip, if you put pressure in that area, it could cause it to crack.

4. Direct Impact

It doesn’t need to be another stone chip than could cause further damage. If another object strikes the windscreen, particularly in the same spot, it could worsen the existing chip, potentially cracking your windscreen.

5. Hail and Storms

Storms can cause debris to fly, and things like small branches could be just enough to cause that chip to crack. And we all know the damage hail can do. So small or large hail stones can also cause additional damage, and not just to the windscreen.

3 reasons why you should have your windscreen chip repaired as soon as possible

There are so many scenarios outside of our control that can cause windscreen chips to worsen. We’re all guilty of ignoring it – even if it’s small and right in front of us!

Here are our top 3 reasons why you should visit your local vehicle glass expert and have your windscreens checked:

1. Chips can quickly turn into larger cracks, often when you least expect it

As mentioned above, chips happen! And there are too many scenarios that can cause a chip to crack, potentially resulting in the purchase of a new windscreen.

It’s therefore best to address any minor damage as soon as possible before it becomes a costly exercise.

2. Fixing a windscreen chip is less expensive and faster than a windscreen replacement

Our professionally trained vehicle glass technicians have the experience and tools to fix a windscreen chip in about 30 minutes. This is in comparison to a full windscreen replacement which usually takes about 90 minutes to get done.

In addition, a chip repair is cheaper than a full windscreen replacement. When you consider the time and materials involved for both processes, a chip repair makes more sense when it comes to minimising costs. And the best thing is, if your car insurance includes cover for glass damage, you could get the repair done for free! But check with your insurance provider as each company is different.

3. A windscreen repair creates less waste

Last but not the least, a chip repair is greener than a full windscreen replacement because it does not require a new piece of glass. A tiny vial of our special resin is used for a chip repair (together with our portable equipment), so the waste is minimal, fitting into the palm of your hand and weighing only a few grams.

A windscreen weighs approximately 15kg and once removed from your vehicle, it then needs to be disposed of properly for recycling.

If you’ve got a chip in your windscreen, don’t wait – call O'Brien^® today

O'Brien^® has a repair-first policy meaning that if we can repair it using our specialist equipment, we always prefer to repair a windscreen rather than replace it.

Remember, it doesn’t take much for a windscreen chip to turn into a crack.

We replace thousands of windscreens every year, but a chip repair is faster, cheaper and greener.

So, don’t wait for the chip to turn into further damage. Have your windscreen chip repaired with O'Brien^® to get you back out on the road fast.

Call 1800 059 829 today to speak to our friendly O'Brien^® experts or book online. For your nearest O'Brien^® AutoGlass branch near you, click here.

The post Will My Windscreen Chip Crack? appeared first on O'Brien.

However, not all chips can be repaired, so let’s explore what’s involved.

Can my windscreen chip be repaired?

The good news is that minor windscreen damage in the form of a small chip is generally repairable.

However, there are a few reasons that you may need to replace the entire windscreen, including:

• The chip hinders the driver’s line of sight.
• The new chip damage is close to previously repaired chip.
• There’s been too many previous repairs.
• The chip damage has gone through more than a single layer of glass.

Whether the windscreen can be repaired by O'Brien^® or not depends on three primary factors including:

1. Location of damage

If damage is located in the driver’s critical vision area, only small damage is recommended for repair under the Australian Standard. This is because the chip repair process leaves a small blemish in the glass, and it must not be of a type or size that could distract the driver’s vision.

Any damage that extends to the outer edges of the glass can make it tricky for us to apply our tool to the chip and obtain a good repair to a broken edge of the screen.

Chips in the small viewing area of cameras which look through the windscreen are also currently not recommended for repair by most vehicle manufacturers.

However, in most cases, minor windscreen chip damage can be repaired and if the damage is on the passenger side (outside of the driver’s critical vision areas) then slightly larger chips can be repaired by O'Brien^®.

2. Size and depth of the chip

A windscreen chip with a diameter of around 2.5 centimetres (roughly the size of a $1 coin) can generally be repaired on the passenger side. However, if the windscreen chip has managed to penetrate the outer layer as well as the inside layer of the windscreen glass, then it will need to be replaced.

If your chip windscreen is left unattended, then it could turn into a crack at any time, often when you least expect it. At O'Brien^®, we recommend that you get your windscreen replaced by an expert vehicle glass technician as quickly as possible after the damage occurs. Quickly having your chip repaired not only reduces the risk that it might crack but also will improve the cosmetic quality of the repair as the amount of debris trapped in the chip generally increases over time. Debris in the chip can reduce the cosmetic quality of the finished repair.

3. The severity of windscreen damage

Keep in mind that if your windscreen has taken a serious enough impact, it is most likely beyond the point of repair, so replacing it may be your only option. When in doubt, simply contact the O'Brien^® AutoGlass experts for advice on the options we have available.

For more information on assessing whether a chip can be repaired by O'Brien^®, view our previous article here.

When do I need to replace my windscreen?

The main reasons are if it is damaged beyond repair recommended by the Australian Standard, or there is significant damage obstructing the driver’s line of sight. If this is the case, then there is not really any other option than to replace it.

If you find your windscreen is leaking or whistling but is still intact and undamaged, then you should get it assessed by a vehicle glass expert. The likely outcome is that the adhesive is not doing its job and the windscreen needs to be removed and refitted, but not replaced.

Windscreen chip repair can benefit more than just you and your car

As we mentioned earlier, a repair is the ‘greener’ option when compared with a windscreen replacement. It’s also cheaper, benefiting your back pocket! And it’s faster, saving you time. How you ask? Great question!

It’s also greener

The short answer is you get to keep your existing windscreen. Windscreens weigh about 15kgs and require lots of resources to produce and transport. The repair also only requires a tiny vial of resin, which is used to fill the micro cracks, to reinforce the strength of the glass in the spot where it has been damaged.

It’s also faster

A chip repair takes just 30mins to complete where a windscreen replacement takes around 90mins.

It’s also cheaper

As you are saving your existing windscreen you don’t have the added expense of paying for a new replacement windscreen. Plus, if you have ADAS safety features such as auto braking or lane detection, you can often also have the added expense of requiring a recalibration of your forward-facing camera after a full replacement. A recalibration is not required for a chip repair.

Contact O'Brien^® for your chip repair or windscreen replacement today.

So, which is better? Repair or replace? Firstly, it depends on the circumstances. If your windscreen can be repaired, we believe there are 3 compelling reasons to choose a repair over a replacement. Our preference is always to repair if we can.

Whatever the outcome, our expert team at O'Brien^® are here to help in both situations so you cave driveway with confidence.

To get in touch, call 1800 059 829 to speak with one of our friendly team. Or to find the nearest O'Brien^® AutoGlass branch, click here.

The post Repairing VS. Replacing Your Windscreen: Which Is The Better Option? appeared first on O'Brien.

The O'Brien^® Saver Patch kit is a nifty little package we hand out to our O'Brien^® AutoGlass customers at the end of every visit. This kit contains two small clear patches that you can use to help keep any dirt and debris out of a windscreen chip before it is repaired.

We encourage all our customers to keep their O'Brien^® Saver Patch kit in their glovebox, so you can find it easily if you ever need it.

Here’s the best way to use your O'Brien^® Saver Patch kit in the event of a chipped windscreen:

1. Remove one of the Saver Patches from the kit and place it directly over the chipped area on the outside of your windscreen as soon as possible. This will help to prevent any dirt or moisture from contaminating your chip before it is repaired.

2. Be sure that the Saver Patch is not placed in the driver’s line of vision.

3. Call your local O'Brien^® team to book a windscreen chip repair.

Remember that applying an O'Brien^® Saver Patch will help improve the cosmetic quality of your chip repair, but it won’t stop the damage from spreading, meaning your chip could easily turn into a crack.

That’s why it’s best to call O'Brien^® as soon as you can, so one of our expert Technicians can assess your chip and repair it for you – getting you back out on the road in just 30 minutes.

Do you want a FREE O'Brien^® Saver Patch kit for your glovebox?

You never know when you might get a chip in your windscreen. That’s why it’s always good to be prepared.

So, pop into your nearest O'Brien^® branch today to collect your free O'Brien^® Saver Patch kit. You can find your nearest O'Brien^® AutoGlass branch here.

Just remember: if you do get a windscreen chip, don’t wait!

Follow the steps above, then call O'Brien on 1800 059 829 to book your chip repair as soon as possible.

The post How To Use The O’Brien® Saver Patch Kit On Your Windscreen Chip appeared first on O'Brien.

If not properly addressed, a small chip can become a big problem, leading to needing to replace the entire windscreen.

Fortunately, knowing how to effectively protect your windscreen can help you avoid all of this in the first place. As cliché as it sounds: prevention is better than cure!

So, our team at O'Brien^® AutoGlass has compiled some useful tips to help you take care of your windscreen.

Tips to protect your windscreen

Here are some tips to look after your windscreen, to help spare you the stress, hassle and costs of repair or replacement:

1. Park your car in a garage or covered area.

Keeping your car out of direct sunlight, heavy rain, hail, and even ice is always a smart idea. If there’s no covered space to park your car, you can look for a shaded area that also offers some shelter.

2. Gradually adjust your car’s internal temperature.

Sudden variations in temperature from inside and out can place stress on your windscreen.

So, to avoid a rapid temperature shift, do not put your car’s air conditioning or heater on an extreme setting straight away. This is important, particularly if the air conditioning or heater is pointed directly at the windscreen.

Instead, just gradually increase or decrease the temperature.

3. Avoid slamming car doors.

It’s not just about the noise it makes.

Extreme vibrations and bumps can add to the stress that already exists at the point of a chip in your windscreen, which could result in a crack appearing.

4. Take care of your windscreen wipers.

Don’t take your wipers for granted. They’re there for a good reason!

To ensure your wiper blades continue to keep dust, dirt, water, insects and more off your windscreen, remember to regularly check to see if they are clean and in good condition.

At O'Brien^®, to help you get the most out of your windscreen, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to help you choose the right wiper blades as well as how to care for them. Check it out here: Enhance Your View with Wiper Blades.

5. Clean your windscreen properly.

When it comes to cleaning your windscreen, don’t leave everything solely to your windscreen wipers – they are not designed to do all the cleaning.

Using a bit of elbow grease, clean cloth and some glass cleaner, on top of regularly removing debris on and around the windscreen and wipers will help keep your windscreen clear and allow your wiper blades to do what they need to do. Read our Expert guide to cleaning your windscreen here – there are some handy tips (for the most seasoned of car cleaners)!

6. Repair chips in the windscreen as soon as possible.

A chip can easily turn into a crack if not fixed immediately, especially if your car is exposed to extreme temperatures as well as bumps and vibrations from the road.

Our skilled technicians at O'Brien^® AutoGlass can repair a windscreen chip if:

• it’s smaller than an Australian $1 coin,
• it’s located on the passenger side
• and it’s at least 5cm from the edge of the windscreen.

It takes only 30 minutes to repair a chip in your windscreen, and with car insurance, the chip repair may be free.

To learn more about whether your chip can be repaired, and what’s involved, read here.

Got a chip or a crack in your windscreen?

If you are worried about a chipped or cracked windscreen, it’s time to contact your local O'Brien^® experts. Don’t delay!

Our specialist technicians can assist you whether you need a windscreen chip repair or a full windscreen replacement. No matter what make or model your car is, you can always depend on us and drive away knowing that the job has been done right.

For more information about our chip repairs and windscreen replacement services, click here.

If you have any questions, you can also call us on 1800 059 829 or book online.

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To help you plan your snow holiday, we’ve pulled together a list of the best slopes destinations you can drive to in Australia. Read on and start making plans!

#1 Perisher, NSW

Perisher is the biggest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere boasting more than 1,200 hectares of skiable terrain to explore. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down at Perisher either, with night skiing an option usually every Tuesday and Saturday on the Front Valley slope during the season. Approximately 5.5hrs drive from Sydney with a handy ski tube alpine railway to take you straight to the ski village and avoid the icy roads to the resort.

#2 Mount Hotham, VIC

Mount Hotham is unique in that the ski village is located at the top of the mountain, so you wake up in the clouds with all the fresh powder below you. It also boasts some of the more challenging terrains in Australia, making it a popular choice for more confident skiers. Being a confident skier is no prerequisite for having a fun time at Mount Hotham, with more than 20 restaurant and bar options for après skiing and plenty of space allocated for snow tubing and tobogganing. Mount Hotham is a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne.

#3 Thredbo, NSW

Thredbo has the five longest ski runs in Australia and is the ski field for you if you’re all about the distance. There is a good mix of slopes that caters well for skiers of intermediate level or above. There is a bustling alpine village that caters well to foodies and party-goers alive. It will take you about 5.5 hours to drive to Thredbo from Sydney.

#4 Falls Creek, VIC

If you’re keen to avoid crowds on the mountain, Falls Creek is a good option. We are told, it doesn’t get as crowded here compared to other ski areas in Australia and has some of the best cross-country skiing tracks in the country. Although more advanced skiiers may not find the runs overly challenging, being only a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne with plenty of ski in/ski out accommodation, it is a good choice for accessibility.

#5 Mount Buller, VIC

Combining quality ski trails, spectacular scenery, and first-rate resort facilities, Mt Buller certainly has a lot going for it. With two distinct mountainsides, there’s a choice between the Northern Slopes, packed with blue runs, and the Southern Slopes, where black trails reign. A short 3-hour drive from Melbourne, Mount Buller offers magnificent views over the Victorian Alps and Delatite Valley.

Be prepared for the road trip

If you do find yourself driving to a ski resort this winter, remember to make sure your car is ready for the journey. For tips on preparing your car for a road trip, see here. Remember, you can reduce windscreen chips by keeping a safe distance from the cars in front of you and driving to the conditions as well.

And if you do have a small chip in your windscreen, make sure you get your chip repaired before you head off (as extreme temperature changes can cause existing chips to crack).

If you do find yourself in need of a windscreen repair or replacement after a mountain adventure or while out on the road*, call our friendly team of windscreen experts, 24/7, on 1800 059 829 or send us a message.

*Service availability may vary depending on location. Please contact us for information.

The post Hit The Slopes On A Winter Road Trip – 5 Top Aussie Destinations appeared first on O'Brien.

Yes, it may just be another one of those things on the ‘list’ to get to, but with the weather turning cold now, we recommend you get it fixed. Because if it cracks or you may be up for the cost of a new windscreen.

While it is easy to assume that loose road debris or a jolt when driving may turn these chips into cracks, it could also be caused by sudden changes in temperature. This is particularly true in Australia, a country known for extreme weather, especially the chilly air in winter when the blast of the heater is required or the scorching summer heat when the air conditioner is essential.

Let’s explore the potential impact of temperature on your vehicle glass, so you can take steps to help protect your windscreen not just this winter, but in any season.

Can extreme changes in temperature affect my windscreen chip?

Yes, it can. Sudden shifts in temperature could cause a chip to crack and spread further across the windscreen.

Car windscreens are typically made of laminated glass. Laminated glass involves two sheets of glass panels bonded together by an interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). These three layers are then fused and curved to make the highly durable glass used in windscreens.

While this type of glass is tough, your windscreen can only endure so much, especially in intense weather conditions. In summer, for instance, it’s not just the heat from the outside of your car – it’s also what you do inside the cabin to make it cooler.

Imagine you’ve parked your car in direct sunlight in the sweltering heat outside. Many of us would go straight to turn the air conditioning on full blast. This sudden temperature change adds stress to the windscreen, which is already “under stress” due to the curved glass and the manufacturing process. If you have a chip on your windscreen, the heat outside and sudden cool inside from the aircon could cause these chips to crack.

The same thing could also happen during winter. In cold weather, water can freeze inside the chip area and increase the chances of turning into a crack. Turning cabin heating on during a frosty night can also cause a chip to crack due to the contrasting temperature from inside to out.

How can I tell if my chip can be repaired?

We’re all guilty of ignoring a small chip in our windscreen – even if it’s right in front of us. We don’t often think that a small chip in the windscreen could potentially lead to a crack in the windscreen and the additional expense that comes with it.

Our expert technicians at O'Brien® AutoGlass can repair a windscreen chip if the chip meets specific criteria. Some of these are:

• is smaller than an Australian $1 coin
• is located on the passenger side, and
• is at least 5cm from the edge of the windscreen. Click here for more information on O'Brien® chip repairs and windscreen replacements. At O'Brien®, we believe that prevention (or repairing a chip before it cracks) is always more practical than replacement.

Getting that chip fixed before your windscreen cracks is faster, cheaper and greener. So, don’t wait, call us on 1800 059 829 to book in your repair.

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