Replacing a damaged windshield at Windshield Experts

Imagine a day when you are all ready to drive somewhere and find a crack on the windshield. Not the best way to start a day, right? Windshield is one of the most important items on a car. As the name suggests, it shields the occupants from external conditions such as dust, rains, wind and even bugs. Additionally, it also contributes to the structural integrity of a vehicle in case of accidents, by cracking and absorbing the impact thereby keeping the occupants safe. We recently visited Windshield Experts in Mumbai to understand the process of replacing a damaged windshield and to know why sometimes it is even better than getting it replaced from an official car dealer.

Why does a windshield crack?

If there's a small damage on the windshield, it should be repaired immediately before it leads to a larger crack.

A windshield is made of a laminated glass that comprises of two separate pieces of glass bonded together with a layer of poly-vinyl-butyral (PVB) sandwiched between them. It can get damaged by pebbles and rocks flying from the preceding vehicles and also when parked under trees, especially during monsoons. In case of an impact, it is the first layer of the windshield that bears the impact. However, if the severity of the impact is higher, the PVB restricts the sharp shards of the windshield glass from flying onto the occupants. While the front windshield is made of laminated glass, the side and the rear windows are made of tempered glass that disintegrate into smaller dull edged pieces in case of an impact.

Identifying a damage on the windshield

If there's a small damage on the windshield, it should be repaired immediately before it leads to a larger crack. The Windshield Experts team tells us that if there is small chip/impact, it can be repaired, depending upon the intensity and extent provided it is not an obstruction in your vision. However, if there is a large crack, there is no other option but to replace it with a new windshield.

Windshield repair and replacement is a specialized job and requires well trained technicians.

Why should one opt for professionals for windshield repair or replacement?

Windshield repair & replacement is a specialized job and requires well trained technicians. Any wrong fitment may lead to leakage, weak bonding of glass or damage to car body which may be harmful for the passenger's safety. At Windshield Experts all staff is trained to international safety standards and use genuine products keeping in mind customer's safety first.

Process

The vehicle is thoroughly inspected to check for scratches on the body panels as well as gauge the extent of damage on the windshield. The team runs a check on the wipers to verify if its working and also to make sure the blades are in the best condition. Both are primarily hygiene checks.

With the help of vacuum lifters, the new windshield is then placed and aligned correctly on the frame

The technicians then put safety covers on the bonnet, front side panels and also on the roof of the car. Additionally, they also place the same on the dashboard and the seats, just in case the shards fall inside the cabin. Once that is done, they remove the plastic wiper cowl and also dismantle the wipers from their motors. The beading and the adhesive holding the damaged windshield is then removed from different points. It is done with the help of a wire cutting technique. After making sure the damaged windshield has no connections left with the frame, the technicians lift it with the help of two vacuum based lifters. The remains of the old adhesive on the frame is peeled off. Using a vacuum cleaner, the small bits are removed from the frame.

After making sure the damaged windshield has no connections left with the frame, the technicians lift it with the help of two vacuum based lifters. The remains of the old adhesive on the frame is peeled off

The brand new windshield is placed on a stand and inspected thoroughly to check for any defects. A fresh coat of new adhesive is applied on the edges of the new windshield. With the help of vacuum lifters, the new windshield is then placed and aligned correctly on the frame. It is then allowed to be in that position till it cures. Interestingly, all of this takes a maximum of two- three hours from start to finish.

A fresh coat of new adhesive is applied on the edges of the new windshield

Precautions with the new windshield

The team at Windshield Experts instructed us to give the adhesive sufficient time to properly bond the windshield to the frame. This should be done by driving carefully and avoiding potholes to avoid any sort of impact or disturbance to the windshield. Also, the new windshield should not be washed for at least 24 hours after fitment.

Verdict

Replacing a windshield on cars like Maruti Suzuki Swift, Honda City and also SUVs like the Mahindra XUV500 and Hyundai Creta should cost you between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on the model and the variant. Windshield Experts also covers premium brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW etc. in India. In addition to offering their services at its outlets, the company also provides door step service which makes them truly unique. With a presence in more than 85+ locations across 45+ cities, Windshield Experts is the largest automotive glass repair & replacement company in India. The fact that they are associated with Asahi India Glass, the largest glass company in the India, makes them a renowned name in this sector. Ratish Ramanujam, COO, Windshield Experts, mentions "We are always looking to enhance our service offerings, expand our reach and provide faster, safer and better services to improve customer experience".