From Sika cleaning products to premium adhesives, we ensure an efficient process right from the beginning. Auto glass professionals benefit from an excellent workflow with well-matched products.

40 years of Future with Sika Windshield Adhesives

Sika aftermarket solutions have been driving the automotive industry worldwide for more than 40 years. Click on the timeline to see Sika’s trendsetting history for safer, faster, simpler applications which are compatible with assisted driving technologies and on top have a low environmental impact.

First decade Sika picture

1980 - 1990: Safety

Decade Image

 

While the VCR revolutionized home television, Sika was setting new standards in safety. This decade was all about safety.

In fact, the FM-VSS 212 standards were drawn up as a result of passenger safety considerations calling for bonded windshields in cars. By extension, polyurethane windshield adhesives became the global norm in car construction. Primerless Sikaflex® was first used by leading car manufacturers. This product was far easier to use than conventional when replacing car glass.

1985: Sika launched first primerless winscreen adhesive (Sikaflex®-255)

1986: First Sika Direct Glazing Application at leading car manufacturer

 1987: First Sika Crash Test

 

 

Second decade Sika picture

1990 - 1999: Speed

Speed was not only required when playing with the Game Boy, but also when replacing wind-shields.

Speed was not only required when playing with the Game Boy, but also when replacing windshields. A new line of business emerged since car workshops found themselves replacing more and more adhesive-bonded windshields, while customers were increasingly demanding shorter waiting times after installation. Sika was the pioneer, developing fast-curing windshield adhesives and establishing new drive-away standards. This decade was shaped by short drive-away times and absolute safety. Sika – and the Sikaflex® brand - also led the way in terms of speed and performance. Indeed, new SikaBooster® technology and reduced drive-away times helped set new benchmarks in the sector.

1991: First hot-applied fast cure adhesive – SikaTack® Ultrafast

1993: Development of Sika Safe Drive-Away Time Standards (crash testing/lab standards)

1997: First 1h safe drive away product – SikaTack® Plus Booster

Third decade Sika picture

2000 - 2009: Simplicity

The cell phone made communication quite simple. Sika also strived for simplicity and created innovative all-in-one solutions.

Auto glass technicians were faced with choosing between high and low modulus adhesives, while also determining the correct drive-away time based on the prevailing climatic conditions. To counteract these issues, Sika developed adhesives that ensured a constant drive-away time at temperatures of between -10 °C and +40 °C. What’s more, all-in-one modulus adhesives reduced mistakes and provided peace of mind.

2002: Launch of SikaTack® ASAP and SikaTack® MOVE (1 hour SDAT) First All-in-One Modulus Product 

2006:  Introduction of the All-Seasons  Activator

2008: Crash Test Series for shorter SDAT

2010: Launch of SikaTitan® – Primerless to glass adhesives

Automotive Aftermarket car glass replacement application

2010 - 2019: Assisted Driving

The smartphone emerged as an indispensable helper in everyday life. In cars, assistance systems presented the industry with new challenges.

Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) helped to further improve road safety and lower damage costs for insurers. However, these systems required significant calibration work after replacing the windshield. Since a windshield significantly contributes to a car body’s structural stiffness, this necessitated the use of more advanced, full-cure adhesives. By developing the PowerCure system, Sika was once again able to provide a simple, market-ready solution that met customers’ challenges.

2015: 60min OE cure product: SikaTack® ELITE

2015: 30min safe drive-away time product: SikaTack® PRO

2015: Established new drive-away timestandard with 95th percentile crash test dummies

Sika purform landscape

2020 - FUTURE: Less Exposure

Sika Decade photo

The mobility of the future has to be sustainable. Sika is leading the way - with solutions that are even safer and more environmentally friendly.

We are currently experiencing a trend that favors healthy lifestyles. In Asia, people are concerned about risks associated with chemicals, e.g. smells. Meanwhile, the EU has now set out certain precautions that must be respected when working with chemicals, including handling PU adhesives. Sika’s latest innovation not only performs better, it also results in less exposure for users and customers alike.

2022: Launch of the new Purform technology with the SikaTack® PRO Purform and SikaTack® ELITE Purform

2022: Launch of the new Sikaflex® SOLO (Primerless to glass application with only 3h MDAT)

Safety without Compromise

Sika is the expert when it comes to windshield bonding. Since 1980 Sika is supplier and manufacturing partner to the Automotive Industry.

We offer hot-applied, cold-applied, primerless to glass and pre-treatmens for the use in installing auto glass replacement windshields. Each product has different minimum drive-away times (MDAT) to meet the specific needs of technicians in the field while also providing safety for vehicle owners.

All Sika auto glass adhesive systems have been crash tested and exceed rigorous federal safety standards (FMVSS 212)

 
Automotive Aftermarket car glass replacement application

Frequently Asked Questions

What shall I do if Sika®Cleaner G+P freezes?
  • Move the installation to a warmer place
  • Clean the glass in the warehouse before leaving for the mobile installation
  • Perform a dry cleaning of the bond line with Sika®Cleaner PCA
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Why use Sika®Cleaner G+P instead alcohol or common commercial glass cleaners
  • Alcohol can react with the polyurethane and block the reactive groups which affect the curing and adhesion build up.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Can I dilute Sika®Cleaner G+P?
  • It is not recommended to dilute chemical products as compatibility is not guaranteed and the composition is designed to achieve best performance already.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
How long will Primers and Activators last after they have been opened?
  • All Sika Activators and Primers have a reduced shelf life when opened. With proper storage conditions, they will remain usable up to 2-4weeks (see PDS) after opening, or until the expiration date, whichever comes first. Always tightly reseal both the inner liner and outer cap after each use. If the product becomes thick or cloudy, or inhomogeneous, immediately discard according to the information provided in the Material Safety Data Sheet.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Can Sika® Aktivator PRO be used in damp conditions?
  • Yes, Sika® Aktivator PRO can be used in damp conditions, e.g. on windshields with a light misting of condensation. (In this application, ‘damp’ refers to any humid condition where larger water droplets are NOT visible, either as pooled condensation or as spots of rain). However, it is better if the part is dried first.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
If the open time of Sika® Aktivator PRO has passed, is it ok to perform the activation step again?
  • Yes. It is OK to apply Sika® Aktivator PRO up to three times onto the bonding surface. It is important that the surface is clean and activated. You can tell if the surface has been activated when it has a shimmery aspect to it. If you are uncertain it is better to re-apply Sika® Aktivator PRO.  
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Why is the use of daubers with Sika® Aktivator PRO not recommended?
  • Sika® Aktivator PRO performs a cleaning function, as well as an activating function. Application with a dauber simply moves dirt around and does not clean it off. Daubers apply too much product, which is unnecessary and wasteful.
  • They can become dirty and contaminate the activator if they are dipped in the bottle several times.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Why does Sika®Primer-207 need to be shaken?
  • Shaking primers mixes the solids that may have settled at the bottom of the bottle and ensures a thin, uniform mixture and coverage. All manufacturer’s primers containing solids should be shaken before use.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Can I dilute high viscous/gelled Sika®Primer-207?
  • If the viscosity of the primer gets high, NEVER use thinners or solvents to dilute the product as the higher viscosity is an indication of lower reactivity.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
What happens if too thick a layer of Sika® Primer-207 is applied?
  • Applying a thick layer of Sika® Primer-207 results in a longer flash-off time. But if applied as corrosion protection on bare metal it is recommended that two thick layers of Sika® Primer-207 be applied for long lasting protection
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Is there a product for cleaning Sika® Primer-207 from interior parts?
  • Sika® Primer-207 can be cleaned using Sika® Remover-208 or Sika® Handwipes tissues as long as it has not cured completely. Once cured, it must be removed mechanically.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Are there any aggressive components in Sika® Aktivator PRO or Sika® Primer-207 that could attack surfaces?
  • Sika® Aktivator PRO and Sika® Primer-207 contain reactive components which react chemically with glass, paint and other materials. Once cured, they can only be removed mechanically and the upper layer of the substrate is damaged in the process. Care must be taken to apply Sika® Aktivator PRO only to the required areas. If the product is applied to the transparent area of the glass, it will be visible and the customer will have cause for complaint.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Can Sika®Primer-207 be used to imitate a ceramic frit on float glass for UV protection?
  • To ensure a durable bond, transparent windshields must be surface-protected against UV. Sika® UV Shielding Tape or trims can be used in cases where no protection is given. Sika Primer (and most glass primers from other manufacturers) are organic materials and will be destroyed by UV radiation within a very short time and therefor provide no durable protection.

Possible solutions are:

  • Suitable print color.
  • Protective metal or opaque plastic trim
  • .Sika® UV Shielding Tape.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
What is the minimum temperature to perform a replacement job?
  • Sika’s products are intended for use at temperatures between +5°C and +35°C. For all other conditions Sika has special hot and cold weather recommendations. While a job can be carried out at -10°C, there is a question of adequate dexterity with cold hands. It may be too cold to carry out the job to a suitable professional standard. In this case, the job should be deferred.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
How long do I need to wait to wash my car after windscreen replacement?
  • Soaps and cleaning helps can influence the curing negatively and frameless glasses are sensitive to water pressure and air dryer as they could damage the fresh skin of the urethane, therefore a waiting time of 24h is needed (not needed if installed with Powercure System)
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Having cut out a windshield, the old PUR bead contained lots of small bubbles in the adhesive bead. How can this be prevented?
  • The PUR adhesive releases carbon dioxide while curing. If the adhesive bead is heated during curing, the gas is released more quickly which can result in small bubbles dispersed throughout the bead. This can happen if the car is parked with the windshield exposed to sunlight on a warm day. Parking the car in the shade will prevent this problem.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
How to bond a windscreen to a FRP bodies structure?
  • If the old PU is still in place the standard procedure can be followed
  • If you bond directly to FRP use abrasive pad to scuff the surface, Sika®Cleaner G+P to and apply Sika®Primer-207
Posted on: 08/05/2019
How to bond a freshly painted vehicle?
  • New paints are difficult to bond as they are developed to be self-cleaning and repellent
  • Allow the paint to properly cure first (24h)
  • Use abrasive pad to scuff the surface, Sika®Cleaner G+P to clean and apply Sika®Primer-207
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Why does the primer not wet the surface properly?
  • If the surface tension of a substrate is insufficient the primer will show wetting issues on the surface. This is mostly known from non-traditional contaminations present on ceramic frits.
  • Remove and clean (Sika®Cleaner PCA), or use glass fit for purpose.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
The surface shows after cleaning with Sika®Cleaner PCA still wetting issues
  • The use of dry Sika®Cleaner PCA increases cleaning efficiency as the glass cleaner can act as a lubricant.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
Can I use products of other suppliers in combination with Sika adhesives or pre-treatments?
  • To mix product from different suppliers is not allowed as compatibility is not ensured.
  • Performance and composition of competitor products are not in our control and can change easily without notice.
Posted on: 08/05/2019
What is the maximum open time of Sika®Primer-207
  • The maximum open time is depending on many environmental factors
  • High temperatures will shorten the time and dirt and dust will have a negative influence, therefore we recommend in Automotive Glass Replacement applications to clean and repeat the chemical treatment after 2h.
Posted on: 08/05/2019