Oops! I cracked one out!!!!

[MadMike]

Bummer for me!! It was the perfect small batwing, I've done thousands of these,..(ok maybe a dozen since I'm so new) It was in the middle on the drivers side. And I put my towel over the windshield to start cooling it down. I placed my bridge over the repair site. Cranked it down per Delta directions. Went back to my kit to get resin to get ready the job, and went back under the towel and Yikes, it had traveled about 7 inches. Two on one side, and 5 on the other. So I go inform the customer and let him know the options he has.

1. I can stop!

2. I can drill the ends and run it into the mini bull!

3. Or I can use the technique Delta trained us to do and try to work the resin in along the length of the crack.

He was obviously upset, be had great compusure and was polite. (I'm glad he was courteous) He told me to go ahead and try what I could and then get him.

So I first drilled the long leg, and as I was drilling it took off another inch. So I gave up on that and tried #3. Worked great all around except for the middle 2 inches. So I cured what I had done and left the middle. I figured, If I had been bold, after curing the ends I could have reset the bridge and tried to force resin in again. Or drilled in the empty part and started that way.

Anyhow I stopped with the middle part with no resin and informed the customer.

He tried to convice me that my business should pay for it. And I informed him that in a month when he started using his defroster, it would have cracked out anyways.

So he called a glass shop to get a quote to replace it. At a little over $200, I agreed to split the cost with him.

I'm assuming my #1 error was not letting the glass cool down enough. Any thoughts from you experienced folks?

#2 I do have a waiver on my invoice for folks to sign, however, I've yet to use it. It seems I've read that if they are near the edge they are the most likely to spread, So I've been reserving the signature for one of those. Haven't had one yet. So now I'm rethinking that maybe I'll have everyone sign my waiver. I didn't even warn the guy it could spread, cuz honestly I didn't think it would. Boy learned that lesson. I guess they all could.

So I'm open to any thoughts or questions to make myself a better tech.

[mafsu]

the only other tip I have is to open the windows on the vehicle. This will prevent any pressure that has built up inside a hot vehicle from affecting your repair. It will also allow the windshield to cool down quicker.

[DaveC]

Prior to starting any repair, I always try and make it perfectly clear to my customers that their windshield is already damaged and that if I can effectively repair, they (or their insurance) are only out a few bucks and have all of the benefits of a "saved" windshield.

Of course, I advise that if the damage can't be repaired, or if their shield cracks out, they owe me no money for my efforts and that they will be in no worse shape than before the repair was attempted.

[jonnyques]

Just wondering how hot the sheild was when you started? Did you have the air on? Since I cracked one out Ive been feeling both sides of the glass before starting to see that they are aprox the same warmth. Im hoping this will prevent the forces of one side contracting while the other is trying to expand. While I dont have a waver I do make sure they know the sheild can go. I even remind the car lots. After he gets the new glass you should tell him he still owes you for the repair, or at least bill his insurance comp for the repair. He would have payed $40 for the repair and ended up with new glass for just another $60, not a bad deal for him!
JMO

[GlassStarz]

Remember that when resin is warm it is also thinner so you require less pressure to pump it into the crack hot glass is fragile so go slower than normal. I also find the air on inside and alcohol mix on the outside helps to cool it then cover the whole glass with a big ass beach towel. The other thing I do Different when its warm is have everything in my pocket so I dont have to leave the glass to get stuff because as you learned the hard way it doesnt take long. I broke two on the same day last year (have only broken 4 in 2+yrs) I was trying a new injector and was using too much pressure on cold glass (30 deg?) learned the hard way stick with what works for me.

[MadMike]

Thanks fellas,
Mafsu I did remember to open the doors. However DaveC's comments I failed to do.

All I can say is: Many lessons learned.

Thanks for the reminders and the tips.

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

Every one has their own style as to what works best in communicating with customers as to what to expect, I always talk to folks in a friendly maner as to what to expect and what can happen in any repair.

For a long time I joked and said all windshield repairs are alot like women, all are different and you just don't now what to expect.

One day a really nice lady said to me "Bill, think about that statement."
I thought oh oh she is about to read me the riot act on political correctivnes or something. She went on to suggest, "what if you just say, all windshields and repairs are like snow-flakes, no two are alike". WOW! What a thought!

Any way, besides telling the customer what to expect, usually less than what the end result will be so they will really be pleased, I like to get THEM into the job by explaining each step as WE do the job, THEM handing me what ever tool I need at the time, showing them the resin flow, etc.

Best actual example of cracking problem after a good star and bulls eye repair on one w/s when I asked a motor home owner ($450,000.00 rig, one piece windshield) to attach a crack expander (with exact instructions) behind a six incher 'bout three inches down from top edge running horizontally. I watched from outside, way up high on my ladder as he very gently just ever so softly attatched the first suction cup, then the second (with the screw backed out all the way), crack ran to the top of w/s, snaked seven inches downward.
The guy came out apolgizing for screwing up, I told him that it would have happened to me or any one else no matter how professional we are. It just happened becase of stress, torque factors beyond OUR control.
To make a long story short which I'm not very good at, WE got the drilling, bulls eyes popping, filling, curing, polishing finished about an hour later.
Happy, happy customer for the job WE did. Got paid, later that evening he brought a 12 pack to my door as an additional thank you.
It might be best if Graybeard just changed to ol' Windy

[cure4glass]

Dave
I take the opposite approach as far as communicating expectations to my customers. I evaluate the damage and determine if I am confident it can be repaired.Then I tell the customer what to expect cosmetically.If he / she can live with that I began the repair.I am often asked what if it cracks out. I tell them that my success ratio is very high, but if it for any reason cracks after I'm done, call me and I'll refund the money back toward the replacement.If it cracks while being repaired, I'll pay the deductible or if necessary the replacement cost. Fortunately this has happened only a very few times in 14 years.I can usually get glass installed at a great discount by a guy I send referrals to so it's not too much of a loss.
I believe in backing any work that I deem repairable .If I can't back it, I'm not gonna do it.

[magicogar]

Guys..gals..

Just wanted to tell ya'll to be careful on those small batwings. The one I did couple of day ago was small and seem very simple. But when I put some pressure on it, it ran a little bit so I quickly loosen up the pressure. I was thinking if I used more pressure....then it'll fill faster. These batwings when pressured, has no air to escape, thus causing the crack to be very unstable. I'm very careful now and don't use as much pressure as i used to on this batwings.

Just my 2 cents.

[sallyu]

Guys..gals..

Just wanted to tell ya'll to be careful on those small batwings. The one I did couple of day ago was small and seem very simple. But when I put some pressure on it, it ran a little bit so I quickly loosen up the pressure. I was thinking if I used more pressure....then it'll fill faster. These batwings when pressured, has no air to escape, thus causing the crack to be very unstable. I'm very careful now and don't use as much pressure as i used to on this batwings.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi magicogar,

I was wondering if you drilled or popped the batwing before applying the bridge? I am going to be working on one tomorrow, and it is also very small.

Thanks, Sally