Car maintenance procedures call for a lot more than just your money, essentially plenty of care and caution, both before and after. One such relatable example is the windshield replacement that has to do much with both the appearance of your vehicle and your safety. And while you might think that your troubles are over after getting the glass swapped with a new one, they aren’t!
Fixit Auto Glass feels sorry for bringing up that bad news, but it has a good side as well; you need to take plenty of care of your vehicle after the windshield replacement and practice various safety measures, and we’ve got you all the info that you need if you’re in this situation for the first time.
Everything You Need To Do After A Vehicle Windshield Replacement
So you got your car’s windshield restored and now want it to stay the same, i.e. in mint condition and for long? We’ve got you a whole lot of favorable advice for preserving your vehicle’s wellness and your peace of mind.
Let’s rush to see what you need to ensure DOING and AVOIDING.
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Avoid Bumpy Roads
You must never go on rough or bumpy roads after having your car windshield replaced, particularly for the initial 24 hours. That’s because any jolts, potholes, bumps, or gravel paths can cause the windshield to dislocate by hindering the newly applied adhesive from curing fully. The adhesive needs enough curing time for a secure and long-lasting bonding of the windshield.
Another crucial thing to take into account at this point is that even if you don’t notice any cracks or alarming situations immediately after driving on a road you shouldn’t be heading to, the damages are meant to appear long afterward. So treat your new windshield like you’d consider a freshly plastered broken arm; don’t put any pressure and don’t subject it to rough conditions.
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Get Covered Parking
Once you’ve got the windshield of your car replaced, make sure you park it in a shaded space or at best in a garage. Never park the car in any area where it is exposed to direct, intense sunlight or extreme cold as both factors can make the newly treated glass expand or contract, and you would want neither to happen.
The phenomenon behind glass damage due to heat or cold is the drastic change of temperature, which is meant to take a toll on the adhesive and eventually cause the glass to displace and even lead to other problematic situations in the future, if not right away. In short, do not leave the car in the harsh environment outside and keep it as dear and near (protected) as you can.
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Refrain From Washes
While you might feel the major urge to get your car a wash after having its windshield replaced, DO NOT do so for at least a week. The high-pressure wash can severely damage the new seals and molding and even cause it to come off entirely, the rest you know! No matter how careful you think the professionals are, don’t get your car washed after windshield replacement.
Give the urethane seal enough time to dry and secure the windshield. And if you have to do so anyway, consider a mild hand wash with a garden hose and make use of super gentle products while doing it, that too, within at least 48 hours of the servicing. In case you’re not sure about pulling it off well yourself, go for hiring an expert and let him know about the replacement.
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Put No Covers
Never put a cover on top of your car right after you get its windshield changed and at best wait for a few days before doing so. That’s because car covers tend to accumulate heat and moisture, which can lead to damaging the new adhesive. The trapped heat works the same as intense sunlight and can easily obstruct an adequate setting of the adhesive.
Instead, just have your car parked in a covered yet well-ventilated space for accurate curing and drying of the seals. Also, you must not put a sunshade on the inside of the windshield. While you might think that an internal sunshade will not be stuck to the adhesive, it can be more notorious by pushing against the windshield leading to insufficient curing and gaps in the seal.
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Leave The Tape
This point couldn’t be stressed enough! NEVER REMOVE the retention tape from the auto glass until and unless you get the green signal from the technician to do so. The tape serves a vital purpose, holding the glass in place and preventing the seal from debris. And by removing tape ahead of time, you practically let endless filth weaken the bond between glass and frame.
This makes your windshield prone to both immediate and long-term damages, something you’d want to avoid at all costs. In general, it is okay to take off the tape after 24 hours, but do ask about the exact time in your car’s case. The tape can be removed when the adhesive does not seem sticky or soft anymore, meaning it has dried completely.
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Don’t Slam Doors
While it’s a bad habit in regular circumstances as well, it needs to be avoided particularly after a windshield replacement treatment. Don’t let anyone and yourself slam shut the doors of your car, specifically for the first 24 hours (and preferably for the rest of your life!) as the sudden pressure can put a burden on the newly installed windshield and can even lead to its cracking.
A relatively milder consequence of using car doors as stress relievers after windshield changing is that the shock can make the glass move around in the fresh seal and get dislocated. You would not want this to happen either, so be very gentle with both the doors and the rest of the trunk of your vehicle and make everyone do that, as well.
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No Decorative Deals
No matter how important it is for you that your car looks flashy, whimsical, and attractive, stop yourself from putting any stickers or decals on the windshield for at least a week after the servicing. While this does seem like something minor, the adhesives from your favorite stickers can interfere with the fresh adhesive of the glass and lead to unwanted circumstances.
The adhesive from the stickers can pull up the just-applied windshield adhesive and generate ugly bubbles. Plus you won’t be able to stick the decals either and even if you manage to do so, they will leave unsightly residue that’s impossible to remove without affecting the windshield. So make sure you leave your new windshield alone and don’t burden it with anything.
Additional Precautions After A Windshield Change
Following are some more minor yet influential factors to take care of, to ensure a completely functional, safe, and long-lasting vehicle windshield.
- Don’t put any heavy objects on your car’s dashboard for a couple of days after you get your windshield replaced. Keep the dashboard area clear of literally everything, as even the little, insignificant items can put pressure on the auto glass and hinder the curing process.
- Always schedule the replacement of your car windshield on a dry day and avoid rainy ones at all costs. Nothing can be more notorious for a freshly treated windshield than rainfalls and bad weather.
- Even if you notice any debris on the windshield, let’s say tree sap, bird droppings, or other junk, do not go for cleaning it for at least 24 hours or until the adhesive dries completely. Afterward, you can clear everything out, but make sure you use a soft Microfiber cloth and good quality dedicated cleaners.
- It is equally important to protect your new windshield from internal temperature changes, just like the outside ones. In this regard, you need to refrain from using the defroster. Instead, you can gently scrape off the frost or simply wait for a day or two.
- Keep an eye on any strange happenings like unusual sounds (mostly like the whistling of wind) or water leakage after the replacement of the windshield. Detecting any unexpected conditions early will benefit you a lot as you can take appropriate actions timely.
Aftercare is as important as having your car windshield fixed or replaced at the right time. This ensures saving your investment, sustaining your safety, and maintaining the integrity of the new treatment. Whether you’re a beginner regarding vehicle maintenance or an experienced one our windshield replacement upkeep guide will be advantageous for all.
It all comes to the point of maximizing your safety and that of your dear ones, of course, something you wouldn’t want to mess with. With all that being stated, we encourage you to take the best possible care of vehicles to ensure safe and secure journeys and peace of mind!
