Automotive glass replacement

Car window replacement can be done by the beginner if he or she takes the time and has some instruction. It requires no special knowledge or expensive to replace auto glass tools, but be patient! Here we will discuss the replacement of a fixed car glass that is attached to the vehicle body instead of being placed in a removable frame.

If you are replacing auto glass that has not been set in a frame, then basically you have to “cut” the old glass of the car. This process requires some inexpensive tools that are often not in a collection of common tools. a piece of piano wire for use as a saw, and a couple of cheap suction cup handles to lift the old glass is needed (if it’s still in one piece) and put the glass back into position without touching the edges of the glass.

The first step is to remove any molding that goes around the window. Molding may be bonded in several different ways. You can be attached with some kind of clips, gluing, or it may simply be pushed over a lip on the vehicle body. This is a place where the factory service information comes in handy! Some glass is flush with the outer surface of the body and has no molding to remove. It may also be necessary to remove one or more trim panels inside the car.

Before starting to cut through the broken window, apply the tape to the car body all the way around the window to protect the paint. Then use a punch to create a hole through the adhesive between the glass and the body. Then push a piece of piano wire through the hole, grab a helper to work the other end, and use a sawing motion to cut the adhesive all the way around the window. Once you have completely sawn all the way around the broken car window, use the sucker takes out the glass of the car body.

That was the easy part! The next step is to remove all old adhesive car body, which is not difficult, but it can be tedious! Some service manuals instruct you to leave a thin layer of adhesive on the original car and just smooth, but if it is an older vehicle that may not be the best option. Once you have removed all the old adhesive (or smoothed), you will need to thoroughly clean surfaces with alcohol or cleaning specified in the instructions that come with the new adhesive.

Then you have to prepare both new glass surface and the surface that contacts new adhesives. Again, follow the instructions for the new type of adhesive being used. There may be a primer needs to be applied to the adhesive-old and sometimes a different primer goes in the glass. Pay attention to curing times specified. Be careful not to touch any of the surfaces of contact with hands, as this could prevent the adhesive bonding and sealing properly. After preparing both surfaces, apply a bead of glue around the edge of the glass as instructed by the manual and / or instructions adhesives. You may be responsible for making the slightly higher heel in the corner areas.

After the new adhesive has been applied and any recommended curing times have been observed, the use of vacuum handles installing glass back into position. Evenly press the glass into the adhesive until it is fully seated in every way. Do not move the vehicle for several hours as the adhesive instructions, then be careful not to bang the doors and moving or excessively hard road for several days until the adhesive has had full-time link to both surfaces.

This covers the general procedure for the automatic installation of glass. Automotive replacement windows can certainly be done by a driver who has no experience or training in this area, but some jobs are definitely easier than others! If this does not sound like something that you yourself front, certainly no shame in taking your car to an auto glass shop for a replacement, and most stores even go home or workplace to it do for you.