Many drivers only pay attention to their windshields and body scratches on a car, but the side windows of their vehicles are just as important for safety. If broken windows get in the way of your peripheral vision or make it hard for you to concentrate on driving, they become dangerous. If the damage seems small, you should postpone the repair, but it’s important to know that broken, cracked, or chipped car windows can put you in danger.
Why Do Cracks and Chips Need Immediate Attention?
Your car glass is critical to your safety, so if you notice a chip or fracture in it, you should have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The best thing to do is to have a trained professional look at the damage and tell you how severe it is. An experienced specialist can analyse the damage and determine whether a simple repair is sufficient or if a replacement is required.
A small chip in your car’s glass will likely grow larger and become an uncomfortable crack if you don’t fix it. Because window glasses are weak and play a big part in supporting your car’s structure, you need to pay extra attention to the damage when it happens.
Repairing The Broken Glass Window
Gather the Necessary Tools
To change your car window, you don’t need any special tools. However, trim removal tools from your local auto parts store will make the job easier and are less likely to damage your trim than, say, a putty knife. The other tools you’ll need should already be in your workspace.
- Trim removal tools
- Shop vacuum
- Safety gloves
- Screwdriver set
- Socket set
- Car service manual
- Eye protection
Examine the Severity of the Damage
It is important to think about how bad the damage is to the car window glass. This will assist you in figuring out the right steps to fix it. Whether you should repair or replace the car window glass will depend on how big it is and where it is located. Most people agree that a small chip or two needs to be fixed. Anything bigger than that requires new glass.
Clean Up the Glass
A shop vacuum is the most effective tool for cleaning damaged glass. Grab a shop vacuum and begin suctioning away the glass from the car. Continue until you’ve removed all of the glass you can see. When you’re finished, empty your vacuum to ensure that no glass pieces remain within your car.
Remove The Inner Door Panel
The next step in replacing a car window is to take off the inner door panel and remove any metal that holds the broken pieces together. Behind the trim, there should be bolts and nuts. To get these items off, loosen them. Then, you need to take off the rest of the window parts.
Install the New Window
Put the new window carefully into the window track. Make sure that it fits the regulator correctly. Put the window in place and then tighten the mounting bolts to keep it on the regulator. Being too tight could cause the new glass to break. Take a careful peel back, and you should see the door’s inner parts. To line up with the bolts or screws, keep the glass pieces in place, lower or raise the mechanism that changes the height.
Testing the Regulator
Once the new glass is installed and the door is fastened, the regulator is checked to confirm that the window moves up and down as intended. If it does, your new window is now up and running; if it doesn’t, adjust the window’s position until the regulator permits the window to rise and fall properly.
Ways to Cover a Broken Car Window Temporarily
There is more than one way to hide a broken or cracked window. For instance, putting clear duct tape over the window glass will also cover it for a short time. For extra strength, you should use masking tape first, then the duct tape. Putting the duct tape on vertically is the best way to do it because it makes a tight seal. Regardless of the way you choose, the process should start on the inside of the window pane and then move to the outside to fully protect it.
One of the newest ways to hide a broken car window for a short time is with crash wrap. You can use this sticky-back material on a roll to cover the window frame properly.
Bottom Lines
A small ding or hole in your window glass could not appear to be a big deal at first. While you may wish to fix it yourself, the damage might get worse if you do. Do-it-yourself tools that are cheap may cost you more in the long run if they don’t work.
When you need to fix window glass, you should talk to an expert. You will then have the benefit of expert knowledge and experience in dealing with car window damage.
Our experts at Al Zaabi AutoCare will be happy to help you figure out what to do next. Call us immediately to find out more about how we can help you.
FAQs
How can I fix a car window that won’t go up?
If your window won’t roll up, check the fuse, test several window switches, and look for obstructions before calling a professional. To manually raise a power window, carefully grasp the glass and provide upward pressure while someone operates the window switch.
What is the best solution for a broken car window?
Attaching a plastic waste bag with duct tape to the window is a frequent solution. Using packing tape to make a makeshift window can also be effective. You should wear gloves during this process since even safe; modern glass can cut your hand.
Is it okay to drive with a shattered window?
Driving with a shattered side window might pose many hazards. Aside from reduced vision and a higher risk of accidents, airborne road debris can hurt passengers and drivers.
