Windshield replacement 101

Written by Henry Johnson

Windshield replacement do's and don'ts Windshield damage can happen at any time, when you're driving down the highway or even when your car is parked outside your home. Although windshields are built to be sturdy -- they're specifically built to absorb the impact of the majority of the automobile roof's weight in a flip-over -- the right pebble at the right place can create an unsightly crack that you certainly wouldn't want your co-workers to see at the next company picnic. Regardless of how the damage to your windshield occurred, you should get the damage looked at by a professional auto glass technician very soon, because this kind of damage could undermine the integrity of the glass and put your life and the lives of your passengers at risk should an accident occur. Windshield damage is almost always covered by insurance, and you should contact your insurer immediately after an incident to report the damage and obtain coverage. After that, choosing the right replacement windshield and the right people to do the job is key to making this experience less of a nuisance than it's already going to be. For starters, inquire into what materials will be used to repair your windshield. Attempt to get name-brand auto glass for your repair because generic brands may be inferior and could result in unwanted leaking. Also make sure your windshield replacement professional uses two-part urethane adhesive to attach the glass to the automobile body. Avoid butel at all costs, because this substance doesn't harden completely and is inferior to two-part urethane. If the actual moldings on your vehicle need replacement, it will cost you extra, but it's well worth the cost if yours are in a state of disrepair. The cowling should also be removed from the vehicle and replaced to make sure that there's proper adhesion at the bottom of the windshield. Your next step is to get your technicians to sand the old paint and re-prime your car body, to ensure that the urethane adheres directly to the metal, instead of sticking to rust that may have accumulated on the vehicle. Ideally, technicians should wear gloves or make use of handles with suction cups to keep from getting oil from their hands on the glass, because hand oil could inhibit the adhesion of the glass. Also, the windshield should never be placed on any shaky surface; technicians should use a special rack or saddle. You should also be sure to thoroughly inspect the auto glass while it is hanging from the rack or saddle. Chips or other flaws may have appeared in  the edges of the glass during shipping, and there's not much of a point in replacing flawed glass with more flawed glass. When finished with the installation, your technician should carefully vacuum all glass shards out of the vehicle, and replace the rear view mirror.Your technician should also take care to replace your windshield wipers, because old or damaged ones can negatively impact the glass. Windshield replacement work shouldn't take longer than an hour. Once the job is complete you should be able to hit the road with in another hour or two. Make sure you get a receipt and a glass and labor warranty. Glass defects that you may notice soon after should let you get a re-installation at no charge, and make sure to find out if your technician offers this before contracting work with him or her.

 

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