Auto Glass Installation Instructions

When glass in your vehicle is damaged, it's important to repair it quickly and effectively so you can drive your vehicle safely and comfortably again. There are many different glass pieces in a vehicle that can be broken. Fortunately, once you learn how to replace one piece, the same fundamental process applies to installing any additional auto glass.

Instructions

Identify the adhesive and glass type for your car. Call a retail glass shop and tell them the year, make and model of your vehicle in addition to the specific piece of glass that is broken. Alternatively, ask your car dealer or mechanic for the type and measurements of the glass that works best for your vehicle. Also ask the dealer for the best adhesive for the weather conditions in your area. With newer model cars in mild climates, for example, a urethane adhesive will almost always be used and can be purchased at most automotive stores.

Purchase the glass and the adhesive. Purchase the exact glass and adhesive that the dealer recommends, either from that dealer or from another glass retailer in your area.

Cover the interior of the car with a sheet or a protective drape. Be sure to cover all areas that could potentially come into contact with pieces of broken glass.

Remove the broken glass, adhesive and wipers from the vehicle. Use gloves and a straight edge to carefully remove the pieces of broken glass and the existing adhesive from the vehicle. If the windshield is being replaced, remove the wipers by loosening the screws on the wipers with a screwdriver.

Pull the gaskets off of the glass and remove the dirt and residue that has accumulated in the area around the glass with a scrub brush and an all-purpose cleaning solution.

Seal the area around the glass with glass sealant, then install the gasket on top of this layer of sealant.

Set the new glass into the groove of the gasket. Continue around the entire perimeter of the glass, pulling the gasket up and over the outer edge as you go. Use your fingers and a plastic flat-edged auto-glass tool to install the gasket. This tool can be purchased at your local automotive store.

Apply a thin line of adhesive around the exterior edge of the glass underneath the gasket. Remove any extra adhesive with a razor blade. The adhesive will be dry and ready for use within 90 minutes of application.

Lower the window all the way. Remove the negative cable on the car battery--and set the cable as far from the battery as possible--if the windows are electric. Grab the weather strip on the outer edge of the door and remove it.

Remove the screws from the door panel and pull the panel up to release it from the retaining clips. Use a vacuum cleaner and your hands (while wearing gloves) to remove all of the broken pieces of glass from inside the door panel.

Install the new window by sliding the glass down into the door. Use a window regulator to bolt the glass into place. Window regulators can be purchased at your local automotive store. Put the door back together by sliding the panel back into place and tightening the screws.