Drying out repairs in the cold

[vinyl-4ever]

I have had a pretty busy weekend in the cold north-east. The temp. today was 16 without the wind. I had to scrape ice off of a few windshields prior to repairing. I started using the denatured alcohol method. I start by removing loose glass from pit, drill if necessary, then I put a drop of alcohol on chip and dry with moisture evaporator. I am pretty happy with this result. I have been getting a small black dot in the finished repair prior to this method.

[Glassdoc]

Ummm, just a random thought.. But don't you use alcohol to clean your equipment? Why? Because the alcohol breaks down the resin and gets the injector clean.. Correct? So, if you are going around putting alcohol in peoples stone shots prior to doing a repair, you are basically doing these customers a severe un-justice. You, my friend have now not only ruined any chance of a decent repair being made, but your foolishness will now go from your customer's mouth to their friends and co-workers and they will tell everyone that ever brings up "I got hit by a rock this morning" to NOT get it repaired because it does'nt work.. I swear, you newbies.. 16 years, I have done repairs.. And you read in a magazine somewhere that you can make 100k and said "WOW!".. I am truly glad to read your posts and see your mistakes... It tells me that you won't last long in this business. And that is the truth.. There is no room for almost repaired.. Its either repaired or it isn't.. No in between, no middle ground.. Maybe, you should have invested some of your website money into training.. Sound harsh??? Well excuse me.. But your in my neighborhood now, and I don't like wanna be repair techs.. I've seen them come and go, and you with the antics like "the alcohol" are on your way out..

[GlassStarz]

I guess 16 years experience doesnt equal knowledge in the field Most mfgs sell dry out solution and most are alcohol the alcohol lowers the evaporation point and speeds the dry out at the same time the alcohol evaporates useing this method makes it possible to use less heat and thus cause less temp related breakouts.Granted some mfgs dont believe in this method because its because they feel the alcohol might get to the pv layer not because it has adverse affect to the resin the new guys here often come up with some lame stuff but to belittle a guy who follows the method taught by the majority of mfgs in this field is overboard I suppose you disagree with the sujested method of cleaning the area with alcohol if it has been treated by something like rain-x? come on dude take a deep breath and lighten up a little bit competition is good for business

[vinyl-4ever]

I've met alot of people that are stuck in there ways. I have had very good luck using alcohol and drying with a drystar. So to each his own. Your neighborhood, That is FUNNY:eusa_booh

[vinyl-4ever]

Oh and by the way. I will make 100,000 this year.

[Steelheader]

I've met alot of people that are stuck in there ways. I have had very good luck using alcohol and drying with a drystar. So to each his own. Your neighborhood, That is FUNNY:eusa_booh

I thought the same thing V4E. I don't even think that his statements could be considered arrogance. They are wayyy beyond arrogant.

I'm definitely open-minded about ANYTHING that will improve repairs. I will have to give this method a try on my practice glass.

[Nomad]

One of the reasons that I haven't posted much is that some people come up with nasty, unthinking and downright disgusting responses to a question or a suggestion. But I have come to the point that I won't give up the forum to these people no matter how much they attempt to intimidate. So I will now post more.

I've been working in WSR for more than ten years, I think I know what I'm doing by now and my customers think so too. I have heard nasty comments directed at some of the most respected members of this forum from time to time. I don't think this is acceptable.

[Glassdoc]

Ok, so it seems harsh to you that someone criticizes the faults that actually give us professionals a bad name.. Lets see:
The originator of this post also posted about a failed crack attempt.. 24 degrees, defroster on, looked great when he was repairing it, except the last 1/2 inch would not fill.. All of you posted your expertise and none of you mentioned the obvious.. A: Do any of you even know what temperature ranges are specified by the resin manufacturer (of your choice) for optimal repairs? At 24 degrees, resin will freeze. Don't believe me.. Put it in your freezer, Let it sit for a half hour and ty to pour it out of the bottle..At 24 degrees, the curing process changes dramatically, because the chemical reaction of the resin changes.
B: Man stated, "crack was in bottom center of windshield".. Duhhhhh. No brainer here.. The defrost vents are also located in the same area.. Heat creates expansion, expansion actually closed the crack, giving it a "filled look" thus making the would be repair tech think all is well.. Until the customer called and complained. Of course according to his website, he will attempt 3 re-do's.. 3 re-do's.. If it was done right the first time, there would be no need to advertise this.
C: Alcohol breaks down resin.. Don't believe me try it.. Put a drop of pit fill in a container, now do not put the alcohol directly on the pit fill as I want you to see what happens, close/cover the container and let sit over night. The fumes from the alcohol will chemically breakdown the pit fill rendering it into a useless gel that won't cure.
But then you experts know this, correct?
D: For those of you that think , "he is a newbie, 3 posts".. Guess again, ask GlasWeld Tech.. I've been around long before this board started, in fact it must have crashed at some point because this is not my 3rd post here..
E: Competition I do not mind, my feeling is there is enough work out there for 50 techs.. However shoddy repairs, poor judgement, and lack of experience does bother me. The public has no reason to trust repairs due to the bad publicity and shoddy fly by night crap pulled in the past. And, if shoddy work continues to happen, it makes all of us look bad..
F: I would suggest ALL of you get certified thru the NWRA (National Windshield Repair Association).. Yes, I am and have been for years. I hope one day it becomes a federal mandated certification.. Until then, anyone with 2 dollars and a popular mechanics mag can get into this business..
And this part is directed to Nomad.. 10 years in the biz.. Then you have seen newbies come and go, you have witnessed the damage they can cause.. People, your customers will tell 10 people they know about a great repair.. Those same people will tell everyone they know about a bad repair. The effect it has on our industry is frightening. It should be mandated that any company Delta Kits or ???? whomever, cannot sell a kit until the purchaser goes through training.. And I am not referring to a weekend course..
And to Vinyl-4-Ever.. good luck on your way to $100k.. Already, you have posted of one failed crack attempt, and no telling how many alcohol contaminated repairs.. Failure is destined for your future until you ask and grasp for success.
And to all of you that claim alcohol is the preferred choice.. Please, post up the link to the manufacturers tips promoting this.. Why do you think they sell dry stars etc.. Oh, and how to get rain-x etc. off a windshield.. Hmmmm ever heard of contamination remover???? Non alcoholic.. Effective and Safe.. Why don't you just spread some suction glide in the crack prior to you trying to repair it as well.. Same concept as using alcohol in a shot to dry it out..

[screenman]

Glassdoc, I would think most people who use a dry out solution would evaporate it out befores starting the fill. Novus one of the originators of screen repair have been using dryout solutions since about 1987 without any problems, would you please tell me why.

[GlasWeldTech]

These are just my opinions. GlassDoc at one time as we all did had numerous posts and he was probably leading with advice and post just so you will know about his now 3 posts. He gives good advice.He is telling you good things here and I have to agree with him on it. He may have been rather harsh with comments but alot here rubs me the wrong way also. I have had people here come in and fix 4 repairs for $10. Next week the guy is in another town. Now we the trained techs that know better have to suffer this damage from word of mouth about the rip off artist. Guys training is free with most suppliers so why not get it. Too far? Set up some days of riding with someone already trained. Nothing in life is free!!!! I remember back when we started, fixed a few,some good some questionable. Went and got trained and learned a hell of a lot and repairs looked 100% better. I have not viewed the website, but 3 re-trys? It should be right the first time.Would you let a doctor have 3 re-trys to set a broken arm? This may be streching it some but same principle.If it rains I take off that day and possibly the next day or 2 days. I have the dry star also. I will also take an empty injector and pull about a 10 minute vacuum to remove moisture. Sure you can fix a simple batwing in less than 15 minutes but most take longer at least for me they do but I strive to give the best repair I can with NO call backs. To my knowledge, I have had 2 cracks fail in 7 years. I think it was because of the inferior resin I was trying at the time to save a little money. I now use what i consider the best resin and don't try to skimp on supplies anymore. Live and learn. I do NOT repair all cracks I come across. I look and evaluate them and talk with the owner before I decide. I passed on one yesterday on a $750,000.00 Motor Coach because moisture was present, the crack was 18 inches long with about a 3 inch ghost tip at the end. The old timers will know what a ghost tip is.The crack as a week old and if not for the ghost tip I would have been all over it probably. Anyways, back to the post, I have never used alcohol for a dry out solution and never will, maybe I am old skool? Anyone can buy kits off ebay or internet and get a awning or tent and call them selves a repair tech. I am Not calling any posters this as they know who they are.I am one of the lucky ones I guess as I have never had to chip off ice to do a repair. My only complaint is 105 degree weather and very hot glass. I do not have my customers sign a waiver before I do a repair and I have had only 4 crackouts and they were due to to much injector pressure or not cooling down the glass enough. Welcome back GlassDoc. How is the scratch removal doing for you?
GWTECH
PS-My main complaint here on this froum is members asking for advice,tips,tricks, when they will not take the time to fill out their profile to tell us something about themselves first.