“All of those tiny black dots have to do with how car windows are made. In the 1950s and ’60s, car manufacturers applied an adhesive to hold car windows in place, instead of metal trim. It did the job — but wasn’t visually pleasing.
Eventually, new windshield technology was created in the form of black rims you see around car windows today, called “frits.” The frits (and the dots that border them) are made from ceramic paint. The frits hide the icky-looking, but important adhesive from view. Also, since these painted rims are baked into the window, they’re all but indestructible. They hold the glue in place, which holds the windshield in place.
“As for the dots, they’re there to make an aesthetically pleasing transition from the thick black lines to the transparency of the window,” said glass technician, Tyler Rehder, with Discount Auto Glass in Joplin.”
Read more about these black dots here.
The pattern of these dots is what is called “halftone”. Basically, they get smaller and smaller the further away they are from the edge of the glass. These dots help regulate the temperature of the glass to help prevent warping. So aside from the aesthetic value they also have a practical use.
Advantage Auto Glass specializes in windshield repair and auto glass installation. Call 612-343-8984 to set up an appointment for your auto glass needs.
