Does anyone use/know of UV LED for curing?

[Brent Deines]

Superglassdave,

As part of our testing we have placed resin between two lites of solar green glass and applied various different lights for various different times to determine the effectiveness of the light, which is determined not only by cure speed, but by the cure through rate. That is the best way I know of to determine how well a light actually cures windshield repair resin.

Our testing has proven that circular lights of any kind do not cure as well in the center of the circle (center of the break) as a bulb placed directly over the break. This is very easy to demonstrate but unfortunately I have misplaced the competitor's circle light that we used for the testing so I can't make a video until we get another one of those lights traded in.

Although our testing with UV LED lights has produced results similar to those you cited, in fairness to GT I have to say I have not tested their light yet so I cannot comment on it's effectiveness. I don't doubt that it cures, but unless I see the test results from a UV light meter calibrated for 365nm that prove otherwise, I will stand behind my statements about florescent tubes placed directly over the break being far more effective than either florescent or LED lights used in a circular pattern around a break.

Of course I don't promote curing under pressure anyway, so the whole circular thing becomes kind of a mute point for Delta Kits users.

Dave M, if you like the LED light you purchased it is okay to say so on the forum. Some technicians like the florescent circle lights and some like the AA battery operated lights, so even though I can prove they don't have near as much 365nm UV output at the center of the break as the more popular UV lights used used for curing in the glass repair industry, I'm not going to beat anyone up over a difference of opinion. If you like it you like it. The only thing I ask is that members of the forum do not state something as a fact unless they can prove it. When it comes to UV lights proof for me would be an unedited video showing the output measured with a UV light meter properly calibrated for 365nm UV light measurement. If anyone wants to send me a light to test we will video the test results and post them here along with test results from other popular lights. If it turns out the LED light puts out more intensity I will be the first to admit that I am wrong.

Adam, I know you are biting your tongue but rest assured I will not let this turn into a bashing party. We may not agree on everything but I do respect you and the company you represent. Since it seems Dave M is the only windshield repair forum member who has has purchased one of your new lights so far, I hope he will give us his honest opinion.