Replacing the windshield may sound extreme when we are talking about a small impact that has cracked the glass. However, for professionals, there are a number of conditions that pose a risk to driving due to reduced visibility.
For example, repairing a porthole larger than a two-euro coin would be a risk because it could distort what we see through that area of the glass.
Likewise, it is not recommended to repair bumps close to the driver’s vision area . In this case, replacing the windshield is recommended .
Another situation where replacement takes precedence over repair is cracks in the edges of the glass. The reason is simple: if the windshield is weakened, we are putting the safety of the entire vehicle at risk in the event of a collision.
In this post we are going to explain the steps for replacing the windshield in the workshop.
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The windshield replacement process, step by step
Replacing a windshield may sound a bit more daunting than repairing it, but it’s actually quite simple when you have the right technicians and tools. For the driver, it will only take about two hours from the start of the replacement to getting back on the road. You’ll need to make an appointment to go to the shop first.
- When the car comes into the workshop we remove the interior rearview mirror and protect the exterior and interior surfaces that may be scratched. We also remove the wiper blades and other rubber parts.
- The next step is to remove the adhesive that reinforces the position of the windshield. This adhesive is called urethane. To remove it, we will use a special blade.
- Now we can remove the damaged windshield that we are going to replace. We will use some suction cups designed for this job like the ones you can find here .
- With the glass removed, we can wipe any remaining urethane off the windshield frames to leave the surface clean.
- Then we reapply layers of adhesive on the margins using professional products and the help of a gun.
- We can now install the new windshield, although we have not completed the replacement.
- We wait a few minutes for the adhesive to start curing so that the replaced glass can settle. The time will vary depending on the manufacturer.
- We reinstall the mirrors, wiper blades and leave the vehicle just as it came into the shop with the new windshield.
Under normal conditions, this procedure takes around two hours from the time the technicians start working on the windscreen. However, if your vehicle is fitted with an ADAS system, it will need to be calibrated. We recommend that you read our post on recalibration after replacing the windscreen and the risks that not doing this step correctly poses for road safety.
What happens after replacement?
Although a windshield replacement can be done in just two hours. It is highly recommended that drivers follow a series of guidelines after leaving the workshop.
When we have just replaced the windscreen, the urethane has not yet fully cured, and this is not a bad thing. If there are no complex conditions, we will be able to drive without any problem when we leave the workshop.
However, you may be wondering what happens to your newly replaced windshield when it comes to water, impact, heat and other elements.
Please note that these five tips for replacing the windshield that we have prepared are intended for the first 24 or 48 hours after the replacement has taken place.
And the insurance? We take care of everything
The windshield is a vital part of our car , and it is also one of the most exposed. When there is a problem, it is advisable to go urgently to a workshop. And in insurance companies, procedures related to windows are one of the most common.
Whether or not your insurance company covers windshield replacement depends on the policy you have taken out, the conditions of the accident, etc. As a workshop specializing in windscreen repair and replacement, we cannot tell you much more about this.
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However, at Capitol City Glass we are committed to carrying out all the necessary procedures with our clients’ insurance companies.
If you are looking for a nearby workshop to repair or replace your windscreen. You can use our center locator and book your appointment by calling the free phone number 830 456 0598 or directly from our website.
