Car Windshield Cracks: An Easy Guide For Keeping & Replacing Stickers

When the windshield of your car is cracked and needs replacement, one of the losses you may have to deal with is stickers applied to the glass. City waste stations, oil change reminders, and parking stickers to beaches or golf courses are just a few of the applications that you might lose out on. Instead of having to go and replace every sticker, there are ways to save the stickers that you have and apply them to the new windshield once it's installed. If you're dealing with a cracked windshield, you can use this guide to for all your sticker needs.

Auto Glass Sticker Removal

Instead of dealing with messy chemicals or third-party products, you can leave the sticker removal directly to the professionals. Along with performing auto glass replacements, many windshield professionals have the proper tools to remove stickers and preserve them for you. A professional can cleanly remove stickers on both the inside and outside of the windshield. When your windshield has a lot of cracks in it, having a professional complete the job can also help eliminate any danger of cuts or scratches if you mess with the windshield.

As you make an appointment to have your windshield repaired, remember to request the sticker removal during this process. This can ensure that the windshield professional brings the proper tools for removing and keeping the stickers whole.

Applying the Removed Stickers

Once you have received the new stickers, you will want to keep them in a safe place until the new windshield has been installed. One of the biggest issues with removed stickers is curling edges. This can cause the sticker to roll up in itself and make it harder to flatten out again in the future. Keep the stickers flat using a simple process. Rip off two sheets of parchment paper that are slightly larger than the sticker surface. This paper is typically used for cooking, but it can supply a nice surface for stickers that will not attach or cause problems when peeling off. Once the stickers are placed between two pieces of parchment paper, a heavy book should be placed on top of them. The book will help apply pressure on the stickers and keep them flat on the paper.

After the new windshield is installed, you can remove the stickers and bring them out to the vehicle. A majority of stickers can apply directly to the windshield. If the edges are not sticking, then you can use a brush-on or spray-on adhesive that will help flatten the stickers out and leave them stick to the windshield. When choosing an adhesive, choose one that dries clear so it does not hinder your view through the windshield. Give the stickers at least 20 minutes to dry before operating the vehicle.

Sticker Images & Printing

Depending on the crack in the windshield, an auto glass professional may not have the ability to fully remove the sticker. In this case, you can use the camera on your phone to obtain a sticker replacement. Before the glass is removed and repaired, capture an image of the sticker in your windshield. This image should be straight on and cropped closely to the sticker shape. Once you have the image ready, you can send it to a photo editor on your phone or the computer. Using digital photo tools, crop the image down until it just features the sticker. You may also want to measure the dimensions of the sticker so it can print out in the same size.

The next step is to purchase vinyl sticker printing paper. There are a number of options available. Ensure that you pick one that can accepts color printing through either an inkjet or laser printer. Print out the new sticker on the sticker paper, trim it to size, and then apply the new sticker to your windshield. This process can give you an authentic duplicate that matches the same sticker you used before.

All of these tutorials can be done within the same day that you have your windshield repaired. By completing everything in the same day, you can get back on the road with a clear windshield and all the stickers you need.

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