Auto Glass Quality
When it comes to windshield replacement, quality can be broken down and measured as many individual components:
- Quality of the windshield
- Quality of the urethane adhesive, primers and activators
- Condition of the metal of the frame, the paint primer, and the body paint
- Knowledge, experience, expertise and thoroughness of the technician
- Installation in a climate controlled and dust free environment
At Hansen Glass each of these components is considered highly important, because quality and safety are synonymous. A windshield installation is like a chain in that it is only as strong as the weakest link. And between the body of the vehicle and the actual windshield, there are more links than even many auto glass professionals realize.
We believe that OEM windshields are highly important to a quality windshield installation. Some of the factors that may be different between OEM and non-OEM glass include:
- Surface contour and fit
- Optical quality and distortion free clarity
- Solar control performance for improved efficiency and comfort
- Certified OE or OE-style check fixtures for part-to-part consistency
- Strong quality control program that meets vehicle manufacturer requirements
OEM adhesive products, likewise, are highly important to a quality windshield installation. Shown below is a safe drive-away time chart for a typical non-fast-cure urethane adhesive.
Relative Humidity |
>15°F |
>25°F |
>35°F |
>55°F |
>72°F |
>95°F |
| Without Airbag | ||||||
| > 100% | 48 hr |
48 hr |
48 hr |
8 hr |
4 hr |
4 hr |
| > 75% | NR |
48 hr |
48 hr |
8 hr |
4 hr |
4 hr |
| > 40 % | NR |
NR |
NR |
48 hr |
4 hr |
4 hr |
| > 15% | NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
48 hr |
8 hr |
| > 0% | NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
| With Passenger Airbag | ||||||
| >100 % | NR |
NR |
NR |
24 hr |
16 hr |
16 hr |
| > 75% | NR |
NR |
NR |
24 hr |
16 hr |
16 hr |
| > 40% | NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
16 hr |
16 hr |
| > 15% | NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
24 hr |
| > 0% | NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Cure time depends on temperature and humidity. Notice the long time periods that you cannot safely drive your vehicle. Under some conditions this urethane is not even recommended. But you would be surprised at how many auto glass installers, either through ignorance or total disregard for safety, use this urethane because it is much cheaper for them to purchase.
Hansen Glass uses a more expensive OEM urethane that has the fastest cure rate available on the market.
In summary, we hope the above educates you to the very real and possibly life threatening differences between the quality you can get from different auto glass replacement companies. Make sure you know the right questions to ask!
Ask These Questions Before You Have Someone Replace Your Windshield
- DO they use only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Glass? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they take the time to remove the cowl panel that sits over the bottom of the windshield to ensure a proper bottom seal? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they use only OEM urethane adhesives? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they employ only National Glass Association Certified Auto Glass Technicians who have been tested for their knowledge and proficiency? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they use a fast cure adhesive system which allows a safe one hour drive away time after installation, even with a passenger side airbag, even in cold weather? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they use procedures that conform to the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they have the urethane manufacturer's spec sheets available for you to inspect to verify safe drive away time? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they document and record each and every installation, with ALL data of the installation, assuring you of a top quality job? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they use suction cups to set the windshield after using proper cleaners and primers to ensure proper adhesive bonding and non-contamination? Hansen Glass Does!
- Do they offer competitive prices based on QUALITY and SAFETY first? Hansen Glass Does!