How Long Does Urethane Adhesive Take to Dry?
Besides price, the biggest factor in changing or fixing your windshield glass is time. Most individuals don’t have spare vehicles or free days where they can leave their car in a shop and allow professionals to do what they need. Luckily, new technology has created quick-drying urethane adhesive for vehicles.
How Much Time Does Urethane Adhesive Take to Dry?
Most autobody and auto glass shops use urethane adhesive that only takes one hour to dry. However, keep in mind that while you can drive your car home or to work, the urethane adhesive is not entirely dry in an hour.
When shops say you’ll be in and out, that’s true, but as a driver, you should understand that your windshield may not hold up in an accident unless the urethane adhesive is fully dry. It takes about 8 hours or overnight for urethane adhesive to dry fully. You can drive your car, but most reputable shops will warn you to take it easy on the road until the next day.
Set Aside a Few Hours to Fix Your Autoglass
The first thing you should keep in mind is that this process doesn't take very long. Most shops can change the glass or fix the problem within 30 minutes. Then, your car will sit there for about an hour to give the urethane adhesive enough time to drive. After that, you may drive your car out of the shop, but it is best if you go straight home.
Urethane Adhesive - Best Practices After a Windshield Installation
There’s nothing major you should worry about after having your windshield replaced. Urethane adhesive is made to be extra strong and quick-drying in recent years, so you should feel safe driving your car home after. There are a few best practices you can observe to keep your windshield in place until the glue fully dries:
- Crack a window when you leave it parked overnight (safety and weather permitting). This will help circulation and the drying process so that everything is solid for the next day.
- Avoid slamming your doors or generally being rough with the car. The adhesive must be set fully first.
- Avoid rough terrain when driving home, go slow over speed bumps to ensure the glass stays in place.
- Leave the tape on the glass for at least 24 hours. You should leave it on longer, just to make sure the glass doesn’t shift while you’re driving.
- Wait a week before going through a car wash. A few days should be fine, but just to be safe, it’s good to wait a little longer. The water pressure from the hoses and specialized soaps used in car washes may not be the best idea for a freshly-changed windshield.
- Follow your glass repair shop’s advice. Some cars and certain adhesives used may have their own timetable. Your auto glass experts will give you all the information you need when you bring your car in, so follow their recommendations.
Use Professional Services Only
Your autoglass is important because it protects you and the entire vehicle. Changing the windshield or using store-bought adhesive may not provide the results you were looking for. It’s best to leave it to the professionals. At Smiley’s Glass, our professionals are trained and experienced with a variety of vehicles and adhesives, and will ensure that your vehicle’s glass is properly installed. Call Smiley’s Glass at 1-804-320-7172 and make an appointment to bring your car in today. We’ll have you in and out in no-time, while making sure your windshield is as safe and secure as possible.
