A cracked or chipped windshield is not a problem you can ignore for long. Windshield damage can spread quickly as you continue to drive your vehicle until it poses a significant safety risk. Windshield damage blocks your view and makes your windshield more likely to shatter.
Replacing your windshield solves these problems, but only if the process is completed successfully. The driver has the biggest impact on the success of any windshield replacement after the new windshield is placed. Here are a few tips to remember that will help your replacement windshield set correctly and last for years to come.
- Give the Adhesive Time to Dry
To hold your new windshield in place, your installer will apply a strong adhesive to the edges of the glass. This step is essential, but it lengthens the time needed for your window replacement to set because the adhesive must dry first.
You should hold off on a few things until the adhesive has dried after a windshield replacement. Most importantly, never remove the retentive tape from the edges of the windshield until the day after installation at the earliest. If you will need to wash your car the same day, wash it by hand rather than at a car wash to protect the windshield adhesive.
Prudent drivers may want to inquire about the type of adhesive that any potential installers use. Butyl windshield sealant was commonly used in past decades, but this product will not provide the same quality seal that urethane adhesive can. Choose an installer who uses urethane adhesive to ensure you get the highest possible safety from your vehicle.
- Minimize Windshield Vibration
Your car isn’t ready to drive immediately after you’ve had the windshield replaced. New windshields are sensitive to vibration until they set completely. For a few days after your windshield replacement, you should continue to be careful about where you drive. Stick to asphalt where possible and be careful driving over speed bumps, potholes, and gravel or dirt roads.
Sudden, strong vibration can be just as harmful for your new windshield as the sustained vibration from driving. Be careful not to shut your trunk or doors too forcefully for a couple of days after the replacement is complete.
- Develop Habits to Protect Your Windshield
Unfortunately, your new windshield can go the same way as your old one if you are not careful. Your best option is to develop good habits that can protect your windshield from damage in the future.
Leaving a car’s length of space in front of you when you’re behind another vehicle is common advice in the realm of defensive driving. This gives you more time to react if the car in front of you stops short, and it also helps you avoid windshield chips from any rocks thrown by the car’s tires. You can’t completely eliminate the risk of chips from airborne rocks, so be sure to get any damage fixed quickly before it spreads.
Some of the risks to your new windshield come when your car is sitting still rather than when you are driving. Avoid parking in direct sunlight when possible since your windshield can expand and crack in high temperatures. If you are washing your car by hand, strictly use automotive cleaners. Many household cleaners contain chemicals that can discolor windshields and wear their protective outer layer.
Newly replaced windshields may be fragile for a short time, but they can give your car a new lease on life. If your car has problematic windshield cracks or chips, visit Aaron Auto Glass so we can restore your windshield to like-new condition.
3 Tips to Care for Your New Windshield