If your side window has been shattered, it’s important to create a temporary barrier between your vehicle’s interior and outside elements until you get it fixed properly. As such, we’re here to teach you how to cover a broken car window, and why it’s imperative to do so until you can get a certified replacement. Of course, if you do find yourself in such a scenario, we advise seeking professional auto glass repair & replacement services at your earliest convenience, but here are the immediate actions you can take:
Remove The Glass Shards
Make sure this is the first step you take. It’s not only for your own safety, but the safety of your passengers as well. However, take into account that broken shards of glass are extremely sharp, and injuries can occur with ease if proper precautions aren’t taken. Moreover, they can also leave lasting damage to your dashboard, tear the fabric of your seats, and compromise other features of your automobile. If the frame isn’t cleaned completely, shards can even spill out into parking areas and your tires can get cut by them.
When you’re picking up glass pieces, make sure you wear protective gloves, or you might end up injuring yourself. As far as the gloves go, pick some thick ones that still allow flexibility. Don’t choose plastic or similar materials, as they won’t be of much help. After you get all the big pieces out, vacuum up the little shards, and make sure to empty the vacuumer, otherwise you might forget there are shards in there and injure yourself in the future. Use the vacuum to go over the seal area of the window, and get all the little pieces from the frame.
Wipe Down the Window Frame
Before you can set up a temporary car window, clean the window frame as well as you can, and remember not to neglect the seal area. A wet cloth should be good enough to do the job here, since you just want to remove dirt, dust, and any other type of grime. Get the area as clean as possible, then let it dry so you can seal it off properly.
Applying the Temporary Car Window
The best temporary window fixes are clear packing tape or a clear sheet of plastic. If you opt for the packing tape, put it up one strip at a time, and make sure the strips overlap (this will make them more resistant, and offer better protection). If you’re using a plastic sheet, simply apply it and secure it at the edges with clear packing tape. Either of these options will stand up to moisture better than other alternatives (like card boards or bags, which would also severely limit your visibility). Always tape from the inside of your car, so you don’t peel off your paint when you take the tape away.
Permanent Solutions for a Broken Car Window
The most important part about your temporary window solution is that you keep it temporary. You should call a certified auto glass repair & replacement shop as soon as possible, as not only are you exposing yourself to unnecessary headaches by not having a car window, but it’s highly dangerous as well. Pristine auto glass doesn’t only keep rain, wind and bugs out of your car; it’s also a defender against flying debris and other hazards.
At ProLite Auto Glass, we have over 10 years of experience in this field. If you’d like to work with us, give our friendly customer care team a call at (480) 525-6554.
