Ever had to deal with a broken car window?
How uncomfortable that is! One, you are constantly worried that the police may stop you. Worse still! Imagine there is extreme weather, something like rainfall or wind. How do you drive comfortably under such circumstances?
In this article, we will look at a step-by-step technique you can use to cover your broken car window. We will also look at what could cause a broken car window and why you should cover it.
Understanding why your car windows could break could help you take precautions against it. Below are some common causes of why it could happen:
Collision. This is arguably the most common reason. Even minor collisions can cause the glass to form a crack, leading to it breaking under minimum pressure. After a collision, it is advisable to use OBD2 scan tools to diagnose which systems could be affected by the crash. To find out more about car diagnostic tools, you can visit obdadvisor.com to read more detailed and honest reviews about them.
Break-Ins. Another common cause of broken car windows. It could be done by thieves who hope to find valuables in your car.
Impact of debris. This could be anything from rock chips on the road to tree parts falling as you drive by.
Damage development. This could happen as a consequence of the window not being properly installed. Undue pressure could cause the window to break.
Heat. Extreme temperature can cause the glass to shatter. Though this is rare, it can happen. The sudden temperature change can cause the glass to break, e.g., pouring cold water on your windows as you clean during extreme heat temperature.
Car windows provide protection and a clear view as you drive. However, accidents happen, and windows may end up getting shattered. As a precaution, before you can get it permanently fixed, you should cover it.
Covering your window provides a sense of:
Appearance
Accidents happen, and people understand that. Driving your car with no windows does not inspire confidence from other road users. Covering your windows will give the impression of someone who cares! Someone who is covering only as a temporary measure.
Plus, properly covering your window gives more of a ‘complete’ look than when it has no windows.
Safety for you and your passengers
There are many foreign objects on the road as you drive. This ranges from flying birds to road debris. By covering your windows, you protect the driver from foreign objects such as dirt particles that may affect his driving. You also cater to your passengers’ health and yourself by providing a cover against broken glass, dust, and dirt.
Protection from extreme weather
A temporary window cover provides a shield, just as a window would! It could also help reduce the level of contact that you and your passengers get with extreme weather conditions. It is so uncomfortable being rained on as you travel!
Cover from extreme weather for the driver also enables him to concentrate on his driving.
Avoid easy access
Covering your windows also prevents easy access to the things in your car. It can either buy time before a thief takes something, or it can discourage the action altogether.
There are several materials you need to ensure that the process of covering your car window is done properly and safely.
Step 1: Removing glass debris
As the first thing to do, make sure to remove all pieces of broken glass in the car and around the window. Small glass pieces can be dangerous as they could cause bodily harm. To do this, make sure you put on gloves to avoid cuts.
Use a hammer to remove stubborn glass around the window frame. Next, use the vacuum cleaner to clear out glass pieces from the carpets, seats, around the dashboard, and even on the headrests.
The goal is to clear any piece of broken glass.
Step 2: Dusting off
Next, clean the car window frames. Use a clean & wet microfiber cloth to dust around the window. This is because dust particles prevent the masking tape or crash wraps from sticking properly. Use a part of the microfiber to dry the area before you proceed.
Step 3: Cover the window frame
Covering around the window frame with masking tape is a protective measure against spoiling the paint job done. Cover about two to three inches of the frame.
Step 4: Apply the window cover
Now you are done with preparation. The real work begins!
There are three methods you can use:
This is perhaps the most common method!
To start with, open your car door to find an ideal position to begin covering. Start from one side of the window. Place strips of duct tape vertically, each overlapping the other, till you reach the other side of the window. Make sure it is strong, and no air can pass through. Repeat this process, this time, covering the window horizontally.
When you are done with the inside of the car, close the door. Repeat the process of covering vertically then horizontally on the outside.
Now you are done.
This is the easiest and fastest method!
With crash wraps, you won’t need to cover the window frames with masking tape. Measure the size of the window, place the crash wrap from one side of the window to the other. When you are satisfied with how it looks and feels, press the plastic onto the frame.
You are done!
Carefully choose the type of bag to use. We would recommend the use of high-density plastic bags instead of low-density ones. This is because low-density bags are susceptible to easy wear and tear.
To start, measure the size of the window to ensure you use the right size of the plastic bag. Next, start from the inside of your door. By use of duct tape, tightly place the plastic bag over the window. You can reinforce this by applying a second layer of duct tape.
Ensure that the window is fully sealed and there are no weak points. For maximum protection, you can repeat this process on the outside of the door.
Wear heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from glass fragments.
Use two plastic bags to dispose of the broken glass. This is just in case the glass cuts through the first bag.
Clean around the window frame before using crash wraps or masking tape.
Cover up a window immediately and you notice it is broken.
Vacuum in the car and around the window to ensure there are no glass fragments. This ensures safety for you and your passengers as you travel.
Don’t apply duct tape directly on the door. It may compromise the paint job done.
Don’t apply a window cover before you have removed all glass fragments in the car. Broken pieces of glass may cause as much damage to the interior of a car, e.g., on car seats, as they will do on your skin.
Don’t use cardboard as a window cover. Cardboards are opaque, and so they block visibility.
Don’t apply tape on the outside of the window as it may invite unwanted attention.
Conclusion
Some things in life are just inevitable. Car windows will break, and it can be frustrating, even dangerous, driving with a broken car window. Luckily for you, there are temporary measures you can take! Follow these simple steps, and you will be good to go. At the end of it all, make sure that you get the window permanently fixed.
