Pros And Cons Of Protecting A Windshield

Along with rocks and road gravel, hail is one of the most common causes of windshield damage. Fortunately, there is usually plenty of warning before a hailstorm so you can bring your pets in, cover your garden plants and put your car in the garage. But what if you don’t have a garage, or don’t have time to drive to your friend’s house or to the covered parking garage at the mall? Here are some low-tech but effective things you can use to protect your windshield from an imminent hailstorm:

Plywood and a Tow Strap
You’ll need someone to help you with this, but if you can work fast enough it’s worth the effort. Place a sheet of plywood on the roof of your car so it extends over the windshield. Take a nylon tow strap, or a long piece of rope,

Cover the windshield, hood and roof, then tape or tie everything down securely. They’ll get wet, but it’s easier to dry them than to replace a windshield. The good part about using blankets is that you can cover the whole car and protect it from dents as well.

Straw
If you have a few bales of straw for archery practice or for yard décor, pile them on the hood and windshield. They can take a beating from hail and are heavy enough that they won’t blow off the car.

Park Under a Tree
Do this if you have to, but use common sense. Don’t park under the largest limb, and don’t stay in your car. A bushy tree can provide some protection against small hailstones, but don’t stay under a tree when there is lightning and high winds.

While these makeshift methods won’t save your car from baseball-sized hail or hurricane-force winds, they might still protect your windshield from typical hail damage. But sometimes you can’t win against nature. If, despite your efforts, your windshield does sustain a crack or chip, be sure to have it looked at by an auto glass repair shop. You might only need a spot repair in order to drive