1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Need help - shattered back window

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Awap, Sep 2, 2020.

  1. Awap

    Awap Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2019
    48
    28
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I just drove out of the garage with the hatch open. The garage door projects low enough to hit the hatch. The top window of the hatch is destroyed. Also, I can neither fully close, nor fully open the hatch.

    Can anyone give me some immediately advice on what to do until it is repaired? I'll see if I can pluck out enough glass so that maybe it can close completely. I guess I have to put tape over the whole back window area. Is there anything to know about tapes to avoid, problems like tapes that will ruin the painted finish, etc.? I guess I'll just go to a Checkers auto supply and see what they have?

    I am still in so much trauma over this. I can barely contain myself. Thanks for being here.
     
    #1 Awap, Sep 2, 2020
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Really, something like this can't be "patched" - it needs to be "fixed". It sounds like it needs a Panel beater, who can also arrange glass.

    But - wouldn't it be best done through insurance? I think the Hatch is Aluminium - which may be a bit trickier to fix if it's bent.
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Sep 2, 2020
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,985
    8,886
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Whoops... big time. Sorry to hear your mishap.

    Do you need to drive your car before the replacement glass is installed? I am sure the reason your hatch does not open or close fully is because you still have some glass pieces in the area of the hinges. Are all the glass broken and off from the frame? If not, you may have to remove them before you can attempt to close or drive your car. A strong shop vac will help remove most of the pieces but you may still have to hand-pick some pieces that are jammed in place. If you can manage to close the hatch, and you don't have to drive your car until repaired, you may not need to cover it as long as the car is in a secure place like in your garage. Most glass repair shops will have at home service that they will bring the glass to your car and install it there.

    If you do have to drive the car, then after managing to close the hatch, using heavy plastic sheets and duct tape should do the job for temporarily covering the hatch window. Some very strong duct tapes do keep the adhesive in place after removing it. There is a spray you can use to remove any adhesive residue, but for a short distance driving, clear packaging tape may be sufficient and easier to remove afterward.

    Others with more experience may chime in with better ideas. Good luck. And keep us posted for your result.
     
    #3 Salamander_King, Sep 2, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
    alanclarkeau likes this.
  4. Awap

    Awap Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2019
    48
    28
    0
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Thanks, alanclarkeau and Salamander_King. Whew. The wife came home, and so far she has been supportive, which is a huge burden off my shoulders.

    Well, the hatch seems warped by the impact, I think. I can't really open it, and I can't really close it. The attachment end is kind pushed down a bit, locking it into place - it's just slightly open. It is going to need body or at least panel repair, I think. I will start an insurance claim and let them point me in the right direction. I'm just not sure how to deal with the gaping hole (the back window is almost completely gone). I want to be ready in case i have to drive it under risk of rain getting into the car. So I will consider your suggestions; some kind of plastic sheet sounds good but I still am unsure about the impact of sticky tape.

    But I think i can carpool with my wife for the next few days. What a crappy way to start the Labor Day weekend though, ugh..
     
    #4 Awap, Sep 3, 2020
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,985
    8,886
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Sound like you will be needing professional bodywork as well as a glass repair shop help. If your car is not safe to drive, I would just let the insurance company tow the car to wherever the car needs to go to be repaired. If the hutch panel needs to be replaced, then the potential of sticky tape marring the paint job maybe non-issue. I think you are right, that wait to hear from your insurance company to have an adjuster visit. I am sure he/she will have a better recommendation on how to proceed from here to get your car repaired. Good luck.
     
    #5 Salamander_King, Sep 3, 2020
    pianewman likes this.
  6. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    If it's just the hatch that's bent and not the hinge mountings on the body then maybe you could obtain a complete new hatch (with glass) from a breakers yard ?
     
    #6 kithmo, Sep 5, 2020
    krmcg likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)