Having a strong, sturdy, and properly installed windshield is imperative to your safety. Seventy-five percent of passengers that were ejected from the vehicle during an accident did not survive. If a windshield is improperly installed, it cannot provide support to the roof of the car and will be more likely to pop out or crack in the event of an accident, increasing the risk that you may be ejected from the car. If you need to replace your windshield with a new one, you should make sure that your windshield has been installed properly, and, more importantly, do your best to ensure that the adhesive used in the installation cures properly. Here are 3 tips that will aid you in your attempt.

Avoid Touching Your Own Car When Inspecting It

When bringing your vehicle to an auto shop for a windshield replacement, most clients ask to see the work space if possible and don't hesitate to take a look at how the installation is going. You may also need to go into the work space if you forgot something in your car. It can take the adhesive used to install the windshield awhile to cure, and you might find that you accidentally left your wallet in the car or that you need to grab insurance papers from the glove box. When entering the work space, make sure that you preserve the clean environment provided at the auto shop to avoid any contamination from getting onto the adhesive and preventing it from curing properly. You should ask the mechanics to lend you a pair of gloves before you even consider touching your car. 

Not wearing gloves is one of the biggest mistakes that can be made when installing a windshield. This grave mistake can significantly affect whether the adhesive used to install your windshield cures properly, which is why all mechanics will be wearing gloves. The oils from your fingers can get onto the front surface of the car, the windshield, or even into the adhesive. This will prevent the adhesive from bonding properly and will increase the likelihood of there being leaks.

Give the Windshield Sufficient Time to Sit After the Installation

Replacing a windshield takes time. It's imperative that you allot sufficient time to wait at the auto shop while the adhesive cures in a controlled environment. Depending on the type of adhesive that the mechanic uses, your car will have to sit for different amounts of time specified by the manufacturer to ensure that the adhesive bonds properly. If you insist on driving your car off the lot before the adhesive has sufficient time to cure, then you'll expose the adhesive to the elements and prevent it from bonding properly. In addition, the auto shop will not be able to guarantee the quality of the work and cannot provide you with any warranty for the windshield that has just been installed.

Your best bet is to speak with the mechanic when you arrive at the auto shop to determine how long the windshield replacement will take. Ask whether the auto shop provides shuttle services to their clients that will drop them off and pick them up at a specified location.

Avoid Exposing the Vehicle to Water for Days Afterwards

When the adhesive is curing, it needs to be in a environment with climate control features. This is to ensure that the relative humidity in the room is maintained within a certain range. Moisture in the air can easily prevent the adhesive from curing properly. As a result, it's a wise idea to avoid exposing your vehicle and the newly replaced and installed windshield to water for several days after the installation.

This means that you should avoid driving your car in the rain, washing your car, and even using the windshield wipers. If your car gets wet, dry it with a soft towel or cloth as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Depending on the type of adhesive that was used to install your windshield, the mechanics might also have other recommendations on what you can do to ensure that the adhesive cures properly. Be diligent, as a properly installed windshield can be a lifesaver during an accident. For more information, talk with the mechanics at a local auto glass repair shop, such as Mr. Go-Glass.