When replacing your windshield there are 25 points to consider.

Your windshield is a big part of the strength of you roof in a roll over and your air bag blows up against it.

Improperly installed windshields can cause serious injury or even death.

So you need a replacement? Questions you should ask before having a replacement done. Your windshield is responsible for up to 70% of the strength of the roof in a roll-over accident. It is a structural component of your cars safety features. If your windshield pops out of your car in a roll-over accident or because your air bag deploys against it and it’s not secure, you and your occupants can be ejected, killed, and or paralyzed.

The windshield is designed to act as a backboard for the airbags when they deploy; holding the airbag in place to protect you. Airbags deploy at 200 miles per hour and can pop a poorly installed windshield from the car body. If this occurs, your risk of death increases dramatically. With the windshield gone, vehicle occupants can be ejected from the car.

Properly installed windshields ca save your life but you need to know what questions to ask and be sure to watch the technician do the work. If he/she takes short cuts tell him/her you will not accept the work and will not pay for the job until it’s done properly.

Your life is worth saving! Before deciding on a shop, ask these questions.

1. Does the shop use OE glass? Original Equipment glass is manufactured under strict controls and very stringent conditions. Therefore, the quality is better and you have a more precise fit for your make of car. OE glass typically has a harder surface due to the more controlled manufacturing process. Generic brand manufactured glass often times leaks air or water due to poor shaping of the glass. Water leaks will cause future water damage to the interior of your vehicle. The best manufactures are LOF, PPG, and Guardian.

2. Does the shop use a two-part or heated urethane system? Urethane is the black, semi liquid material used to bond the glass to the body of the car. There are many types of urethane. The best urethanes are two-part or heated urethanes. Tow-part urethanes mix two materials together as they are squeezed from the tube creating a chemical reaction within the new mixture. This chemical reaction makes for faster curing time and allows the customer to have a safe drive away time in about an hour. Two part and heated urethanes are more expansive and may require specific primers. One part urethanes are safe but require certain temperature and moisture requirements before the urethane cures. They can remain uncured if days are cold and dry. You want the best material because this is what holds the windshield to the car. Typically prices for two-part urethanes are about $20-$25 (2004) per tube and most windshields will require at least 11/2 to 2 tubes. Never allow a shop to use butel. This material never hardens or cures so it never creates a lasting or durable bond to the car body. Windshields installed with butel are dangerous.

3. Does the shop use dam material? This keeps the new urethane in place and supports the glass around the entire perimeter. It also helps keep the urethane from squeezing inside the car and making a mess on the dash. It is not required but makes for a nicer job.

4. Does the shop pay bonuses on the number of windshields installed during a day? Many shops bonus their installers on how many windshields he/she installs during the day. We do not recommend using a shop that puts their technicians under this kind of pressure. The technician will be more worried about doing the job fast than doing it correctly. A good installation should take between 45 minutes and an hour, not 20 to 30 minutes.

5. Does the shop replace moldings or reuse the old ones? Sometimes the moldings get torn, bent, or broken when they are removed from the old windshield. Sometimes they are to old or brittle and need to be replaced. Either way you should know if you will need to replace them or not. If new moldings are required, they should be quoted in the price. Many OEM windshields come with the molding attached form the factory.

6. Does the shop remove the bottom cowling? If the cowling is not removed, the bottom of the windshield must be slid into place. This smears the wet urethane making a big mess, which in turn makes for a very poor seal. There is no longer a proper bead of urethane that makes a good bond to the car body, just a thin smear that may or may not bond.

7. A one or two man job? If you have a small to mid size car, one installer can usually handle the installation. If you drive a minivan with a large windshield or a tall pick-up truck, it’s best to have two installers.

8. What kind of warranty or guarantee does the shop offer on workmanship and products? If the shop does not stand behind their installation and their products, look for another shop. If the glass is defective or damaged, you should receive a new piece of glass with a free installation.

9. Does the shop bill your insurance or are you expected to do it? Reliable shops will usually bill your insurance for you. You will be required to pay your deductible and the insurance company will pay the balance. Insurance companies negotiate lower rates. If you have a low deductible, it’s best to use your insurance. Cash prices vary widely.

10. How long has the business been in operation? The cheapest price in many circumstances guarantees you poor quality glass, materials, and installation. A good business needs to make a profit to remain in business, to be there to service you in the future, and handle warranty issues. Price slashers are a dime a dozen and often go out of business, leaving you hanging if you have a problem. Look for a small shop that has been in business at least 5 years and offers personalized service. They should hire people who are directly invested in the outcome of a job well done. Installation training takes years. Don’t allow a newby to work on your vehicle without the direct supervision of a seasoned veteran with at least 5 years experience.

Vehicle Preparation
11. Does the technician use protective car covers? The technician should protect the hood and fenders to prevent damage to the paint.

12. Does the technician use a powered knife to cut the old urethane from the car? Powered knifes are less physically challenging and the cutting action of a powered knife means less physical force is needed to cut the glass out. If a technician slips, there is less chance of damage with a powered knife that one that is muscled around.

13. Does the technician use a hand knife to cut away all but a thin remnant of old urethane? If blobs or thick ribbons of old urethane are left attached to the car body, the new urethane has nothing strong to bond to. A thin ribbon of old urethane about 1/8th of an inch thick is all that should be left on the car before the new windshield is installed.

14. Does the technician sand rust spots and use primer on them? All cars will have rust spots hidden underneath the windshield. Pockets are formed when the new windshield is pushed into place. These pockets trap water and cause rusting. If the rust is not sanded away with steel wool and the areas primed with primer, the urethane will bond to the rust, not the good metal. This will cause wind whistle noises and/or water leaks once the urethane cures.

15. Does the technician vacuum the bonding areas and dash of the vehicle? During the cutting process, tiny glass particles may break off. The bonding area and dash should be vacuumed to make sure no particles can damage or cut the new urethane once the new windshield is installed.

Installation Techniques
16. Does the technician use suction cup handles and gloves when handling the new glass? Oils from the hands create dead spots on the glass. A dead spot is an area which urethane will not bond to. Dead spots are weak spots where water and wind can enter. By using suction cup handles on the glass this keeps the oils off the glass surface making the entire glass surface an active area urethane can bond to. Gloves should always be worn as a double precaution. Some shops do not have suction cup handles. At the very least, make sure the technician is wearing clean, new vinyl gloves.

17. Does the technician use a wind shield rack or saddle to set the new glass on to prepare it for installation? Without a rack or saddle, the new glass may become scratched as the technician is working on it. Laying the windshield on a tail gate without proper protection can result in a damaged piece of glass.

18. Does the technician inspect the glass for damage? Sometimes during shipping the glass edges will become nicked or get chunks knocked out of them? This creates weak spots in the glass. Unethical installers will not tell you about the damage and install the glass anyway. You, the customer, should inspect both sides of the glass before the installer cleans the windshield. Both sides should be nick free and the edges of the glass should have a nice smooth edge. If the glass is damaged, tell him/her it’s unacceptable and you require a perfect windshield.

19. Does the technician clean the interior side of the windshield thoroughly before applying the dam material? The interior surface which mounts to your car must be free of oils and dirt for a strong bond to take place. A good glass cleaner that strips oils is required.

20. Does the technician place the dam material on the inside surface of the glass? Dam material is a narrow line of black foam about ¼ tall with an adhesive strip on one side. The adhesive side is attached in a straight line along the perimeter of the new glass.

21. Does the technician V-cut the edge of the urethane tube? A V-cut allows the urethane to be applied to the glass in a wedge shaped bead. Most experienced installers agree this makes for a better installation. An angled or straight cut on the urethane tube end makes a round bead. Make sure the bead is placed beside the dam material and flows in a continual bead with a uniform thickness. When changing to a new urethane tube, make sure the ends of the bead blend and merge together. There should be no gaps in the urethane bead.

22. The technician/s will set the glass at this point, are they still wearing gloves or using suction cup handles on the outside surface of the glass? At this point the new windshield is ready to be place on the car body. Make sure nothing is in the way of the bonding surface. If you have a large or tall vehicle, two installers should set the glass. The installers should position the glass squarely on the body of the car and firmly press all the edges in place, making sure the glass is secure.

23. Did the technician install the molding? Moldings are either rubber or metal pieces that are cosmetic additions to the car. Moldings act as an additional barrier to keep water from getting under the windshield and give the windshield a finished look. Sometimes tape is used to hold the windshield in place until the urethane has time to cure or is permanently set. The moldings should be in place before the tape is used to secure the windshield.

24. Final points? The technician should vacuum the car and work area leaving no trash, or glass particles behind. The rear view mirror should be removed from the old windshield and reinstalled on the new windshield. The bottom cowling should be reinstalled along with the wiper blades. If the wiper blades are torn or damaged, you should buy a new set immediately. Many technicians will carry them in the van and can replace worn wipers with new ones. Old wipers blades can damage the new glass. Written instructions should be left stating when it is safe to drive the car. You should also be given a warranty or guarantee on the workmanship.

25. Safe Drive Away Times? Every urethane is different. Be sure to ask how soon the curing process will be complete and how long before it is safe to drive your car or wash it. If the urethane is not cured, the windshield could dislodge if you are in an accident. Short trips can be fatal. Be sure to honor the recommended safe drive away time for your urethane product. Now you’re a Pro! At the very least you will have a safe installation and will feel comfortable driving. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!