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How To Handle Broken Car Windows


When car glass breaks, not a lot of people want to deal with it. However, protecting it until you can have it repaired is essential and something you need to do before things get out of hand.

Supplies You Will Need To Cover a Broken Window

– Micro-fibre cloth
– Thick work gloves
– One roll of masking tape

High-density plastic trash bags work just fine as temporary covers for broken windows. However, it is worth noting that temporary window covers hamper visibility and you will need to have them replaced as soon as possible, if not immediately. Nevertheless, when it comes to temporary covers, consider using clear transparent trash bags as they, at least, let you see color and light in your peripheral field.

Steps On How To Temporarily Cover a Broken Window

1. Preparation

Before starting any work, it is essential you put on work gloves to ensure your hands are protected from glass shards. Get a container or bag that can be recycled or properly disposed of.

2. Clear Broken Glass

The first step is to get rid of all the large pieces of glass. Using your hands, collect and put all shattered window pieces into your container or bag. Gently break off any remaining glass that is still attached to your car. Using a shopvac, vacuum the smaller pieces of glass around the window frame, inside the seal, and inside the car.

3. Clean Around the Affected Window

Once you’ve vacuumed all broken glass pieces, the next thing you need to do is to prep the surfaces around the window to improve adhesion.

4. Position the Plastic Cover

From inside your vehicle, place the plastic cover over the frame of your window. Hold the cover against the frame’s top edge and temporarily fix it in place using a few pieces of masking tape.

5. Fix the Plastic Covering in Place

Have 6-10 long pieces of masking tape ready then start smoothing the cover and pulling it to one side of the car’s frame. Use one piece of masking tape at a time to attach it around the sides of your window. The plastic cover needs to be stretched out ensuring it does not slack since it will start flapping due to wind as you drive, causing unnecessary and irritating noise.

6. Seal the Cover

Once you’ve fixed the cover in place, the next step is to seal it up. Use extra pieces of masking tape to reinforce the cover around your window. A second layer of masking tape also helps ensure the cover stays in place even if there is strong air pressure as you drive. Ensure that there are no holes between the window frame and the cover where water and air can seep or leak through.

7. Add an Extra Layer Outside

If you probably won’t be able to see a mechanic in a couple of days, it is essential to ensure that the temporary cover will hold up in bad weather or for several days. As such, it is advisable that you add an extra layer of plastic covering. To do this, repeat steps 4 through 6 with an extra plastic cover but this time from the outside of your window. This should be enough to ensure the broken window is well covered.

Safety Concerns

It is worth noting that covering a window using plastic bags will decrease your range of vision. If you are driving with a broken window, please drive slowly and be extra careful.

Never hamper a driver’s visibility by covering broken windows with opaque or dark materials and please note that this is not a permanent solution.

When you are ready to have your glass replaced get in contact with First Class Auto. We can help do your glass replacement right.