How to Repair or Replace a Car Windshield
By
Repairing a Car Windshield
Damage to an automobile windshield can happen in an instant. A rock thrown from another vehicle, a kamikaze bird, a falling tree branch, hail, the home run ball at a high school baseball game or a multitude of other objects can cause immediate damage to a car windshield.
Whether the damage is extensive or minor, it needs to be repaired or replaced with in one way or another as soon as possible. Even the tiniest glass crack, if left alone, will soon grow into a big mess. As the temperature heats and cools, the glass expands and contracts, putting pressure on even miniscule glass cracks, causing them to grow and branch out. If a windshield is damaged enough to impair driving, the driver may be faced with a traffic violation, or worse, a traffic accident. A cracked windshield also weakens the integrity of the whole vehicle (think of a chink in armor, which makes the armor weaker on a whole), making the vehicle more dangerous in a traffic accident. There are many questions that arise when a car owner is faced with windshield repair. The answers to those questions can be found in this article.
Before making any decisions about auto glass windshield repair or motorcycle windshield replacement, it is important to understand the different types of damage that can occur to a car’s windshield. Here is a list of terms pertaining to windshield damage and repair and their meanings:
Bull’s Eye – This type of damage looks like a small chunk of glass has been removed from the glass, leaving a circular crater in the windshield.
- Star – A small dot of damage with rock cracks or chips emanating from the spot can be a quick spreading bit of damage as the cracks increase in size.
- Half Moon or Flower – damage that is circular but appears to have shelves of cracked glass around it.
- Chip – any small bit of damage such as a bull’s eye or flower.
- Crack – when the damage forms an actual line, coming from a star damage or a stand alone line. Cracks can grow quickly, especially if exposed to extreme heat or cold.
- Shatter - A windshield does not shatter like a normal piece of glass will. It will still go into thousands of piece, but the pieces stick together instead of flying everywhere. This is a safety precaution in the event of a collision.
- Combination – damage that has the qualities of more than one type of chip. Sometimes a bull’s eye will have cracks emanating from it like a star.
- Resin – a clear compound used by repair shops and “do it yourself” kits to fill rock chips and rock cracks in a windshield.
- Gasket – the piece of rubber that holds the windshield in the car’s frame.
Replacing a Car Windshield
If one chooses to replace a windshield without a professional’s help, there are some important rules to follow. The number one rule is to be very careful; the windshield is a large, heavy piece of glass that could be extremely dangerous if mishandled. Ask for help. Replacing a car, truck or RV windshield is not a one person job, and it one be best to have two to three people working together. And, finally, wear safety glasses or goggles and gloves. If the windshield does break, it is highly important to protect the eyes from pieces of glass and to avoid cutting the hands. After a new windshield has been obtained, follow these steps to take out the old one:
Step one: Take out the rearview mirror and windshield wipers. Generally, the rearview mirror has a sort of spring clip attaching it to the metal piece on the windshield. These spring clips are usually set on with little buttons that need to be depressed while sliding the mirror off. If the rearview mirror has reading lights, it will be wired. Take care not to damage these wires in the removal process. Consult the vehicle’s owner manual for the process of removing windshield wipers. Different types of vehicles involve different processes when it comes to windshield wiper removal. Set these two items aside for they will need to be placed back once the new windshield is in.
Step two: Inspect the old windshield. Remove any metal trim work on the edges of the windshield. Not all vehicles have metal trim work. There is a rubber seal or gasket around the glass. If this gasket is still rubbery or somewhat soft, it can be reused and needs to be removed with caution. If the gasket is dried out, damaged, cracked, or rotten, it will also need to be replaced. If the gasket is to be replaced, simply cut it away from the glass. If the gasket is to be reused, then employ a small dull bladed knife or piece of wood to slide under the rubber and break the glue seal. Do this all around the edge of the gasket. Keep in mind that the rubber is very strong — it is made to hold a large piece of glass in place after all! It will take time and patience to remove it all in one piece. Some vehicles also have retaining clips that help to hold the windshield in place. If these retaining clips are present, they will need to be removed.
Step three: This step will require at least one other person’s help. While one person is on the inside of the car and the others are outside, push the glass up from the inside. It can then be caught by gloved hands on the outside and carried away. It is important to use strong enough pressure, but at the same time, to not hit or kick the glass and break it. One method is to sit in the passenger seat and slowly push the windshield with one’s feet, using even pressure.
Step four: clean away any trash, bits of rubber, glue or rust from the frame of the car where the new windshield will sit. It is important to deal with any rust at this time. Rust of even the smallest nature can grow over time, ruining the car. So, make sure to thoroughly clean the car’s frame before installing a new windshield. Quick hint: while working on this step, place the gasket, new or old, in the sun. The heat from the sun will warm up the rubber and make it easier to work with.
Step five: It is now time to conduct the auto glass repair installation the new car or RV windshield, and the following supplies will be needed: a new windshield, a rubber gasket (new or old if the old one is still useable), windshield glass sealant, and a tool to help hold the windshield as it is lowered into place (a large glass suction cup used by window installers is the ideal, but thin nylon rope can also be used). The sealant is important to the process because it will bond the gasket to the frame and glass, creating a safe, watertight seal.
Step six: Affix the rubber seal to the new windshield (make sure it is in the right direction. The gasket should have directions indicating which side needs to face in and which to face out) and apply sealant to the edges of the rubber, being careful not to apply too much or it will bleed out, making a big mess!
Step seven: if a large suction cup is available, use it to carefully place the windshield in the car’s frame, while another set of hands guides it into place. If a suction cup is not available, then wrap two thin lengths of rope around the windshield and lower it into place. Someone will need to be inside the car to pull the rope through. Pulling the rope from the inside will help to pop the gasket into place. Make sure the gasket forms a tight seal. Allow the sealant to dry to the specified time on its packaging. The rear view mirror and windshield wipers can now be reinstalled.
Replacing a car windshield has the potential to be a very dangerous activity and should be left to someone with professional skills. Neither the author of this article nor its publisher assumes any liability in the event or injury if someone chooses to replace their own windshield.
Remember, this is for car windshield repair only! Please look elsewhere for Motorcycle fairings, RV or Boat windshield auto glass repair and replacement