Adhesives and Foams in Collision Repair: Why OEM Procedures Matter

Joe Adams
1 hour ago
2 min read

When most people think of auto body repair, they picture metal, welds, and paint. But today’s vehicles are engineered with much more than steel and aluminum. Structural adhesives and foams play a critical role in safety, strength, and even comfort. At Solon Collision in Aurora, OH, we follow OEM repair procedures to ensure adhesives and foams are used exactly as the manufacturer intended.

Why Adhesives and Foams Are Important

Modern vehicles are designed with advanced materials to improve crash performance, reduce weight, and minimize noise. Adhesives and foams are often hidden inside panels and pillars, but they are vital to how your car performs in an accident. Using the wrong type—or skipping them altogether—can compromise safety and void OEM standards.

Common Types of Adhesives in Auto Body Repair

1. Structural Adhesives

Purpose: Bonds panels together, often replacing or supplementing welds.
OEM Use: Roof skins, quarter panels, aluminum-to-steel bonding.
Why it matters: Provides strength while reducing heat distortion compared to welding.

2. Panel Bonding Adhesives

Purpose: Designed to secure exterior panels like doors, hoods, or fenders.
OEM Use: Frequently combined with rivets or welds for added reinforcement.
Why it matters: Delivers corrosion protection and long-lasting adhesion.

3. Glass Urethane Adhesives

Purpose: Bonds windshields and back glass to the vehicle frame.
OEM Use: Always requires a safe-drive-away time for airbags to function properly.
Why it matters: Critical to structural integrity and passenger safety in a crash.

4. Sound Dampening and Sealing Adhesives

Purpose: Creates noise reduction, vibration control, and water sealing.
OEM Use: Door seams, trunk seams, and floor pans.
Why it matters: Ensures a quiet, dry, and comfortable ride.

Common Types of Foams in Collision Repair

1. Structural Foams

Purpose: Strengthens hollow pillars, rockers, and rails.
OEM Use: Improves crash performance and energy absorption.
Why it matters: Must be replaced with the correct OEM product to restore crashworthiness.

2. NVH Foams (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness)

Purpose: Reduces road noise and vibrations inside the cabin.
OEM Use: Applied in roof rails, quarter panels, and other cavity areas.
Why it matters: Enhances driving comfort while also providing sealing.

3. Expanding Foams

Purpose: Expands into cavities to fill space and provide reinforcement.
OEM Use: Often used in rocker panels, A-pillars, and rear rails.
Why it matters: Without proper replacement, vehicles may have reduced crash protection.

Why OEM Adhesives and Foams Shouldn’t Be Substituted

Every manufacturer specifies which adhesive or foam must be used in a given repair. Substituting a different product can:

Reduce crash performance in accidents
Cause bonding failures or leaks
Increase road noise or vibration
Put passengers at unnecessary risk

At Solon Collision, we only use OEM-specified adhesives and foams to ensure your vehicle is repaired to the highest safety and quality standards.

Final Thoughts

Adhesives and foams may not be visible once a repair is complete, but they are just as critical as welds and bolts. If your vehicle needs collision repair, trust Solon Collision in Aurora, OH to restore it with OEM-approved adhesives and foams—because your safety depends on it.

📞 Call us today at 440-903-1009 or visit us at 260 Lena Drive, Aurora, OH 44202 to schedule your repair estimate.