Curing: What’s Normal, What’s Not

Right after install, a light haze or a few “water pockets” are normal. In warm, dry weather, curing typically takes 2–3 days; in cooler or humid conditions, plan for a week or more. Arizona heat can speed evaporation, but the adhesive still needs time to set—avoid rolling windows down until your installer’s recommended window (often 3–5 days). If haze lingers well past that, it’s worth a quick check.

First Cleans and Everyday Care

Wait until the film has fully cured before cleaning. Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth with light pressure. Straight, gentle strokes keep edges tight; aggressive scrubbing—especially in corners—can lift the film. On the rear glass, wipe with the defroster lines, not across them.

Habits That Keep Tint Looking New

Think “gentle and predictable.” A soft squeegee is fine if you avoid pushing directly into borders. Skip blades, abrasive pads, and harsh solvents. If you’re clearing interior fog or winter frost, only scrape the exterior—the interior film can scratch easily. And if you love decals, place them on exterior surfaces; adhesives plus removal can stain or lift film over time.

Window Tint – What to Do When Something Looks Off

A small bubble during cure is normal; most disappear as moisture evaporates. Edge lifts usually come from rolling windows down too soon or cleaning too aggressively. Addressing small issues early prevents dust from creeping under the film and turning a minor touch-up into a full redo.

Want your tint to stay sharp for years, not months? Contact AGD for window tinting and aftercare advice – we’ll check edges, touch up problem spots, or refresh film with an option that fits your look and local laws.

What Are Smart Glass Windows?

Smart glass windows use technologies such as electrochromic, thermochromic, or photochromic materials to change transparency levels. These adaptive features offer dynamic control over light and heat, making them an ideal choice for modern spaces.

Benefits of Smart Glass Technology

1. Energy Efficiency: Smart glass can block heat on sunny days, reducing the need for air conditioning.
2. Enhanced Privacy: Switch from transparent to opaque for instant privacy.
3. Improved Comfort: Reduce glare and UV exposure without sacrificing natural light.

Applications in Homes and Vehicles

• Homes: Replace traditional curtains or blinds with smart glass for sleek, automated light control.
• Vehicles: Minimize glare for drivers and passengers while maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature.

Smart glass windows represent the future of energy-efficient, adaptable design. Whether you’re upgrading your home or vehicle, this technology delivers comfort, convenience, and sustainability—all at the flip of a switch.

How AZ’s Extreme Heat Affects Glass

When exposed to extreme temperatures, glass can expand and contract, leading to stress and, ultimately, cracking. Arizona’s climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 110°F, amplifies this risk. Car windshields, which experience additional strain from direct sunlight, are especially vulnerable.

Why Heat-Resistant Glass Matters

Heat-resistant glass, such as tempered or laminated glass, is specifically designed to endure temperature fluctuations. These materials undergo specialized treatments to improve their strength and resilience.

Key Benefits of Heat-Resistant Glass:

1. Improved Longevity: Withstand extreme conditions without cracking.
2. Energy Efficiency: Reflect heat to reduce indoor temperatures and lower energy costs.
3. Enhanced Safety: Breaks into less hazardous pieces when shattered.

Protecting Your Glass Investments

For vehicle owners, parking in shaded areas and applying UV protection films can prevent glass damage. Homeowners and businesses should consider upgrading to energy-efficient, heat-resistant windows to protect against Arizona’s relentless heat.

With the right materials and care, your glass can withstand the heat, keeping you cool and safe all year long. Contact AGD today to learn about heat-resistant glass options for your vehicle, home, or office.

What Is Acoustic Auto Glass?

Acoustic auto glass is a specialized type of laminated glass that features a noise-dampening layer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layer acts as a sound barrier, absorbing and reducing the transmission of high-frequency noise into the cabin. Unlike traditional glass, acoustic versions are engineered to improve soundproofing without compromising strength or visibility.

How Does It Work?

The PVB interlayer in acoustic glass dampens vibrations that cause noise. It’s particularly effective at filtering out frequencies commonly associated with road, wind, and engine sounds. This creates a quieter interior environment, allowing passengers to enjoy music, conversation, or even silence during their drive.

Why Choose Acoustic Auto Glass?

1. Improved Comfort: Less noise means a more comfortable and relaxing ride.
2. Enhanced Safety: A quieter cabin helps drivers stay focused on the road.
3. Energy Efficiency: Some acoustic glass also improves thermal insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning or heating.

Investing in acoustic auto glass is about more than just noise reduction—it’s about upgrading your overall driving experience. Whether you’re commuting daily or embarking on road trips, this technology provides a peaceful ride, rain or shine. Contact AGD today to learn more about acoustic auto glass installation, maintenance, and repair.

What Is the Problem?

The defect itself is related to an issue present within the control modules of the second-row windows. When rolling up or down, these windows may halt intermittently. This means if a person’s body part, most likely a finger, got caught within the power window, the control modules would prevent the window from automatically reversing. This could lead to significant injury.

This defect is in direct violation of Safety Standard 118 Section 5, which states that any vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds needs to contain an efficient power window system that minimizes the possibility of injury or death due to accidental operation.

How Was the Defect Discovered?

Engineers first realized something was wrong in December of 2017. Engineers realized there was a problem with the second-row windows in two models of Ford vehicles. Once brought to the attention of superiors, it was found that control modules for these windows were perhaps improperly assembled for vehicles that went to Ford. Ford conducted its own tests, which led to the discovery of the potential defect.

What Is Ford Prepared To Do?

Ford should have notified the owners of any affected vehicles already. They should have completed this task in February 2018. Anyone who was contacted should take their Ford vehicle to a licensed Ford dealer immediately for a comprehensive inspection. A professional will look at the control modules and replace them if they are deemed insufficient. They will be replaced with modules that meet safety standards. Naturally, all of this will be performed free of charge.

If you purchased a 2018 Force Expedition or Lincoln Navigator and was not contacted, then you may want to consider getting your vehicle inspected just to be safe. Ford should have notified owners via first-class mail, so if you are worried the company had your wrong address, then you should remain proactive.

Safety Features Aren’t Cheap

In the past, cars didn’t have many safety features. Nowadays, vehicles are full of components intended to keep you and your passengers safe during collisions. These components touch virtually every part of your automobile. They also aren’t cheap to manufacturer, service or repair. Meanwhile, if you need to access another system, you often must go around or remove safety features. Doing so, of course, often requires you to pay extra.

Modern Cars Are Complicated

Safety features aren’t the only culprit making repairing modern cars expensive. Virtually all systems in today’s vehicles have electrical components, complex designs and other aspects that make repairs complicated. Highly technical repairs involve many steps and typically take a long time to complete. Further, since many mechanics charge an hourly rate for repairs, long, complicated fixes typically result in an expensive invoice.

Mechanics Require Expertise

Successfully repairing cars requires tapping into considerable knowledge and expertise while using special skills. Generally, the more technology a car has, the better abilities the repair technician must possess. As you may imagine, hiring good mechanics requires paying a fair wage. To make a profit, repair shop managers often must pass higher labor costs through to you.

Materials Are Expensive

Today’s motor vehicles usually aren’t made with vintage materials. Instead, modern automakers often use state of the art components that are expensive to produce. Even though mechanical shops often try to find the lowest prices on repair parts, components are usually more expensive for newer vehicles due to higher production costs.

Calibration Takes Time and Money

Newer cars, trucks and SUVs are sensitive machines. Following a repair, most require alignment, calibration, programming and other modern services. These procedures, though, may not always be cheap but are usually vital to completing the repair. Likewise, calibrating repaired vehicles usually takes time, requiring the car owner to pay higher labor costs for the calibration job.

High-tech vehicles have the modern features that many drivers want. They also can be extremely expensive to repair. Instead of suffering sticker shock, understand why your high-tech car may cost a fortune to repair so that you can budget to keep it in tip-top shape.

3 Reasons to Have Your Fleet Managed by a Single Company

1. Easy & Efficient

When you own or operate a business the last thing you have time for is trying to figure out where you can take one of your fleet vehicles to get a specific repair or service performed.  When you have one single company manage your fleet it makes obtaining service and repair far easier and more efficient.  For example, at Auto Glass Direct, we offer web-based submissions so that you can simply log into our web-based software (free to partners) and submit a needed repair, replacement or other service and let us know when you would like the job completed.  You literally never even have to pick up the phone to get your fleet vehicles scheduled and many services for our fleet partners can be performed the same or next day.

2. Less Expensive

Hopping from one repair shop to another is not the way to get the best deal or save money.  We have many options and low rates specifically designed for fleets to help make managing your fleet service and repair not only easier but more affordable and cost-effective for your business. And, by being consistent with repair and maintenance you prevent problems from developing that could end up costing significantly down the line.

3. Best Service

When you work with one single company for your fleet management you get to know the business and develop relationships that ultimately lead to better customer service.  At Auto Glass Direct, we can service just about any fleet vehicle including vehicles in industries that include: rental vehicles, taxi cabs, construction vehicles, heavy equipment vehicles, specialty trucks, school buses, transport buses, commercial cars and trucks, and more!

Making the switch can feel strange because many individuals often feel the need to explain circumstances or are upset and an app does not deliver the same level of interaction that speaking with an insurance representative does.  Further, it can feel strange for insureds to submit claims on an app because they may feel disconnected from the experience and worry that they will not receive as good of a response or as high of an appraisal if they do not speak to someone but J.D. Power’s auto insurance app study actually shows the opposite, “While adoption rates and satisfaction with digital FNOL offerings have been stubbornly low, digital status updates and digital appraisal offerings, which allow customers to upload damage photos via a mobile app, are being used by roughly 16% of auto insurance claimants. Overall satisfaction is 33 points higher among customers who receive digital status updates than among those who do not.”

Expanding Fractures

The single biggest reason you should get windshield repair as soon as possible is that cracks can easily grow and spread. As your windshield gets hotter and colder with the weather, the expansion and contraction can cause the cracks to spread. This means that a minor crack or chip can quickly grow into a major problem.

Broken Seals

Another reason you should get cracks fixed is that they can break the seal of the windshield. This can make it possible for water to leak through, damaging the interior of your car. It also means that heating and cooling your car effectively can become more difficult.

Visual Impediments

Cracks should definitely be taken care of if they obscure your vision. A large series of cracks across the middle of the windshield can prevent you from seeing clearly, making it more difficult to drive safely; the problem is made even worse if they start shining in the sun. Even if they’re off to the side, cracks can restrict your peripheral vision.

Collision Safety

Damage to your glass also needs to be repaired because your windshield is an integral part of your car. It prevents debris from striking you as you drive—the fact that it’s cracked suggests that it’s already done its job at least once. Next time you encounter a flying object, though, you don’t want your windshield to give way because it’s been previously weakened. Replace your windshield if it’s sustained damage in the past, so that you can protect yourself in the future.

Legal Issues

Finally, replacing your windshield is important because some states have laws and regulations requiring damaged glass to be fixed. Since cracked glass can impede your vision and reduce the safety of your vehicle, it might cause you to fail inspections or even get pulled over. Windshield repair is more than just a good idea—it might be the law.

Getting Started

If you have a cracked, chipped, or fractured windshield, then you should get it fixed as soon as you can—by someone who knows what they’re doing. Professional help is the best way to get your vehicle back to normal, so consider finding a quality auto glass shop for windshield repair.

As a business owner, you desire your business to prosper and be successful over the long term. To truly help your business and allow for it to grow & become established, it is advisable to consider various aspects of your business structure and objectives. In almost every case, the #1 most important aspect in owning and being successful in business is making sure customer service and customer satisfaction are priority.

FIVE KEY COMPONENENTS OF GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE

1.  Excellent customer service allows you to get new clients and retain old ones. When your customers are happy, they will more than likely tell their friends. We have known for years that the best marketing out there is word of mouth.  So treat your customers right, and they will pay back the favor by bringing you new business through their friends and family members.  Plus, word of mouth is FREE.

2.  Great Customer service is the key to loyalty. Since customers know what you expect when they deal with your business, because they have done so before, they will remain loyal to you if you uphold your end of the bargain & continue to maintain a the best quality and variety of products and services.

3.  Clients notice and appreciate a good company that treats them right.  This also provides them with convenience in knowing they will always have a positive experience when visiting a customer focused business such as AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.   The more available you are, or the more opportunities you give the public to reach you will also be a huge win for your business.  Focusing on making sure someone is always available to answer the phone, being present on social media sites, checking emails, and providing chat or services for ppl to leave a message on during off hours. We have incorporated all of those methods here at AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.

4.  Employees are also happier when a business focus is solely on the customers.  Everyone likes instant gratification.  So if your employees build relationships with clients, and the client is happy, this makes people feel worthy in their career.  Gives them a sense of job security and also allows them to feel rewarded when ending their day.  At the same time, clients will notice when your employees are actually passionate about being there and it gives them a sense of satisfaction in knowing your employee genuinely supports your company mission.

5.  Your local community can be impacted when your customers, clients, and employees are happy, and a positive one at that. Being well known throughout your community also allows for a positive impact on your local economy.  It’s important to give back to Charities, non-profits, sponsorships or anything that will help you improve your reputation amongst clients, employees, and even competitors.

So why, you must be thinking, is an auto glass company writing about customer service?

At AGD Auto Glass & tint co, we have one Simple Mission:

• Give the best possible discounts without sacrificing quality

• Meet and exceed our Customers needs

• Maintain professionalism in our employees and exceptional courtesy to our customers

We have stood true to our mission and our employees take pride in their job. That’s why AGD Auto Glass & Tint co has been in business since 2001, but their customers steadily increase every single day.  

With that said, if you are in the market for autoglass such as windshield replacement, window film, or even color changing car wraps, AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co. is the place to call in Arizona. Our operators are always standing online waiting for your call.

AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.  

3414 S Mill Ave | Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-759-5900 | Website

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Central: 602-759-5900
East Valley: 480-289-5108
West Valley: 602-275-5066