Windshields are one of the most important safety features of a car. They keep you safe from the wind, pollution, and other harmful outdoor elements you may encounter while driving.
Aside from that, car windshields also help strengthen your car’s structural integrity, preventing it from getting crushed in a rollover. Plus, they keep you from being ejected from your vehicle during a head-on collision incident.
Car windows and windshields nowadays are made of laminated glass – a type of treated glass with two glass sheets and a plastic layer in between. The plastic layer keeps the glass intact, which prevents it from shattering during break-ins.
If your car windows develop a crack, it’s best to have them repaired immediately. But if the damage is too much, you ought to have a new window installed instead. If you’re in the United States, you may visit Discount Auto Glass in Portland Oregon, or similar service hubs in your area for professional windshield repair and replacement.
If you want to know how car windows and windshields are installed, maintained, and repaired, this post may help satisfy your curiosity. Continue reading below to learn more.
How To Install Car Windows And Windshields?
If your windows and windshields require replacement, it’s best to get new windows and windshields from a legitimate expert. Nonetheless, there’s nothing wrong with knowing how they’ll perform the installation process. You know your car is in good hands if you’ve found an expert who can execute the following steps:
1. Build A Team
Before you start the installation process, your service provider must establish a team of at least two members working hand in hand. So, before you choose a service provider, know how many people will replace your damaged window or windshield.
A credible car window and windshield installation expert should have a small team of professionals that work with them. And these team members must know how to handle a job as delicate as installing new vehicle windows and windshields.
2. Prepare The Necessary Tools Before Starting The Process
This step involves gathering all the necessary tools and setting up the work environment for the installation process. While doing so, the service provider ensures they don’t cause additional damage to your vehicle, and they got the tools they need to execute their work properly.
After setting up the work environment, the expert technicians will apply protective tape to outline your window or windshield. Then, they’ll cover your dashboard with some towels to ensure your car’s vinyl surfaces won’t get damaged during the process.
Once done, the expert technicians will gently remove your wipers, unfasten your side mirrors, and detach your car’s cowl. The cowl is where your windscreen wipers are installed. This step is necessary if your windshield is broken.
3. Remove The Damaged Window Or Windshield
Removing the damaged windshield is arguably the most critical step of the installation process. Expert technicians often take their time to execute this step correctly to prevent causing further damage to your vehicle.
The process will begin by loosening the chrome molding (or rubber strip) between your car’s body and the screen (or windscreen). But if your vehicle doesn’t have one, the expert technicians can directly cut the layers of adhesives using a specifically-designed knife.
Once the adhesives have been removed, the expert technicians can push the screen out of your car’s body. Sometimes, the screen may crack considerably during the process, but don’t be alarmed. After all, it doesn’t matter anymore.
Once the damaged screen has been removed, you’ll see a hollow space, which will be prepped up for the installation. If you’re wondering how to dispose of your broken screen, don’t worry; the experts will take care of it for recycling.
4. Prepare The Replacement Window Or Windshield
Alright, the damaged screen is removed, and most of the adhesives are cleared. Yet there might be some residues left. Don’t worry; the expert technicians will perform the full-cut method to get rid of the remaining adhesives from the frame. This ensures that a new adhesive layer will bond perfectly with the structure.
But before the technician applies the new adhesive layer, they’ll prime your car’s frame and screen. The primer will act as a moisture barrier and heat protector to ensure that the new layer of adhesives sticks well to your car’s frame and screen. This strong adhesive power is akin to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards.
5. Install The New Window Or Windshield
Once your car’s frame and screen have been primed, the expert technicians will dry these parts. This allows them to figure out how the new screen should fit on the structure of your car. After placing the new screen, it mustn’t be moved to ensure it bonds well with the frame.
While keeping the new screen attached to the frame, the expert technicians will apply more adhesives using a caulk-gun-like tool. During the process, they wear gloves to reduce the risk of contaminating the affected area.
6. Add The Finishing Touches
Once the new screen is in place, the expert technicians will reinstall the parts they removed earlier, including the cowl, side mirrors, and wipers. Also, they’ll get rid of any glass shards or residues from the urethane adhesive removal.
After the installation process, you must test your wipers and side-view mirrors. However, only do this once the curing is done. Otherwise, you might damage the newly-installed window or windshield.
7. Conduct Post-Installation Monitoring
Once the installation is done, the expert technicians will ask you to check the newly-installed window or windshield yourself. Feel free to ask them questions regarding the proper care and maintenance of your car’s windows and windshields to prevent damage.
But before you do so, make sure to clarify with the expert technicians if enough time has passed for you to drive the vehicle. The time required may vary depending on your car model and the current weather.
Often, an expert will contact you if it’s safe to make a post-installation trip. This is because the urethane may not dry thoroughly even after some time has lapsed following installation. The adhesive might need more time to cure and harden completely. Driving during while the adhesive hasn’t fully hardened yet may dislocate the newly-installed screen.
Furthermore, you might notice a small opening in front of your windows. Don’t worry; technicians do this to ensure there’s no change in pressure whenever you close or open the door. Slamming your doors and windows while the urethane is curing may dislodge your screen.
How To Maintain Your Car Windows And Windshields?
Here’s a step-by-step care and maintenance guide for your car’s windows and windshields. Follow the steps below to reduce the risk of damage and prolong the lifespan of your screens.
1. Maintain Your Wipers
Maintaining your car’s wipers is a great way to keep your windshield clean at all times, especially when it rains. If they’re dirty or broken, the wipers might not be able to do their job effectively. Worse, they might cause permanent scratches to your windshield.
What you need to do is clean your wipers regularly using a clean, damp towel if they’re dirty. But if they’re broken, it’s best to have them replaced as soon as possible.
2. Park Your Car In A Shaded Area
Your windows and windshields may be able to withstand intense sun exposure, but they do have limits. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can weaken the glass screen, which can increase the risk of damage and shorten its lifespan.
That’s why it’s best to park your car in a shaded area as much as possible. Doing so won’t just keep your interiors safe from the heat of the sun. It’ll also prevent your windows and windshields from premature deterioration.
3. Keep Your Distance
Did you know your windows and windshields can be damaged while driving on the road? This may happen because of the debris kicked up by the vehicle in front of you.
That’s why it’s important to keep your distance from the vehicle in front to protect your car from small rocks and pebbles that can chip and crack your glass and your paint.
How To Repair Your Car Windows And Windshields?
The two most common issues you must watch out for are chips and cracks. Here’s how to fix them.
1. Minor Chips
A chip is considered minor if its diameter is 40 mm or less. To fix a chip in your car windows and windshields, start by cleaning the affected area. Then, apply an adhesive patch and inject the epoxy resin using a syringe. Let it cure and remove excess epoxy from the glass.
2. Cracks
Cracks are similar to scratches yet deep enough to penetrate the glass. They must be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage. You may use a filler or a repair kit to fix a crack.
A filler may help fill in the crevices in your windows and windshields. This often comes in resin form and is easy to use.
On the other hand, a repair kit contains tools you need to fix cracks but may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. So, it’s best to follow the instructions indicated to ensure it works.
Final Thoughts
Windows and windshields play a crucial role in keeping you safe from the debris and pollution you may encounter while driving. These are the steps to install a new window or windshield should your technician deem it necessary. It may not sound as complicated as you think, but it requires significant knowledge and skill to accomplish.
Use this guide to prolong the lifespan of your windows and windshields and fix simple chips and cracks. But if the damage is too much, don’t hesitate to visit an expert technician to repair the damage as soon as possible.
