How Long After Windshield Replacement Should You Car Wash?

After replacing your windshield, urethane adhesive must set to secure and seal in your new glass and create an airtight seal. In order to allow it to cure properly, high-pressure car washes must be avoided for at least 48 hours after your appointment to allow proper curing time.

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Always be careful not to slam doors shut, while even gentle handwashing may affect this process.

Avoid High-Pressure Car Washes

After your windshield replacement, the best practice is to refrain from high-pressure car washes for several days as their high pressure can damage urethane sealant and molding around your new front window, potentially creating air pockets between its frame and your windshield that will weaken their bond over time.

Even if you plan to wash your car beyond its recommended window, hand washing it is still the preferred method to ensure that its urethane adhesive has had adequate time to set.

After installing your new windshield, it is advisable to avoid slamming any car doors or driving on rough roads for several days afterward as the urethane adhesive needs to set and harden before it can withstand impact or forceful impacts.

Don’t Rest Things Against the Glass

As soon as you lay something down on the windshield, it can affect how the adhesive dries. A hot or cold day could drastically slow the rate at which urethane sets.

Windshield technicians use retention tape on the edges of glass windshields to prevent debris from interfering with drying processes and create an unintended vehicle clean-out process. While you may be tempted to remove it so you can have an uncluttered vehicle, doing so could weaken the connection between glass and frame and render your new windshield worthless.

As it's still setting and curing, moldings on your car should still be given space to settle and the adhesive to cure. Any extra pressure put on them such as by slamming car doors could puncture their seal and break your windshield – therefore if you must wash it within two days after having its windshield replaced consider handwashing over using power washers or automatic car washes.

Don’t Drive the Car

As part of their windshield replacement services, many workshops set a minimum drive-away timer to ensure that the adhesive dries sufficiently and securely affixes the new glass in place. The amount of time varies based on type of glue used as well as outside temperature and humidity levels.

Driving too soon in your car can cause the urethane seal to lose strength, crack, or come loose, particularly if you slam doors frequently or travel on roads with numerous bumps. Furthermore, this pressure from driving can weaken molds and adhesives that secure glass in place.

After replacing your windshield, it is also wise to avoid high-pressure car washes and power washers in the days immediately following its replacement. Instead, hand washing should be performed using mild detergents and soaps.

Don’t Park in the Sun

No matter whether driving or parking, your new windshield requires extra care as the urethane adhesive used to install it is still curing. Slamming car doors could create vibration and force that could break apart its glue bond and result in shattering.

After replacing your windshield, it is recommended that your vehicle not go through a high-pressure car wash for 48 hours following. The water pressure could displace moldings around the glass and interfere with its curing process, potentially dislodging moldings around it and dislocating moldings around its base.

Hand washing your car during this period should be gentle; just ensure the windshield is dry before applying any harsh cleaners or soaps to it. After you wash, leave at least an inch open in order to allow air flow – this will reduce stress caused by air pressure and help your windshield set faster. Attempt not to park directly under sunlight as exposure to its rays could heat up the vehicle and crack its windshield.