Drystar

[splitpit]

My set in stone way is my knowledge that wsr can not be done correctly in 5 minutes. That should not be difficult for any wsr tech to understand.

[splitpit]

I'm not on here to bash people. I read what they have to say and then digest it as to it's realistic usefulness. I compare it with what I have learned through both training and through 13 years in the business. I'm not a newbie trying to learn the trade or a veteran searching for the greatest thing since sliced bread. If I find some value in what someone says here, I try to apply it to my business. My current methods are tried and true. My current equipment is tried and true. I don't need a miracle resin either. Things work well for me but I'm still willing to consider any valuable information that I find on this forum.

But when a person offers up their "expert" advice and it's unreasonable, I feel I have a right to speak up. 5 minute repairs, whether it was in 1980 or in 2008are NOT something that ANY well respected WSR company teaches people to do. For me, i's that simple. No matter how smart you are or how well renowned you are for something you invented, when you advocate doing 5 minute repairs, you have lost the respect from me that you otherwise might have deserved.

If I came on this forum and informed others that I had the ability to make UCM's follow me like puppy dog's while I whip out 5 minute repairs, I would get criticized as well.

[jayjacque]

So what if it's technically 6 minutes or 6 and a half, or even 7. Still what he's telling us I could see that, and maybe some of them are actually 5. I've filled plenty of easy bullseyes in 2 minutes, then cured. Peace, love and understanding!

[StarQuest]

SGT,

I totally agree with you that Barry should be given his due credit for inventing the DryStar which many have ultilized in the industry. That being said, his repair advice is not acceptable to many of us. I've provided many 5-10 minute repairs in the past but that was under ideal or in shop conditions. For someone to simply state that 99% of the repairs he provided took under 5 minutes is not a very responsible message to spread unto others, especially new techs. Current resin suppliers suggest at least 5-8 minutes curing time with a quality UV lamp. I'm personally not sure if any of these fast curing lamps even existed in the late 80's or early 90's. Sure anybody can fill a repair quickly but is that repair actually cured? As I remember Screeman stating in a earlier post, an uncured resin will eventually eat away the lami. I think it was Screenman that said that, if not somebody please correct me.

My only other question to all is does inventing something for repair make you a specialist in repair?

[splitpit]

Specializing in doing repairs would make you a repair specialist! He has done that so I guess he's a specialist!

I have an invention of my own, not patented yet, that will offer a better alternative than sunscreens, domes or towels placed over your equipment.
I have a prototype and want to make it adaptable for use with all types of bridges. Any of you rich guys want to be an investor? lol

[Brent Deines]

I've got to agree with splitpit here. I am a huge fan of the Drystar moisture evaporator; I wish I had invented it. However, I'm afraid I disagree with just about everything else that Barry has posted so far. No disrespect intended, but I have also been in this business for over 20 years, and my dad who started Delta Kits was a windshield repair technician for several years before I ever did my first repair, so although I started on my own in Montana, I did receive some very good training from him during my first year in business here in Oregon.

I don't do 5 minute windshield repairs and I think that anyone that does is doing them incorrectly.

Polymer has many definitions and many resins are polymer resins. They are not necessarily two different things, but don't believe me, do a quick Google search for polymer or look it up in the dictionary

I also disagree with applying intense heat to a cold windshield, and in fact that is the #1 reason for crack outs. I always warm the windshield prior to drying out the moisture in the break. If I cannot warm the entire windshield, I will at least warm up the area around the break for several inches, preferably from the outside with a hair dryer. Many prefer torches and heat guns, but you have to be much more careful and cannot leave the heat on the break throughout the repair process. With a hairdryer I can have warm (not hot) air blowing over the damaged area until I am ready to cure keeping the glass and resin at a constant temperature. I can also keep the outside of the windshield at the optimum temperature without heating the inside glass 20 degrees hotter in order for the heat to transfer to the outside. In warm climates heating from the inside is no big deal, but in colder climates like Montana where I started, the outside has some definite advantages.

I will also add that sometimes when applying heat it "appears" that the cracks grow a bit, but in some cases what is happening is that the cracks begin to show up after the water has evaporated and/or the cracks open up to their full extent from the sudden temperature change. I know the glass expands and with enough heat the cracks will often close up, but the sudden temperature change will often open a crack exposing the full length that was previously hidden. Often when we make a star break or crack for a training class but don't get around to repairing if for a few hours, the cracks will appear to be much shorter than they were originally, but when a little heat is applied, the crack will jump back to the original length. It's easy to recreate this yourselves, so before you beat me up on this one, try it for yourself.

I also believe the equipment used has a great deal to do with how well a repair turns out, and have a room full of traded in equipment that would suggest that others agree with me on this point.

Again, I certainly mean no disrespect to Barry, but I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree on repair methods. I'm sure many on this forum will agree with your methodology, but I for one cannot buy into it.

[Brent Deines]

I will add one more comment about 5 minute repairs. It only takes a few seconds to cure a think layer of resin on the surface of glass with a high quality UV light, or even in the sunlight for that matter. However, almost all glass used in windshields today is UV resistant. I don't remember how much UV it blocks right off the top of my head, but we have tested it ourselves and have verified this fact with several windshield manufacturers, and it is significant.

We don't know what kind of light technicians will be using when they cure a repair, so to be safe we recommend 5 minutes, and that is if you are not curing under pressure. If you are curing under pressure, the UV light directly over the pit area is considerably less, regardless of what type of lamp you use, so you should allow even more time.

[harrellbenjamin]

You know,.............its a wonder that as many people that do.... post any information here.Its amazing to see how "self rightious" and quick to shoot down any info that doesnt set exactly with some individules little world is cut to pieces.An open mind is a great thing to have and it dosent exactly fit the way some of us handle information.Quick to pick apart any statement but very slow to add anything constructive.If the shoe fits??????????? I wonder just how successfull some of you really are in the real world.I have been in business #$ years ,This dont work,this cant work,this would never work in my state ,you can't do that here its different here,and on and on ......LMFAO!!!!!!!!! I would bet that the ones that respond like this also have many excuse's as why they are not as succesfull as they could be...................Its the economy,the weather,no cars sold in my market,I lost my fleet account,the U/Car mgrs are mean to me ,to much competition,the Tent man is low balling me,illegal immigrants are working to cheap..........on and on I just don't get it............................

Oh Brent LOL this was not in response to anything you have posted.It just qued up after your last 2 post

[splitpit]

No, I guess you don't. Some info gets "shot down" here because it doesn't make sense. Some people follow what they believe is best for them in spite of what others have to say. Openmindedness equals foolishness if not used correctly. Successful business people prosper from their experience and from making good decisions. Businesses are affected by downfalls...that is the real world....if you have a business that hasn't been negatively affected by any of the many things that can happen, then you are the luckiest man on earth!
But success is found in how you overcome the obstacles. Keep right on LYFAO! The world ain't gonna stop for you man!

[harrellbenjamin]

No, I guess you don't. Some info gets "shot down" here because it doesn't make sense. Some people follow what they believe is best for them in spite of what others have to say. Openmindedness equals foolishness if not used correctly. Successful business people prosper from their experience and from making good decisions. Businesses are affected by downfalls...that is the real world....if you have a business that hasn't been negatively affected by any of the many things that can happen, then you are the luckiest man on earth!
But success is found in how you overcome the obstacles. Keep right on LYFAO! The world ain't gonna stop for you man!

Please be assured the "world "has not stopped for anyone and yes most business is effected in todays economy as the past's.Those that choose to make excuse's for their short comings and failure are more consumed with blaming others than taking a long hard look at themselves.Those that continue to adapt,keep an open mind and change will succeed while others continue to flounder and blame the "world" for their own short comings........mean while I will continue to LMFAO at the whinners of the world and continue to cash the checks$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$