A guide to auto window repair

Auto windows and windscreen glass repair and replacement can be a technical job in a modern vehicle. New bond-style car auto wind shields make this a very difficult task for the amateur. In this article, we will try to cover in brief all the types of situation that you are likely to encounter.

Basic chip repairs.

Car kits With most comprehensive car insurance policies offering free chip repair through companies like Glass Doctor and Auto Glass, it's questionable whether you will ever need to carry out a repair on a car windscreen chip. There are, however, several kits that contain all that you need to carry this out. To begin with, the wind shield glass must be clean and free from grease. A seal is created over the chip into which a repair fluid is injected. Once set, the repair is sanded and polished leaving an almost invisible trace that should pass for a MOT. This is only suitable for chips and small cracks. A badly cracked windscreen needs to be replaced.

Replacing windscreens

Replacement screens are expensive items so you should only attempt this task if you necessarily have to. Window screens are either bonded in or sealed with a rubber strip. Rubber strip style The rubber strip style is relatively simple to change but it would need two people to ensure safety. Using a flat bladed tool, remove the chrome or plastic filler strip from around the window. Next, use a special windscreen seal-removing tool to take this out. The glass is then lifted away and the new one lowered is into place. The same tool is used to replace the seal and the filler is popped back into place. Bonded screen A bonded screen is a far more difficult proposition. To remove the old one, the inside of the screen must be covered as the glass will need to be smashed. All traces of the old glass and bonding agent must be removed before the new glass is installed. This task is really beyond the DIY mechanic and should be left to a professional.

Replacing side window glass

To replace or repair an electric car window is relatively straightforward but time-consuming. The interior door panel will have to be removed and the window lowered to allow the support bar to be accessed. Replacement instead of removal Depending on the type of fastening you will need to undo bolts, screw or release a bonding agent to facilitate removal of the glass. Replacement, as they say, is the reversal of removal. Allow more time than you expect for this task as there are invariably complications along the way.