With each windscreen replacement, a key component of the vehicle’s structural system is put into place. The crucial part of this assembly is the bond between two contact surfaces: the glass and the car (specifically the aperture, or pinchweld). This critical area can develop air and water leaks, and at worst, can compromise the overall safety of the occupants (in the event of a collision or rollover scenario) if contaminants are not removed as part of the preparation process.
Preparing bonded windscreens used to be a bit of a grey area.
Most modern car windscreens have a black band, or ceramic ‘frit’ around the perimeter of the glass. This essentially provides a suitable surface for the Polyurethane (PUR) to adhere to, as well as acting as UV block which, can break down the bond. When preparing for installation, the glass must be decontaminated to rid this substrate of any substances which may have been introduced during handling, such as grease, oily fingerprints and other substances. The performance of the adhesive can be adversely affected if the glass – and aperture – is not prepared correctly by following the adhesive manufacturer’s process instructions.
New products are now readily available after the recent discovery of one particular – invisible – substance which is deposited on the glass during manufacture. Silicone residue interferes with the adhesive bonding and following extensive research, has now been identified as a cause for bond failure. Previously, some windscreens would reveal areas of wax-like deposits which installers would try and scrub away with an abrasive cloth. But back then, nobody really knew what that substance was, and most installers would take a leap of faith relying on the adhesive manufacturer’s bonding ‘kit’ to do the trick. Research has proven that standard glass cleaner, or abrasive cloths will not remove silicone contamination.
Today, leading PUR manufacturers recommend that all windscreens are decontaminated with an appropriate agent and neutralised of silicone interference. Whilst some windscreens, especially OEM branded versions, show little or no signs of decontamination, the wisest approach is to go through the removal process as a matter of course.
But there still are grey areas.
Presently there is no official word on whether or not OEM windscreens are decontaminated before being fitted to cars during assembly. But there is evidence to suggest that these ‘genuine’ screens go through a different manufacturing process to their aftermarket counterparts. One of these differences may well be a ‘washing’ process so that glass units arriving at car assembly lines are ready, and fit for purpose. This – if true – would make sense evidently in the interests of a time-saving exercise for car manufacturers to benefit from. One thing however is very clear: most windscreens will show some degree of contamination.
Detecting silicone deposits on glass is very simple: if the glass surface (two-three inch wide area around the edge of the glass) appears to repel (the adhesive manufacturer’s) glass cleaner, the glass is contaminated.
But what if the glass manufacturers have pre-applied material to that area?
Windscreens, such as for the Porsche 996 and Golf Mark 4 are produced with a pre-applied bead of PUR. Are these screens decontaminated before this ‘pre-encapsulating’ process? How about other screens, where a primer line is applied to the frit? Many windscreens will also have extruded trims, or mouldings bonded to the glass during manufacture. Installers are taking the same leap of faith when they are applying bonding material to glaze these units directly to the vehicle and are reluctantly relying on someone else’s work for the integrity of that bond. It’s an almost impossible task to remove cured primer and PUR. This Fiat Bravo screen is produced with a formed PUR buffer at the top and bottom of the screen. This is bonded to the glass sandwiching a coating of black adhesion promoter, or primer, between it and the glass surface. A test concluded that the sides of the windscreen revealed heavy deposits of silicone which, makes a strong claim that this windscreen was not decontaminated before these additional items were introduced.
PUR adhesive manufacturers and windscreen installers have identified a problem and this partnership has brought about a better awareness in how to achieve the best results for correctly bonded – and safe – windscreens. But the industry needs better communication from glass manufacturers. Glass production is a huge global concern with thousands of units being manufactured every day; there are windscreen plants all over the world and UK suppliers are busy doing what they know best; windscreen replacement companies are striving to do the best they can by investing in training and using the best available products. Technological advancement in PUR formulation has given us the best adhesive systems the trade has ever seen, and with glass being the chief character in this plot, the industry deserves better communication from the glass manufacturers.
Some very detailed and very valid points raised. The urethane manufacturers are consistently trying to come up with new and innovative ways of producing products that meet the demanding needs of an ever changing industry both OEM and replacement. Whilst we have every confidence in their products being able to do what they claim, it still remains that the installer has to willingly put his good name and reputation to a structurally dependant glazed unit.
Only yesterday, I witnessed a front screen removal on a 3 month old Renault Clio. The urethane bead along the bottom (where you would normally see the join) had completely missed and this was the OEM fitment. Unfortunately I did not take a picture but I will try to describe it. The two ends were side by side for approximately 100mm with approximately 25mm separating them meaning that there was a clear gap. In addition, the bottom section of urethane had not been applied to the glass at the correct height and had completely missed the bodywork. Those who can remember, it was worse than the old 883 Transit days where the glass was practically glued to the inner trim and what glue had hit the aperture just pulled straight off.
Although I have admittedly wandered off subject the point is this; If vehicle manufacturers appear not to be able to conduct such a basic robotic operation, what level of attention is paid by them to your points raised above. Would they investigate the process and products and do they share an interest, or is it the age old story of “until something bad happens, leave it well alone”.
I whole heartedly agree that the entire industry including Glass manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers, need to be brought together and a central information hub/regulating authority be created. Not only to address the issues outlined in your piece above, but the amount of installers that would not see any of the above as an issue.
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