The choice of glue for installing and repairing a windshield

In car services, the windshield repair service is very relevant. It is not surprising, because an accidental hit of a pebble from the road during fast driving often turns into chips, cracks and even holes. Sometimes it is necessary to make a full replacement of auto glass, but in some situations it can be repaired.

Content:

• The main types of adhesives for auto glass, classification by composition
• Types of adhesives for the purpose
• For glass mounting
• To eliminate glass defects
• Rules for choosing glue for auto glass
• Adhesive Adhesive Benefits
• The best adhesives for car glass installation
• Rules for sticking a windshield
• Expense calculation
• Chip Repair Method
• Rating of adhesive mixtures for car glass installation
• Sikatack drive
• 3M Windo-Weld SuperFast Urethane
• Dow Automotive Betaseal 1527
• Dow corning 7091
• 3M PU 590

The glue for the windshield must be reliable and high-quality so that it can not only hold the structure, but also ensure the tightness of the connection.

The main types of adhesives for auto glass, classification by composition

Glue for car glass can have a different composition, which determines the degree of transparency, quality of fixation, scope. A popular option is polyurethane glue, it is often used in professional car services for various purposes, including for gluing the frames of the shield. This glue requires careful preparation of the base before work and the mandatory use of a primer (primer), otherwise leaks will quickly occur along the part’s contour and corrosion will appear.

In addition, to seal and insert auto-glass, masters use the following compositions:

1. Balsam. In appearance, it is a vitreous mass of yellowish color. The product is made on the basis of fir resin, it is used to fasten fragments, seal holes in automobile windows. The glue dries quickly, has good penetrating ability, is resistant to high temperatures. In addition to advantages, it has a significant drawback - yellow spots may appear on the surface.
2. Balzamin M. Produced on the basis of the previous, but better in terms of strength, water resistance, durability. The glue is transparent, does not leave spots, does not deform after drying.
3. UV glue. It is a transparent sealant for gluing car windows, flowing even into the smallest cracks, allows you to remove chips of any size. UV curing is required for curing the composition.
4. Acrylic adhesive. Ideal for DIY glass repair. It has excellent viscosity, does not spread, is very easy to apply to the surface. Minus means - long drying (up to 3 days).
5. Silicone sealant. It can be black, white or transparent; it works as a rubber band: it solves the problem of leakage of a self-inserted windshield. It can be produced in tubes, spray cans, sprays. The latter are usually used in hard-to-reach areas, convenient to use, but have a rather high cost.

Some drivers try to remove chips, another glass defect using ordinary superglue. But contact adhesives are not suitable for such work: after drying, they give the glass a haze, cover it with stains. With vibration during riding, the crack will creep further, because superglue has a low elasticity.

Types of adhesives for the purpose

Adhesives for auto glass vary depending on the scope of use. In each particular case, it is necessary to choose the right tool, because adhesives for installing glasses differ in properties from the compositions for closing cracks. Two groups of such agents are described below.

For glass mounting

These adhesives are used to install the windshield when it is completely replaced. Mounting compounds have successfully replaced rubber gaskets for fastening static glasses. They increase strength, tightness of the joint. After gluing the glass, the risk of its departure during an accident is reduced, the rigidity of the body is enhanced.

To eliminate glass defects

Such tools are called repair or optical. After curing, their main advantage is that the optical properties of the seam are identical to those of glass itself. Simply put, good adhesives remain crystal clear after polymerization.

Optical adhesives have high fluidity, which allows them to penetrate even into small cracks, they are resistant to water and ultraviolet radiation. Typically, repair adhesives are sold as part of a kit for independent work, which additionally includes:

• transparent film;
• metal needle;
• dispenser;
• frame on suction cups;
• blade.

With the help of such a repair kit, it is possible to easily eliminate defects and chips at home, following the instructions.

Rules for choosing glue for auto glass

For the repair of windshields, it is necessary to apply compositions that provide maximum bond strength. Experts recommend that beginners choose high-density adhesives that, when dried, give the highest quality result. Also, the product should have an indication of its good penetrating ability, otherwise it will not be able to seal microcracks on the glass.

To choose the right glue, you need to pay attention to such characteristics:

• degree of transparency;
• resistance to UV rays;
• elasticity, ability to withstand vibration;
• frost resistance and heat resistance;
• resistance to temperature differences.

You should also make sure that the shelf life of the glue is normal, and that the composition contains polymer resins. For a small, shallow scratch, you can choose a very thick glue, since sealing a defect does not require a high degree of penetration of the composition deep into. For cracks of considerable depth and length, agents with the highest degree of adhesion are bought. If the defect exists for a long time, the repair may not bring the desired result, since it will not be possible to completely clear the crack from dust. In such a situation, it is better to contact a professional car repair shop.

Adhesive Adhesive Benefits

Sealants for windshield are popular among professionals and amateurs. Here are their merits:

1. Elasticity. Since glass undergoes heating every day, cooling, its fixing compositions are compressed and expanded due to temperature changes. The integrity of the seam will be preserved only by an elastic means, which will not lose the reliability of fixation when the state changes.
2. Depreciation abilities. The glue line is quite elastic, so it helps to partially extinguish vibration, shock when moving.
3. Quick drying. This property allows you to start operating the car after a couple of hours, because the glue line will be completely hardened. Due to the high drying speed, sealants compare favorably with polyurethane adhesives.
4. Ease of use. Even a beginner can apply sealants. To work with them you do not need to purchase additional equipment. Most of these adhesives do not require prior use of the primer.

The best adhesives for car glass installation

In any specialized car shop you can find a whole list of adhesives that are suitable for installing and repairing glass. According to the article, any of them can be found in online stores. It is important to choose only the means of trusted manufacturers who have no complaints about quality. Here is a list of good adhesives:

• Terostat Henkel;
• DoneDeal;
• Loctite;
• Scotch-weld Rite;
• Permabond.

Most manufacturers produce both individual adhesives and auto glass repair kits. Silicone-based sealants, as well as ultraviolet adhesives, which quickly harden when exposed to sunlight, are in great demand. To reduce drying time, professionals additionally use UV lamps with a wavelength of 250 Nm.

Rules for sticking a windshield

To properly conduct the entire process, it is necessary to observe a number of conditions and prepare the foundation. In the room where the work will be carried out, the temperature should be within + 5 ... + 20 degrees, the optimum - about +15 degrees. Before starting operation, you must not touch the vehicle for at least an hour; its doors during this period should not open or close. Auto must stand with the side windows of the front doors down. It is undesirable to open the gates of the room within an hour, otherwise there is a risk of reducing the quality of the seam. After the glass has been glued, the machine can be washed no earlier than 2 days later.

Immediately before starting crack treatment, do the following:

• wash and dry the glass thoroughly;
• remove all dirt from the crack, using convenient devices, needles;
• remove the remnants of old glue, sealant, if any;
• degrease the crack with solvent, acetone;
• apply glue according to the instructions;
• flatten, remove excess with a scraper;
• dry the area of ​​the defect;
• to polish.

If you have to completely replace the glass, the procedure will be as follows:

1. Cutting the windshield (work is carried out with an assistant). First you need to carefully pierce the layer of old glue that is between the glass and the body, using an awl with an extended string. Pry the string from the reverse side with pliers, after pulling the awl back. As a result, one side of the string will be in the cabin, the second - outside. Attach the string to any handle to make it comfortable to pull.
2. Glass cutting. Carefully, in order not to scratch the car, drag the string along the glass from the outside. The assistant should pull her out of the cabin. In the corner, bring the string up, repeat the cutting along the side and further until returning to the starting point. Take out the glass, remove the remaining glue.
3. Preparing a new glass. Fix special Velcro on the left side of the glass, on them the product will rise and fall. Repeat the manipulations on the right side of the windshield. Attach masking tape at the gluing area. Degrease the glass with solvent.
4. Glue application. To work with the composition, a pneumatic glue gun is usually used, which begins to act when the trigger is pulled. Thanks to the gun, the adhesive layer will be smooth, continuous. Carefully squeeze the glue from the tube, moving around the perimeter. Glass should be placed on a flat surface, for example, on the hood.
5. Installing a windshield. Take the product by Velcro, set in place. Fasten with adhesive tape on top to temporarily fix it. Leave the machine for 1-3 hours to achieve complete polymerization of the composition. Then drive the car outside, leave it for another 12-20 hours, and only then start operating.

Expense calculation

Usually 300-600 ml of glue or sealant is spent on installing new glass, depending on the size of the car. It is better to purchase a product with a margin so that you do not have to repeat the work again if there is not enough glue.

Chip Repair Method

To eliminate chips, you need to prepare glue, degreaser and devices for applying the composition. The surface should be degreased, paying particular attention to the boundaries of the cleavage, after immediately applying the polymer composition. For this purpose it is convenient to use a syringe, an injector or use glue with a thin nose. For drying, ensure that the rays of the sun access the completed glue line, then polish it until it aligns with the glass level.

Rating of adhesive mixtures for car glass installation

Among the variety of compositions for repairing windshields, there are several of the most popular and high-quality.

Sikatack drive

The composition is made in the USA. It is very reliable and versatile: it is suitable for the repair of windows of trucks and cars. The volume of the product is 310 ml, you need to work with it at a temperature of + 20 ... + 22 degrees. The glue hardens for 4 hours.

3M Windo-Weld SuperFast Urethane

This sealant is most often used for racing cars due to the highest strength. It is easy to apply, begins curing after 15 minutes, fully crystallizes after 8 hours. After the same period of time, the car can begin to operate.

Dow Automotive Betaseal 1527

The tool involves the preliminary application of the primer (included). It can harden already at +5 degrees, polymerization begins in 12 minutes. The car can be used one hour after applying glue. The strength of the seam is quite high, the conductivity is reduced.

Dow corning 7091

Glue is produced in different packages: from 310 g to 250 liters. It is very often used in car services due to its reliability, high quality and reasonable price. The glue does not stain, blots, dries in 3 hours, does not require preliminary priming or heating. It is elastic and does not collapse from vibration.

3M PU 590

Universal sealant allows you to work with it on any surface: glass, plastic, wood, metal. It is sold in tubes of 300 and 600 ml. Complete polymerization takes place in 4-8 hours, setting time - in 25 minutes. The glue does not tolerate heating to more than +100 degrees. Any of the described means is suitable for bonding the windshield and ensures its long and trouble-free service life.