It is unwise to leave the broken car window open. You never know how quickly moisture can build up inside a car, leading to mold growth and bad odors. So, how to cover a broken car window? Below will show you the best way to cover a broken car window.
You need to prepare the area. Then, use tools like heavy-duty garbage bags, crash wraps, plastic sheeting, or plexiglass to cover a broken car window.
Please read on for more detailed information.
Prepping the Area
So let’s go back to the beginning of this. You get up, make coffee, and head out to your car only to discover that it has a broken window. What do you do?
Remove Remaining Glass
Safety glass in your car should shatter into short, jagged pieces rather than long ones if it was manufactured within the past 50 years. Typically, tempered glass is used for the other windows and laminated glass for the windshield.
But, since our readers are varied, I have to say *please wear gloves and long sleeves before you work around any glass*. Scoop or brush any remaining glass into a trash can after going around the window’s edge to remove it.
Vacuum
Next, vacuum up any remaining glass fragments from the car’s interior and the area where the window was, if there are any.
Use a Shop Vac or something industrial for this because I don’t know how powerful/sturdy your vacuum cleaner is and don’t want to hear “you broke my vacuum cleaner, Al” in the comment section.
Clean
Next, clean the outer edge of the paint around where the window used to be with a paper towel with some isopropyl alcohol in it. This will prep the surface for whatever adhesive you’re going to use in the next section.
How to Cover a Broken Car Window?
We now have to cover it. In order to make your own window covering on a budget, check out these methods.
Heavy Duty Garbage Bag
Grab a hefty. Use some duct tape to affix this garbage bag to the outside of your vehicle to cover the opening. This will flap in the wind because the bag has dimension to it, so it will go in and out as the wind moves across the surface.
Crash Wrap
This is a fairly inexpensive method of repairing that broken window. This resembles a more robust version of the saran wrap you might use in your kitchen to store leftover food.
You will stretch the roll over the window(s) you want to cover, cut it off at the end, and press it firmly in place. Your problem has a waterproof, impervious solution.
Plastic Sheeting
This product can withstand a beating because you have probably seen it on construction sites before. This is a sheet of thick plastic that is a little more opaque than glass.
To secure the sheeting over the opening, you’ll need an adhesive like duct tape, but it should hold for as long as the duct tape does. You might be kept out of the loop for months.
Plexiglass (Acrylic Sheet)
Plexiglass might be the best option if things are truly bad right now and getting a new window won’t be possible for at least a few months.
A square yard of Plexiglass can be placed on top of some cardboard after you’ve cut it to the shape of the opening you’re attempting to cover.
After drawing the cardboard’s outline with a sharpie, you can use a hacksaw to cut it out. Sand the edges once more to finish them, and then use some isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel to clean them.
The shavings won’t get in the way of your adhesive’s ability to stick to the outside of your car this way. Finally, attach this to your window with some more duct tape, and you should be good to go for the foreseeable future.
How to Cover a Broken Car Window Temporarily?
A heavy-duty trash bag will suffice if the situation demands an immediate covering. This applies most often to smaller windows, like a broken rear passenger or driver-side window. To cover a broken window with a trash bag:
- In order to prepare the window, repeat the cleaning and preparation steps from earlier.
- The next step is to stretch a sturdy trash bag inside the window opening and secure it with packing tape along the frame. While you tape the trash bag, you might need help holding it taut.
- To seal the exposed window opening, repeat the previous step outside the car using a different trash bag.
This is only meant to serve as a temporary covering until a more suitable covering can be used or the window is replaced. Since the trash bag will obscure vision, it is not advisable to drive the car in the interim.
While none of these solutions are intended to be long-lasting solutions, they will help safeguard your car’s interior while you wait for a qualified mechanic to fix it. Driving should be avoided when the windshield has damage or is covered in trash bags, but transparent temporary repairs on the side and rear windows may allow for some limited driving.
FAQs
How Do You Cover a Broken Car Window With Plastic?
With a piece of masking tape, secure the plastic to the bottom outer corner of the window frame by pulling it taut. To keep the plastic in place, attach one to two more pieces of masking tape to the window’s sides. To hold the plastic in place and secure it, apply one or two more pieces of masking tape to the bottom of the window.
Does Putting Bubble Wrap on Windows Work?
Bubble wrap is often used to insulate greenhouse windows in the winter, but it also seems to work fine for windows in the house. It is usable both with and without standard or insulating window treatments. Additionally, it works with windows that have an irregular shape, which can make it challenging to find insulating window treatments.
What Tape Can I Use on My Car Window?
We have what you need if you need a quick fix for a broken window. Big Tape is great because it securely adheres to your car or truck but leaves no residue. It is comparable to plastic wrap that can withstand high speeds and heavy downpours.
Summary: How to Cover a Broken Car Window?
How to cover a broken car window? The first thing you should do is cover the window of the car to stop further damage. A crucial action is to maintain your composure. It’s crucial to cover the broken window in your car because, if left open, it only requires a few seconds to become dirty.
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