FAQ
Here are a few of the frequently asked questions we encounter:
Q: What Holds Your Windshield in Place?
A: Automakers use automotive adhesive to bond the windshield to the body of your car.
Q: What Does the Windshield Do for Your Safety?
A: For the airbag to work as designed, it must deflect off the windshield. The adhesive must hold the windshield in place during impact. To keep the occupant(s) of your vehicle safe, it is important to use a quality windshield adhesive that is approved by the vehicle manufacturers and to use proper installation procedures.
Q: How Do You Know Your Original Windshield Installation Was Safe?
A: There are government and manufacturer requirements imposed for motor vehicle safety. Vehicle manufacturers must certify each make and model. These pass through a series of tests, including Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard windshield retention crash (FMVSS 212) and intrusion (FMVSS 219) tests, as well as to their own standards which may exceed government’s standards. Both the adhesive and the installation process must pass these destructive tests. When your windshield is replaced, be sure it is bonded with high-quality adhesive approved for the original installation. Nearly all vehicles manufactured in the U.S. have had their windshields installed with Dow Automotive adhesives.
Q: Will Your Replacement Windshield Give the Same Protection as the Original?
A: Most auto glass installers are concerned about passenger safety. They use a Dow Automotive adhesive to replace your glass with bond strength equal to that of the manufacturer’s original installation.
Q: How Do You Know Dow Automotive Adhesives Will Retain Your Windshield During a Crash?
A: Dow Automotive adhesives are crash proven. We test our adhesives by replacing a windshield in a car and crashing it head-on into a solid wall. The risk is too high to rely solely on theories and laboratory tests. Dow Automotive’s safe drive-away times are confirmed through actual vehicle crashes.
Q: Will the Adhesive Bond Last?
A: Dow Automotive subjects all their adhesives to service long-term durability lab and field tests to ensure lasting performance and long-term safety. Adhesives are exposed to cold, heat, humidity, rain and salt air for years to verify long-term strength.
Q: Why Is It Important to Wait the Prescribed Time Before Driving the Car?
A: For safety, it takes time to meet FMVSS requirements for windshield retention. The longer the urethane cures, the stronger the bond.
A Few More Questions and Answers:
Q: How Soon after the Repair Can I Drive My Car?
A: The repair is usually completed in half an hour and the car may be driven as soon as the process is finished.
Q: How Does the Repair Affect the Windshield?
A: The repair is permanent. It will restore the strength of the windshield and prevent the damage from spreading. A repaired windshield will pass the same standards as a new windshield.
Q: Will My Insurance Company Pay for a Repair?
A: Most insurance companies approve of windshield repair. They also usually pay the repair cost, waiving any deductible. Many insurance companies now insist that windshields with repairable damage be repaired, not replaced. Repair helps keep clam costs down and that helps keep your insurance cost affordable.
Q: Does It Work on Heated Windshields or Tinted Windshields?
A: Yes.
Q: Will It Meet Provincial Safety Inspection?
A: Yes.
Get in touch with us to learn more. We are looking forward to meeting you!