What should I do in the first hour?
Wait for the safe drive-away time your installer gave you before driving. It's the point when the adhesive is strong enough to hold the windshield in a crash. I-CAR puts it at roughly 30 to 60 minutes for fast-cure urethanes and 2 to 8 hours or more for conventional ones. See safe drive-away time for details.
What should I avoid for the first 24 to 72 hours?
The adhesive keeps getting stronger for about a day and takes longer than that to fully cure. Go easy on the car until then.
| Timeframe | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Until drive-away time | Let the car sit | Driving it |
| First 24 hours | Leave tape on, crack a window about an inch, close doors gently | Car washes, slamming doors, rough roads |
| 24–72 hours | Remove tape, drive normally | High-pressure spray on the glass edges, mounting items on the glass |
| After 72 hours | Wash and mount accessories as normal | Nothing special |
Why is there tape on my new windshield?
Retention tape holds the moldings and glass in position while the urethane sets. Leave it on until the next day, then peel it off slowly. If it's hard to remove after sitting in the sun, a little warm water helps loosen it.
Why should I crack a window and close doors gently?
Closing a door with all windows shut pushes a burst of air pressure against the inside of the new glass. Before the adhesive is fully cured, that pressure can shift the glass or break the seal. Leaving a window open about an inch lets the air escape.
When can I wash my car?
Wait at least 24 hours before a car wash. For a few days after that, avoid aiming a pressure washer at the glass edges and moldings. Hand washing or a touchless wash is gentler at first.
In summer, wash in the shade or once the glass has cooled. Cold water on hot glass is hard on any windshield.
When can I put my dashcam, phone mount or toll tag back?
Wait until the adhesive has had a few days to cure, then mount items in the spots California allows. Vehicle Code 26708 limits what you can put on the windshield and where.
| Item | Where California allows it |
|---|---|
| Toll transponder (FasTrak) | A 5-inch square at the center top of the windshield |
| Video event recorder | A 7-inch square in the lower passenger corner, a 5-inch square in the lower driver corner outside the airbag zone, or a 5-inch square at the top center |
| Portable GPS | 7-inch square lower passenger corner, or 5-inch square lower driver corner outside the airbag zone |
| Stickers | 7-inch square lower passenger corner or 5-inch square lower driver corner |
For FasTrak, the Riverside County Express Lanes instructions (PDF) say to mount a sticker tag inside the windshield behind the rearview mirror, 2 to 4 inches below the top edge, and a switchable tag in the lower left corner, about 2 inches in from the side and bottom. They also note that sticker tags break if moved, so you may need a new one. Clean the spot first and keep tags and mounts clear of the camera's view.
What's normal after a new windshield?
A few things are expected and go away on their own:
- A slight urethane smell for a day or two.
- Tape marks or residue that wipes off.
- A thin black band of ceramic paint at the edge that looks different from your old glass.
- A dynamic calibration still finishing. Some cars complete it during normal driving. Your installer will tell you if that applies.
What are signs of a problem?
Call the installer if you notice any of these:
- Water inside the car near the windshield, on the dash or headliner, or a damp carpet.
- Wind noise or whistling at highway speed that wasn't there before.
- A loose or lifting molding.
- Camera or lane warning lights, or lane keeping and auto braking acting strangely.
- Distortion that makes the view wavy.
- A new crack starting from the edge.
Camera warnings can mean calibration wasn't completed or needs another try. Read static vs. dynamic calibration.
What does our warranty cover?
Every replacement comes with our lifetime workmanship warranty against leaks and wind noise for as long as you own the vehicle. If you notice a leak or wind noise, call (951) 364-2300 and we'll come back to fix it. You'll also have a printed calibration result if your car has a camera, so keep it with your invoice. See our warranty page.
Need help?
Something doesn't seem right after your install? Call or text us during Mon–Sat 7am–7pm. For a new job, get a quote or read about windshield replacement.