If you just had your windshield replaced, there are a few things you shouldn’t do immediately after your windshield replacement. To ensure that your new auto glass lasts, you’ll need to avoid making these mistakes for weeks, months, and years. Are you curious about what those mistakes are? Let’s take a look.
1. Leave the Tape Alone
Keep in mind that a new windshield adhesive needs time to cure fully. The tape around the edges of your windshield protects the freshly sealed area and keeps dust and debris from compromising the seal. Wait at least 24 hours, but up to 48 hours, before removing the tape. If you don’t, you’ll risk cracking the new windshield.
2. Keep Your Windshield Clean
It’s an unavoidable fact of life that windshields are dirty. While keeping your windshield clean is important, you don’t want to damage the glass seal. Use a soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, and warm water to clean the windshield. The last thing you want to do is damage the seal that’s keeping your windshield intact.
3. Treat Your Windshield With Caution
Don’t take it lightly if you notice a chip, crack, or dent in your windshield. While most of us have heard that our windshields are made of safety glass, that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to damage. Treat the windshield as if it’s made of regular glass. That means you shouldn’t use sharp or hard objects to clean it since you could compromise the seal.
4. Avoid Slamming Doors
You must stop slamming your doors if you’re a big slammer in door closing. There’s a good chance that your doors slam into your windshield. If you slam your doors more than usual, there’s a good chance you’ll crack the windshield. It’s not just slamming your doors; you need to be aware of many other factors, such as slamming trunk lids, car trunks, drawers, and cabinets.
5. Don’t Leave Your Windshield Exposed to the Sun
When it comes to your new car auto glass, exposure to UV rays can reduce its lifespan. To ensure that your auto glass lasts, always keep your windshield in the shade and out of direct sunlight. If you leave your windshield in direct sunlight, it can cause ugly yellowing and even cracking.
6. Watch Out for Anything That Can Scratch the Glass
Scratches on your windshield can compromise its structural integrity. When you have a small scratch on the glass, it often doesn’t compromise the structural integrity. When you have a large scratch, it can compromise the structural integrity of the glass. That’s why it’s important to take care of things like bird droppings, animal dung, and small road debris.
7. Repair Minor Damage Immediately
If you have a minor chip or crack, you should repair it right away. The longer you wait to repair the damage, the more likely it will crack right through. If you don’t repair the damage, you’ll risk degradation of the structural integrity of your glass. Therefore, you must have any repairs done as soon as possible.
Conclusion
If you’ve just had your windshield replaced, you will want to be careful about what you do in the days and weeks that follow. All the tips above will help you ensure that your new car auto glass lasts for years to come.
At Best Choice Auto Glass, we set the standard for auto glass repair and replacement in northeast Oklahoma. From personal vehicles to company vans, from semi-trucks to heavy equipment—we handle the full spectrum of auto glass needs. Whether you have a small chip in your windshield or need your entire windshield replaced, we are committed to getting you back on the road quickly and safely. If you need windshield repair in Tulsa, OK, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us today!
