The purpose of this study was to evaluate a more suitable and efficient preparation method of enamel surface and a safe duration of loading in orthodontics when bonding with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). 300 human premolars were divided into five groups: G0, etched-Transbond XT; G1, etched-moistened; G2, etched-dry; G3, unetched-moistened; and G4, unetched-dry. Using an universal testing machine, we measured shear bonding strength (SBS) and tensile bonding strength (TBS) at 30min, 24h, and 30d post-bonding. The adhesive remnant index was evaluated using stereomicroscopy. The results showed that enamel surface etching significantly improved SBS and TBS of RMGIC. The moist environment could accelerate both of SBS and TBS, but not the final bonding strength. Etching with moistening was the best processing method with RMGIC. When using RMGIC on unetched enamel, the bonding surface should be moistened and loading time delayed. When evaluating mechanical properties of the adhesive materials, it seemed that the TBS was more reasonable and objective than the SBS.