Narrator: Ford Motor Company has been an innovator from its beginning.
An example of Ford striving to be a leader, is the use of safety glass.
In 1928 the model A became the first low price car to use laminated safety glass.
Within two years of this milestone, Ford was making its own.
Since that time, vehicle glass has evolved to incorporate a variety of
technologies while also becoming an integral part of automotive design.
Today, glass can help reduce noise, lessen interior heat and UV rays, support
sensors for other vehicles systems, and deliver safety properties that
give strength to the vehicle structure.
When replacing glass after a collision, OE glass helps retain
these properties through its quality, safety characteristics,
and features of the glass itself.
Let's take a closer look.
Ford Carlite factory installed original equipment glass is manufactured to
exacting specifications for clarity and fit for Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
Modern manufacturing requires shaping the three dimensional contour of
the glass and must include precision mounted brackets for advanced driver
assistance system equipment where needed.
Many aftermarket glass manufacturers don't have this full surface
control of their glass products and may not meet OE specifications.
Although many customers may not realize it, the structural integrity
of the vehicle is dependent, in part, on the windshield staying
in place during an accident.
Like Ford's OE glass, Carlek service replacement glass is designed to meet
specific performance criteria in an accident and to provide properties that
allow ADAS systems to perform as designed.
Original equipment glass also contains features that may not be found with
aftermarket glass including; UV coatings, special coatings repel UV rays helping to
protect interior surfaces from fade and deterioration as well as reduce heat load;
sound deadening, Ford SoundScreen acoustic windshield and side glass help contribute
to a quiet ride for less annoyance and fatigue as well as to enhance
understanding of sync voice commands; and de-icing elements, the placement
and thickness of specialized coatings and heating elements helps maintain
visibility in frosty or snowy conditions.
And like all other parts for Ford and Lincoln vehicles, Carlek service
replacement glass is the only automotive replacement glass that's
approved by Ford Motor Company.
For advanced driver assistance systems, exceptional glass
optical qualities are vital.
Distortions, ripples, bows and other glass manufacturing defects
may not be noticeable by consumers or even by some glass technicians.
But the reality is, these can affect the way that ADAS cameras see the environment.
Several Ford driver assistance technologies incorporate a forward-facing
camera and can be effected by glass quality; automatic windshield wipers,
activated when the camera sees raindrops strike the windshield; automatic high
beam systems, which must distinguish between differing light sources;
lane keeping systems, that read lane markings to help center the vehicle
in the lane; and automatic emergency braking, which depends on the camera and
onboard computer to identify pedestrians or other obstacles on the road.
For certain advanced driver assistance system features, fit is also critical.
This means that the glass must seat properly in the correct
position to match the original position of ADAS camera brackets.
In addition to effecting everyday operation, glass distortions can affect
the ability to correctly calibrate ADAS systems to OE specifications.
With lane keeping systems, for example, the vehicle could be inadvertently
steered out of the lane or even toward oncoming traffic if window distortions
cause the camera to misinterpret the actual position of a road line.
Let's take a brief look at a windshield replacement and
several key installation tips.
The following highlights only key aspects of glass replacement.
Be sure to check the Ford workshop manual for the specific Ford Motor
Company vehicle you are working on for full repair information.
Remember to always refer to your paint manufacturer's recommendations
for surface preparation on steel or aluminum body vehicles.
If you're replacing glass that doesn't require metal flange repair
or replacement, first remove the old glass and prep the pitch weld area.
Care should be taken when cleaning existing flange areas to keep the high
bake finish intact and damage free.
Remove the original urethane adhesive leaving one to two millimeters
of material on the pinch weld.
This original adhesive bead will serve as a base for the new adhesive.
Remember, fixed glass must be installed within two hours of
cutting the urethane adhesive.
Cut or scrape urethane adhesive becomes oxidized and inactive
beyond two hours, reducing the effectiveness of the repair bond.
Remove any foreign material or dirt from the pinch weld
using a soft brush or vacuum.
Apply a urethane adhesive bead and install the fixed glass to the vehicle.
Pressing firmly by hand to ensure a good bond.
Next, let's take a look at repair preparation when an area of the
glass flange must be replaced.
A key point of caution.
Anytime an area of flange is replaced, which includes, a windshield, rear window,
side, or quarter window, you must not paint the steel or aluminum area with base
coat or clear coat refinish materials.
The reason is, the original manufacturer high bake process cannot be duplicated
at collision repair centers.
Improper painting can result in serious structural performance
issues in the event of an accident.
After completing the replacement of the new flange area, begin
preparation of the substrate.
Any work areas must first be cleaned to bare metal in preparation
for application of epoxy primer.
Then following the technical data sheet of your paint company product,
apply epoxy primer to the area that the glass will adhere to.
Allow the primer to dry per the paint manufacturers recommendations.
Next, back tape the epoxy primed area to protect it so you
can complete finish painting.
Apply the base coat and clear coat to the perimeter of the back tape flange.
After the base coat and clear coat harden, remove the tape.
Apply the urethane primer to the epoxy primed area with a brush per
the workshop manual instructions.
Next, apply the urethane adhesive and install the glass using
accepted and approved procedures.
We presented a number of Ford-specific tools and resources
in this video, here's a breakdown.
You can find Ford Motor Company position statements by visiting
FordCrashParts.com, position statements; OEM1stop.com, from the
home page; and I-CAR.com, repairability technical support portal, OEM
information, Ford, position statements.
Ford-specific glass resources can be found in the Ford workshop manual repair
procedures for dealer-owned shops or at MotorcraftService.com for Ford Certified
Collision Network repair centers and MotorcraftService.com subscribers.
All other collision repairers can purchase a short term or annual
Ford workshop manual subscription at MotorcraftService.com.
To order a Ford-specific glass tools, visit the rotunda website at
www.OneRotunda.com or call 800-ROTUNDA.
And for additional information on becoming a member of the Ford Certified Collision
Network, please visit us online at Collision.Ford.com/FordCertifiedCollisionNetwork
or FordCrashParts.com and click the Certified Collision Network tile.
Glass on Ford and Lincoln vehicles, and especially those with advanced driver
assistance systems, can be repaired to virtually like-new performance using
Ford approved parts and procedures, consistent pre- and post-scanning,
and factory specified calibrations.
Thanks for watching.