What Is The Best Windshield Replacement Aftercare I Should Follow?

 

According to the National Motorists Association (NMA), a crack or chip in your windshield is a ticking bomb, and therefore, you need to replace it immediately. This is because your safety greatly depends on it. Even so, some drivers witness their windshield cracking again just a few hours from replacement, and this can be a costly affair. While the cracking could be a result of poor installation, the safety of your windshield largely depends on the precautions you take after a windshield replacement, which is entirely your responsibility. Therefore, it is vital to follow windshield replacement aftercare to a tee.

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Tips To Follow After A Windshield Replacement

With this in mind, here are seven tips to follow after a windshield replacement.

Allow Adequate Time To Cure After A Windshield Replacement

To place the windshield onto your car, the technician will use windshield replacement adhesives such as urethane, which form a waterproof seal between the shield and the frame. Depending on the type of adhesive used, you may have to wait for some time before driving your car. Typically, different adhesives cure at different rates based on environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. According to experts, most adhesives used in windshield replacement take about 24 hours to cure properly.

Don’t Remove The Tape On Your Windshield

During windshield installation, most auto glass technicians put retention tape onto the adhesive to prevent debris and other elements from altering the drying process. Since they don’t look so great, you may be tempted to remove them before driving away. However, this is a bad idea since removing the tape may affect the effectiveness of the adhesive. With this in mind, leave the retention tape on for at least 24 hours.

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Leave The Car Windows Open A Little

High internal pressure is one of the most common causes of cracked windshields. While this can happen under any environmental conditions, air pressure tends to build up more during hot weather such as in summer. With high pressure exerted on the adhesive seal, there will most likely be leaks, which will jeopardize your safety and that of your car. To prevent this, ensure you slightly roll down your car window to let out excess pressure and prevent a build-up. Additionally, avoid parking your car in a hot environment for long hours.

Avoid High-Pressure Car Washes

Although high-pressure car washes and power washers may be your go-to cleaning options if you want a deep clean for your car, you should consider taking a break on this. Basically, a high-pressure wash can exert too much force on the adhesive before it dries well, hence ruining its strength. With a weak adhesive, your windshield will most likely come off or crack at the slightest impact. Besides, some car washes use detergents that can be harsh on the adhesive. That said, avoid high-pressure washes for at least 24 hours. If you must wash your car, then use mild detergent and a soft spray to prevent the exertion of any pressure on the windshield.

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Keep The Windshield Clear

With wet adhesive, anything that comes into contact with it may stick depending on what material it is made of. Even if it doesn’t stick, it will definitely ruin the seal between the windshield and the car frame, which may result in leaks and cracks. Therefore, keep objects away from both sides of the windshield, especially during the first 24 hours, until the adhesive dries perfectly. More specifically, avoid putting covers on the outside of the windshield or using the sunshade on the inner side. While items placed inside may not stick to the adhesive, they will push against the windshield, interrupting the drying process and forming gaps in the seal.

Be Gentle With The New Windshield

As mentioned above, the windshield requires at least 24 hours to dry well. Therefore, before this period elapses, you should be gentle when handling the windshield and your car in general. This is because an impact on one part of the car may also affect the windshield. That said, make sure you open and close the doors gently at all times. Furthermore, it will be great if you can avoid using your wipers for some time. Nevertheless, if you must use them, you should then limit your driving time to about 2 hours.

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Drive Carefully After Replacing Your Windshield

With a newly installed windshield, you should be extra careful when driving to keep it in place. For instance, you should avoid all roads that have potholes and bumps as the rough movements of the car can cause new cracks on the windshield. Additionally, the adhesive can come off in case it’s not dry yet. You should also consider driving slowly and avoid slamming on the brakes to prevent any impact that may cause the windshield to crack.

Signs Of An Incorrectly Installed Windshield

Although using these aftercare tips is important, it won’t do much if your windshield was not installed in the right way. To detect such, watch out for these signs of a bad windshield replacement:

• Irregular patterns on the windshield
• Rattling sounds during driving
• Visible spaces between the auto glass and the car frame

In case the technician didn’t install the windshield correctly, you should ask them to redo the job until the outcome is perfect. Take note that you can avoid such by going to a qualified auto glass shop, like Liberty AutoGlass.

 

Conclusion

These aftercare hacks will help a great deal in keeping your windshield safe from regular windshield replacements. Take note that proper installation also matters a lot, and therefore, ensure you seek windshield replacement services from qualified personnel. For the best auto glass repair services, contact Liberty Auto Glass today, and enjoy quality auto glass services at affordable prices.

Call Liberty AutoGlass For All Of Your Auto Glass Needs

Liberty AutoGlass is your go-to when you need an experienced and trustworthy auto glass shop in the area. Our team consists of licensed auto glass technicians who can provide the best windshield repairs and installations. This way, your windshield can do its job in the event of an accident. Our experts use the highest quality materials to ensure that your safety is a priority. We also work with all major insurance companies and can handle your claim from beginning to end.

The mobile auto glass services that Liberty AutoGlass offers will allow your damaged windshield or broken auto glass to be repaired or replaced quickly and at the convenience of wherever your car is parked. Therefore, we come to you and you can go about your day as you would normally, without any interruptions. We fix windshields, back glass, door glass, vent glass, quarter glass, and more.

Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-7787 or (877) 90-GLASS if you have any questions. Click here to view our complete mobile auto glass service area in Pennsylvania.

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