Car ownership can be challenging, and a broken window is a significant problem that many car owners face, especially in areas with bad weather conditions. Cold temperatures, for instance, can cause cracks in the car’s glass to contract, leading to further damage. It’s essential to protect your car window to avoid such situations.
Several materials can temporarily protect your car window. Still, you must know how to cover your broken car windows for privacy or to prevent theft before taking it to a mechanic for repairs.
This article provides valuable information on temporarily covering your broken car window. However, it’s essential to note that covering your window is a short-term solution.
You need to fix or replace the window permanently for a long-lasting solution.
How to Cover a Broken Car Window
A broken car window can expose your interior to weather conditions and put your belongings at risk of theft, making it imperative to address the issue promptly.
Covering your car window is a step-by-step procedure that begins with preparing the area for the temporary cover.
1. Prepare the Space:
It would be best if you got the following materials ready before you start the process of covering your broken car window:
- Masking tape
- Heavy work gloves
- Microfiber cloth
- Shop vac or vacuum cleaner
- A high-density plastic trash bag
- Hammer
2. Remove Damaged Glass
Before fixing a broken car window, putting on a pair of work gloves for safety is essential. Then, remove any larger pieces of damaged glass from both inside the vehicle and the window frame and dispose of them properly. You may need a hammer to remove any smaller, more difficult-to-remove pieces.
3. Vacuum
Next, it’s essential to use a vacuum to remove any remaining glass debris from the inside of your car and the surrounding area of the window frame. Ensure that you carefully vacuum over the carpets, seats, and headrests.
4. Clean
To enhance the adhesive capability of the tape on your car’s window, you can wipe the window frame’s exterior and interior with a microfiber cloth to remove dirt and dust.
Next, apply a strip of masking tape about two inches wide around the entire window frame. This will not only protect the car’s paint but also serve as a guide for placing the temporary cover.
Best Method to Cover a Broken Car Window
If you want to cover a broken car window effectively, follow the instructions below for the best results.
Once you have removed the debris and prepared the area, the best way to cover the opening will depend on the location of the damage:
Passenger and Driver Windows
To temporarily repair a broken driver or passenger window, a lattice of clear tape is a simple and affordable solution that provides visibility while driving and is relatively weather-resistant.
Start by vertically applying strips of clear packaging tape on the window’s inside, ensuring that they overlap slightly to prevent gaps and provide better coverage.
Once the entire window opening is covered with vertical strips, apply horizontal stripes on top of the vertical ones, working from the top to the bottom of the window.
Windshields and Rear Windows
When dealing with a larger broken glass area, such as the rear window, purchasing a roll of crash wrap from an automotive store nearby is highly recommended.
As with the driver and passenger windows, you must repeat the cleaning and preparation steps, ensuring that all glass debris is removed and the area is clean. However, you do not need to apply the protective masking tape layer.
It would be best to unroll the plastic covering and cut it from the roll to the appropriate length. You can use scissors or a utility knife to cut the width and press the plastic to the window frame to stick and seal.
If you plan to operate the vehicle, this method is more practical for a rear window. However, if the windshield is damaged, the car should not be driven until the windscreen can be permanently replaced.
In Conclusion
This article can help protect valuable items in your car by providing tips for fixing a broken window. However, prevention is always better than cure, and there are steps you can take to avoid car window damage in the first place.
Follow the instructions below to keep your car window safe from damage or breaking now and in the future:
- Close your car window whenever you leave your car parked up.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning or washing your car, as they can damage the integrity of the glass and increase the risk of damage over time.
- Always park your car from the elements to protect it from weather-related damage.
- Replace your car windscreen wipers when necessary to prevent undue stress on the windshield and maintain their water-dispersing ability.
- Use window covers or a shield over your car if left for extended periods to prevent sun or ice damage and environmental damage such as bird droppings, UV rays, and acid rain.
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