How to Cover a Broken Car Window in Five Steps (with Pictures)

Anybody who owns a car fears getting damage carried out to their vehicle, whether or not it is to the tires, the painted exterior, or the windows. Even though some individuals can substitute destroyed tires or do a fast paint work on the exterior, it might be a bit more difficult to offer with a damaged aspect window.

As soon as you have assessed the injury accomplished and believe you can “survive” with out getting the automobile window changed at this time, you want to start the methods of covering the window up. But how do you get that started out?

This write-up will go above the approach of masking a broken vehicle window in four steps.

Materials Needed

To get commenced, you are going to require the following materials. You can locate most of these objects close to your residence, but other things you may want to grab at the keep. Make confident everything is prepared to go, so you do not want to end the task halfway by means of:

How to Cover a Broken Car Window (5 Steps)

1. Clean Up Broken Glass

First, make certain that the car is totally free from any broken glass. The greatest way to cleanse up any glass from a damaged window is by vacuuming it all away. Vacuum your car’s seats, headrests, and carpets so you really do not have hazardous sharp pieces lingering all around. You need to not skip this treatment due to the fact it is critical for your security to take away any glass fragments ahead of continuing to the up coming actions.


2. Clean the Window Frame

Making use of a couple of droplets of h2o, dampen a dry microfiber towel. Carefully cleanse the window frame of any particles. This will guarantee that the tape sticks properly to a thoroughly clean surface. Any bits of dust or dirt will prevent a strong seal. Enable the window frame to dry totally prior to shifting on to the up coming phase.

How to Cover a Broken Car Window in Five Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: Mikhail Starodubov, Shutterstoc

3. Get the Plastic Bag and the Tape Ready

It is a excellent concept to measure the window opening before chopping into the sheet of plastic. Once you have calculated the dimensions, include on an additional inch all close to the plastic to make confident you can pull it taut. Minimize the piece of plastic and established it apart.

Following, minimize at minimum 10 parts of tape in between 1–2 inches extended. Have them prepared to get since you will need to pull the plastic taut and protected it in excess of the window room.


4. Tape the Plastic Bag to the Window Frame

This phase demands to be completed inside the vehicle. Open the auto door and align the sheet of plastic to one particular of the prime window body corners. You want to have a piece of tape on the plastic sheet and the rubber window seal. This will support secure the sheet.

As soon as you have taped the initial corner of the sheet to the window frame, pull the plastic sheet to the bottom exterior corner. Use two pieces of tape to protected the sheet to the base corner as you did with the top corner. Make sure the sheet has been pulled taut. Carry on taping the other corners right up until the window body is fully covered.

How to Cover a Broken Car Window in Five Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: Michael Vi, Shutterstock

5. Apply a Second Layer of Tape

You should insert a second layer of masking tape to be extra cautious. Implement the 2nd layer close to the margins, exactly where the very first tape ends, in addition to the very first layer. This guarantees that the tape stays in spot. You can use duct tape for the 2nd layer.

If there are spaces amongst two layers that follow each other, they could act as an entryway for water to seep into your motor vehicle if it rains as a result, there shouldn’t be spaces.

Examine to see if the tape sags inwards by tapping on it. If it occurs, it’s time to tear off the aged tape coats and substitute them with refreshing kinds. If the plastic bag remained taut when you tapped it with your fingertips, then you’re very good to go.

Reasons to Cover a Broken Window

Automobile windows are intended to maintain the climate out, as properly as burglars and damaging particles. A damaged auto window is an inconvenience that expenses money to correct or replace, but it can jeopardize the security of your vehicle. Drinking water harm major to corrosion can set in speedily, spreading all through the car and limiting visibility, as well as destroying digital parts.

Masking a damaged window with a short term correct will protect the watertight seal of your car right up until you can get it fixed by a professional or have time to change the glass yourself.

What Are Some Do’s and Don’ts to Covering a Broken Car Window?

No a single expects their auto window to split, but sadly, it does come about. If it occurs to you, be certain to follow these do’s and don’ts to make the approach as easy as achievable.

Dos
  • Wear safety gloves to avoid getting your hands cut by shards of glass.
  • Cover the shattered window as soon as you notice it.
  • Vacuum the interior of the automobile before putting the tape.
Don'ts
  • Applying tape to the outside is not a good idea. It will draw emphasis to the hole and draw extra attention to the damaged glass.
  • Remove any glass shards that may have dropped inside before applying the tape. Those fragments can harm the car’s seats and upholstery just as much as they can harm your flesh.
  • Covering the window with cardboard is not a good idea. Cardboard is opaque and thus obscures visibility. Also, if it is not properly fastened, it might pose a great threat by flying around. If it rains, it will absorb the moisture and will not dry quickly.

What Other Materials Can I Use to Make a Window Cover?

To go over the window, you can use a crash wrap, a easy plastic bag, or even very clear duct tape in addition to the plastic rubbish bag. Use anything that will permit you to see via it and does not impede your eyesight.

Conclusion

Although it is not a long lasting correct, following the methods above can support drivers get by till they’re capable to schedule an automobile glass alternative, which should be carried out urgently. Keep in mind that employing plastic and duct tape produces added blind places and dangerous driving scenarios, so be certain to consider caution when driving with a broken window.


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