Drivers may not consider the windshield to be of much importance when it comes to maintaining their vehicle. After all, most will likely instead point to things like the engine or transmission as the most critical parts on a car. However, a windshield is ultimately the key to your visibility, and if problems occur while driving, it can become quite dangerous to the people inside the car.
If you've got a cracked windshield, you'll need to take it into a replacement specialist - unfortunately this is simply far too complex a job to do on your own, and even most mechanics don't know how to do it properly. Once you find a specialist, there are a few questions you should ask to ensure everything's going to go properly, according to the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council.
How does a windshield get attached to a car? The answer is an adhesive bonding agent known as urethane. Urethane can be tricky to work with, and if something goes wrong during installation, it can cause you more problems than you're fixing.
First off, be sure that the garage is using urethane and not butyl tape. Many will cut corners with the tape and assume drivers won't notice the difference. Ask for a top-tier adhesive, preferably one made by the original manufacturer if you can find it. Another thing to look out for is what type of windshield you'll be getting. Some shops prefer to install their own windshield, cutting it to fit the car. Others will purchase their windshields directly from the manufacturer. It might be a bit more expensive, but the original manufacturer is always the safest bet.
Another question to ask is if the old adhesive will be removed first. If it's not, the new urethane may not bond properly. Another problem with bonding can occur if the mechanic does not wear gloves, as oil and grease can contaminate the urethane.
Finally, be sure to ask the repairman how long the adhesive needs to set before the car can be driven. Each urethane mixture has it's own time that it takes to bond, and if you drive the car before then, it can disrupt the process.
If the mechanic you've found seems to have all the answers, you can be sure he takes pride in his work and will do the job right. Otherwise, you might want to steer clear - windshield replacement is too finicky a process to take a risk on.