Auto Glass Adhesives, Sealants, and Cleaners

Water on the floor mat after the first hard rain. A rear-view mirror lying on the dash. That film on the inside of the windshield that turns into blinding glare when the sun drops low. Most start with a single tube or bottle, and you'll find them all on this page.

If you set glass for a living, the bigger headache is the comeback: a customer back in your bay with a leak you already got paid for. Order the week's auto glass adhesive, auto glass sealants and install spares from Sika, CRL, 3M and Loctite in one go on DK Hardware, plus auto glass cleaner by the bottle or the case.

What Are You Working On?

Which Windshield Adhesive Do Installers Use?

Glass bonded straight to the body with no rubber gasket, called direct-glazed, goes in with a one-part auto glass urethane adhesive. Working time matters as much as the brand: Sika says never to set glass once the urethane has skinned over. The two Sika urethanes here split on prep and working time:

Ordering 220+? Add the Aktivator PRO to the same cart, since CRL says this windshield adhesive shouldn't be paired with primers or conditioners from another urethane system. Still searching for POWR 301HV or 302MV? Both are discontinued, and CRL lists P2G Plus as the replacement auto glass adhesive.

Replacing the weatherstrip too? Pick it up from auto glass weatherstrips, moldings and tools.

Auto Glass Sealants for Leaks, Gaskets and Sunroofs

Reach for auto glass sealants when the glass sits in a rubber gasket, when a sunroof or truck cap leaks, or when water gets in at a seam.

• CRL 7708 black windshield and body sealant: an 11-ounce non-hardening bedding compound for windshields set in rubber gaskets. It also seals weatherstripping and hidden body joints.
• Autoglass butyl tape: round 1/4" and 3/8" and square 5/16" and 3/8" profiles on 15-foot rolls, plus 1/8" x 1/4" tape on a 30-foot roll.
• CRL RM140 sunroof butyl sealant tape for resealing a sunroof panel.
• CRL 44NC black neutral-cure automotive silicone for seams that call for a black silicone bead.
• CRL 60701 truck cap foam seal tape: 1/2" x 1/4", black, on a 50-foot roll.

If the old molding tore on the way out, replace it in the same order with windshield moldings, clips and seals.

Which Auto Glass Cleaner Fits the Job?

Match the auto glass cleaner to what's on the glass:

If you just want a car windshield cleaner for the garage, one bottle of Sparkle is plenty. For the greasy haze on the inside of the windshield, use the same windshield cleaner but mist the towel instead of the glass so overspray stays off the dash. A chip or scratch won't clean out, so those go to automotive glass repair and scratch polishing systems.

Choosing a Windshield Cleaning Tool for Exterior Glass

Start with a squeegee: spray on the windshield cleaner, then pull the glass dry in overlapping strokes.

• Unger Ergotec 14" steel window squeegee
• Unger 12" stainless steel squeegee with rubber blade
• Ettore 14" all-purpose squeegee
• Ettore 10" telescopic squeegee replacement head

For trucks, vans and RVs, the Rugg extendable ice scraper and squeegee reaches the middle of the windshield from the ground. Its handle extends from 34-1/2" to 51-1/2".

Nozzles, Daubers and Other Install Spares

These are the small parts that get used up on every install, so add them to the urethane order:

• Screw-on urethane nozzles: uncut standard singly or in 6- and 12-packs, V-notched in 6-packs
• CRL NC594 nozzle cutter for trimming the tip to bead size
• Prep and primer daubers: .850" x 4" singly, .850" x 6" singly or in a 100-pack
• Equalizer Express auto glass removal blades, 3" standard and 3" long reach
• Suck-N-Clamp cup clamps from CRL, single or 6-pack, and from Brixwell

For lifting and moving the glass itself, shop auto glass handling, storage racks and accessories.

Auto Glass Adhesive and Cleaner FAQs

What Is the Best Auto Glass Cleaner?

For glass shops, a foaming aerosol auto glass cleaner is a practical pick. CRL calls 1973 its most popular aerosol glass cleaner, and each can is date-stamped at manufacture with a 2-year shelf life, so older stock is easy to spot and use first.

How Soon Can You Drive After a Windshield Adhesive Install?

Sika lists a 3-hour minimum drive-away time for Sikaflex P2G Plus, tested to FMVSS 212, the federal windshield-mounting standard. Always follow the drive-away instructions for the specific urethane you used before the vehicle goes back on the road.

What Windshield Adhesive Sealant Stops a Leak Around a Gasket?

CRL 7708 black windshield and body sealant. It stays tacky and does not skin over, and CRL says the glass can be water tested right after application, letting you check the sealed area before the vehicle leaves.

Can You Use Silicone Next to Windshield Adhesive?

Keep silicone off any surface the urethane will bond to. Sika says not to apply 220+ over silicone or near silicone that's still curing, and that goes for silicone trim sprays like Sprayway SW936 too. Save CRL 44NC for seams away from the bond line.

What Windshield Cleaner Removes Hard Water Spots?

CRL Bio-Clean water stain remover takes off Stage One corrosion, the mineral film on top of the glass. Press firmly, rub, then rinse until no residue is left. Haze that stays white after cleaning means the glass is etched, which Bio-Clean won't reverse.

Order Auto Glass Supplies From DK Hardware

Most orders are processed and ready to ship within 1 to 2 business days, and in-stock items can go out Next Day or Second Day. Shops and fleet crews can buy on DK Net Terms with Net 30 billing or a tax-exempt account, send a purchase order, and request volume pricing on case orders of auto glass adhesive, auto glass sealants and auto glass cleaner. Want more CRL glass supplies? Check the CR Laurence brand page. Door seals, clips and moldings live under automotive hardware.

Explore silicone sealant for construction​