I think many valid points have been made on this subject, but frankly don’t know why this has turned into such a debate. Researching the products that you use to repair windshields is a good idea. I believe that in doing your research, spec sheets are a good place to start, but personal preference and your own field-testing is also very important. Delta Kits resins are put through an extensive testing process that we are happy to share with anyone who is interested in purchasing our resin products. I think that any of our reputable competitors would be willing to do the same.

I have personally field-tested dozens of different types of resins and can tell you that beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are some differences. Delta Kits has been field-testing various different types of resins since 1984 and recommend what we believe to be the best there is. Again, our reputable competitors have done the same. I keep saying reputable because there are a few companies selling resin products that are not properly tested and lack consistency.

If you are willing to spend years of documenting your field-testing results, and don’t mind using your customers as guinea pigs, you don’t need the testing that the manufacturers provide. However, as I said before, I believe it is a good place to start.

Now, here is where personal preference comes in. I once had a customer say that the resin they were using was too thick. Looking at the specs I could see that they were using the lowest viscosity resin available, so I gave them a higher viscosity resin without giving them the specs and asked them to field test it. After a few weeks I got a call from that customer saying that they loved the new thinner resin. When I told him that the resin he tested was actually a higher viscosity, we both had a good laugh. Had I told this particular customer that I was sending him a higher viscosity resin before he tried it, you can bet that he would not have liked it.

The point is there are many different qualities that affect how a resin performs. Some people will like Delta Kits resin better than anything else they try. Others will prefer something else. I would not debate the quality of resin on specs alone. Field-testing and personal preference are definitely part of the equation. You have to believe that you are getting the best results possible or you need to find a new resin product.

There is one more part to the equation that must be taken into account, although I feel it is the least important. Price is a factor for most of us and for some is the only consideration. To me, saving a few cents per repair is not worth risking a failed repair. I recommend finding the best possible and then try to find the best possible price for that resin. If you buy resin based solely on the purchase price, you are bound to be disappointed.

Although I try to read all the postings on the forum, I don’t post very often. (After reading this rather lengthy post, I’m sure you are all very happy that I don’t.) I find it hard not to be biased toward the products that I sell and I don’t want the forum to be a place to promote specific products. Having been a windshield repair tech for many years myself, I can’t help but think of the $100 or so that I could have made repairing windshields, had I not spent the time to write this. If you disagree with anything I have said, that’s fine, but if you post a direct response to this message and I don’t reply, please accept my apology. I’m probably off making money in the windshield repair business.

Brent Deines
Delta Kits, Inc.

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