How to Repair Glass With Ultraviolet Glue

Glue repair can sometimes help you avoid replacement costs for broken glass pieces.

Repair broken glass permanently by applying a thin layer of ultraviolet glue. Ultraviolet glue, also called UV adhesive, is used in many manufacturing applications to bond two glass surfaces. Rejoined glass surfaces are subjected to a few minutes of direct ultraviolet light to cure the glue. The strong light weld becomes a nearly invisible repair that can last for many years.

Things You'll Need

• Ammonia-based glass cleaning spray
• Lint-free cloth
• Rubber gloves (optional)
• 2 ultraviolet light bulbs (160-watt ballasted)
• 2 standard lamps
• Wood block
• Paintbrush (synthetic bristles)
• Clamps (optional)
• Razor blade

Instructions

1. Wipe down all the surfaces of each glass shard with an ammonia-based glass cleaner and lint-free cloth. Wear rubber gloves if the pieces are difficult to handle without cutting your fingers.

2. Screw the ultraviolet light bulbs into the lamp sockets. Lay the lamps down onto their sides. Support the ends nearest to the bulb with a wood block.

3. Squeeze a small bead of ultraviolet glue onto the ends of a synthetic-bristle paintbrush. Coat both of the broken edges of the glass with a thin, even layer of UV adhesive.

4. Align the broken glass ends and gently press them together to squeeze out excess glue.

5. Plug in and turn on the ultraviolet lamps. Hold the connected glass pieces together within two inches of the light bulbs for five minutes. Use clamps to hold the glass together if it gets too hot to hold.

6. Cool the connected glass shards completely. Scrape the excess dried adhesive from both sides of the seam with a razor blade. Continue gluing and curing one broken seam at a time until the repair is finished.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the synthetic paintbrush with a paint solvent such as mineral spirits. Rinse out the solvent with cold water and dry the bristles before putting the brush away.

• Glass repaired with ultraviolet glue must stay below 250 degrees F to keep from coming apart.

References

• University of Arizona: College of Optical Sciences: UV Curing Adhesives: UV Curing Optical Adhesives