Windshield Replacement Ocala Florida takes time and patience. It’s important to understand the process so you know what to expect when you schedule your appointment. Depending on the weather, the windshield replacement process may take longer than usual. Adhesives, cleaners, and primers work slower in colder temperatures. This can lead to a longer wait time until the vehicle is safe to drive.
Remove the Old Windshield
Whether you have cracked or broken windshield due to a rock hitting it, the weather, or someone trying to rob your car, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible. Cracked windshields are a hazard for drivers and their passengers, especially on busy roads. The cracks can easily spread, making it harder to keep your vision clear.
Replacing a windshield is an easy project for a car enthusiast, but it takes time and careful planning. You need to have the right tools and materials to complete the job. You should also plan on spending about two hours doing the repair.
The first step in the process is removing the old windshield. A professional will use a windshield removal tool to cut the urethane seal that holds the glass in place. Typically, the tool is an 18-inch Urethane Cut-Out Knife. A stiff thin wire or guitar string can also be used to remove the windshield. The technician will also remove any clips, fasteners or retainers that may be attached to the windshield frame. This will help avoid damage to the vehicle’s trim or windshield during the replacement.
Once the old windshield has been removed, the technician will clean the area around the frame to make sure there are no tiny pieces of broken glass left behind. This will prevent them from falling into the urethane and making it hard to install the new windshield. The technician will also clean off any dirt or debris from the sides of the frame. Newer vehicles often have cameras and sensors embedded into the windshield that need to be calibrated after the windshield is replaced.
After cleaning the frame, the technician will coat it with fresh urethane. This will ensure the new windshield fits correctly within the pinch weld and that a good bond is made. The technician will then install the new windshield using suction cups.
Once the new windshield is in place, it’s important to allow the urethane to set before driving the vehicle. A few hours is usually enough to give the glue a chance to set properly. If you drive too soon, it’s likely that the windshield will crack further or even fall off.
Clean the Pinch-Weld
The pinch weld is a small gap between the body of the car and the windshield that holds or “pinches” the edges of the glass. Over time, dirt, dust and old urethane can build up in this area. This needs to be cleaned before installing a new windshield. Keeping the pinch weld clean helps ensure that the new windshield will fit properly in the gap and will be able to fully hold it.
When installing stationary glass on cars using urethane adhesives, it is important that the pinch weld flange be properly treated. This is because the flange supports the weight of the glass and, as such, can have an impact on the structural integrity of the vehicle. It is therefore crucial that any corrosion, primer or other coatings be removed from the bare metal on the pinch weld flange to allow proper bonding of the urethane adhesive.
In addition, it is essential that any bare metal be coated with a fresh coat of automotive epoxy primer (such as DPLF or DPLV 2.1 VOC) prior to installation of the new stationary glass in order to restore the bonding strength of the flange to the urethane adhesive. This is especially important when the flange is exposed to moisture, salt and other environmental contaminants that can damage the adhesive and reduce its ability to form a tight seal between the pinch weld and the glass.
During the process of repairing the chips and cracks in your Windshield, the professional glass technician will inject a special resin into each chip or crack, which will be heated by a heat source. This causes the resin to expand slightly, filling in the crack or chip, and then hardens to a strong bond. In addition, the professional will also apply a protective sealant to the surface of the windshield, helping it stay clean during and after the replacement process.
During the windshield replacement process, it is important for people to stay out of the way of the technicians. This is for both safety and comfort reasons. In addition, if someone stays too close to the technicians they may be struck by pieces of broken glass that fall during the process.
Apply Urethane
Urethane is the deep black type of glue used to install a windshield. It’s the kind of glue that gets onto everything it touches and is very difficult to clean up. It sticks to clothes, smears and marks hands for weeks after it’s applied. That’s why it’s important to apply it carefully and have a helper.
A technician applies the urethane using a tool that looks like a caulking gun. This makes the job much faster and easier than it would be if the technician had to sit inside your car and use a knife with a long handle. This tool also helps protect the technician’s back, neck and shoulders.
The first step is to apply a thin coat of primer. This step is not required for all urethanes, but it will help ensure that the new windshield adheres to the frame. A good primer will also prevent the metal from rusting in the future.
When the primer is dry, the technician can begin applying the urethane. Using an electric or air powered caulk gun, a bead of urethane is placed around the perimeter of the windshield frame. This is done as carefully as possible to avoid damaging the vehicle’s paint or pinch weld. Some installers put a mounting block at the bottom of the windshield to prevent air pressure leaks.
Once the urethane bead is in place, it’s time to put on the new windshield. This is usually the most dangerous part of the job, so if you haven’t done it before it’s recommended to ask for a helper.
The windshield is pushed into place and held in place with suction cups. Depending on the weather and the type of urethane your technician uses, the windshield should be set within about 30 minutes. Then the suction cups are removed and you’re ready to drive! (Don’t forget to replace the wiper blades.) You can expect to be able to drive your car in about an hour after the new windshield has been installed. Please leave the tape in place if your technician advises you to do so, as it will prevent the windshield from sliding during the curing process.
Put the New Windshield in Place
As the windshield glue dries, it forms a strong and waterproof seal around the new glass. Once the adhesive is fully dry, the technician will put the new windshield into place. This requires some patience as it can take 30-60 minutes to replace a windshield. The tech will first cover the dashboard and other parts close to the windshield to avoid any kind of damage during this process. The windshield wiper blades will also be removed to prevent them from being damaged in the process.
Once the windshield is in place, a technician will clean it with an abrasive pad and apply an activator. This will help the urethane glue stick to it. After that, the technician will remove any residue on the edge of the windshield and make sure it is properly aligned with the window socket. It is important for the technician to place the windshield in a proper position since if it is not placed correctly, it will cause leaks and air noises.
The last step is to use suction cups to hold the windshield in place until the adhesive is completely dried. It is important not to drive the car right after windshield replacement because it can cause the adhesive to lose its strength and cause the windshield to shift. It is recommended to wait for at least an hour before driving.
Using high-pressure car washes and automatic car washes in the first two days after windshield replacement can also cause issues since it puts a lot of stress on the adhesives. Other things to avoid after getting your windshield replaced include slamming the doors and driving on roads with lots of potholes.
Windshield replacement is a complicated and dangerous job for anyone to try at home. Even if you have the necessary tools, it is still not recommended to replace your windshield yourself. It is always better to let a professional do it and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you and your family will be safe. It is also a good idea to ask your insurance company about whether windshield replacement is covered by their policies.