Crack Repair - Injector Vs. Gravity Methods

[Hooky]

I can use a injecotor + bridge, slide down the crack during the repair and do a good job but I find I can use the gravity method (drop resin on the crack and let gravity work it in) + light flexing and do the job quicker with no cosmetic difference between the 2 methods after the repair. I'm wondering what others prefer to do? :Db I honestly havent tried a lot of crack repair, thats why I'm asking. Thanks

[StarQuest]

I personally just use a good crack resin, expander and gravity to fill these. Tried using the slide bridges like you have but really found no difference with finished results. To be perfectly honest with you I won't bother with cracks over 6"-7" cause it just takes to much resin and time to fix. There are some guys that love doing these.....I just happen not to be one of them

[screenman]

I tend to do two methods one is capilery action start at the bottom of the crack and let the resin flow upwards and two if I need to use an injector I will not put it in the bridge, I just hold it on my hand and move it up or along the crack.

I do find vertical cracks fill a lot easier than horizontal ones I think we all know why.

I have no problem doing breaks but if you find you are doing a lot for a regular fleet customer then I would suggest you are not visiting them enough and catching the cracks when they are small.

We all must do our best to educate customers into having repairs done as soon as they happen.( not easy I know )

[scratchy]

I just wick it in and only use crack jacks if it is pinched tight. Always put a good stop at the end whether a mini bulls eye or clean hole down to the laminate. I have found if a mini bulls eye won't stop the crack, neither will a clean hole down to the laminate. I prefer the mini bulls eye for better looking results. If a crack keeps jumping past the stop, wick and cure the whole crack first and then finish off with the stop. It will usually hold fine. The wide floppy W/S's on cars like chevy impala don't take long crack repairs well. The repair blows out while the car is bouncing down the road. Way too much flex in these.

[screenman]

If a crack runs a short way past my drill/pop spot i just put abridge and injector on it and treat it as a starbreak while I get on and do the rest of the crack.

The hardest thing about cracks is getting them dry if I am in a workshop I sometimes use compressed air to blow some of the water out. Go careful this can cause the crack to run. It will not take it all out but it helps speed things up.

[Hooky]

Thanks for the responses !

[lakosbo]

Scratchy, when you say "wick," I assume you are referring to the gravity fed method, right?

[screenman]

lakosbo I could use the term instead of capilery action It roughly means to go up, so if you have a crack that starts at the bottom of the screen and goes upwards then you start to fill right at the bottom. Try it place a small drop of resin at the bottom of the crack and watch it rise, when it starts to slow put another drop on at that point do not get in front of the flow.
Remember in this trade keep experimenting to improve your techniques just because we have been told something is right does not always mean it is so. I think we used to be told that the earth was flat.