If your windshield has become damaged, it is important to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. It is even more important that you should select a qualified technician to perform this service. Having a structurally compromised windshield can dramatically increase your chances of serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Furthermore, if the windshield is not properly installed, these chances do not get any better, and may even be worse.
Alright, but what are the chances that your windshield would ever be improperly replaced? In 2002, the program 20/20 ran a story which stated that up to 70 % of the 12 million windshields replaced each year are done so improperly.
Proper installation of your vehicle’s windshield is crucial to the performance of the vehicle’s safety systems. The best way to ensure a proper installation is to only use a reputable auto glass service technician; one which uses quality materials, provides sound service, and has a reputation. Be sure to find a company which provides each of its employees with comprehensive training. National Glass Association (NGA) certification of the technician’s competency is highly recommended, and is normally required by most responsible auto glass service providers.
The installation and replacement of vehicle windshields is a delicate matter, and improperly trained or unknowledgeable technicians should be avoided at all costs. Poor technicians commonly make small mistakes which can lead to big problems, especially in the event of an accident. These mistakes may include not thoroughly cleaning the new windshield and application area of the vehicle before installation, or using butyl tape instead of urethane as the bonding agent.
Similarly, not wearing protective gloves when handling the windshield can allow oils and dirt from the hands to contaminate the bonded surfaces of the windshield. Skipping any step in the process will obviously lead to problems, and many unqualified technicians may do this, such as skipping the secondary primer for the windshield altogether. This can prevent the windshield from fully bonding to the vehicle.
Another common mistake made by auto glass service technicians is that they may not fully explain the situation to the vehicle’s owner. For example, after a windshield is replaced, it needs time to fully cure before it is safe to drive. Lack of communication between the technician and customer is a sure sign of an unqualified technician. For example, I very recently had a coworker who had his Jeep’s windshield replaced while he was at work. The service technician came, replaced the windshield in a matter of minutes, and left. My coworker never even knew the technician had come and gone. This is a perfect example of poor communication, and low-quality service. Three weeks after this, his windshield developed a crack from the top of the windshield to the bottom. I don’t know if these have anything to do with one another, but it is very interesting nonetheless.
