The glass is in, the technician is packing up, and you want your car back. A little patience in the first day protects the job you just paid for. What to avoid depends on which glass was replaced, because a windshield, a back glass and a door window are held in very differently. Here is what to avoid, and why.
After a new windshield
A windshield is bonded to the car’s body with urethane adhesive. The Auto Glass Safety Council says the windshield is part of the vehicle’s passenger restraint system and must be installed properly for the airbags to deploy safely, and that it helps keep people in the car in a crash. A fresh bond is not at full strength, which is what the first day is about.
Do not drive until you are told
The time a car should stay parked after the glass goes in is the minimum drive-away time. The Council says it varies with the type and brand of adhesive and the weather at the time of the job, so there is no single number. Impex Auto Glass’s own guidance is that most cars are back on the road within two hours of a windshield replacement. The technician tells you when yours is ready; wait for that.
Skip the car wash
Impex says to avoid washing the car for 24 hours. High-pressure water at a car wash, or from a pressure washer in the driveway, can get under trim that has only just been refitted and press against an edge that is still curing. Rain is not the same thing; a normal shower will not hurt it.
Close the doors gently
Impex also says to avoid slamming the doors for 24 hours. With all the windows shut, a slammed door pushes a burst of air against the inside of the windshield. It sounds trivial, but it is pressure on a bond that is still setting. Crack a window an inch if you like, and close the doors firmly but without a bang.
Leave the tape alone
Some installs leave strips of retention tape holding the trim in place while it settles. Leave them until the technician said they can come off, then peel them slowly.
Check the camera warnings
If your car has a forward camera behind the mirror, it should have been calibrated before you drove off: Impex performs calibration on site right after the windshield goes in. On the first drive, watch for warning lights or messages about lane keeping, collision braking or adaptive cruise. If one stays on, call Impex. More about calibration is on the windshield replacement in Charlotte, NC page.
After new back glass
Impex says back glass replacement takes one to two hours, and that you should leave the rear defroster off for 24 hours. The defroster grid is part of the glass, and its power tabs are bonded on; give them a day before they are heated. The same car wash advice applies, and close the hatch or trunk gently. If you find stray pieces of the old glass in the cargo area over the next few days, that is common after a rear window shatters; vacuum the seams and under the mats. More on the job is on the back glass replacement in Charlotte page.
After a new door window
A door window is the easy one. It runs in a regulator inside the door rather than sitting on a bed of adhesive, and Impex says you can drive right away after a side window replacement. Run it all the way up and down a couple of times to make sure it moves smoothly and seals at the top. If it sticks, squeaks or will not close fully, call Impex. A bonded quarter window is the exception: treat it like a small windshield and ask the technician when it can be driven. See car window replacement in Charlotte for the full job.
Signs something needs a second look
- Wind noise from the edge of the glass at highway speed
- Water inside the car after rain or a car wash
- A warning light for a camera or sensor that stays on
- A rear defroster that does not clear once you start using it again
- A door window that does not close fully or rattles
Any of these is worth a call to Impex Auto Glass, so the job can be checked.
Questions drivers ask
How soon can I wash my car after a new windshield?
Impex says to avoid washing the car for 24 hours after the job.
Can I drive in the rain after a windshield replacement?
Once the technician says the car is ready to drive, normal rain is fine. It is high-pressure water in the first day that you should avoid.
When can I use the rear defroster after new back glass?
Leave it off for 24 hours, Impex says.
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