Your car’s windshield replacement Jenks can be one of the most important safety aspects of the features of your car. When it gets damaged or cracked, repairing it should be on your priority list. However, if the chip or the crack is not able to get repaired, the windshield should be replaced. Read the blog to know how to replace a cracked windshield.
- Take out the rearview mirror, wipers, plastic covers, and the rubber gasket.
- Cut the urethane seal with the use of a cold knife.
- Take out the windshield.
- Take out any excess urethane with the help of a razor blade and clean the bonding area.
- Apply the primer of urethane
- Then, run a bead of urethane around the area.
- Install the windshield again.
- Install any hardware again that you would have taken out and replaced the rubber gasket.
Most of the insurance companies do cover the charges of windshield replacement Jenks. Consult your insurance company if this service is provided in your plan. A lot of people take their cars to experts to get their windshield replacement, and there are some people who want to do it themselves also. However, many like the challenges which come up with replacing the windshield and also want the satisfaction which comes with the fact that you did it yourself. Below you will find a step by step instructions.
How to Replace a Windshield
Windshield replacement Jenks may throw the sensors off and cameras that driver assistance systems use. If the vehicle use any assistance systems like lane departure warnings, collision avoidance or blind spot. It is important that you have integrated these with the help of a professional after you install them yourself.
It is because of the difference between each car manufacturer, and it is ideal to have the service manual for the car. Use the tips given below as an ultimate guide, along with the service manual for safe & proper windshield replacement.
Windshield Replacement Tools & Materials
The price of tools and materials which are required to do this task yourself might be more than expert installation. Ensure that you do the math and consider the time. Plan to spend at least two hours doing this repair yourself.
- Cold knife
- Rubber windshield gasket
- Urethane primer
- Gloves
- Glass cleaner
- Two suction-cup window holders
- Auto glass urethane
- Stiff nylon brush
- Caulk gun (electric or air powered preferred)
- Vacuum
- Razorblade scraper
- Painters tape
- Wire brush/sandpaper
- Hand tools
- Pliers
The first step is to find a replacement windshield Jenks. Your local car dealer or auto parts store might be able to help you find the replacement. Once you do find the replacement, continue with the instructions given below –
How to Replace a Windshield
- 1. Make sure to use hand tools to take out the rearview mirror and hardware, which is attached with the old windshield.
- 2. Take out the wiper blades, plastic molding & windshield gasket around the windshield perimeter.
- 3. Divide the windshield from the pinch weld with the use of a razor or a cold knife.
- 4. Make sure to use a cold knife to cut the urethane seal around the area of the windshield.
- 5. Take out the windshield. Be careful not to damage the paint or bonding surface.
- 6. Now you need to have an empty windshield frame. Make sure to use a razor blade scraper to take out as much urethane as possible. Be careful not to scratch the bonding surface or the paint. Do not worry if you are not able to take out all the old urethane, a thin layer will help the urethane to form a stronger bond. Take out the rusty spots with the help of a sandpaper or wire brush to stop them from spreading. Clean up the bonding surface with the help of a stiff nylon brush to take out any loose particles. Clean up the debris and clean up the work area before continuing.
Final Steps
- 7. Make sure to use glass cleaner spray to clean up the new windshield perimeter where the urethane comes in contact.
- 8. Apply a coat of urethane primer and the perimeter of the windshield.
- 9. Not all urethanes need this step, so make sure to follow the instructions specific to your product.
- 10. Lay a bead of urethane around the perimeter of the frame of the windshield.
- a. An air-powered or electric caulk gun could have made the job a lot easier. If you only are having the hand powdered caulk, then place the urethane in a bowl of warm water for approximately one hour before application.
- b. Fill out any gaps of beads of urethane before you continue.
- 11. Install the windshield replacement Jenks as soon as you can to prevent the urethane from repairing before the installation.
- 12. Make sure to use suction cup window holders to put the new windshield in place.
- 13. Position the windshield in the correct spot.
- 14. Ensure that you use tape to hold the windshield in place and prevent it from sliding around while it cures.
Types of Windshield Cracks
You might be shocked to know to learn is that there are actually way more kinds of cracks. Cracks, bulls-eyes, chips, stars and combinations are all different and need slightly different type of methodology. To better assess the particular crack, here are some all the variety of windshield cracks.
Cracks
Cracks usually come in three different kinds. Here is how they are broken down –
- Stress: Stress cracks often form not from something affecting the windshield on that specific day, but from repetitive impacts & glass finally failing. These can also happen when the car is exposed.
- Edge:As the name suggests, these cracks are forming at the outer edges of the windshield and stretches towards the middle of the glass.
- Floater: Floater cracks tends to be approximately two inches or more from the edge of the windshield’s edge and which can be worsened by extreme heat & cold.
Chips
Chips happen when debris affects the windshield and creates a small divot in the glass. Your windshield can go through multiple chips or “pits”, though you would want to fix them speedily and so they do not develop into cracks.
We hope this blog helped you to know how to replace a windshield.
