Can You Go Through a Car Wash with a Cracked Windshield?
Keeping your vehicle clean should be part of your maintenance routine. A good wash preserves the paint job, helps retain the value, and makes driving the car more enjoyable.
But can you get a car wash with a cracked windshield? No, you should not go through a commercial car wash if your windshield is cracked or chipped. The wet conditions and pressure from the washing tools may cause a crack to worsen or the windshield to break.
Learn more about what happens when you go through a car wash with a cracked windshield in this guide for drivers.
Risks of Going Through a Car Wash with a Cracked Windshield
Commercial car wash facilities use pressurized water and fast-moving machinery to clean vehicles efficiently. Under normal circumstances, these tools won’t damage cars or windshields. They’re designed to remove dirt and contaminants from the exterior of your car without causing issues.
However, cracked glass cannot always withstand these conditions. Cracks are more vulnerable than intact glass to changing pressure, temperature, and moisture. If you go through a car wash with a cracked windshield, the cracks may worsen, and debris or dirt from the early wash stages could enter the crack and cause more damage.
Water could also enter the crack and expand. This issue could be particularly troublesome if the water gets between the layers of glass and plastic that make up your windshield. Once trapped inside these layers, water cannot usually evaporate, leading to warping or other disfiguration.
Though unlikely, a cracked windshield could even break during a car wash. If you’re in the car when that happens, the broken glass could cause discomfort and even injury. Water and soap could also get into the vehicle, damaging the interior cabin.
Can you go through a car wash with a cracked windshield? It’s generally not worth the risk. Instead, find an Auto Glass Now near you to get the damage repaired.
Factors to Consider Before Getting a Car Wash With a Cracked Windshield
Several factors will determine the risk of going through a car wash with a cracked windshield. Consider the severity of the crack, how long it has been present, and what a professional recommends.
More extreme cracks are more likely to get worse when faced with the pressure and water of a car wash. If a crack is longer than ten inches or goes all the way through the glass, damage from a car wash is more likely. If a crack has been present for a while or has worsened over time, it could suffer more extensive damage if you go through a car wash.
Visiting a car wash with a chip in the windshield is similarly risky. Even a seemingly minor chip could turn into more significant damage when exposed to high water pressure and swirling tools.
You should always consult with a windshield technician, such as one from Auto Glass Now, about your specific circumstances. They can recommend specific repairs or other interventions you should implement before getting a car wash.
Can I Wash My Car With a Cracked Windshield? DIY Options
What should you do if you need to wash your car before you get it repaired? Consider an at-home wash. Tools that car owners use at home are typically more gentle than the machinery used at commercial car washes, and you won’t spray your vehicle with the same level of water pressure.
You can also spot-treat your car, cleaning specific panels that have accumulated dirt and grime while avoiding the windshield.
Going Through a Car Wash After Windshield Chip Repair
Just because you’ve had your windshield repaired doesn’t mean your car is ready for a wash. When technicians repair or replace a windshield, they use adhesives, which require time to set and cure before they are road- or wash-ready.
Your technician will give you specific instructions, but it typically takes 24 to 48 hours after repair for the adhesive used in a windshield repair or replacement to fully set. If you plan on washing your car at home after this waiting period, use an extra gentle touch and make sure your water isn’t too hot. Avoid the repaired area if possible.
If you plan on taking your car to a commercial car wash, speak to your windshield repair technician about their recommendations. They can provide a more specific waiting period and may even recommend a facility or warn against certain cleaning chemicals to avoid while the repair is still new.
Learn more about what our technicians recommend for windshield repair or windshield replacement.
Get Quality Windshield Repair
There’s always risk associated with taking a vehicle with a damaged windshield through a car wash. The chips or cracks could expand and cause other issues, so it’s best to wait until you’ve had any windshield damage professionally repaired.
For quality windshield repair, work with Auto Glass Now. Explore the auto glass repair services we offer. Our technicians can repair or replace front windshields and perform rear windshield replacement.