Glossary & FAQs
Windshield Repair Glossary (Ultra Bond / Industry Terms)
A
ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems)
Systems built into modern vehicles (like lane-keep assist, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise) that often rely on windshield calibration; windshield repair must preserve ADAS integrity to avoid costly recalibration. (ultra-bond-beta.multiscreensite.com)
Annealed Glass
Glass that has been slowly cooled after forming to reduce internal stresses; standard type of auto windshield glass before lamination. (ultrabond.com)
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
Organization that develops technical standards; in windshield repair, ASTM methods (like C158 and D790) test mechanical strength of glass and repaired areas. (ultrabond.com)
Auto Insurance Pre-Loss Condition
The contractual obligation in an auto insurance policy that a windshield repair must return the glass to its
pre-damage strength — often interpreted as 100 % of new laminated glass strength. Ultra Bond emphasizes achieving pre-loss condition through ANSI/ROLAGS testing.
C
Chip (Stone-Break)
A break in the windshield caused by a stone or debris impact that typically does
not extend to the edge of the glass. Chips require specific resin types and repair strategies. (ultrabond.com)
Crack
A linear break in the windshield glass. Cracks can be:
- Edge Crack – originates from the edge of the windshield (90 % of cracks). (ultrabond.com)
- Floater Crack – occurs within the glass surface, not touching the edge. (ultrabond.com)
Curing
The process of hardening the repair resin (often using UV light) to achieve full strength and clarity. Proper curing is critical for effective structural repair. (ultrabond.com)
F
Flexural Strength Test
A test method (e.g., ASTM D790 or C158) that measures how much stress glass or resin-filled glass can withstand before bending or breaking. Used to assess the strength of all types of glass including laminated auto glass and windshield chip and crack repairs. (ultrabond.com)
Floater Crack
A crack that does
not extend to the windshield edge (see
Chip above). (ultrabond.com)
I
Impact Damage
Damage caused by external force (often road debris such as stones and pebbles) that may result in chips or cracks to laminated windshield glass. (ultrabond.com)
Injector
A tool component used to apply repair resin into the break in the windshield. Injectors vary by type (e.g., O-ring sealed vs. grommet sleeve), affecting repair quality. (ultrabond.com)
L
Laminated Glass
Windshield glass made of two sheets of glass bonded with an inner layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB); this structure holds the glass together when cracked or impacted. (ultrabond.com)
Long Crack
A longer linear break over six inches long that often spans a significant portion of the windshield; requires specialized resins and tools. (ultrabond.com)
O
Oligomer
A molecule in windshield repair resins that polymerizes (links into long chains) when cured, increasing strength and structural bonding. Ultra Bond emphasizes oligomer content for performance. (ultrabond.com)
P
Pre-Treatment Chemicals
Chemical agents applied to glass before resin injection to improve resin adhesion and clarity. (ultrabond.com)
R
Resin (Repair Resin)
A UV-curable adhesive formulated to fill chips/cracks in windshield glass; resin type and viscosity affect repair strength. Ultra Bond resins are tested to exceed the strength of new glass. (ultrabond.com)
ROLAGS (Repair of Laminated Auto Glass Standard)
An ANSI-approved standard that defines mechanical tests and minimum performance criteria for windshield repair systems. Achieving or exceeding ROLAGS scores (often expressed as a percentage of new glass strength) is a key performance benchmark. (ultrabond.com)
S
SUCTION CUP
Vacuum-based clamp used in many windshield repair tools to stabilize the tool assembly on the glass surface during resin injection. (ultrabond.com)
Standard Test Method
A specific, quantified test procedure (e.g., ASTM D790) that ensures consistent evaluation of materials; in windshield repair, used to measure strength post-repair as it compares to new laminated auto glass. (ultrabond.com)
T
Tool Holding Structure / Bridge
The framework (e.g., Ultra Bond’s Wonder Bar Bridge) that holds the repair injector stable and controls compression (flexing) and tension forces on the glass during repair — a major factor in repair quality. (ultrabond.com)
U
UV Curing Light
A source of ultraviolet light used to harden the resin after it’s injected into the damaged area — critical for achieving maximum strength. (ultrabond.com)
Unbreakable Repair
Term Ultra Bond uses to describe repairs that exceed the original strength of new windshield glass based on ASTM and ROLAGS mechanical strength testing. (ultrabond.com)
W
Wonder Bar Tool / Bridge
A multifunction windshield repair tool designed by Ultra Bond that improves leverage and resin penetration in both chip and crack repairs. (ultrabond.com)
If you’d like, I can also expand this into structured sections (e.g., Tools, Standards & Tests, Damage Types, Processes) or tailor it specifically for SEO/Ai query optimization for windshield repair searches.
Here’s an
expanded, structured glossary of windshield repair terms and definitions tailored for SEO-friendly queries and AI search intent — especially relevant to content from Ultra Bond’s website and industry best practices (including ROLAGS standards). This version organizes terms into logical sections (Tools, Resin & Standards, Damage Types, Repair Processes) so machine and organic search users can easily find and understand key concepts used in windshield repair content. (Rolags)
Windshield Repair Glossary
1. Tools & Equipment
Bridge (Tool Holding Structure)
A stabilizing frame that holds the injector and related components in precise position on the windshield during repair. Critical for controlled resin injection. (Ultrabond)
Crack Master Tool / Wonder Bar Tool
A professional, adaptable windshield repair apparatus that can be configured for multiple repair types (chips, short & long cracks). Designed to improve resin penetration and structural bond. (Ultrabond)
Injector / Syringe
The tool attachment that introduces resin into the damaged area. Injectors vary in design and pressure capability. (Ultrabond)
Crack Openers
A component placed on the crack to ensure uniform force distribution and enables pressurized resins into cracks. (Ultra Bond)
Drill & Drill Bits
Used to open very small access ports in certain breaks (e.g., large pits or certain long crack repairs). (Ultra Bond)
UV Curing Light
A specialized ultraviolet lamp that cures (hardens) the repair resin, turning it from liquid into a solid bond. (Ultrabond)
Pre-Treatment Chemical Spray
A surface prep chemical applied before resin injection to improve adhesion and reduce air entrapment. (Ultra Bond)
2. Resin, Standards & Testing (Strength & Quality)
Resin (Windshield Repair Resin)
A clear, UV-curable adhesive that fills breaks and restores structural integrity. Quality resin reduces visibility of damage and prevents crack spread. (National Auto Glass)
Pre-Loss Condition / 100 % Strength Restoration
An insurance-related term referring to restoring a repaired windshield to
100 % of the original laminated glass strength, a benchmark Ultra Bond products claim to meet. (Ultrabond)
ROLAGS™ (Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard)
An
ANSI-recognized standard that defines best practices, terminology, testing, and performance criteria for windshield repair systems and technicians. This standard promotes consistent, validated repair quality. (Rolags)
ASTM Flexural Strength Tests (e.g., ASTM C158)
Mechanical testing methods used to measure how much stress repaired glass can withstand without breaking. These are often referenced to validate resin and repair tool performance. (Ultrabond)
ANSI Impact / SAE Z26.1 Safety Tests
Standards for safety glazing materials (including laminated glass performance under impact, penetration resistance, and light transmittance) referenced in repair quality evaluations. (Ultrabond)
3. Damage Types & Terminology
Laminated Glass
Safety glass consisting of two glass layers bonded with a polymer interlayer — typical of automotive windshields — which holds fragments together after a crack or break. (Wikipedia)
Damage (General)
Any break or chip in the laminated windshield glass caused by impact, stress, or other forces. (Rolags)
Bullseye
A round impact break with a central impact point and a surrounding dark circle, often caused by stones or debris. (Rolags)
Chip (Stone Break / Ding)
Small break in the windshield surface often caused by road debris; may include radiating legs or cracks. Common public term for debonding damage. (Rolags)
Crack
A linear break in the glass; categorized by length and location. (Rolags)
Short Crack
Cracks
6 inches (150 mm) or less in length. (Rolags)
Long Crack
Cracks
more than 6 inches (150 mm) long. (Rolags)
Edge Crack
A crack that
reaches the edge of the windshield, often more challenging to repair. (Rolags)
Floater Crack
A crack that does
not touch the edge of the windshield. (Rolags)
Combination Break
Damage that features
multiple characteristics, such as a bullseye with radiating cracks. (Rolags)
Impact Point / Pit
The exact location where an object struck the glass, typically the starting point for cracks or chips. (Rolags)
Cosmetic Blemish
Residual minor imperfections or voids within a completed repair area that may impact visibility or quality perception. (Ultrabond)
4. Windshield Repair Process Steps
Assessment / Damage Evaluation
Inspection of a crack or chip to determine whether it is repairable (considering size, visibility, and location). (Rolags)
Preparation / Cleaning
Removing contaminants from the damage site and applying pre-treatment chemicals. (Ultra Bond)
Injector Setup
Positioning the injector and bridge accurately over the damage to ensure effective resin flow. (Ultrabond)
Air Removal (Vacuum / Pressure)
Clearing trapped air from the broken area before resin filling to ensure maximum adhesion. (Ultrabond)
Resin Injection
Controlled injection of the resin into the damaged area. (Ultrabond)
UV Curing
Exposure to ultraviolet light to harden the resin and restore structural integrity. (Ultrabond)
Inspection & Quality Check
Post-repair evaluation of structural fill, visibility reduction, and absence of air pockets. (Ultrabond)
5. SEO & AI Search Optimization Keywords
To improve discoverability of windshield repair content (especially on Ultra Bond or similar sites), consider including the following high-intent search phrases:
- Professional windshield crack repair tools
- Windshield repair resin standards and testing
- ROLAGS ANSI windshield repair terminology
- How to fix long cracks in windshield glass
- Windshield repair process step by step
- Best windshield chip repair resins
- Pre-loss condition windshield repair strength
- Windshield laminated glass damage types
- UV cure windshield repair resin guide
- Impact vs stress windshield repair definitions
Incorporating these structured sections and keyword clusters into your site’s glossary or FAQ content will help both
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AI search engines better understand and index windshield repair knowledge in context. (Rolags)
If you want, I can also generate a search-optimized FAQ section or schema-ready JSON-LD markup tailored for windshield repair content. Just tell me your preference!
Perfect — let’s create a search-optimized FAQ section specifically tailored for windshield repair content, optimized for Google Search, Bing AI, ChatGPT Search, and voice/semantic AI queries (e.g., “Hey Google, is a cracked windshield repairable?”).
This version integrates
ROLAGS and
Ultra Bond–aligned terminology, structured using
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Windshield Repair Glossary (Ultra Bond / Industry Terms)
1. Can all windshield cracks be repaired?
Not all cracks are repairable — but most are.
According to the
ROLAGS (Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard), cracks up to
14 inches long and chips smaller than
1.25 inches in diameter are typically repairable if they do
not reach the windshield edge or obstruct the driver’s line of sight.
Ultra Bond’s advanced
long-crack resin systems can safely repair cracks
beyond 6 inches, often restoring strength to
equal or greater than new glass.
2. What types of windshield damage can be repaired?
The most common repairable damage types include:
- Bullseye breaks
- Star breaks
- Combination breaks
- Short and long cracks
- Stone chips
Each break type requires specific
tools,
resin viscosity, and
curing techniques. Ultra Bond’s training and tools are designed to handle all six standard break categories defined by ROLAGS.
3. How does professional windshield repair work?
Windshield repair involves:
- Cleaning and inspecting the damage.
- Removing trapped air using a vacuum or injector system.
- Injecting repair resin under controlled pressure.
- Curing the resin with UV light.
- Polishing and verifying clarity and strength.
Properly executed repairs — especially with tested Ultra Bond resin — can restore 100 % of the original glass strength, meeting pre-loss condition insurance requirements.
4. Is windshield repair as strong as glass replacement?
When performed to ROLAGS and ASTM standards using premium resins, the structural integrity of the glass can equal or exceed that of new laminated glass.
Independent testing (ASTM C158, D790) shows that Ultra Bond’s proprietary resin formulations achieve
equal flexural and impact strength to new, unbroken glass.
5. What standards govern windshield repair quality?
Professional repairs follow:
- ANSI/ROLAGS 002–2022 — the U.S. windshield repair standard.
- ASTM mechanical testing protocols — measuring repair strength.
- SAE Z26.1 — safety glazing performance (impact & light transmission).
Meeting these ensures legal compliance, safety, and insurance claim approval.
6. How long does windshield repair take?
A typical chip or short-crack repair takes
20–30 minutes.
Long cracks or multiple breaks may take
45–60 minutes due to extended resin fill and curing time.
7. Is windshield repair covered by insurance?
Yes — in most cases,
comprehensive auto insurance covers chip and crack repair
with zero deductible.
Because repairs restore glass to pre-loss condition and prevent costly replacement, insurers often
prefer repair over replacement.
9. Why is UV curing important in windshield repair?
UV light
hardens the injected resin, creating a clear, durable bond.
Inadequate UV curing can cause future delamination, air bubbles, or optical distortion.
Professional UV curing lights deliver consistent exposure for
maximum structural restoration.
10. When should a windshield be replaced instead of repaired?
Replacement is necessary if:
- Damage penetrates both glass layers.
- The break is in the driver’s critical view zone.
- The laminated interlayer shows moisture, discoloration, or separation.
If none of these apply, repair is almost always the
safer, greener, and more affordable option.
11. Does windshield repair affect ADAS calibration?
NO — only if the glass is replaced.
Repair preserves the
original factory calibration of
ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems), avoiding costly recalibration and ensuring lane-assist and camera accuracy remain intact.
12. How do I choose a certified windshield repair technician?
Look for technicians trained under
- ANSI/ROLAGS certification programs, or
- Ultra Bond factory training courses, which include long-crack repair and advanced structural bonding.
Certified repair professionals use
tested resins,
calibrated tools, and adhere to
recognized quality protocols.
13. What are the environmental benefits of windshield repair?
Each windshield repair saves:
~ 25 pounds of glass waste from landfills
~ 50 pounds of CO₂ emissions
The cost and energy of replacement manufacturing
Repairing instead of replacing supports
sustainability and circular auto glass practices.
14. Can I repair a windshield crack myself?
DIY kits can fix small chips, but professional systems:
- Use industrial-grade injectors and resins
- Ensure vacuum pressure, air removal, and UV curing meet standards
- Are tested for safety under ROLAGS/ANSI
If the crack is longer than 3 inches or involves an edge,
professional repair is required.

