Posted By Vinyl Frog On August 29, 2022

How To Cover A Broken Car Window With Plastic Wrap

Did the neighbors' children break the window of your car while playing? Or somebody tried to break into your car? Or was it an accident that led to this? Whatever the reason might be, it can be difficult and frustrating when your vehicle’s window breaks. You agonize over the fact that you cannot drive your vehicle until it is fixed but before the professionals are involved to do the job, you will need a temporary fix.

There are several transient ways in which you can fix your car’s broken window. In this blog, we will specifically talk about how to cover a broken car window with plastic wrap. Plastic wraps are thick and do not tear easily hence they help you in minimizing the damage to both your car and your personal well-being until you find a permanent solution.

Why Should You Cover The Window With Plastic Wrap?

A plastic wrap is a sheet that can be temporarily used to cover the window of the car to protect its interior because leaving the window open and uncovered is an invitation to steal your vehicle.

For Personal Protection

It doesn’t matter whether the broken glass is on the passenger's side or the driver's side because it remains a hazard not only for the people inside the car, but also for the pedestrians and people using other means of transportation. While driving, little glass pieces can disengage easily and the potential outcomes of where they can land are tragically unending. This means that anyone can get hurt as a result of a broken car window.

To Avoid Chances Of Theft

As mentioned above, leaving a car with no window is a huge security risk as it is an open invitation for anyone to take your vehicle or anything that is of value inside it. Nobody wants to experience any such incident hence it is important to cover the window with a plastic sheet.

Although it is not a permanent solution and it is not difficult to break into a temporarily fixed car, it is way better than an open window. Here’s a tip - if you get the plastic installed professionally, it will not give you that artificial cover look until and unless someone inspects it closely.

Protection Against Harsh Weather

It is difficult to drive a car without cover in harsh weather conditions. In extremely cold conditions, it is important to have a covered window so that people inside the car can travel while keeping warm and cozy. Similarly, when it is windy, a window without a cover allows dust, debris, and other pollutants to enter the car. This can damage the delicate material, finish and the interior of the car, therefore a plastic wrap is imperative.

Privacy

With a broken window you don’t get enough privacy as people can look inside your car without any hindrance. In order to prevent that from happening, you can use plastic wrap to cover your window.

Overall look Of The Car

For some people, the look and appearance of their vehicle matters a lot as they consider it an extension of their personality. Somehow, it is true that a car with a broken window won’t give it a well-kept and fastidious look. So to maintain the look of your vehicle, it is important to get the broken window fixed temporarily until you get it repaired by professionals.

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How To Install The Plastic Wrap

Proper Preparation:

Before installing the plastic film it is important to prepare the area. The following are the things to do before covering the window with plastic film.

Remove The Shattered Glass Pieces:

Okay, so before covering the window, you'll have to remove all traces of glass from its edge. You'll have to do it thoroughly otherwise it will continue to tumble off as you drive. As a precautionary measure, it is advised to wear gloves to avoid cuts, and to cover your eyes with safety glasses or a face shield. Wear your work clothes too.

Use a hammer to remove the pieces of glass that stand firm. Remove small attachments of glass using other instruments or putty knives. There are chances that some glass debris may fall into your vehicle. You should check and vacuum the interior of the car a few times until you’re satisfied.

Clean The Window:

Prior to covering the broken vehicle window, wipe the external frame with a help of soft and light fabric to keep away from scratches.

There should be no dust and debris on the frame. This will help the plastic wrap stick better and will hold the dirt back from getting caught under the wrap. It will also prevent water and moisture from getting in. Before proceeding to the next step, you will have to wash the window frame completely to remove every single shard. It should be totally dry before you continue.

The Right Tools

There are several reasons why you need to cover a broken vehicle window. You might have had an accident or your window might be cracked and you need to forestall further damage. Whatever the reason, you will need the following things to fix it temporarily:

A transparent, weatherproof, heavy duty plastic wrap.
Waterproof tape.
Work gloves
Goggles or a face shield.

Cover Your Window With Plastic Wrap In 5 Steps

Cut the plastic wrap

The first thing that you need to do is to cut the plastic wrap according to the size of your window with an extra ½-inch all around that will be utilized in tapping the plastic wrap.
Application of plastic wrap:

Apply the plastic cover from within your vehicle, so it does not destroy your paintwork, is sealed perfectly around the edges, and looks a lot neater. The plastic wrap should be thick and durable. Now stretch it tight across the window so it won't blow around. After applying the first layer, you should apply another layer of plastic wrap in order to give it a firm and long-lasting look.
Smooth out any air bubbles:

Utilize your hands to remove any air pockets present in the wrap. It is better to have as few kinks as conceivable so that your view isn't hindered and you can drive easily.
Tapping:

Once you have smoothed out all the bubbles, go all the way around the edges of the plastic with extra-long strips of tape. Ensure that you utilize sufficient tape so it will hold.
Testing:

Before you drive off, test your window to ensure that it is properly covered. You might have to add more duct tape if any regions are not secure.

Other Factors To Consider

The fact that you know how to cover a broken car window doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t get it fixed. This is just temporary. You can wager that not fixing it appropriately in time can, and doubtlessly will, prompt a catastrophe.There are some other factors that you should consider as well. Always use transparent and see-through material.

Although colorful covers might seem trendy and stylish, they hinder clear vision. This can be dangerous to you and everybody around you while driving. Duct tape, plastic bags, and crash wraps are all accessible in a transparent variety.Likewise, make certain to check the guidelines of your city before you, at any point, introduce a cover on a broken vehicle window. It's against the law to drive with a plastic cover, regardless of whether you're just doing this temporarily.

How To Prevent The Window Of Your Car From Breaking?

Following are some steps that can help in preventing the window of your car from breaking in the first place:

Keeping away from busy roads

In general, a highway or expressway has more traffic than a back road, which brings about a higher opportunity of road debris or different particles going vertical and hitting the window of your car. Whenever possible, pick back roads over highways and expressways. This not only permits you to experience fewer vehicles out and about, it lowers your gamble of a window breaking as well.
Drive slowly

If flying debris hits your car window while you're driving, the forward movement from your vehicle can expand the debris’ impact. Therefore, follow the speed limit as it reduces the severity of the damage when flying debris does strike your car's window.
Avoid driving in bad weather conditions

To prevent the window of your car from breaking, it is suggested not to drive in bad weather conditions until and unless it’s an emergency. It is suggested to drive with extra precautions in bad weather conditions.
Avoid vehicles ahead of you

Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you can diminish the risk of flying debris hitting your car's window. It also reduces the risk of accidents and collisions if the driver in front of you suddenly stops or slows down.
Treat your vehicle well

We've all slammed our car door either in anger or frustration. Though it may help in letting out steam, it can cause damage. Slamming your vehicle door will send shock waves through the glass, which can debilitate it. A minor one probably will do nothing, however, over the long run, you might wind up causing significant damage.

Conclusion

Managing a vehicle that has a broken window is a distressing encounter one can experience. The best and immediate solution for this issue is to cover it with a plastic wrap temporarily. At the same time, it is important to ensure that this impermanent fix doesn't stay longer than it ought to. A new glass window may be a venture, but it's completely waterproof and more durable than any other impermanent arrangement!