When it comes to colors and symbols, there are usually different meanings and interpretations for them. A good example is the blue tape or stripes on cars.
We live in a world guided by different rules and regulations. Of course, every citizen needs to abide by these laws, regardless of their beliefs. Furthermore, these rules and regulations are monitored by law enforcement officers, who work day in, day out, just to make sure the society is safe from crime.
In a way to show support for law enforcement, many people place blue stripes on the back of their cars. However, that’s not the only reason why you see blue tapes on cars. Most car glass technicians often use blue retention tape to keep the windscreen molding in place, after a new one has been installed.
In the rest of this post, you’ll find out everything about the blue tape or stripe on car windows and windscreens. So, without further ado, let’s get straight down to business.
Why Is There Blue Tape on My Windshield?
Having gone through various social media platforms and forums (1, 2), one of the frequently asked questions regarding blue tapes is; why are they always on car windshields?
Well, the answer to the question is simple; if you recently replaced the windshield of your vehicle and noticed the blue tape on it, you need not worry too much about it. The tape is there to help you keep the new windshield molding safely in place.
In case you don’t know, auto glass technicians, during the process of replacing a car’s windshield, often use adhesives. The purpose of this substance is to keep the glass safely in place. Unfortunately, it takes several hours for the adhesive to set properly.
It’s normal; most car owners don’t always buy the idea of keeping the car for a couple of days after windshield replacement before driving their vehicles. So, the technicians, after installing the windshield, add this blue retention tape to it, keeping it securely in place. With this adhesive, drivers will be able to drive the car after a couple of hours, as it would have passed all Federal Safety Standards at that time.
Bottom line: the blue tape you’re seeing on your windshield is there to protect the glass. So, don’t try removing it until your technician tells you to do so.
What Does a Blue Stripe on a Car Mean?
Here’s another frequently asked question; what does the blue stripe on a car mean? Unlike the blue tape on your windshield, blue stripes on the car mean something else that is far from car repairs.
To answer the burning question above, I’ll start by talking about “the thin blue line?”
What does the thin blue line mean?
Have you ever heard of “thin blue line?” In case you haven’t before, it’s the term used to represent the concept of the police as the line that keeps society free from crime, enforcing rules and regulations. Furthermore, the thin blue line concept originated from the British military image, The Thin Red Line, of the 19th century – 1854 to be precise.
The “thin blue line” was first used in the United Kingdom in 1988. Five years after (1993), the United States government started using the term too. So, what exactly does the phrase; “thin blue line,” mean?
In the US, the term “thin blue line” is used to keep the law enforcement officers in unity through many years. It helps people to identify law enforcement officers, even when in the crowd. Furthermore, the line comes with three different stripes, two of them are black and the third one is blue.
The blue stripe, which represents the dedication of law enforcement officers in keeping our society free from crimes, sits in between the black stripes. The black stripe on the top represents the public while the one at the bottom stands for criminal. In simple terms, the blue stripe is the law enforcement officers that stand in between the public and the criminals, ensuring that the public is safe from crimes.
Furthermore, the thin blue lines can be seen on everything that can identify a person as a law enforcement officer, such as the lapel pins, clothing, patches, reflective stickers for your cars, and a few others. But how does this relate to the burning question above?
Here’s what the blue stripes on cars mean
The blue stripes that you see on most cars are there to show support for law enforcement officers, who work day in, day out, ensuring that our society is safe from crimes.
In the past, you could only put the blue stripe on your car if you were a law enforcement officer or you knew someone in the line of work. Today, however, the blue stripes on cars have now become a popular movement. The move for everybody, regardless of the status, to use the blue stripes on their cars started a couple of years back, at a time where some groups started calling the police monsters and all sorts of names.
In a way to support the law enforcement officers, who put in all their best to keep our society a better place, many people started using the blue stripes on the vehicles.
How Long Do You Keep the Blue Tape on the New Windshield?
I’m pretty sure you’ve gotten a clearer picture of the difference between the blue tapes on car windshields and blue stripes on vehicles.
Now, let’s go back to the issue of blue tape on new windshields and address another burning question. How long should you leave the blue tape on your new windshield?
As previously mentioned, auto glass technicians often use blue tape to keep the windshield moldings securely in place. The adhesive tends to be strong in one or two hours of placing it on the vehicle, meaning you can drive your car at that time.
However, according to auto glass experts, you need to wait for at least a day or more before removing the blue tape on your windshield.