The windscreen is one of the most important parts of a car. It provides protection from the elements, ensures an unobstructed view and is an essential part of the car’s load-bearing structure. The windscreen needs to be replaced, for example, if it is cracked or chipped. But how long does it take to replace a windscreen and what are the steps involved?
Stages and duration of the changeover
- Preparing to replace the windscreen
The car is driven into the workshop hall, after which the wiper blades and the necessary plastic covers affecting the windscreen on the engine compartment side are removed. The mouldings around the windscreen are also removed. On the interior side, the rear-view mirror housings and the cameras and sensors attached to the windscreen are removed, as well as the connector for the heated windscreen, if fitted. This step usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. - Removing an old windscreen
The windscreen is typically removed with a special cutter. This step usually takes 15-30 minutes. Removing the old windshield includes removing the seals and old adhesive. - Cleaning and preparation
The “windscreen frame” of the car body, i.e. the A-pillars and roofline, is carefully cleaned and stripped of adhesive residues. This ensures optimal adhesion of the new glass. This step usually takes 15-30 minutes - Installing the new windscreen
The new windscreen is installed using a special adhesive. Prior to gluing, a primer is applied to ensure maximum adhesion. The installation process ensures that the glass is in exactly the right position. This step takes about 30 minutes.
InCar uses SDAT 60 (Safe Drive Away Time) special adhesive for windscreen installations, which allows the car to be driven one hour after the windscreen is installed. This drying time takes 60 minutes. - Windscreen calibration
Modern cars often contain sensors and cameras located at the top of the windscreen, near the rear-view mirror in the shaded area. Virtually all new cars require calibration of the sensors and cameras integrated in the windscreen after windscreen replacement. At InCar, driver assistance systems are always calibrated according to the brand manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the make and model of the car, this step takes approximately 30-60 minutes. - Drying time after calibration
After calibration, the car is safe to drive, but overall the adhesive will continue to dry to its final hardness for another couple of weeks or so. The drying time depends a lot on the environmental conditions – warm and humid air will dry the adhesive faster, cold and dry air will dry it more slowly.
How long does it take to replace the windscreen?
The total time needed to replace a windscreen can vary depending on the model of the car, the type of windscreen and the adhesive used. An InCar professional installer can complete the job efficiently and safely. It’s a good idea to allow enough time for windscreen replacement, and at InCar we can get the job done in one working day.
Book an appointment for a windscreen replacement