Chips, cracks and serious damage to the windshield are an annoying problem for motorists. Sometimes there is simply not enough time for urgent repairs and taking the car to specialists, so the situation requires timely solutions. Fortunately, even a beginner can handle the process of replacing glass at home.
There are common fears in the minds of drivers regarding this windshield installation procedure. Of course, experience is extremely necessary, but how can you get it without practical action? By following a certain point and adhering to the basic rules, you can easily remove the damaged part of the car and replace it with a new one.
To dispel unpleasant thoughts and the beginnings of fear, it is important to mention the cost of car repairs at a service station. It often costs a hefty amount, especially when replacing a heated windshield that cannot be repaired. Therefore, DIY home procedures have huge advantages.
Reasons for replacing glass
There are only 2 reasons for carrying out repair work on the windshield:
Malfunction or defect - chips, holes, cracks, scratches. Most drivers face this problem, which grows over time and turns into a disaster. A whole “web” of cracks blocks the entire view of the motorist, risking people’s lives and health.
The time required to replace a windshield depends on the type of car, but on a passenger car it will not take more than 2-3 hours. Do not risk yourself, your loved ones and other motorists on the road.
Penetration of liquids through the seals indicates poor-quality glass installation. Most often, a leak can be eliminated using sealant, but sometimes the material needs to be completely re-glued. If the leak is small, the windshield seal may need to be replaced. It is removed using a thin screwdriver and replaced with a new one.
Replacing a windshield at home will not happen without the necessary tools and a dry room. Make sure the garage is draft-proof and clear of sharp or bulky objects.
Removing old auto glass
Damaged, broken or cracked auto glass must be carefully removed. If you perform this procedure without proper care, you may get injured. Some types of glass tend to crumble when damaged in certain ways. Therefore, an error during the removal process can lead to lengthy and difficult cleaning of the interior.
The dismantling steps are as follows:
- Using a suitable tool, pierce the sealant layer in a convenient place.
- A string or thick thread is inserted into the hole, and the sealant is cut off using this tool.
- Next, you need to gently push the glass from the inside and squeeze it out.
- The next step is to clean the frame from any remaining glue, rubber seal and other materials.
Dismantling is easier, but even at this stage of work difficulties may arise. Careless cutting of old sealant leads to damage to interior parts. You will need a helper to get the job done. It is not easy to glue and remove auto glass for foreign cars yourself.
Materials and tools
Before starting work on the windshield, you need to wash the car and keep it indoors for exactly one day (to dry).
For high-quality and safe glass replacement, ask a second person for help. It is much easier to cope with heavy work together - one holds the suction cups, the other works with the string, and so on:
- Metal string with holders.
- Sharp wire line or awl.
- Sacral and thin screwdrivers.
- Glass holder in the form of suction cups.
- Nut wrenches.
- Flat gravel.
- Painting adhesive tape.
- Sealant.
- Device for applying glue.
- Protective primer.
- Solvent for old glue.
- Absorbent swabs and cloth gloves.
The entire list of materials can be found in a specialized automotive store or online. It is important to note that the salon cost of replacing a windshield is 3 times higher than the cost of all tools.
How long does it take for a windshield to dry after replacement?
Replacing a windshield is a rather complicated and painstaking procedure, so it should be entrusted to professionals. Otherwise, no one will give a guarantee for the result, and the damaged double-glazed window will have to be paid for out of your own pocket.
Regardless of who installed the new glass, it is important to take into account the operating rules after gluing. One of the main questions that interest car owners is how long it takes for the windshield to dry after replacement.
The exact curing time of the sealant depends on the specific composition used for gluing. If you install the glass yourself, carefully read the instructions on the package, and if you take the car to a workshop, follow the recommendations of specialists.
As a rule, the glue hardens in 1.5–3 hours, dries in about a day, and completely crystallizes only after three hours. Despite the fact that you can move the car after just a few hours, you need to do it very carefully. After a day, you can drive as usual, but it is still best to remain careful for three days after replacing the glass.
If you are replacing glass yourself, it is also important to consider how long the glass primer takes to dry. This information is indicated on the packaging. If you insert the glass too early or, on the contrary, dry out the primer, some areas may not adhere well.
To more accurately determine how long it takes for a glued windshield to dry, you need to take into account the time of year. In general, the replacement technology in winter and summer is the same, however, in winter the procedure can only be performed indoors, while in summer replacement outdoors is permissible.
If we take into account the difference in air humidity, then in summer the sealant hardens on average in 1.5 hours, and in winter - in 2.5–3 hours. During this time, it is prohibited to open the doors, windows of the car or move it. Any movement can cause the glass to vibrate, causing the seal to be broken.
How to check glass
Before picking up the car from the workshop, you can check the quality of the work performed yourself. And if you replaced the double-glazed window yourself, first check in the instructions how long the windshield should dry after gluing it with the selected glue. If you start checking before drying, you can ruin the work.
To test the glass for strength, press it from the inside and listen: there should be no cracking.
Regardless of how long the windshield adhesive takes to dry, it is recommended to check for tightness only after three days, when the adhesive has already crystallized.
To ensure accurate results, it is best to wash your car at a professional car wash using high-pressure washers. After washing, carefully check the seam for leaks.
If there are any, and the replacement was carried out in a workshop, the work will be corrected under warranty.
Rules for operating a car after replacing the windshield
Despite the fact that 1.5–3 hours after replacing the double-glazed window you can drive a car, it is not recommended to immediately return to your usual driving style. The first few days you should be extra careful. To do this, follow simple rules during the first three days:
- ♦ If possible, avoid potholes on the road and do not run over curbs.
- ♦ Do not park on uneven surfaces - the car should not be parked on an incline for long, as the sealant has not yet fully set.
- ♦ Avoid exposure to rain and snow for the first day, and it is better to wash your car only after three days. In some cases, washing the next day is allowed, but it is better to check this with the workshop where the replacement was carried out.
- ♦ Don't slam doors too much.
- ♦ Do not abuse the stove and air conditioner.
- ♦ Do not accelerate over 70 km/h.
If you are not careful, the seal of the adhesive may be compromised. In addition, experts recommend replacing the wipers, since sand particles usually remain on the old ones, which can scratch the new double-glazed window and significantly reduce its service life.
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Removal process
Using a thin screwdriver, remove the seal along the entire front surface of the car. Next, we carefully disassemble all the unnecessary parts on the glass: wipers, moldings and protective plastic coating.
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In the cabin, it is necessary to protect the dashboard from further action.
We remove the seal from the inside of the cabin, and also remove the front pillar cards through the latches. Using a screwdriver, remove the screws and visors in the interior.
We eliminate all unnecessary wires that interfere with further work.
We pierce the old glue with a sharp awl. We insert strings into the holes and begin cutting off the sealant from different sides. It's better to work together.
After completing the action, carefully remove the glass using suction cup holders. Use a solvent to remove the old sealant. Place damaged glass on cardboard or a blanket to avoid splinters on the floor.
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Even a beginner with 1 person can handle a car. But, if you get around to replacing the windshield on trucks, you need to involve 2-4 people in the dismantling. Heavyweight glass differs greatly not only in distance from the ground, but also in weight categories.
Stage two: preparing the base
Anyone who is interested in the question of how to replace a windshield yourself needs to be prepared for a rather complex and demanding job. Taking it off is just the tip of the iceberg. It is much more difficult to properly prepare the surface and install the new one.
First of all, you need to wipe off all the old glue. Use any means at hand, but be careful not to damage the body paint or interior trim. When the rough layer of old sealant is removed, you will need to wipe the residue down to the base using a solvent. Make sure that there is no old glue left anywhere, and once again go through the solvent to control it. Let the latter dry, and you can safely begin applying the primer. This mixture is useful in that it will enhance the adhesive properties of the adhesive - sealant.
New glass installation process
We treat the boundaries of the body and glass with a primer that improves tenacity.
We install a new seal. Apply sealant to the contours of the body.
Using suction cups, install the glass into the opening and fix it. It's better to use tape. We return moldings, protective film and wipers.
It is important to protect the glass from moving, so we leave the car alone for 24 hours.
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After removing the protective layer of masking tape, you need to wash the car and check the tightness of the seams. If leaks are detected, we perform the procedure of additional application of glue-sealant.
