Three Tips For Protecting The Rubber Gasket On A Replacement Windshield
Posted on: 22 September 2015
A rubber gasket is a sturdy yet elastic cover that goes in the space between the windshield and the structure of your car. When it's applied correctly, it'll absorb much of the shock from any impact on your replacement windshield, protecting the glass from shattering and the urethane adhesive under the rubber from coming apart. When you just a windshield replacement and you want to know how to keep it in tiptop shape, read these three tips for protecting the rubber gasket.
Always Wipe Your Windshield With A Towel On Cold And Dewy Mornings
Over a long period of time, both ice and very cold water will gradually wear down a rubber gasket, eventually exposing the urethane adhesive underneath. If it's a cold and dewy morning, unless you wipe down the edges of your windshield with a towel before you drive off to work, degradation is sure to set in.
Focus on putting direct instead of lateral pressure on the rubber layer with your towel so you don't accidentally tear a piece of it off. While the layer is still functional when it only has a few small chunks missing, the front of your car won't look as good as it should.
Run A Pen Cap Through The Edges Of The Rubber Gasket To Dislodge Debris
Since there's usually some space between the outside edges of a rubber gasket layer and the start of the metal crease holding it in place, the danger of debris getting into the space is important to consider. Over time, a small piece of debris will cause the rubber to start peeling off and bending upward, making way for larger debris pieces. Eventually, so many leaves and twigs will get into the rubber (and the urethane underneath) that it loses its elastic properties.
A pen cap is a good tool for clearing debris on the edges of a rubber gasket because it's sturdy enough not to bend without being so sturdy that you risk scratching your windshield.
Get Any Substantial Dents Near The Windshield Edges Checked Out Immediately
Any dent near your windshield's rubber gasket layer could be putting pressure on it, reducing its effectiveness in the event of an accident. Therefore, get any dent your car sustains near the windshield checked out as soon as possible.
Also have the technician take a close look at your windshield's rubber gasket layer to make sure it's still perfectly straight. The chemical bonds holding a rubber gasket and urethane together will break down more quickly if you ignore bumps and curves in both the metal crease and the rubber gasket itself.
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