WHAT HOLDS YOUR WINDSHIELD IN PLACE?
Automakers use a specialized urethane adhesive to chemically bond the windshield directly to the pinchweld — the metal frame around the windshield opening. This isn't just a sealant to keep out water and wind; it's a structural bond that makes the windshield an integral part of your vehicle's body. Using the correct adhesive, approved by your vehicle's manufacturer, and applying it with proper technique is critical to ensuring the bond performs as intended in the event of an accident.
WHAT DOES THE WINDSHIELD DO FOR YOUR SAFETY?
Your windshield does far more than keep the elements out — it's one of the most important safety components on your vehicle. Here's why:
- Airbag support: When a frontal airbag deploys, it must deflect off the windshield to properly cushion the driver or passenger. If the windshield isn't properly bonded, it can fail during impact and the airbag won't protect you as designed.
- Roof support: Your windshield contributes significantly to the structural integrity of your vehicle's roof. In a rollover accident, a properly installed windshield helps prevent the roof from collapsing.
- Occupant retention: A correctly bonded windshield helps keep occupants inside the vehicle during a collision.
This is why we only use quality adhesives that meet or exceed vehicle manufacturer specifications, and why every installation we perform follows the ANSI/AGRSS Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard — the only recognized auto glass safety standard in North America.
HOW SOON CAN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE AFTER INSTALLATION?
We recommend a minimum of two hours before driving your vehicle after a windshield replacement. However, this can vary depending on the temperature and humidity at the time of installation. In colder Colorado mountain weather, the adhesive may take longer to reach a safe drive-away strength. We'll always give you a specific recommendation based on the conditions on the day of your installation.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO WAIT THE PRESCRIBED TIME BEFORE DRIVING?
The urethane adhesive needs time to cure and reach the minimum bond strength required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for windshield retention. Driving too soon — especially at highway speeds or over rough roads — puts stress on a bond that hasn't fully set. This could cause the windshield to shift, leak, or in a worst-case scenario, fail to perform correctly in an accident. The longer the adhesive cures, the stronger the bond becomes. We'd rather take a little extra time to make sure you're safe than send you out on I-70 with a windshield that isn't ready.
CAN YOU BILL MY INSURANCE DIRECTLY?
Yes! We work with all major insurance companies and can bill most of them directly — making the process as easy as possible for you. Here's how it works:
- Call the number on your insurance card (or contact your agent) and let them know you've chosen Crystal Clear Auto Glass.
- We are a preferred provider with most major carriers, so they'll already have us in their system.
- Your insurance company will send us a work order and coordinate directly with us to schedule your appointment.
- You pay only your deductible — we handle everything else.
If you have comprehensive coverage, windshield repair is often covered with no deductible at all, depending on your policy. It's always worth a quick call to find out before assuming you'll have out-of-pocket costs.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINDSHIELD REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT?
Repair involves injecting a clear resin into a chip or crack to restore the structural integrity of the glass and prevent further spreading. It's faster, less expensive, and often covered fully by insurance with no deductible. Most chips smaller than a quarter and cracks shorter than 6 inches can be repaired.
Replacement is necessary when the damage is too large, too deep, in the driver's direct line of vision, or has reached the edge of the windshield. During a replacement, the entire windshield is removed and a new one is bonded in using the urethane adhesive process described above.
When you call us, we'll help you determine which option is right for your situation — we'll never recommend a replacement when a repair will do the job.
DO YOU USE OEM GLASS?
Yes. We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) quality glass on all of our replacements. OEM glass is manufactured to the exact specifications of your vehicle — the right thickness, curvature, tint, and optical clarity. This is especially important for newer vehicles equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), where even slight variations in glass thickness or curvature can affect the performance of cameras and sensors.
WHAT IS ADAS RECALIBRATION AND DO I NEED IT?
Many modern vehicles have cameras and sensors mounted to the windshield that power safety features like:
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
When your windshield is replaced, these systems need to be recalibrated to ensure they're working correctly. Crystal Clear uses the same software technology that manufacturers use to originally calibrate your ADAS system. We can perform recalibration during the same appointment as your windshield replacement, with minimal additional time. We also provide a certificate of calibration for your records.
If your vehicle has these features and you skip recalibration, your safety systems may not perform as designed — even if they appear to be working normally.
DO YOU OFFER MOBILE SERVICE?
Absolutely. We know that a cracked windshield doesn't always happen at a convenient time or place. We offer mobile service throughout Summit County (Silverthorne, Dillon, Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, Copper Mountain) and Eagle County (Vail, Minturn, Avon, Edwards, Wolcott, Eagle, Gypsum). We can come to your home, workplace, or wherever your vehicle is parked.
We occasionally travel outside our standard service area for fleet jobs or multiple vehicles — just give us a call to discuss.
CAN YOU REPLACE GLASS ON TRUCKS, HEAVY EQUIPMENT, OR FLEET VEHICLES?
Yes! In addition to standard passenger vehicles, we work on heavy equipment, buses, large trucks, and fleet vehicles. We can also custom cut lami (laminated) glass to meet specific fleet requirements. If you manage a fleet or have an unusual vehicle, give us a call and we'll work out the details.
WHAT IF MY WINDSHIELD HAS RUST AROUND THE FRAME?
Rust around the pinchweld (the metal frame the windshield bonds to) is a common issue, especially in Colorado where vehicles are exposed to road salt and harsh conditions. We offer rust treatment as part of the replacement process. Pricing for pinchweld rust repair varies depending on the extent of the damage. Note that insurance typically does not cover rust work directly — customers pay for this separately and can submit for reimbursement on their own. We'll always let you know upfront if we find rust before we start the job.
WHAT ABOUT SNOW REMOVAL BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT?
If your vehicle is covered in snow on the day of your appointment, please remove the snow from the entire roof, hood, and windshield before we arrive or before bringing it in. If we need to spend time clearing snow, there is a $35 labor charge. This ensures we can get straight to work and complete your installation as quickly as possible.
