Auto glass technicians use a wide variety of tools, and what auto glass tools work for one technician may not work for another—so their toolboxes don’t all look alike.
There are a few basic and key auto glass tools you’ll see most technicians using on a standard windshield replacement. Here are some of the most important ones:
A plastic or composite handheld tool helps the technician pull up the molding around the glass so he/she can directly access where the glass is bonded to the car body.
Technicians typically use an electric or battery-powered auto glass cut tool, or a wire tool to “cut out” the windshield. The powered tool is hand-held and features a reciprocating blade that makes it easier to cut around the edge of the glass and separate it from the car. The wired cut-out tool is more manual and has become more popular in the past few years.
Razor Blades
Razor blades and scrapers are used to remove old adhesive from where the old windshield was attached, as well as excess adhesive from the glass.
Heavy-duty suction cups, specifically designed for auto glass, help the technician lift the old glass from out of the frame and place the new glass back in it. They typically feature some sort of vacuum mechanism and have handles to make lifting as easy as possible.
Some larger windshields require two installers or an installer with a setting tool such as “AEGIS” or “Lil Buddy” to place properly.
Caulking Gun
The caulking gun is a critical tool, as it allows the technician to effectively apply adhesive to the frame, where the new glass will be set in. The gun holds cartridges of urethane adhesive, which bonds the glass to the car body.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety is of the utmost importance when handling glass, so a technician’s PPE is critical. This can include gloves, safety glasses, a first aid kit and any other equipment the company requires.
Want to learn more about auto glass? Glass.com has you covered with its Glass 101 blog.
2 Responses
I want to buy my son some tools for his job. He works for a mom and pop windshield place. Looking to get him some tools for his new career.
That’s very kind of you! There are a few auto glass tool manufacturers/suppliers who you may wish to check out:
https://www.gtglass.com/
https://www.aegistools.com/
https://equalizer.com/
This is not a comprehensive list, but it should point you in the right direction. Best of luck to your son in his new career path.