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the WINDSHIELD DOCTORS @
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BI COUNTY WINDSHIELD REPAIR
631-929-633
Safe Drive Away Time
What You Must Know About Auto Glass Safety
Your windshield is designated as a safety device by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) There are five FMVSS laws that apply to the auto glass in your vehicle. The technician replacing or repairing your auto glass must know these standards and must know how to return your vehicle to these standards or you or a loved one could be put at serious risk.
If there are no water leaks and the windshield appears installed neatly on the surface you naturally assume the replacement windshield was installed correctly . Major safety problems may only show up in the event of an accident. The auto glass in the modern motor vehicle today is bonded to the body using a supper strong adhesive called poly urethane. During an accident, a passenger side air bag can blow an improperly installed windshields completely out of a vehicle, rendering it useless, and exposing the occupants to further injury?
This short video demonstrates what would happen in an accident
if the Safe Drive Away Time (SDAT) is not adhered to and the air bag is
deployed. Note this is a static demonstration. The dynamics of an actual
accident would include the force of a passenger hitting the air bag , the crumple zones of the automobile being crushed and of distorted. The
S.D.A.T. curing time of most single stage adhesives vary from 3 hours to more
than 48 hours depending on the temperature and the amount of humidity in the
air. This is why S.D.A.T. is a critical safety issue that must be discussed with
the installing technician and verified with the adhesive manufacturers
cure chart.
Did you know that many auto glass shops do not adhere to factory specified products and procedure, putting the vehicle occupants at serious risk? This is why the auto glass professional you choose to repair or replace your windshield must be trained and committed to safety and quality.
One of the most important and most overlooked aspect of safe auto glass replacement is called (SDAT) Safe Drive Away Time. (SDAT) is the time needed for the urethane adhesive to reach a safe strength before the repaired vehicle can be safely driven. (SDAT) is determined by test done by the urethane manufacturers. The time needed for most urethane to cure varies widely. The temperature and the amount of humidity or moisture in the air is critical in determining the time needed before a vehicle can be safely put back in service. A urethane applied at a optimal temperature of say 80 degrees with a humidity level of 80% may require that the vehicle not be driven for 3 hours. The same urethane applied at a temperature of 50 degrees and 20% humidity may require a 48 hour (SDAT) time before it can be put back into service. This same urethane must not be used at temperatures below 40 degrees. All urethane manufactures do extensive testing and print SDAT cure charts to determine when a vehicle can safely be driven. There are fast curing urethanes that will deliver SDAT times in one hour our less but these urethanes are two to three times as expensive. We exclusively use Essex brand of urethane. Essex brand urethane is used by over 70% of automobile manufactures in North America We record temperatures and humidity levels and use Essex Express Urethane whenever a quick SDAT is nessasary.
DON'T ASSUME the auto glass technician is using the proper products. DEMAND DOCUMENTATION showing the products used. Expiration dates and the lot numbers from the actual products being used to restore your vehicle should also be recored on your work order.
The occupants of a vehicle and their safety relies heavily on the correct windshield replacement techniques. The Windshield Doctors at Bi County Windshield Repair understand today's technological standards involving auto glass replacement and what they mean to you and your family's safety. All of our work is undertaken by NGA certified auto glass technicians with a commitment to the highest standards of workmanship using ONLY parts and adhesives that meet OEM and Federal specifications and guidelines. That is why you, our customer, can trust that you will receive a safe, reliable, and quality repair or replacement from the professionals at Bi County Windshield Repair. If you or your loved ones are ever in an accident, the windshield could be the last line of defense between serious injury or, even life or death.
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