Auto glass replacement is necessary when small repairs are not enough to fix the problem. When the structural integrity of your windshield is compromised, it is no longer safe for you to drive around town. Auto glass replacement is something you cannot avoid, but it can also be something you don't have to stress about if you know what to expect before arriving. Here are a few helpful tips about windshield replacement and how to care for your auto glass after you leave the shop.
Duration of the Job
When you take your car to an auto glass shop for a complete windshield replacement, you can expect the entire process to take a few hours. You need to make sure you have enough time for the glue to completely dry before taking your vehicle on the road. This will help you stay as safe as possible. Generally speaking, you need to plan for about two hours (one hour for installation and one hour for drying purposes) before you can safely be back on the roads again.
Avoid Car Washes
The force used in a car wash is dangerous for a new windshield installation and should be avoided for at least 24 hours following your windshield replacement. If you happen to get stuck in a rainstorm, it is okay, but try to plan your replacement for a dry day for the best results possible. If you absolutely must wash your vehicle, consider doing a gentle hand wash at home, but it is recommended to wait so the adhesive can fully dry first.
Avoid Loose Gravel Roads
Usually, people need a windshield replacement after a piece of gravel or rock is kicked up onto the windshield and cracks it. If you can avoid bumpy roads with loose gravel, you will thank yourself later. Having a chip in a newly installed windshield can be frustrating and stressful. If you are able to find an alternate route to your home or work, you should always opt for the route with safe road conditions.
Be Gentle Closing Doors
If you are rough with your car doors, you need to remember to be extra careful while opening and closing your doors when you have a brand new windshield replacement. The constant slamming can weaken the windshield and windows on your car. You do not have to slam the doors to close or secure them, so try to be gentle, especially in the first few days following your auto glass repair.
To learn more about auto glass replacement, visit a professional near you.
Where would we be as humans if it were not for the discovery of glass? Our homes would certainly have a lot less light. Perhaps we'd be drinking out of wood or clay pots, and maybe instead of looking in glass mirrors, we'd be trying to see our reflection in wobbly sheets of metal. Surely we would get along because humans are smart and able to innovate. But would life be as easy? Probably not!
We seek to honor the use of glass, and we do that by sharing articles about this material. Check them out if you get a chance; they're right here on this site.