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How to Replace a Windshield

By gguild | May 8, 2008

Some of us are pretty handy do-it-yourselfers.  Plus, there’s the idea of saving some of our hard-earned money while we’re at it. 

So, if you have a cracked or broken windshield, here are some steps you’ll need to take if you want to perform the automobile windshield replacement yourself. 

Steps for How to Replace a Windshield

Examine the Automobile Windshield Area 

What are you looking for?  Look for anything that would compromise a strong bond with the new automobile windshield.  Some things to watch for: dents and scratches, signs of corrosion, fit of the molding, missing or damaged parts, and mechanical or electronic items that would get in the way of your windshield installation (or should be part of it).

Protect the Automobile from Possible Damage 

Trying to correctly place a heavy windshield on a nicely painted car can be a recipe for disaster.  Cover with waterproof cloth or vinyl any area that could be scratched or have chemicals or adhesives spilled on it.  Also, remember to tape over the defroster vents to keep small items from falling in.

Remove the Automobile Windshield

Have a windshield replacement molding available.  Pull the cowl panel.  Use the correctly designed hand and/or power tools in the proper sequence for any cutting that needs to be done.  Make sure you cause absolutely no damage to the bonding surfaces.

Prepare the Bonding Surfaces 

You need to prepare two different surfaces: the pinchweld (metal) and the windshield glass.  This is a critical step.  If done incorrectly or with the wrong cleaner or solvent, then you risk having the bond actually fail.  This could result in leaks or even the windshield glass separating from the metal completely.

Both the pinchweld and the windshield glass require several steps for the cleaning and prep work.  They require different chemicals and techniques.  Use only chemicals approved by the auto glass manufacturer that are specifically designed for this application or you risk failure in your windshield installation.

Install the Windshield Glass 

The three main steps to a windshield replacement and installation include applying the urethane, setting the new auto glass into the opening and then installing the decorative moldings and cowl.

Make sure you use the appropriate, industry approved adhesive for your vehicle, application, weather conditions, etc.  Also, use the appropriate applicators.  Make sure the bead is the right size.  Use open-celled foam dams as necessary (not butyl as it is incompatible).  Don’t forget to replace acoustical dams.  All of the molding clips should be in good shape or you should replace them.  Use disposable gloves (industry approved) when handling the glass or bonding surfaces to avoid contamination.

Clean Up After the Windshield Replacement 

Use approved solvents to clean off any spilled adhesive, bond or sealing agent.  Do not use release agents.  Vacuum thoroughly to remove all glass fragments on the floor, arm rest, dash, etc.

Final Windshield Installation Inspection 

Review specifications on adhesive / bonding agent to determine acceptable “drive-away” time, venting the vehicle, removal of tape, car washes, weather to avoid, etc.  Make a final inspection of the actual windshield installation to make sure all work was done correctly.

Summary of Above Windshield Replacement Steps 

The above windshield replacement steps were greatly abbreviated.  They are NOT all-inclusive.  They are meant to give you an overview of the complexity of the process and the amount of work involved. 

CAUTIONARY ADVICE: Use Correct, Industry-Approved Auto Glass Parts and Supplies 

When writing this article I checked with a few major, nationwide, retail auto parts suppliers.  None of them carried either replacement windshields or any of the several specialty adhesives (systems) designed for windshield replacement. 

Plus, you need to make sure you acquire an “OEM” original or replacement windshield.  Otherwise it may not be as structurally sound as what came with your vehicle.

Dangers of Faulty Windshield Installation 

Before you can fully understand the dangers inherent in do-it-yourself (or DIY) windshield replacement, it really helps to understand the purposes of a windshield. 

The windshield keeps the wind, weather, rocks and debris off of you and the interior of the vehicle.  But much more important, the windshield is a critical component to the structure and therefore safety of your automobile.  Here are three critical functions the windshield performs:

In a rollover accident, the windshield is a safety device that helps keep the roof from collapsing.  A collapsed roof can mean crushed passengers.

  1. When the passenger airbag deploys, the windshield helps deflect the airbag toward the passenger.  It is quite common for a passenger airbag to pop out the windshield if the windshield installation is faulty.  The result often is an injured passenger due to no protection from an airbag.
  2. Also, if the windshield pops out, it cannot help prevent the roof from collapsing during a rollover.  Plus, there is the risk of passengers being thrown from the vehicle with no windshield to stop them.  This greatly increases the risk of injury or death.

Liability Relating to Faulty Windshield Replacement 

I’ve heard of court cases relating to the above dangers where people were injured in an accident due to faulty windshield installation.  In only about two minutes on the internet I found two different law firms with specialties including liability relating to faulty windshield repair.  In addition to this, if you are injured in your own accident, your auto insurance company could very well argue they should NOT pay for your injuries if they are partly due to a faulty windshield replacement.  Are you willing to accept the risk of possibly causing injury to others?  Are you willing to take the risk of possibly negating the payout from an insurance company?  This really happens! 

Windshield Replacement Companies 

In the year 2000, the ABC show “20/20″ showed just how complicated it is to replace a windshield.  They also showed that some windshield repair shops took shortcuts in replacing a windshield, and discussed the potential disastrous lethal consequences (for the reasons discussed above).

That’s why you should go to a windshield replacement company that has fully-trained technicians.  Plus they should be certified by either ANSI-AGRSS or NGA.  They should use only OEM specification windshields and OEM adhesive.  These certified technicians are expected to adhere to the entirety of windshield-related sections of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 212 and 216.

The Glass Guild is a great source for finding a qualified windshield replacement company in your area.  They are all trained and certified!  You can depend on them to do a quality job!

Most Auto Insurance will Cover Windshield Replacement

Insurance companies want their policyholders to be safe.  They recognize that the windshield is extremely important to your safety and also to their financial bottom line (reduced liability on their part).  If you don’t already have some form of windshield replacement in your policy, make sure you add it.  Typically it is very affordable and will save you a lot of grief.

CONCLUSION: Don’t Replace Your Own Windshield! 

Weigh the advantages and disadvantages.  Considering the complexity of the task and the risk of physical harm and possible liability, it makes perfect sense to a certified professional perform your windshield replacement.  The Glass Guild is your source for proper windshield replacement.  Find a qualified auto glass shop in your area and make an appointment today! 

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