Vin Etching

[pitt]

I'm wanting to add vin etching to my business. Where can I buy the tools and supplies?
Thanks
David
Custom Auto Glass

[Brent Deines]

Although we did so some etching when I had my glass shop, I don't claim to be an expert in this area, but there are several things that will help other windshield repair forum members answer your question.

1) Do you plan to do this as a mobile service or in a fixed location?

2) Will you be making appointments several days in advance or will you need to be able provide the service at any given moment on any given vehicle?

3) How much money are you willing to spend?

There are services that will provide the stencils for you if you have a few days to wait, so your start up cost is very minimal, but the cost per application is a bit higher.

There are also kits that allow you to create your own stencils with a manual typewriter.

There are machines that cut the stencils for you.

Spreading acid on the stencil is one way to etch the glass, or you may choose to use a sand blaster.

I have researched this topic extensively in the past, but again, it is not my expertise so hopefully other windshield repair forum members will be able to provide more information on which type of system works best.

[GlassStarz]

I know we have discussed this before but as this is a new thread i will comment again
I have been in the car buisness since 83 most of those years spent in Sales so i a good knowledge of what works and Vin etching is nothing more than a way to skin the customer for a few more bucks while they are there. It has no value what so ever people dont steal glass they steal cars and the cars are almost always parted out glass has no value of the stloen parts market. One thing the Vin etching does is decrease the value of the car at auction they go for big numbers lower when the glass has been etched
There are a bunch of add on products you can add that have a value unfortunatly the Vin etching isnt one

[Brent Deines]

I agree. My wife did artistic etching, but I just couldn't justify VIN etching in my own mind so we never went down that road. A couple of my vehicles had the VIN etched on the windows when I bought them, but I made the dealer knock off the extra charge they added to the invoice for it. I always make them remove the vinyl pin stripes as well as I really don't like them and certainly don't want to pay $150 for something that costs them $15.

I'm curious though, why would a car be worth less at auction if the windows were etched with the VIN? Sorry if you answered this before, but I must have missed it.

[MJDShield]

Dave: Contact Bruce at Mark-N-Gard {phone number removed by moderator} That is who I use for my supplies and advise. Mike

[Brent Deines]

Mike,

Please send that phone number to Dave via PM. Phone numbers are not allowed in posts.

Thanks!

Dave: Contact Bruce at Mark-N-Gard {phone number removed by moderator} That is who I use for my supplies and advise. Mike

[GlassStarz]

Many customers shy away from a used car with the etching there are a lot of reasons for it. I have seen almast identical cars on the lot on e with etching and one without the one that is etched will spend an extra 30 days on the lot.
Here are some of the reasons I have heard across the years from customers who passed on the etched vehicle.
1. I have heard this on e several times "Im not interested in a fleet,rental vehicle they are abused and not had proper upkeep (many people see the vin etching as a mark of a fleet car just a public perseption not necassarily true)
2. I dont want to buy a car from the city they spend a lot of time sitting in traffic so they have more wear than the odometer shows
3. I dont want to buy a high theft vehicle they cost more to insure
add about a dozen more reasons and you can see why people pass on the etched car most are not valid reasons but in the customers eye they are resulting in a harder to sell vehicle.

[chips1144]

Pitt, I see nothing wrong with Vin etching, it would make a nice little add on for windshield repair customers, It never hurts to ask.

Im not a fan of paying lots of money for simple add on's, Some dealers like to suck the blood out of every customer, That being said, Id buy etching at a fair price as long as it was installed on all glass and not a botch job like I see on so many cars.

I've seen some cars etched with three different numbers, None were the actual VIN, Many of these dealers etch every car with code number and a toll free phone number, If the customer declines the service the etched glass remains, and you are not registerd with a Vin etch service office should you need to try and trace your car as stolen.

Many dealers do a poor job of etching glass, not level, and many only etch five pieces of glass no matter how many pieces of glass you may have on the vehicle, that to me is the first sign that they only want your money and care little about the service, There is no point in etching half of the glass, do it all, sunroof included, make it a detterent to a thief.

Many dealers offer an insurance that will pay you $2500 -$5000 if the car is stolen, that is nothing more than betting on the odds, they know they wouldnt have out pay out many of those if any, everything else is profit.

Etching using a sandblaster looks awful to me, they do such a sloppy job, I wouldnt reccomend using that type of system.

Good Luck to you.

[Glasseye]

David - Glassmedic do an acid etching kit