How To Properly Do Windshield Replacement For Your Car

By Donald Watson


Driving a car with a cracked windscreen is dangerous and may lead to road accidents. For this reason, car owners in Jacksonville FL are advised to carry out a windshield replacement as soon as it breaks. It does not matter whether you had done a replacement before, installing new windscreens is a way for you to get back to road.

The glass pane that you intend to install can be bought from a dealer. It can also be got from a yard belonging to a wrecker in the city. If it is from a wrecker, ensure that you thoroughly scrutinize it for any cracks and chips before you finally offer money. You should cushion it so as to avoid any damages while the good is on transit.

You are then supposed to carefully remove the plastic surround side and the molding covering. You should cautiously go about this step so as not pry the clips that are holding them on. These clips are important because they are specific to the type of car. They help you save a lot of time but in case you cannot afford them, you will need to glue the moldings onto the car manually.

Cut out the urethane between the windscreen and pinch weld using cold knife. The process should take a minimum of fifteen minutes and a maximum of one hour depending on how accustomed you are with the process and the equipment that you are using. The urethane is flexible to help the windscreen withstand stress applied to it when driving.

Before putting glass into place, make the pinch weld ready first. You should do this by brushing away the dirt and oil that may have smeared on it and then later wiping it using plain water. To effectively trim off the old urethane to the required height of three millimeters use a sharp razor blade. If there are still areas covered with dust, they should be primed.

When making glass ready using the primer, make sure the primer you are using is specifically made to adhere to the specific urethane you will apply. The primer is meant to open up the molecules of the frit band. A frit band is the continuous black thread running around the edge of the glass. Here, glass is basically being prepared to accept the molecules of the urethane. After preparing the glass, attach the molding to it. After doing that, attach the urethane.

By the use of a caulking gun, carefully apply urethane on the windscreen. The purpose of using this type of gun is to maintain a consistent bead so that may avoid any leaks after placing the windscreen to the car. While you do this, it is important to put in mind that old urethane is a suitable adhesive material that the newer urethane will firmly adhere to. You should be careful that the wind would not contaminate pinch weld before you finally apply urethane.

You should then place the glass onto the car. If you are not using mounting block, avoid touching the frit band with your bare hands. It is due to the fact that oil and the filth from your hand will contaminate the glass that has been already been activated. Contamination reduces the efficiency of the urethane. To avoid this use latex hand covering.




About the Author: