What kind of plastic to cover broken car window?

Having a broken car window can be an extremely frustrating experience. Not only is it dangerous to drive with a broken window, as road debris and other environmental factors can enter the cabin, but a broken window also leaves your vehicle vulnerable to theft and interior damage from weather exposure. When faced with a cracked or shattered car window, most drivers need a quick fix to cover the window opening while arranging for a professional window replacement. Using plastic sheeting is often the most accessible and cost-effective temporary solution for covering a broken car window.

What are the options for temporary window coverings?

If you need to cover a broken car window, you have a few options for temporary repairs:

• Plastic sheeting or drop cloths
• Plexiglass or acrylic sheets
• Plywood or cardboard
• Duct tape

Plastic sheeting is one of the most commonly used quick fixes for broken car windows. Most hardware stores, home centers, paint stores, and auto parts stores carry plastic drop cloths or sheeting that can be cut to size. Plastic is an inexpensive option that folds up compactly for storage in your car trunk or glovebox. It is also easy to cut to fit your car window dimensions. Thicker plastic tarps and drop cloths provide more durability than basic plastic sheeting.

What thickness of plastic should I use?

For a temporary window cover, using plastic that is at least 2-4 mils thick is recommended. Here is an overview of some common plastic thicknesses for broken car window covers:

Thickness	Type	Description
1 mil	Basic plastic sheeting	Very thin and prone to tearing
2 mil	Standard drop cloth	Low cost but tears more easily
4 mil	Thick drop cloth	Good balance of affordability and durability
6 mil	Heavy duty tarp	Thick and long lasting but more expensive

A 4 mil plastic drop cloth is a good minimum thickness to withstand wind, debris, and environmental factors while temporarily covering your broken car window. 2 mil plastic can work in a pinch but tears more readily when removing and reattaching frequently.

Can I use a plastic bag or painters plastic?

You can use a large plastic bag or painters plastic in an emergency to cover a broken car window, but it is not recommended for prolonged use. Here are some drawbacks of using thin plastic bags or painters plastic:

• Thin 1 mil plastic easily tears, allowing debris and moisture to enter
• Bags lack rigidity to stay up firmly against window seal
• Painter’s plastic lacks durability for regular attachment and removal
• Low visibility through clingy thin plastic is dangerous when driving

For a quick fix on the road, a large plastic bag duct taped up can work. But replace it as soon as possible with a 2-4 mil plastic drop cloth or painters tarp for a better temporary window barrier.

Is plexiglass a good option?

Plexiglass, also known as acrylic glass, makes an excellent temporary cover for a broken car window if you need a more permanent solution. Here are some benefits of using plexiglass:

• Rigid and durable – lasts for many months if needed
• Withstands weather and wind noise
• Easy to see through material
• Can be cut to fit any car window dimension

The downside of plexiglass is that it is more expensive than plastic and needs to be precisely measured and cut to size. It also cannot be rolled or folded up for compact storage. But for a long term window covering, plexiglass is a sturdy option.

What are some tips for safely installing temporary plastic?

When installing plastic over a broken car window, follow these tips for safely securing it:

• Roll down the window to get access to the upper window trim and seals
• Clean window seals thoroughly so plastic adheres better
• Cut plastic approximately 2 inches larger than the window on all sides
• Pre-fold edges to create creases for a tighter fit
• Use painter’s tape or masking tape to adhere plastic to window seals
• Secure loose edges with duct tape for added wind resistance
• Roll up window to hold plastic in place between window and upper frame

With precautions taken to safely secure the edges, plastic sheeting can temporarily protect the interior of your vehicle from exterior damage. Make sure it is tight enough not to flap around while driving.

Will the plastic hold at highway speeds?

Properly installed plastic sheeting will withstand highway speeds when following these precautions:

• Use at least 4 mil thickness plastic
• Allow excess overlap on all sides and secure with tape
• Completely seal upper edge by rolling up window to hold plastic in place
• Reinforce outer edges with duct tape as needed
• Add an extra strip of tape vertically along the middle of the window

The combination of thicker plastic held firmly along all sides provides sufficient wind resistance for highway driving until you can get the window professionally replaced.

What about exposure to sun and rain?

Regular plastic sheeting holds up reasonably well to exposure to rain and sun when used as a temporary fix. Here are some tips to extend its durability:

• Use UV-treated plastic drop cloths if possible
• Limit direct sun exposure by parking in shade when possible
• Check edges frequently and re-tape if needed
• Replace with new plastic after 2-3 months for best results

For longer term use, upgrade to plexiglass which holds up better to prolonged weather exposure. Avoid low quality bags or painter’s plastic for permanent coverage.

How can I reduce wind noise?

Plastic sheeting flapping at highway speeds can create loud wind noise in the cabin. Here are some tips to reduce wind noise from a temporary plastic car window cover:

• Ensure plastic is pulled as tightly as possible across window opening
• Tape down all edges thoroughly and use duct tape on outer seams
• Add vertical strips of duct tape over the window to reinforce the plastic
• Use a thicker plastic material to reduce fluttering
• Open windows and sunroof slightly to relieve air pressure

Proper installation is key. The more firmly the plastic is adhered around all sides, the less it can flap around and create noise. Thicker plastics and plexiglass also help reduce wind sounds at highway speeds.

Will my windows still roll up and down?

With plastic temporarily adhered over the broken window, your automatic windows should still be able to roll up and down. However, take precautions such as:

• Check for any broken glass shards in window track
• Make sure window regulator mechanism is engaging properly
• Manually assist the window to reduce strain on motor
• Lower window slowly and carefully
• Stop if you hear any straining or grinding

The plastic cover has some give and should flex as the window moves. But watch for tearing at the edges. Avoid fully automatic operation to reduce the risk of damaging the window mechanism further.

Will tape residue be left behind?

Masking tape or painter’s tape generally will not leave much sticky residue behind on window seals when removed. However, duct tape has stronger adhesive that may leave adhesive behind. Here are some tips for residue-free removal:

• Use the lowest tack tape possible to sufficiently adhere the plastic
• Press tape firmly to activate adhesive and create a tighter bond
• Pull tape away at a 90 degree angle to minimize stretching
• Remove any adhesive left behind with lighter fluid or Goo Gone

Avoid tearing plastic off aggressively. Slowly pull back at the edges while holding the center in place. Any minor leftover adhesive can be easily cleaned to avoid a mess before the new window is installed.

Conclusion

Covering a broken car window with plastic sheeting provides an inexpensive and quick fix until professional window replacement can be done. For best results, use UV-treated plastic drop cloths at least 4 mils thick and tape down firmly along all sides. Thicker plastic held tightly fights flutter and noise at highway speeds. With some care taken during installation and removal, plastic temporarily protects the car interior from damage without leaving behind tape residue. Handle cracked windows carefully and avoid fully automatic operation until a new window is installed.