How to Get Ready for a Mobile Windshield Appointment

When we come to your home for a windshield, most of the work happens at the car. But a little preparation on your end makes the visit smoother, and it helps the glass go in right.

This is the checklist we would hand a neighbor. It covers where to park, what to take off the glass and dash, the toll tag question that surprises a lot of Georgia drivers, keys, weather and a few other things. We keep it practical, with no guesswork about timing. Your technician will tell you what your vehicle needs.

Know what to have ready when you book

Start with the information we need to give you a price.

The VIN. For windshield replacement, we need the vehicle identification number. One vehicle can have up to about 15 windshield versions, depending on its option package, so the VIN tells us which one fits. You can find it on a small plate at the base of the windshield on the driver side, and on the driver door jamb.

A photo of the damage. You can text us a photo for a quote. It helps to show where the chip or crack is and how big it is.

Insurance details, if you are filing. We are a preferred insurance vendor for all major insurance companies. You can give your insurer our number when you file, or give us the information and we can file the claim for you. Most people file in their insurer’s app. Have your claim number handy if you already filed. Not sure whether to file? See should you use insurance for a windshield.

Your payment method. We take cash, check, credit or debit, Venmo, Zelle and Cash App.

Estimates for windshield replacement are free and depend on the vehicle. Door, quarter and back glass are free estimates by vehicle too.

Pick a good spot at home

You already know your driveway better than we do. A few things to think about.

Flat and open. A level spot with room to open every door. Technicians work on both sides of the car, and the glass is large and awkward to carry.

Covered if you can. A garage or carport helps, because it shields the work area from rain, wind and dust. The industry’s installation standard says mobile installations have to be done under conditions that fit the adhesive maker’s instructions, as the AGRSS standard puts it. A covered spot makes that easier.

Away from sprinklers and dripping trees. Water and sap near the work area cause trouble. If you have a lawn system on a timer, switch it off before we arrive.

Out of the way of other cars. Move anything that blocks access. If you live in an HOA or a gated community, make sure the gate knows we are coming. If you want the work done at your office instead, see windshield replacement at work.

Ready to book? Call or text us a photo of the damage and your VIN for a free quote. We come to your home or work. Get a free quote

Clear the dash and the glass

Before we arrive, empty what is on or near the windshield.

• Dash cam and phone mounts. Anything stuck to the glass has to come off, because we work on that glass. Take the mount off yourself if you can, and keep the pieces.
• Parking permits, stickers and hang tags. Take them off the mirror and the glass, and tell us if one is a permit you need to keep.
• Loose items on the dash. Sunglasses, papers, chargers and sun shades. Clear the passenger side too.
• Front seats. Put anything valuable out of the way. Glass pieces and adhesive are not good for a laptop bag.
• Wipers. Leave them down.

If your vehicle has driver-assist cameras or sensors behind the mirror, keep that area clear and clean. We do not do ADAS camera calibration. After a replacement on a vehicle that needs it, we refer the calibration to the dealer, so tell us at booking if your vehicle has those features. Our post on camera recalibration after a new windshield explains why.

The toll tag question

This one surprises people. If you have a Peach Pass transponder on your windshield, it usually does not come back after the glass changes.

Peach Pass says on its FAQ that transponders cannot be reused or reattached. If you want to reapply one after a windshield replacement, you request a new transponder from Peach Pass customer service. The details are on the Peach Pass FAQ.

Here is what Peach Pass says about the new one:

• It goes on the inside and center of the windshield, with 3/4 inch from the center of the mirror and 2 inches from the top of the windshield.
• Any other tag on the glass must be at least 2 inches away.
• Install it when the windshield is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In cold weather, you can use the heater or defroster to warm the glass first.
• If you have a metalized or infrared windshield, you may need a headlamp sticker transponder instead, and your owner’s manual may describe a cut-out where a transponder can mount.

So the plan is simple. Before the appointment, find out how your tag works and ask Peach Pass about a new one. If you use another toll or parking tag, check with that company too. We cannot tell you how another company’s tags work, so we only speak to what Peach Pass publishes.

Keys, access and pets

A few small things that trip people up.

Have your keys ready. We may need to open doors, move the seat or roll a window. If your key fob is in the house, bring it out.

Leave the car open to us, or be there. If you will not be home, tell us. Do not leave the car in a locked garage with no way in.

Pets and kids. Keep them inside. Glass, tools and adhesive do not belong near them, and a loose dog in a driveway is a hazard for the crew.

Child seats. Take them out of the front seat area if they sit near the work.

Your phone. Keep it with you. We reply within an hour during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, with Saturday by appointment, and a text helps us find you.

Weather in Georgia

Georgia weather is not the same all year. Spring pollen, summer storms and cold snaps all play a part, and each one affects an installation in a different way.

Adhesive reacts to temperature and humidity. Sika, a maker of auto glass adhesives, says that safe drive-away time depends on the adhesive and on the temperature and humidity at the time of replacement. See the Sika auto glass replacement brochure.

For you, that means three things.

1. Watch the forecast. If heavy rain or wind is likely, tell us, and think about a garage or another time.
2. Ask for the safe drive-away time. The standard asks installers to tell you before and after the job, as the Auto Glass Safety Council’s site, SafeWindshields.org, explains. Plan your day around the answer, not around a guess.
3. Wait to wash. Skip the car wash until your installer says it is fine. Our page on safe drive-away time goes through it.

On a very cold morning, do not blast the defroster on a cracked windshield. That can make a crack run. See windshield cracked in the cold.

After the glass is in

Do not rush the first drive. Your installer will tell you when it is safe. A few tips in the meantime.

• Leave the tape alone. If tape is on the glass, leave it for as long as your installer says.
• Be gentle with the doors. Close them without slamming for the first stretch your installer names.
• Keep your receipt and warranty. Our workmanship warranty lasts for the life of the vehicle.
• Put your toll tag on once you have a new one. Follow the Peach Pass steps above.

If you spot anything odd, such as a rattle, a whistle or a smear in the glass, text us. We want to hear it.

A one-page checklist

Before we arrive:

1. VIN and photo sent.
2. Insurance claim number ready, or payment method chosen.
3. Level spot picked, covered if possible, clear of sprinklers.
4. Dash cam, mounts and stickers removed.
5. Dash and front seats cleared.
6. Toll tag plan made.
7. Keys ready, gate or HOA told.
8. Forecast checked.

If you live in Cumming, Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Johns Creek or anywhere else we serve, we come to your home or work. Our process page shows how a visit goes, and our pricing page explains how we quote.

A little preparation takes the stress out of the visit. Clear the dash, sort out the toll tag, and let us know what to expect at your door.