Windshield Scratch Repair

[Bois]

For those of you who do W/S scratch repair, what equipment do you use to position yourself directly in front of the scratch? IPS did a scratch removal demo in Orlando last week and they said that you have to be able to work directly in front of the scratch in order to keep the buffer perpendicular (sp) to the glass. I'm a mobile shop.

Dale...

[repare-brise]

Dale

Positioning yourself infront of the repair area on a WS is a fantasy that is non realistic, yes it would be ideal(for any system), but unfortunatly we don,t always work on a 65 dodge d100 van(usually driven by the bad guy's in Hawaii 50). Most cerium only based systems such as IPS, GW, and GM require a fair amount of control over the drill motor that they use. I use a system that I developed for my technicians that uses a centerfed water grinder and diamond discs. The center feed grinder(Makita PW5001) allows for easier control and can be used with cerium based systems. Also If you are planning to get into scratch removal I suggest a system that uses some kind of disc(3M trizacts, diamond, or boron carbide) for deep scratch removal, the cerium only systems are better described as glass polishing systems, yes they can remove scratches, but it's a long process.

At Your Servicel

[Don Boccafola]

Yvan, I have a trixact system with center feed water I bought from a company called Amazin Glazzing a few years back. I think Amazzing Glazzing sold out and CRL is their distributor now. I have a hard time using it on Auto glass. I found I had a hard time removing the hazz 100% with their final polishing disc. I would usually have to pull out the IPS system to get the final hazzing out. I also was distorting the glass on deep scratches. Maybe I just never perfected my techniqe.

[repare-brise]

Don

You probably perfected your technique, it's 3M that didn't. The trizacs discs are too far apart on the abrasive scale (the discs have problems removing the scratches caused by the prevoius disc), and the final disc is too rough for the glas to be polished by the white disc. The use of the IPS system is the best that you can do, the polishing medium that they use is superior to that used by 3M(white disc) and others. As for the distortion, you are removing glass with the 3M system, so distortion is inevitable, but you can camoflage it with good technique(lot's of practice). On a Ws it is advisable to not repair scratches that are deeper than what you can remove with the IPS system alone in a reasonable time (less than 1 hour). If it's deeper than that the distortion caused by the removal or polishing of the glass can be a nucence to the driver. A deeper scratch that could cause distortion, in a rear side window as an example is in my opinion less of a problem. In short use your IPS system to it,s max, and suppliment with 3M if it,s absolutly required.

At Your Service

[jonnyques]

Talking to Dave the owner at IPS he informed me that their system is NOT Cerium based. Glass Mechanix and Glass Weld (according to him) copied his systems and changed their polish at they were not able to duplicate what he uses. Im no chemist just what Ive been told. I did purchase an IPS System at the MTE. I felt for the price, it was worth a shot. I have been using a Makita center feed system with Cerium. It has worked well, but does involve time. Having done several windshields I hope I will be able to some day report back that the IPS system is BETTER, SAME, or WORSE Than the Cerum method. Dave (at IPS) seems to be very genuin in his feelings about his products, and has inpressed be with his offers of service and support. Now I just have to wait until I find a windshield to try my new system on. The bigest problem I find with these kits is your forced to buy fluff to get the meat and future supplies. The IPS system seems to be just the items you need. There is some small stuff, spray bottle, storage tub etc, but its not reflected in the over all cost of the system. I looked at the GM flyer at the last MTE and at Glass Weld system last year. As a Reference The IPS system this year was $499. The Glass Weld system last year was $1600. The only difference was a water feed system. ( difference that I can see). I will report back on the IPS system when I feel I have a fair honest opinion.

Thanks

[Don Boccafola]

Does IBS still sell a 2 stage system with the first stage being a coarser cutting system folowed by the polishing system? $499.00 is a good deal on the polishing system. I think I paid about $750 almost 10 years ago.







i

[crkdupinga]

The IPS glass process is a one step system. The $499 price is a MTE special thru January on the Plastic Polishing Kit. I’m going to begin marketing their products, so I’m not sure what is appropriate for me to say on the forum. PM is an option.

Dean

[jonnyques]

Sorry I thought the $499 was for the glass or plastic kit. They had an add on price if you wanted both systems. This saved you buying duplicate items and was offered at a lower cost.

[Delta Kits]

[quote="crkdupinga"]I

[jonnyques]

crkdupinga; There are meny people on this forum who offer advice or support for their products. You will find they dont push or market them, just add their 2 cents when the subject arrises. I think its great of Delta to allow this and very seldom interject. It is a great way to expand on ones knowledge, and hey it keeps bringing us back to DELTA's web page! I'm sure I'm not alone finding it strange that OTHER companies have to come to this site to support their customers. I guess on the positive side they are getting some aftermarket support. Just a thought has anyone looked at other windshield companies specific web sites for forums? Is there anyone out there alowing Delta questions? Jeff, buddy, pal, old friend of mine, even though you cut me off of free resin samples, I still lov ya! HA HA bet that will keep you from sleeping tonight!