Bonded windows are what turn a panel van into a campervan. They are both highly aesthetic and a safety-critical joint. You need to get them right, first time and we are here to help.

 

Winbond has supplied automotive glazing adhesives to the UK since 1998, supplying windscreen fitters, bodyshops and coach builders. These are the adhesives and kits the trade uses, direct from the people who make them.

Choose your window bonding kit

Every kit is a complete application. Adhesive, nozzle, wipes and gloves are in the box. All you need is the basic tools.

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• Ultracure Single Cartridge Kit – one window, three-step primed system

• Ultracure Double Cartridge Kit – a pair of windows, shared primer

• Sixty Primerless Single Cartridge Kit – one window, one-step system, no primer

• Sixty Primerless Double Cartridge Kit – a pair of windows, one-step system

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Fitting more than a couple of windows? See the full window bonding kit range, including twelve-application workshop kits.

Ultracure or SixtyHV Primerless?

Both bond campervan and vehicle windows. Both are FMVSS 212 tested and TÜV crash tested, and both give a one hour drive-away time on dual-airbag vehicles. What differs is how the bond is prepared.

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Ultracure – the three-step primed system (wipe, primer, bond). The included wipe cleans and degreases the surfaces, the versatile primer conditions the surfaces and adds a visible, controlled preparation stage, aiding adhesion and increasing UV stability. The easy to apply polyurethane bonding adhesive gives a strong, reliable bond designed specifically for automotive glass and used in the windscreen replacement industry for decades.

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SixtyHV Primerless – the one-step SiMP system. Bonds direct to glass, painted metal, plastics and GRP with no primer. Solvent free, isocyanate free and odourless; It has no hazard symbol and no REACH training obligation, with fewer stages to sequence. The SixtyHV kits include glass and panel wipes for surface cleaning and degreasing, ensuring a reliable bond every time.

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With all bonding, the strength of adhesion and consistent results depends on the surfaces being properly prepared, cleaned and degreased first. 

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Either system gives professional results. Surface preparation is what decides the strength of the bond.

Edge trim: which size, and how much

The trim finishes the cut edge of the aperture. Choosing the right size requires deciding on the finish and measuring the thickness of the edge to be covered.

 

Measure the thickness of the finished aperture edge. Van window apertures are often built from two skins – an outer body panel and an inner wall. If the two skins have been spot-welded, pressed or bonded together, measure the combined thickness. If they have not been brought together, measure across both.

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If carpet or internal lining will be tucked under the trim, allow for that too.

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• 1mm–2.5mm – Mini Edge Trim, code BRS2177. Suits a single skin, or a closed edge finished down to this thickness.

  Cut lengths: 5m or 10m.

• 2mm–5mm – Edge Trim, code BRS2172. The common choice where two skins have been brought together, or where lining is tucked under the trim.

  Cut lengths: 5m or 10m.

• 6mm–8mm – Edge Trim, code BRS2251.

  Cut lengths: 5m or 10m.

• 10mm–12mm – Edge Trim, code BRS2355.

  Cut lengths: 5m or 10m.

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How much do you need?

 

As a guide to glass sizes: VW T5 and T6 side window 3.40m around; Ford Transit Custom sliding window 3.53m; Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro up to 2019 3.53m; Vivaro 2019 on, Toyota Proace, Peugeot Expert and Citroën Dispatch 3.29m; Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay front side window 3.79m and rear quarter 2.87m; Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter sliding window 4.35m. These are glass perimeters, so allow extra for corners and check the aperture on the vehicle. In practice five metres covers one window on any of these and ten metres covers a pair.

Browse the trims and profiles range. Need a short length rather than a full trade roll? Every size is available in 5m and 10m cut lengths, linked above. For other lengths, call 01455 559889.

The Process - Step-by-Step

1. Cut and prepare the aperture, and deal with the edge – bring the skins together if that is your method, and protect any bare metal.

2. Dry-fit the glass and check the reveal all the way round.

3. Clean and degrease both the glass bonding band and the body flange with a glass wipe and a panel wipe. This step decides the strength of the bond.

4. If you are using the Ultracure primed system, apply primer to both surfaces and let it flash off for the time on the datasheet.

5. Apply a continuous triangular bead to the glass, with no breaks and no joins at a corner.

6. Set the glass, press home evenly, tape or prop it, and leave it to cure. Do not move the vehicle before the drive-away time.

The full illustrated version, with cure times, cold-weather notes and troubleshooting, is in our Campervan Window Bonding Guide.

Vehicle notes

VW Transporter T4, T5, T6 and T6.1 side window apertures are built from two skins, and fitters commonly press or bond the inner and outer skins together before trimming. Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter barn door apertures are also two-skin.

For other vans, including the Ford Transit and Transit Custom, Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay, Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan NV300, Renault Master and Vauxhall Movano, and the Toyota Proace, Peugeot Expert and Citroën Dispatch, aperture construction varies by model and year. Measure the edge on your own vehicle rather than working from a general rule. If you are unsure, call us before you buy.

Common questions

Do I need a primer?

With the Ultracure system, yes – it is part of the process and it is in the kit. With Sixty Primerless, no, but your cleaning and degreasing has to be right.

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How long before I can drive it?

One hour on dual-airbag vehicles for both systems, at normal temperatures. Cold conditions extend it. Full cure takes longer – check the datasheet.

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Can I fit windows in cold weather?

Both adhesives are specified from +5°C. Below that, warm the vehicle, the glass and the cartridge first, and expect longer cure times.

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Glass or acrylic windows?

These adhesives are for bonded glass. Acrylic windows are usually clamped in a frame rather than bonded – check what the window manufacturer specifies.

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What about seams, roof vents and pop-top joints?

That is a sealing job rather than a bonding job. Use our PUR Sealer.

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Where do I get the datasheets?

Every product has its TDS and SDS in the Datasheet Library.

Converters and trade

Fitting windows for a living? We supply conversion workshops directly, with volume pricing, twelve-application kits, bulk supply and B2B service. Ask about a trade account on 01455 559889.

Technical support

We have been involved in the manufacture, supply and use of automotive adhesives for over 50 years.

If you have a question about a job, we can answer it. Call 01455 559889 or email sales@winbond-int.com. More information can also be found in our Technical Resources section.