Getting your windscreen replaced hasn’t always been this easy.
Car designs and automotive technology have changed enormously over the past few decades – including the installation methods of windscreen glass. Windscreen construction has also come a long way in recent years and the introduction of things like built-in rain sensing technology has impacted on the way that windscreen replacements are carried out.
This article gives a brief snapshot of the three main windscreen installation methods which have been used in Australia since the seventies.
1970s : butyl seal kit method
This method involved first applying a long ribbon of butyl (synthetic rubber) mastic around the inner edge of the primed glass on both the rear and front windscreens and then applying butyl primer to the body of the vehicle. The seal kit on the glass was then gently manoeuvred into place, sealing the glass.
The mastic seals often had a thin copper wire running through them and when an electrical current was applied to this, it would heat up and soften the butyl. This created a stronger seal.
This method was fairly quick and easy to do and saved time on the production line, but it had its drawbacks. The glass wasn’t structurally bonded to the vehicle but was merely sealed, which meant that the windscreen sometimes ‘sank’ back over time, particularly in the hot Australian summers which may have caused leaks and breakages.
Late 1970s – 1980s : Rubber gasket seal type installations
The rubber gasket seal method was used for the installation of both the front and back windshields. The glass/gasket assembly was activated by pulling a nylon cord from inside the car which sealed the inner lip of the seal around the inside edge of the car’s body. A sealant was then applied to the edges to weatherproof the installation.
The method itself was simple but as with the butyl seal kit method, the glass wasn’t structurally bonded to the vehicle but was merely sealed. The process could also be messy and time-consuming.
Late 1980s onwards : Urethane-bonded type installations
Urethane-bonded installations arose out of a desire to make car bodies lighter, stronger and safer. Manufacturers realised that both the front and rear windscreens could play an important role in maintaining the structural integrity and enhancing the overall safety of the car, hence the development of urethane bonded type installations which are used in all modern vehicles.
The method was faster and less labour-intensive than other techniques, but importantly, it meant that the windscreen was structurally bonded to the body of the vehicle. Historically, the old fashioned sealants simply gave way in the event of an impact or pressure, so this new development was a massive leap forward in terms of enhanced strength and safety because the glued-in windshields could now contribute to the vehicle’s rigidity.
The new developments also meant that windscreen replacements needed to be done by trained professionals because the process involved the handling of chemicals such as urethane primers and adhesives and of course, large panels of glass. Professionals have the appropriate skills and expertise to ensure that workplace health and safety procedures are followed, that the right windscreen design is matched to the particular design of a vehicle and that the glass is correctly installed for optimum strength and safety.
It’s imperative to have the right tools, methods and training to ensure a safe, reliable and secure windscreen replacement, so if you’re in Perth and your vehicle’s windscreen needs attention, you should head straight for Autoscreens. They have a reputation for fast, efficient and friendly service and they guarantee all their products and their workmanship.
For reliable, convenient and economical windscreen replacements in Perth, call their 24 hour hotline, 0400 200 086 or visit Autoscreens.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.