So you’ve just had a windshield replacement, and while the glass looks perfect, perhaps you want to clean the rest of your car on the way home. Stop right there, because although it might seem like an afterthought, doing this can actually cause significant damage to the bond, leading to leaks and compromised structural safety. While many Baytown drivers may not realize the significant impact a car wash can have on freshly installed windshields, the damage can be expensive and hazardous for you and your passengers. At Joey’s Glass in Baytown, we perform the highest-quality, professional-grade windshield replacements on the market. However, the proper aftercare is still essential for obtaining the best, most long-lasting results. Use this blog as your guide to understanding the appropriate care for your new windshield replacement and why car washes can be dangerous for the curing process.
The Critical Curing Process: What’s Happening Under the Glass?
When it comes to auto glass repair or installation, the structure lies primarily in the strength of the seal. This is because, contrary to what many Baytown drivers might assume, a windshield isn’t merely glued into place. However, the urethane used is actually much stronger and more demanding than simple glue when it comes to the thorough application process. Because of this seal, the windshield is structurally bonded to the rest of the car, giving it the ability to perform crucial functions in order to protect you and your vehicle’s safety. The primary structural elements that this applies to include:
- Airbag deployment: This is a little-known but highly impactful aspect of windshield safety for all vehicles. When airbags deploy during a head-on collision, they need a backstop to keep the bags in proper position for optimal injury prevention. When your car’s windshield is weakened due to even small cracks or chips, it can potentially cause the force of the airbag to break the glass, rendering it ineffective at protecting you and your passenger.
- Roof crush prevention: Another key factor in windshield safety is the impact it has on the overall structural support of your vehicle. When your windshield’s strength is compromised, it can potentially cause the roof to cave in during a rollover accident – potentially putting you and your passengers in more danger.
Breaking Down the Science of Cure Time
You may be wondering, “How long does my windshield need to cure fully?”. The truth is that the difference between a safe “drivable” time and a safe time for the full range of environmental strains is extremely different. Most windshield resins are made of urethane, which is a unique chemical compound that is a crystalline solid. Unlike the liquid resins that are used for windshield chips or cracks, the urethane doesn’t need a UV light to cure. At Joey’s Glass, we always wait 30-90 minutes for a baseline of curing before cars can be driven. However, for things like high-powered car washes or other strenuous events, the cure time is much longer – especially due to Baytown’s humidity. Ideally, it is best to wait 3-7 days before putting your vehicle’s new windshield replacement through these kinds of activities to prevent premature damage to the seal.
Car Washes: The Immediate Risks to Your New Windshield Seal
While water might seem harmless, especially in an area of Texas where humidity is a constant environmental factor, when paired with a strong jet stream, it can harm new windshield replacements for a slew of reasons. In most commercial, drive-through car washes, the real cleaning power doesn’t come from the colorful soup, the disco lights, or the wheelhouse scrubbers. It actually comes from the high-powered streams of water. In most car washes, the water is shot at your car anywhere from 800 PSI to more than 1500 PSI. These immense forces can act like a stabbing knife on your new windshield’s seal – breaking down the still soft urethane and compromising the vital bond. Some of the most common effects include:
- Water infiltration and leaks: This is the biggest risk and most common outcome of going through a high-powered car wash too quickly after getting a new windshield replacement. When water is forced through the soft seal, it can create significant interior leaks, which may even damage your electronics and upholstery.
- Wind noise and seal distortion: When the seal is damaged, it can physically distort or even become thinner and less sturdy. When this occurs, it may form air gaps that lead to wind noise when you drive at a certain speed.
- Mold and mildew: If water becomes trapped between the seal and the frame of your car, it can quickly grow into a mold breeding ground.
- Adhesive failure and long-term safety implications: Much like how a small chip or crack can cause a weakened effect on the structural strength and airbag deployment process, a weakened seal can do the exact same. What makes this extremely dangerous is that sometimes a damaged seal can be invisible – until a car accident reveals the extent, which can be dangerous.
The Golden Rule For Windshield Replacement Seal Aftercare
Now that you understand the profound implications that going through a high-powered car wash can have on your newly replaced windshield, many Baytown drivers are probably asking themselves, “How long do I really need to wait, then?”. The golden rule for auto glass care after a windshield replacement is to wait at least 72 hours, or three full days, before any extra-straining activities. This is because the urethane needs this much time to fully harden into a crash-safe bond that can keep your windshield fully in place, no matter what. That’s because two factors impact the seal and the bonding process, both of which are highly prevalent in the Baytown area:
- Temperature
- Humidity
Now that the winter weather is right around the corner, it may take slightly longer than normal for windshield seals to fully harden in Baytown. This is because even slightly cooler temperatures cause the bond to harden more slowly than when it is warm outside.
Additionally, humidity can also play a factor. This is because urethane actually needs moisture to cure fully. In Baytown, humidity is a near-constant environmental factor – but in this case, it actually helps your bond secure faster.
But what if I need a car wash right now? If you’re unable to wait the golden time frame of 72 hours before washing your car, our team at Joey’s Glass recommends using a low-pressure hose, mild soap, and a soft sponge to get the job done. Be sure to avoid directly touching the gasket area or the frame of the windshield in order to avoid disrupting the bonding process as much as possible.
Prioritize Safety With Patience After Windshield Replacement
The single most important thing to remember after getting a new windshield replacement from Joey’s Glass in Baytown is that your bond isn’t solid immediately after leaving the lot. While we will never send our client home without it being strong enough to be driven, avoiding high-powered car washes for at least 72 hours is the best way to ensure your new windshield lasts as long as possible. Contact Joey’s Glass in Baytown today for a free windshield replacement estimate.