This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a legal opinion or advice. Information about the law, rules, statutes and regulations in your state related to windshield installation is based on research from the author's experience with window film installations by her company in their specific market. It is not intended to serve as a blanket guide for all states.
The author assumes no responsibility nor liability of any kind resulting from errors or omissions on the part of the reader (including misinformation) in applying information contained herein. Please consult an attorney licensed to practice law in your state if you have any questions about whether this applies to you.
Windshield installation, what adhesive is used for automotive windshield installation? That's a common question from the consumer who has either gotten multi-quotes on installs or someone they know that does installations. The answer depends on where you live, but generally speaking I'm going to talk about it in the state of Michigan as that is the market I am familiar with and know most about. There may be additional things specific to your location, so please verify this information and consult an attorney before proceeding if you have any concerns (your personal legal counsel should always be consulted first). In general: Automotive Windshield Installation: The two most popular manufacturers of automotive windshield glass are PPG Glass Co. (PPG) and Pilking North America (PNK). Neither of these manufacturers has a window film installation line. Some of their products are used in the industry, but not directly related to automotive windshield installation. There are other brands, such as AGC Glass , Guardian Glass and several others . Most people would be hard pressed to name any additional names, although there may be some regional differences across the country. When you go to your local glass shop for an estimate on replacement, the first thing they will ask is “what kind?” The reason for this is that PPG and Pilking have different formulations and each has its own advantage/disadvantage when it comes to carrying out the proper procedures for installing window films. The most popular adhesive type used in automotive windshield installations at this time is 3M's 7995 Super Trim Adhesive . This product, along with the lines to their other adhesives and sealants, is available in both PPG and Pilking shops. It can be used on either side of the glass:
You will find it at your local auto parts store as well, but you may pay a slightly higher price than for automotive windshield installations because it's such a basic item (at least where I live). The proper installation procedures are available from both PPG and Pilking manufacturers. They aren't necessarily exactly the same procedure because each supplier has unique characteristics about them that make their products different from one another. All hardware kits are also slightly different based on brand and model of vehicle. These differences must be taken into account when making the cut lines for your film. This is why it's important to consult with your local shop first, so they can advise you on the best practice in your market area. You should also have a pretty good idea of how much time and difficulty you'll be willing to deal with before considering an installation yourself (please don't). In my opinion, if you aren't going to use professional equipment such as that used by PPG or Pilking, then you should skip using adhesives altogether. Eliminate any convenience factor of having all the pieces ready made at a lower price and go straight ahead for KEEP-RITE 3M 77 Adhesive . You will save money, time and headaches in the long run.
If you do choose to use adhesives for automotive windshield installations, please remember that they are only one part of the overall procedure and there are other important elements of consideration such as: – a proper moisture cure time from your installation (see below) – cleanliness of the glass surface before application of adhesive – proper selection of an applicator-spreader tool with retractable blades if necessary to help ensure a uniform application so that it will spread and bond properly. All applications should be dry enough to not leave any smears or “ghost images” behind when spreading out the adhesive for film placement. If you attempt to apply window film too quickly after placing the adhesive on tempered glass, then you run the risk of causing air bubbles which will affect the overall performance of your installation and will also affect the appearance. Some window film manufacturers recommend that one squeegee pass should be made across the surface to remove any excess adhesive before proceeding (as a final wipe-down). If you have more than one series of parallel lines on the glass, there is a possibility that you may chip or break a piece off if it isn't spread out properly and evenly. 7995 Super Trim Adhesive has worked well for PPG installations, but I feel strongly that SWS Ultimate Universal A/B Hybrid Glue gives better bond strength between film and substrate (my opinion).
I've chosen to use this because it results in much higher bond strengths and this allows me to avoid any potential problems with chipping or breaking during film removal. For professional installations, this product is available in bulk packaging at a lower cost per unit size, but the common retail package will be relevant for most of us (both in cost and how much you'll need for your project).
Here's another popular brand that falls into the all-purpose adhesive category:
This particular glue results in a harder substrate to adhere to and is made specifically for use on vertical surfaces so it wouldn't really be considered an “all-in-one” type of product. This might be something you want to consider if you were installing window films onto a vehicle canopy (truck cap) or sunroof cover, but it may not work as well as some sort of special product designed for the job.
Please pay close attention to this one because it's important: There will be instances where films are marketed as being “universal”, yet they're not necessarily meant for use as a direct replacement on top of existing film applied by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). If your intention is to create an entirely new installation overtop of what was already applied (via kits or professional service) then your only real options are to choose either a two-part acrylic-silicone hybrid or polymer modified glass coatings. These aren't really technically adhesives, but they do work in improving bond strength on non-static substrates (i.e., improved durability and reduced peeling issues). You can think about them as a sort of additional layer. I hope the following article will be helpful in this regard: VIEW HERE
Road Salt Usage Statistics from various agencies around the world, leading to a global average for usage of 3.3 million tonnes (the equivalent of 774 million barrels) per year… Decorative Adhesives For Automotive Windshield Installation
Adhesive manufacturers always use a range of terms related to different kinds of adhesive products. Below you'll find descriptions related to automotive windshield installation adhesives that fall into three main categories: Restickable Self-Leveling Acrylics Silicone Polymers Two Part Hybrid Products If you aren't familiar with these properties, then it might make sense to dig deeper and do some additional research before deciding on which window film adhesive to use.
The temperature range you'll encounter is -22 to +176 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 29 to 80 degrees Celsius). 4. It's a good idea to protect the tint from UV exposure for as long as possible, so remember that any adhesive that you might select should be able to perform in this environment without issues or changes over time. 5. You want something with minimal shrinkage when curing because this affects how uniform your film will look on the glass once it's been applied and it can also cause difficulties if peeling is required down the road. 6. The coverage area of one batch is typically between eight and ten square feet (2-3 square meters) depending upon where you decide to install the tint. 7. When making your selection, be sure to check whether or not it's recommended for use with a medical-grade adhesive film (which may have different properties than general automotive films). I didn't test for this in my comparison, but it's something you should keep in mind before buying and installing your new tinted glass . 8. You'll also want to confirm that it will work well with all of the other products used in your installation such as solvent-based cleaners and a silicone cleaning agent like Xpel ® Protectant Plus Finish Glass Cleaner , which is specifically designed for use on automotive windshields. 3M Performance Film Adhesive 9063 Three months of UV exposure While adhesives can vary considerably from one to the next, they are typically made up of some type of active chemical that reacts with other components in order to harden (cure). This curing process usually takes at least between one and two hours to complete. Some adhesives might take longer if the weather is too cold or dry for proper curing. UV exposure and direct sunlight can also cause properties like viscosity to change over time, which is why it's a good idea to apply an ample layer of window film onto your vehicle canopy as soon as possible after having applied the adhesive .
Summary: As you have seen there are many adhesive choices out there so its important that you make a choice that fits your needs better than others. Before buying any automotive windshield installation adhesives be sure to do your research first so you can make the best choice for your needs.
The temperature range you'll encounter is -22 to +176 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 29 to 80 degrees Celsius). 4. It's a good idea to protect the tint from UV exposure for as long as possible, so remember that any adhesive that you might select should be able to perform in this environment without issues or changes over time. 5. You want something with minimal shrinkage when curing because this affects how uniform your film will look on the glass once it's been applied and it can also cause difficulties if peeling is required down the road. 6. The coverage area of one batch is typically between eight and ten square feet (2-3 square meters) depending upon where you decide to install the tint. 7. When making your selection, be sure to check whether or not it's recommended for use with a medical-grade adhesive film (which may have different properties than general automotive films). I didn't test for this in my comparison, but it's something you should keep in mind before buying and installing your new tinted glass . 8. You'll also want to confirm that it will work well with all of the other products used in your installation such as solvent-based cleaners and a silicone cleaning agent like Xpel ® Protectant Plus Finish Glass Cleaner , which is specifically designed for use on automotive windshields. 3M Performance Film Adhesive 9063 Three months of UV exposure While adhesives can vary considerably from one to the next, they are typically made up of some type of active chemical that reacts with other components in order to harden (cure). This curing process usually takes at least between one and two hours to complete. Some adhesives might take longer if the weather is too cold or dry for proper curing.
