10 Easy Steps on How to Replace a Car Windscreen

     

The 10 most important steps when replacing a car windscreen:

STEP 1:
First of all you will need to purchase a new windscreen from an original parts dealer or a reputable after market distributor who's glass meets the vehicle manufacturers safety standards. It is important to make sure the windscreen being purchased is free of any defects, purchasing a second-hand glass can be risky as defects are difficult to see to the untrained eye.

STEP 2:
Once the new windscreen has been purchased you will need to prepare it for installation. First you will need to clean the windscreen with window cleaner taking extra care that the outer black ceramic is free from any dirt, dust and grease. Next you will need to prime the black ceramic with a primer specific to the urethane that will be used to install the windscreen using a lint free cloth. Once primed you must never touch the area with your hands as oil from your fingertips can affect the urethane from bonding to the glass correctly.

STEP 3:
After the windscreen has been cleaned and primed you will now need to fit the correct mouldings to the glass whilst wearing a pair of powder free latex gloves. Then the rear view mirror is detached from the vehicle and attached to the mirror button, which is glued to the new windscreen with a purpose made two-part adhesive.

STEP 4:
Remove the current windscreen from the vehicle. To do this, first remove all surrounding moulds the bottom plenum chamber and windscreen wipers.
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Once all mouldings have been removed you will need to use a cold knife also known as a "drag knife" to cut the existing urethane bonding the top and both sides of the windscreen. Once the bond between glass and urethane has been broken use an olfa knife or BTB knife to cut the bottom section of the glass from the urethane whilst inside the vehicle.

STEP 5:
Once the bond between the windscreen and vehicle has been broken, lift out the windscreen using suction pumps and preferably two people, as the windscreen is considerably heavier than it may look. After being removed, cut the old urethane from the vehicles body with a sharp knife such as an olfa or BTB knife leaving a height of 1-2mm of urethane attached to the body.

STEP 6:
Clean the vehicles surface area making sure all dust, dirt and grease are removed, then prime the body surface with black body primer specific to the urethane being used ensuring all scratches and exposed metal surfaces are covered as this will prevent the body from rusting.

STEP 7:
Using a large caulking gun apply the certified automotive urethane to the primed glass surface area taking care to keep the bead at the same height the whole way round the windscreen leaving no gaps.

STEP 8:
Attach the suction pumps to the out side of the windscreen and using two people place the windscreen into the correct position on the vehicle, ensuring good contact between the body surface and urethane has been made. Once in the correct position press down slightly around the whole windscreen and apply tape from the windscreen to the vehicles roof to stop unnecessary movement.

STEP 9:
Re-fit all necessary mouldings, plenum chamber and windscreen wipers to the vehicle and clean the outside of the windscreen. Wind down at least one of the door windows before closing as the pressure from closing a car door will affect the uncured urethane as this is the weakest point whilst curing and could cause a hole in the seal from the air pressure.

STEP 10:
Wait the approved drive away time for the specific urethane being used (usually one hour) remove support tape from the windscreen, then stand back and admire a newly installed windscreen.