What % do you think will actually crack?

[splitpit]

I don't see windshields getting more expensive. I see them getting cheaper. When shops are replacing windshields for far less than ever before (at least in my area) it causes customers to take a closer look at replacement. Take for instance a long crack repair (my rate $69.95) or a three chip repair (my rate $69.95) versus a replacement cost of $125.00 to $175.00. Many people would rather dish out the additional $55 - $100 for a brand new windshield.

[Brent Deines]

While the low cost of a new windshield is certainly a driving force behind the decision for most customers to opt for windshield repair over windshield replacement, it should not be the only consideration.

Like many of you, I owned a glass shop for many years, and although I consider myself a very good installer, and tried to train my employees to be the best they could be, windshield replacement is hardly a problem free process, especially when done as a mobile service.

In addition to cosmetic issues an improper or careless installation can result in damage to the interior and/or exterior of the customers vehicle, water leaks, rust, countless safety issues and more. If most customers had the opportunity to watch a typical windshield installation and knew what to watch for they would be appalled, and they would certainly look at windshield repair with renewed interest.

A leaky windshield can ruin carpets, short out wiring, rust out the pinchweld and floorboard, and cause mold and mildew that can actually make the driver and passengers ill. It can also cause the windshield to dislodge during an accident, which in turn can cause serious injury and death. Windshield replacement is a serious business but unfortunately due to the competitive nature of the business the technician installing your windshield is no always properly trained and is often paid by the windshield which does not promote proper installation techniques and precautions.

Safety should always be part of your windshield repair marketing as it is a very real concern. As poor as many of the installations are here in the northwest, I have seen much worse in the warmer climates. I can't tell you how may windshields from California and Arizona that I had to remove and reinstall because the glass shop had used silicone rather than urethane "required" as the adhesive for a windshield replacement. In many cases I could very easily push the entire windshield out of the frame with my hand. Although it is very unsafe, the unsuspecting customers might never have known had they not moved to the northwest and experienced severe leaks.

I had to have a windshield removed and reinstalled on a brand new pickup a few years back, and because it was under warranty I chose to allow a glass shop that the dealer recommended do the work rather than do it myself. I have known the owner of the glass shop for many years, and was assured that the technician doing the job had over 10 years of experience and was the best in the business. When I got the truck back the first thing I noticed was that it had been installed about 1/4" lower than the original installation. Upon further inspection I noticed that it was also over 1/4" to the left of the original installation. Had they bothered to wipe off the original dirt lines left from the moldings most customers would never have noticed these things, but they didn't even bother to hide their blunders. Noticing this I did a bit more thorough examination and noticed that they had broken several cowl fasteners and had not replaced them, and they had cut off the headliner all the way across the top of the windshield. There was also dried urethane on the steering column.

Naturally I took the truck back to the dealership several times, and they called the glass shop in several times. I also talked to the owner of the glass shop and the technician, but after 3 installation attempts they still could not get it right. The technician had the audacity to tell me the factory had installed the windshield incorrectly and they had done it properly, even though the VIN could no longer be read through the designated opening because the windshield was so far off center. I finally gave up and have installed my own windshields ever since, but most people do not have that option.

Every glass shop that I talk to says they are following the adhesive manufacturer recommendations for drive away times, but I can assure you that many are not. I won't point any fingers, but everyone in the auto glass replacement industry it's true. This is a huge safety issue that is eliminated completely with the windshield repair option.

And then there is the issue of saving the environment. We all have our opinions about environmental issues, but it is hard to ignore the growing problem we have with overflowing landfills. I am personally very big into recycling, and have been every since moving to Oregon 20 years ago, so it always troubled me to see the dumpster behind my glass shop fill up every day or two. In addition to the windshield, there empty urethane cartridges, the hardened urethane that is removed from the pinchweld, moldings, broken clips, empty primer containers, and other misc. that has to be discarded with each windshield replacement. With windshield repair however, the waste consists of a razor blade and...well that's about it on most repairs. If you use paper towels you can add that to your windshield repair waste, and maybe a tiny carbide bur, injector seal, or empty bottle once in awhile, but all in all windshield repair is a very environmentally friendly business. Windshield replacement is not!

A number of years ago I saw a photo showing the waste produced by a typical windshield replacement, and then the waste produced by a typical windshield repair. I think it was a competitor of Delta Kits that used this photo in an advertisement, but I can't recall which one or I would certainly give them credit. It was a great idea and one we should all be using. The green initiative is huge right now, and you are doing your part. Advertise that fact!