A Complete Guide to Car Window Repair

When a car window is chipped or damaged, it is vital to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Besides the ugliness or discomfort caused to the car, the condition can also obstruct the ability of a driver to view the road and identify hazards on roads that can cause a collision.

Following are the kinds of car window repair that can be undertaken by car glass companies:

Door glass

Glass windows to the side of the driver and other occupants are critical to the safe and secure operation of a vehicle. It is important to have an uninhibited view from such windows.

Moon roofs and sunroofs

A damaged or shattered moon roof or sunroof can result in additional damage to the car by permitting debris, dirt or water to permeate the car.

Quarter glass

This refers to the small piece of glass located above the rear wheel and behind the doors of the car. This quarter glass, also called a valance window, can also be replaced.

Regulators of power windows

Power window regulators are a common feature of modern cars. The downside is that such devices may occasionally fail because of numerous issues.

Tips for taking care of chipped or cracked window glass:

The last thing one wishes to do is to take care of broken glass in car windows. A critical step is to protect the window till it gets repaired.

In most cases, it is dangerous to drive around with broken glass windows, and they should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Before this is done, one must cover the broken area and clear away any broken glass shards. This can protect the car interior from excessive wind or bad weather though not against theft.

Supplies required to protect broken car windows:

• Work gloves that are thick and sturdy

• Single roll of masking tape
• Cloth made of micro-fibre
• A plastic bag of high density can serve as a temporary cover for the broken window. Such temporary cover cannot restore full visibility but will at least permit one to view colour and light in one’s peripheral field of vision.

Following are steps to cover the broken window with a temporary cover:

Preparation

Firstly, one must don a pair of work gloves to protect hands while handling shards of glass. Use a container or bag to dispose of or recycle such material.

Get rid of broken glass

Begin by removing the big pieces of glass shards. Using one’s hand, collect and dispose of the shattered pieces into the container or bag. Break away any remaining attached glass in a gentle fashion. Next, make use of a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the small pieces of glass from within the car, below the seat and around the frame of the window. A long attachment of the vacuum helps to pick up sharp shards in the carpet, inside the door or on the seat.

Clean the area of the window

The next task is to prepare the area around the window for great adhesion. It is critical to clear away the build-up of dirt, dust and debris such that the covering tape will stick properly. Make use of a damp cloth for cleaning the window seal and frame of the car from all sides. Permit this region to dry for a couple of minutes.

Place the plastic covering

Next, one must place the plastic cover over the window frame from within the car. Place the bag against the top edge of the frame and affix it in position for a temporary time with a few small fragments of masking tape. One must not use any other kind of tape since it can damage the paint of the car or become tough to remove from the glass of the car later on.

Affix the plastic covering

As a next step, one must make use of additional tape to reinforce the seal around the window. By using a second tape layer, one can secure the plastic covering in place, even when there is strong wind or high moisture when one drives the car. Ensure that there is no hole between the window frame and the plastic, through which water and air can permeate the car. Any gaps will raise the likelihood of tearing of plastic prior to getting the window fixed.

Affix a second outside layer

In case the temporary cover is required to endure for several days, over the weekend or through bad weather, it is ideal to attach a second plastic layer. Redo the above steps using another covering made of plastic from the outside of the window. This will complete the procedure of taking care of a damaged car window.

Concerns about safety

Note that any plastic covering of the window will reduce the power of vision of the driver. If the window breaks, reduce the speed of driving and stay safe. So, never impede the vision of the driver by using opaque or dark covering materials. Avoid trying to cover a broken windscreen.

In sum, these are all the temporary tips to take care of broken car windows before taking it to professionals for car window repair. Note that these are temporary fixes; for protecting the driver and occupants of the car, it is good to consult professionals at the earliest.