Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Bellevue.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Acoustic Glass is laminated vehicle glass designed to reduce outside noise inside the cabin. It uses a sound-damping layer between glass sheets, which can soften road, wind, and traffic sounds. Acoustic glass may look like standard windshield glass, but its interlayer is made to manage sound as well as provide windshield protection.
Also called: Noise-Reducing Glass, Soundproof Glass
An ADAS Camera is a vehicle-mounted sensor that watches the road and sends visual information to driver assistance systems. It may help detect lane markings, vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signs, and other road features. The camera is often mounted near the windshield, so windshield replacement can affect its view and require calibration.
Also called: Advanced Driver Assistance Camera
Aftermarket Glass is replacement auto glass made by a manufacturer that does not supply the vehicle’s original assembly line. The glass is built to fit a specific vehicle, but its brand, markings, and production source may differ from OEM glass. It may be used for windshields, door glass, quarter glass, or other vehicle windows.
Also called: Non-OEM Glass
Blind Spot Monitor is a driver-assistance system that watches areas beside and slightly behind a vehicle. It alerts you when another vehicle enters a hard-to-see area. Sensors may sit in the rear bumper or side panels. The system supports lane changes, but you must still check mirrors and look over your shoulder.
Also called: Blind Spot Detection
Body Filler is a repair compound that fills shallow dents, gouges, and low spots in a vehicle’s metal or plastic panel. Technicians spread it over prepared damage, let it harden, then sand it smooth. The finished surface creates an even base for primer and paint during an auto painting repair.
Also called: Auto Body Filler
Butyl Tape is a flexible, sticky sealing material used between glass and a frame. The tape forms a weather-resistant barrier that helps block water, air, dust, and noise. Unlike hard adhesive, butyl stays soft and can conform to small gaps or uneven surfaces around automotive glass.
Also called: Butyl Sealant
Chip Repair is a windshield service that fills a small area of glass damage with clear resin. The repair bonds the damaged glass and helps limit the spread of cracks. Technicians inspect the chip's size, shape, depth, and location before deciding whether repair is suitable.
Also called: Windshield Chip Repair
A cowl panel is a body panel at the base of a vehicle’s windshield. It covers the area between the hood and the windshield, and it often contains vents for fresh air. The panel also helps direct water away from the windshield and protects parts beneath it, such as wiper components.
Also called: Windshield Cowl
Door Glass is the movable glass panel fitted inside a vehicle door. The panel lets you see outside while helping shield the cabin from wind, rain, and road debris. Door glass may move by power or hand control, and it sits within guides, seals, and a window regulator.
Also called: Side Door Glass
An Edge Crack is a windshield crack that begins at, or reaches, the outer edge of the glass. The crack may extend inward from the border and can grow when the windshield flexes or faces temperature changes. Its location affects whether a technician can repair the damage or must recommend glass replacement.
Also called: Windshield Edge Crack
Encapsulated Glass is a vehicle window assembly with a molded polymer border attached to the glass. The border can form the finished edge, hold mounting features, and help the glass fit its opening. This design is common on quarter glass, where the surrounding trim may arrive attached as one replacement part.
Also called: Encapsulated Auto Glass
A Frame Rail is a structural member that runs along the lower side of a vehicle body or frame. It supports key body sections and helps maintain the vehicle’s shape. Collision damage can bend, twist, or shift a frame rail, which may affect windshield fit, door gaps, panel alignment, and other repair measurements.
Also called: Chassis Rail
A glass run channel is a flexible guide fitted inside a vehicle door frame. The channel holds the window glass in position as the glass moves up or down. It also cushions the glass and helps block wind, water, and road noise around the window opening.
Also called: Glass Guide Channel, Window Run Channel
Glass Sealant is a bonding material that closes the space between automotive glass and the vehicle body. It helps keep water, air, and dirt outside the cabin while holding the glass in place. Technicians apply it along the glass edge during installation or repair, where it forms a flexible, weather-resistant bond.
Also called: Automotive Glass Sealant
Glass Setting Blocks are small support pieces placed between glass and its frame or channel. They help hold the glass at the correct height and position during installation. These blocks also keep glass from resting directly on hard metal or plastic surfaces. Their shape and material must suit the window design and installation method.
Also called: Glass Spacer Blocks
A Hail Dent is a shallow depression in a vehicle panel caused by hail impact. The damage may appear on the hood, roof, doors, trunk, or other exposed surfaces. Hail dents can vary in size and depth, and some may occur near glass or trim without cracking those parts.
Also called: Hail Damage Dent
Hydrophobic Coating is a clear surface treatment that helps water bead and move across windshield glass. The coating changes how moisture spreads on the glass surface. Rain may form smaller droplets that are easier for wipers to clear. It bonds to clean glass and works as an added windshield treatment, not as part of the glass itself.
Also called: Rain-Repellent Coating
Laminated Glass is a safety glass made from glass layers bonded around a clear plastic interlayer. The layers help hold the glass together after impact. Windshields and some rear windshields use this construction because the glass can resist shattering into loose pieces. The plastic layer also supports the vehicle opening during normal driving.
Also called: Laminated Safety Glass
A mirror actuator is the small motor and gear assembly that moves a vehicle’s power side mirror. It responds to the mirror control switch and changes the glass position up, down, left, or right. Some assemblies also fold the mirror housing, depending on the vehicle’s design and installed features.
Also called: Power Mirror Actuator
OEM Glass is windshield or vehicle glass made to the vehicle maker's original design and production standards, or supplied through the vehicle maker's approved equipment chain. It matches specified shape, fit, and features. The label helps distinguish the glass from aftermarket glass, which comes from an independent manufacturer.
Also called: Original Equipment Glass
Paint Transfer is a surface mark left when paint from another object rubs onto a vehicle. The transferred paint may sit on top of the clear coat without cutting deeply into the vehicle’s finish. Auto Scratch Repair technicians check whether the original surface remains intact before choosing a cleaning, polishing, or repair method.
Also called: Transferred Paint
Pinchweld is a metal flange around a vehicle window opening that supports the glass and provides a bonding surface. Adhesive attaches the replacement window to this flange. Its condition affects fit, seal quality, and body protection. Technicians inspect the pinchweld before installing windshield or other vehicle glass.
Also called: Pinch Weld
A polyurethane adhesive is a moisture-curing bonding material that secures windshield glass to a vehicle body. It forms a flexible seal as it cures, helping hold the glass in place while blocking water and air. Auto glass technicians apply it to the prepared pinchweld before setting replacement glass.
Also called: Urethane Adhesive
A power window regulator is a mechanical assembly that moves a vehicle’s side window up and down. An electric motor drives cables, arms, or a lifting track inside the door. The regulator works with the window switch and glass, so a failure may leave the window stuck, slow, tilted, or unable to move.
Also called: Electric Window Regulator
Primerless Adhesive is a bonding material designed to attach auto glass without a separate primer coat. The adhesive bonds the glass to the vehicle frame after the surfaces are cleaned and prepared. It may simplify the installation process, but the glass, frame, temperature, and product instructions still guide proper use.
Also called: Primer-Free Adhesive
Quarter Panel is the body section behind a vehicle’s rear door and beside the rear window. The panel forms part of the rear side of the vehicle and may surround the wheel opening. Paintless dent repair can restore minor dents when the metal and paint remain suitable for reshaping.
Also called: Rear Quarter Panel
A Rain Sensor is an optical device mounted near a vehicle’s windshield mirror that detects water on the glass. The sensor sends information to the vehicle’s control system, which can adjust the wipers. Proper windshield installation keeps the sensor aligned with its viewing area and supports accurate operation during rain.
Also called: Automatic Wiper Sensor
Recalibration is the process of resetting or fine-tuning a vehicle sensor system after its position or view changes. In auto glass work, recalibration often checks an ADAS camera mounted near the windshield. The process helps the camera read lane lines, vehicles, and road signs as the vehicle maker intended.
Also called: Camera Recalibration
Resin Injection is a windshield repair process that fills a chip or small crack with clear resin. The resin enters the damaged glass through a controlled opening or repair bridge. Pressure helps the material reach the air pockets inside the break. The resin then cures and bonds within the glass, improving appearance and limiting further spreading.
Also called: Windshield Resin Injection
A roof drain is a small channel and tube system that carries water away from a vehicle’s sunroof or moonroof. Openings near the roof guide rainwater into hidden drain tubes. The tubes release water beneath the vehicle or near the door area, keeping water away from the cabin.
Also called: Sunroof Drain
Tempered Glass is safety glass treated with controlled heat and cooling to increase its strength. When it breaks, the glass usually separates into small, blunt-edged pieces instead of long, sharp shards. Vehicle side windows, rear windows, and some roof glass commonly use this material because it helps limit serious cuts during breakage.
Also called: Toughened Glass
A urethane primer is a preparation coating used on certain glass or vehicle surfaces before applying polyurethane adhesive. The coating helps the adhesive bond to the surface and supports a consistent seal. Technicians apply it only where the adhesive maker and vehicle repair method call for primer.
Also called: Glass Primer
A Window Regulator is the mechanical assembly that raises and lowers a vehicle’s door glass. It works with a power window motor, switch, and guides to control glass movement. Regulators may use cables, tracks, or lifting arms. A failed regulator can leave the window stuck, slow, crooked, or unable to stay up.
Also called: Window Lift Mechanism
Windshield Molding is a trim piece that covers the edge of a vehicle windshield and helps create a clean transition to the body. It may be attached to the glass, the vehicle frame, or both. Molding also helps shield the windshield edge from weather, debris, and minor contact during normal driving.
Also called: Windshield Trim
Windshield Pitting is surface damage formed by small impacts from road debris, sand, or grit. Each impact leaves a tiny mark or shallow depression in the glass. Many pits spread across the viewing area and can scatter light, especially from headlights or low sunlight. Severe pitting can affect visibility and may support windshield replacement.
Also called: Glass Pitting
