How to Cover a Broken Car Window

A wild windstorm blows through the night. You feel relieved to see your car parked outside. It is completely unharmed, except for a tree branch sticking out of the rear window! After clearing the leaves and debris from the backseat, there's a broken car window to deal with.

Below we share how to cover a broken window in a car until you can get it fixed. The professionals at Glass Doctor^® offer insights on broken car window temporary fixes.

How to Cover a Broken Car Window Temporarily

A busted car window exposes your car’s interior to the weather. It also puts your personal items at risk of theft. This means you need to fix it quickly.

Here's a quick guide on how to make a temporary cover for broken car windows. We also recommend what to use for covering a broken car window.

Covering a broken car window is a multiple-step process. But it always begins by preparing the space for the temporary cover.

1. Prepare the Space: Gather the following materials to begin properly and safely cover your broken car window:

• Masking tape
• Heavy work gloves
• Microfiber cloth
• Shop vac or vacuum cleaner
• A high-density plastic trash bag
• Hammer

2. Remove Damaged Glass

Put on work gloves. Remove the larger pieces of broken car window glass from inside the vehicle and the window frame. Dispose of the glass properly. Use the hammer to dislodge any difficult-to-remove pieces.

3. Vacuum

Next, take the vacuum to suck out any broken car window glass debris from inside the vehicle and around the window frame. Be thorough, taking care to go over the carpets, seats and headrests.

Use a microfiber cloth to clean the frame of the broken car window. This will help remove dirt and dust from both the outside and inside of the vehicle. This will help the tape better adhere to the car window.

5. Finally, place a two-inch-wide strip of masking tape around the entire window frame.

This will protect the vehicle paint. Note, other materials like duct tape may damage the paint and/or leave adhesive residue. Your broken car window cover is now complete.

Best Way to Cover a Broken Car Window by Location

Now that the debris has been removed and the area has been prepped, it’s time to cover the broken car window. How to cover a broken car window successfully depends largely on the location of the damage:

• Passenger and Driver Windows

For broken driver and passenger car windows, creating a lattice of clear tape is an easy, clear and cost-effective temporary repair. This method of covering a broken car window is also relatively weather-resistant and offers visibility while driving:

1. Beginning from the inside of the broken car window vehicle, lay strips of clear packaging tape vertically from one end of the window to the other. Be sure to have the strips overlap slightly to prevent gaps and create better coverage. Once the entire window opening is covered with vertical strips, lay horizontal strips over top of the vertical ones, working from the top to the bottom of the window. This will create a stronger covering.
2. After this is completed, duplicate the same procedure on the outside of the window.

• Windshields and Rear Windows

Covering a broken car window in the rear window or windshield has its challenges because of size and shape. For big pieces of broken glass, like a rear window, buy a roll of crash wrap. You can find it at your local hardware or auto store.

1. Repeat the same cleaning and preparations steps as you would with a passenger or driver window, removing glass debris and cleaning the area. However, you can forgo applying the protective masking tape layer.
2. Unroll the plastic covering to the appropriate length and then cut it from the roll. Use scissors or a utility knife to cut to width and then simply press the plastic to the window frame to stick and seal.

This type of broken car window cover fix is more practical for a rear window if you plan to operate the vehicle. If the windshield has been damaged, the vehicle should likely not be operated until the windshield can be permanently replaced. Did you know? Glass Doctor also offers rear window replacement services as well as auto windshield replacement.

How to Temporarily Cover a Broken Car Window

If the situation calls for an immediate covering of your car window, a heavy-duty trash bag can be used in a pinch. This is most applicable for smaller windows such as a damaged rear passenger or driver-side window. To cover a broken window in your car with a trash bag:

1. Repeat the clean and prep work previously described to get the window ready.
2. Next, stretch a heavy-duty trash bag on the inside of the window opening and tape along the frame with packing tape. You may need an assistant to hold the trash bag taut while you tape it.
3. Finally, repeat the same step on the outside of the vehicle with an additional trash bag to seal the exposed window opening.

This is intended only as an immediate covering until a more proper broken car window covering can be applied or the window replaced. The vehicle should not be driven in the meantime, as the trash bag will obstruct vision.

While none of these temporary broken car window fixes are meant to be permanent, they will help protect the interior of your vehicle until a professional repair can be made. Transparent temporary repairs on the rear and side windows may allow for some limited driving, but operation should be avoided with windshield damage or trash bag coverings.

Steps to Take After Covering a Broken Car Window: Call Glass Doctor

A broken window on your vehicle can be a frustrating inconvenience. But now that you know the basics of how to cover a broken car window, you will feel prepared. The next step is going somewhere to fix the broken car window glass.

Call Glass Doctor now or request an appointment online. Use our mobile services for car window repair. We can fix your car window without you needing to drive anywhere!

Common FAQ About Covering a Broken Car Window

Do you have more questions about covering your broken window or how to get it repaired? We’re here to help. A broken window can feel defeating, but our tips will help you! Reach out to local service professionals in your area for repairs.

How can I cover a broken car window from rain and other elements?

We recommend the same methods for keeping rain, sleet, or snow out of a broken car window. If you’re able, park inside a garage until you can fix your broken car window.

How long can I keep a temporary cover on my broken car window?

Temporary windows covers are only meant for the short term. It’s important to have your window professionally repaired as soon as possible to ensure safety, security, and compliance with local laws. Find a Glass Doctor location near you for fast, reliable car window repair!