Have you ever noticed the dot matrix pattern at the top of some windshields? Most people think it’s just a way to help the driver avoid the sun, but the little black dots actually do so much more.
Have You Ever Wondered Why The Edges Of Your Windshield Are Covered In Tiny Black Dots? This Is What They Are For.
By
Michael Avery in
Facts
On 5th May 2017
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#1
At some point while looking at or driving your vehicle, you probably have noticed a weird pattern running along the edge of the windshield that is made up of black dots, and asked yourself, “What on Earth are those for?” The answer to this modern mystery is very simple.
#2
The modern car is an engineering marvel and of all parts of the vehicle, the windshield is probably the most underappreciated parts of a vehicle. It truly is an engineering feat involved in bonding the windshield to the car frame. You might have seen the black band running along the edges of the windshield. That part is called the frit.
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#3
The frit is a black enamel band that is cooked into the edges of the windshield, featuring the border of black dots you are curious about. The frits purpose is to provide an etched surface for adhesive to bond to the windshield glass. When a car manufacturer adds a new windshield, or an auto glass specialist fixes and replaces your windshield, the glass is sealed to the vehicle with the frit acting as the contact point between the frame and the glass.
#4
The frit also has a second purpose. While the interior side of the frit allows adhesive to bond to the glass, the exterior side of the frit acts as a shield against harmful UV radiation which protects the adhesive bond. If not for this protection the bond would be weakened by continual exposure to direct sunlight.
#5
The frit also hides the adhesive used to install the windshield providing a nice “polished” appearance. That is a pretty useful cosmetic purpose. The shrinking effect of those tiny black dots also provides a more visually pleasing transition from the frits black border to the transparent glass, while providing a small amount of heat dissipation as well. The dots provide a slight amount of sun shade as well.
#6
Some car companies use the shade provided to the car owners advantage by placing the dot pattern between sun visors in order to create a “third visor” of sorts, that helps to reduce the glare from the sun that the driver and passenger visors miss. Some car makers take it even further by using tiny logos or other unique shapes instead of the traditional circular dots.
