How to Replace a Cracked Windshield

Windshields are secured to the frame of your vehicle using a strong but flexible urethane sealant. This type of molding or sealant is necessary because of the abuse a windshield typically gets from the elements. Even so, no windshield can withstand a crack. Cracks can start as a stone chip or an actual fracture. Eventually it will spread across the entire windshield until the glass breaks. You should replace the windshield before this happens, but you'll need to know how to replace a cracked windshield first.

Instructions

1

Pry the plastic trim molding off the windshield using a windshield molding removal tool.

2

Remove the urethane molding with an automotive cutting knife designed to cut urethane molding. These can be found at most auto parts stores.

3

Pull the old windshield off.

4

Clean the remaining urethane residue from the windshield with a cleaning brush and water and trim the molding back to 3 mm with a razor blade.

5

Clean the pinch weld area around the perimeter of the frame where the new windshield will go. The pinch weld area is the recess running around the windshield where the new windshield and molding fits onto the frame.

6

Fit the new rubber molding around the outer edge of the windshield and fit the outer trim into the grooves on the rubber trim.

7

Apply urethane primer to the frit band on the windshield. The frit band is the black strip running around the edge of the windshield. When you apply the primer to this, it activates the pores on the frit band coating, allowing it to adhere to the urethane.

8

Apply a bead of urethane to the pinch weld area on the frame of the vehicle.

9

Align the top, bottom and sides of the windshield on the frame and press the windshield into place.