new to the Business

[Brent Deines]

Originally Posted by PDQ Auto Glass

Do Delta, US Windshield, GlasWeld, LR, Glass mechanix and others have similar kits and consumables to be properly trained? What makes Delta the best in your opinion?

What tools do I need? Crack repair kits? Scratch removal? VIN etching? I want to start out slow and ease into the business until I feel proficient? What services should I include at first?

There are some very significant differences in the way different windshield repair systems work. You will find that pressure first vs vacuum first, curing under pressure vs curing under natural stress, air pressure injecting vs hydraulic pressure injecting, long crack repair methods, and many other issues vary greatly, as do the types of tools and quantities of re-supply products that are included in with a windshield repair system purchase. Obviously the warranty and money back guarantee are also extremely important.

I don't feel this forum is the place for Delta Kits of any of the other manufacturers to go into their sales pitch, but if you have not already done so I would contact each of the manufacturers whose products you are considering and get a feel for how they handle customer service, if they bad mouth the competition, and if what they tell you actually makes sense. When we had an engineer review some of the outrageous claims made by other manufacturers he was dumb founded that they could get away with it. Not only do some of these claims not hold up to scientific testing principles, they are down right misleading. Unfortunately I think that is true of any industry, so doing your homework and applying common sense to what you are told is always important.

Some of the others on this forum will disagree, and some of our competitors may try to load you up with as much equipment as you can afford, but I recommend keeping it simple when you start. I started repairing windshields part time in 1987, and slowly began adding other services. However I eventually phased out window tinting, pin striping, interior repair and pressure washing services, as I found windshield repair more profitable and frankly, easier. I did continue to offer scratch removal but did not promote it, again due to lower profit margins and harder work, unless you enter the commercial glass arena, or are working on mostly high end cars as stated by Bois.

Doing one thing very well is more profitable than doing may things OK, so I think it is best to start with one service and add other services when you master the first one. If things go well enough you may find that you don't want to add other services, or at the very least you will likely have a better idea of which other services will best fit your existing business model. A lot of windshield repair technicians are finding that headlight restoration is a good add on, but again, I think your success with any add on service will depend on your business model.

I don't think you should skimp on your windshield repair equipment, or any other equipment you choose to buy for that matter. The right tools, training, and supplies will not only make you more professional, but will make you more money and help you to enjoy your profession more. However this does not mean you have to buy every tool ever offered, a multitude of different resins, or spend huge amounts of money to get started. The windshield repair business is still a very inexpensive industry to enter. Hopefully the manufacturer you choose will not try to sell you a lot of things you don't need and/or won't use.

Now as for why Delta Kits is better than the rest...I can't believe no one has said it yet. The president of the company is a very handsome man, and humble too!

[screenman]

The reason I said get a move on is due to the fact I love this business and if you do it right so will you. By all means do your home work then of course buy Delta just do it soon as time lost is time lost you do not get it back again. I speak to the same guys each year that are going to get into our business and never do, please for your sake do not become one of them.

Seeing as some of you may have seen my picture in MTE I cannot claim to be good looking but I am far more charming than Brent.