At Mobile Glass, we inform our customers that it will take approximately one hour to install their windshield. On average, the install takes between 30 to 45 minutes, while at times it can take up to 90 minutes.
What are the steps to install a windshield?
In order to begin your windshield replacement, we first prepare the vehicle by carefully removing the moulding, cowl, rear view mirror and antenna (if applicable). This has to be done carefully so that these components can be cleaned and reinstalled once the new glass is in place.
The windshield removal itself is time consuming and detailed. Your windshield is a strong piece of glass that is held in place with urethane and has to be carefully cut out. An extractor, which is an electric power tool, is used to remove your windshield by cutting the urethane – it functions similar to a reciprocating saw. A cold knife is then used to work along the edge of the glass to cut the remaining glue holding the windshield in place.
Caution has to be taken to ensure the pinch weld or frame of the vehicle doesn’t get damaged while going through this process. This step alone can take up to 25 minutes, and requires intense concentration.
The next step is prepping the new windshield and laying the new urethane around the frame of the vehicle. Once this is done, the glass is placed very carefully back into position. It can’t be sitting too high, too low or towards one side.
Then, the cowl and the original mouldings are reinstalled, along with the rear view mirror and other peripherals. A small piece of tape is put at the top of the glass to hold it in place while the urethane sets. The new windshield is then cleaned and any stickers that were removed from the original glass are carefully applied to your new windshield.