[repare-brise]

John, First most all systems can be distortion free, it's more an opperator problem then an abrasive/system problem. All systems remove glass(even those who say they dont) it's a fact when you abrade a surface, you remove material. The powder, or paste that they use is cerium oxide, this mineral is available in many grades, most systems use all about the same grade(the scratch hog's white polishing discs are a 3M(568xa serie,s) product that is a cerium oxide impregnated disc). Most also use a felt disc to do the final polishing, of varying sizes and thicknesses. The polishing only(cerium oxide and grinder) systems, vary greatly in price, size, and use, the basic systems such as those mentioned above(ips, GW, GM, ren sys), are all about the same in performance and use. One polish only system that goes beond the other's(in price and performance) is the SPS system. It's different in that it recurculates the cerium/water slurry, keeping it contained to the system(much less messy. The sps system is well adapted to flat glass, but for curved auto glass it is not the best. Ceruim oxide creates heat, and on a microscopic level redistributes the glass(read melts), as well as abrading part of it away. Deep scratches are very long to remove(an realy not feasable) with a cerium only system. Ips sells a kit with abrasive discs to get these deeper scratches before switching to the cerium to polish. GT uses the 3M (268xa & 568xa) trizacs discs to abrade the glass before polishing. These systems forcably remove glass, and can cause distortion in the hands of the inexperianced(get training then practice), but are much faster(about 15-20 min per foot), but inversly can cause more dammage(the need for practice again). I have used most of these systems, or technologies(any one want a couple thousand 3M discs let me know), in the goal of satisfying a need in the market. I find the need is there, but the technologies presently on the market fall slightly short of the mark when it comes to profitability.<snip> My goal was to be able to handle most wiper scratches(if it,s too deep we don't touch it, a distortion is worse than a scratch) in under an hour(we charge $90 per hour), but I have found an even larger market, side and rear glass. Windshields are cheap, but the other glass in a car can be very expensive. This is where our market is growing, scratches caused by foreign objects on the rubber on the side glass(see most early neons for a good example) and rear window wiper scratches on mini vans and suv's. Dealers will have these fixed once you can offer them a reasonably priced(for you and them) and efficient finished product. We charge a flat base rate of $90 (10-60mins) then additional depending how much we go over the 1 hour mark(rare). One of my franchisee's billed $450 for 5 scratches that took 4 hours to do (from arival to departure, these 5 repairs saved the dealer $4250 in glass(scratches were caused by an employee on a flat rate pay scale removing window stickers with a nicked razor blade during PDI), needless to say the dealer is pleased.

All this to say chose your system then learn all you can(practice) before venturing onto customers glass. Price yourself so that it's interesting for you and the customer, and have fun. Dont just look at price when deciding on a system, get referals from the seller, and evaluate there performance with good questions. When you have decided get factory training(it will save you more time and money than it costs) and plan on lots of practice.

Have fun