Caring For Your New Windshield: What You Need To Know
Posted on: 30 April 2020
Getting your car's windshield replaced? Thanks to advancements in auto glass technology, replacing your windshield is quicker and easier than ever. And depending on your auto glass service, you may even be able to have them come to your home or place of work to handle the replacement. Regardless of how and when your windshield replacement service is completed, there are a few important aftercare steps you'll want to take. These will help keep your new glass in the best condition possible.
Wait a Bit to Drive
The adhesive used to create a waterproof seal around your new windshield will need some time to set. This is why it's generally best to hold off on driving your vehicle immediately after the repair is completed. More than likely, your auto glass installation technicians will provide you with an exact timeframe to wait around before driving your vehicle home.
Leave a Window Cracked
After you take your vehicle home from the auto glass repair shop, you may also want to leave a window cracked slightly. Doing so will prevent pressure from building up inside your car, which could place unnecessary stress on the new windshield's seal. If you can leave a window cracked for a day or two after your windshield replacement appointment, this is ideal.
Stay Away From Car Washes
While there's nothing wrong with hand-washing your car or even driving it in the rain after your auto glass appointment, you should avoid taking it through any automatic car washes for about 48 hours while the windshield adhesive is still setting and drying. High pressure from automatic car wash nozzles can damage moldings and challenge the strength of the adhesive, so give it a few days before you take your car through a car wash.
Leave Retention Tape in Place
Your glass installers may have left a few pieces of retention tape on your windshield. This is intentional, as the tape is designed to help protect the windshield moldings while the adhesive sets. Leave this in place for at least a couple of days before removing it. There's a good chance that your glass technician will explain this to you before you leave and tell you when it can be safely removed.
Having your car's windshield replaced doesn't need to be a big deal, but following these aftercare tips is important. If you have any questions about caring for your new windshield, don't hesitate to ask your glass replacement technician.
To learn more, contact a windshield replacement company.
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