Relax & slow down when you can.

[splitpit]

I for one know that on the days I'm in a rush, stubborn repairs can seem so much more aggravating. But I've learned that if I just take a deep breath, relax, slow down the pace, be patient and allow the equipment and resin to work, then the day goes better and the quality of the repairs is excellent.
For example, yesterday I had a job to do on a high school girl's vehicle. Her father had contacted me the day before and asked me if I could go to the school and repair it while she was in class. Weather wise, the day was a lousy one. Extremely high winds, steady at about 30 mph and gusts that were hitting around 45 mph. When I get there her car is parked out in the middle of a great big open lot with no protection from the high winds.
I don't know about you other guys but I hate windy days! So I pull in and get out to look at the damage and it's a big nasty combo break that has a crushed impact point, a very segmented pocket and at least a dozen thin legs extending off of it. So I'm thinking, doing this repair in high winds that will almost knock you off your feet is going to suck! Once I had the repair along to where it was under pressure, I got back into my vehicle out of the wind and just ignored it while reading a Sports Illustrated. My phone also rang twice while I was in the car for insurance referal work, so I took the time to talk to the csr and the customer for a couple more jobs. Then my wife called and we talked for a few minutes as well. So before I knew it, I'd let about 30 minutes of time pass while sitting in the car out of the wind.
I figured I better get back out there and complete the repair, knowing I would probably have to use some additional tecniques to complete this nasty combo, but I was pleased to see that the nasty bugger had filled in completely and looked great. All I had to do was pit fill, cure, scrape and polish and I was done and it came out beautiful. In fact, I got a call back last night from the dad, thanking me for doing an "amazing" job on his daughter's vehicle.

I know that often times we are all so busy that we can't slow down the pace. But when you can, you should. It's good for your peace of mind and is good for your repairs, as well.

[screenman]

Its what we call a tea break repair, you know you are going to have a break so you just put the injector on and walk away for 10 minutes when you return its done. All we need to do is sort out a way of self pit filling scraping and polishing and the job will be a good one. Whilst I agree leaving a job can work out well it can also be the time it cracks out. Now whilst Splitpit has the experience to set the injector up correctly this may not be the same for everybody. I would certainly not walk away from an injector under pressure on a very hot day, not the we get many. However on cooler days I will.

[splitpit]

Temp. wise it was a perfect day for repair. About 60 at the time. Glass was slightly warmer from the sun.

[gt_repair]

I will not work in the high winds 30 + gusts MPH if I can help it. If I have a customer call insisting on having the work done in the wind. I tell them they have to stay out there with me the whole time. If they say they would rather not. I will say, then do not make me stand out there is you are not willing. I will see you when the weather is better, nomaly the next day. It works with me.. I also tell them I am not in business to buy paint jobs when my tools or box blows across your car. They understand.

I get b#tchy having to stand out in the wind, and I do not need to have my customers feel that... If there a a wind break to work in or around I may work it in need be.

I own my business, not them. / I do work for them, I do not work for them. There is a differance.

Don d.

[splitpit]

I find there are usually simple solutions to working on windy days but I would sure never tell a customer that they must stand out there with me the whole time. But I'm a firm believer that you have to treat your customers with respect, no matter what the situation is and I don't think that's a very respectful thing to tell a customer.

[Glassdoc]

hmmmm, maybe i'll tell my next cold day customer to stand out in the 20 degree day with the 12 degree windchill... NOT.. thats what "I" get paid to do.. Remember, i stated it before, I do my own pricing.. And any temps below 35 is worth an extra $10 minimum.. The only problem with gusty winds is trying to protect your equipment. The resin still flows the same, as the wind does not affect it..

[harrellbenjamin]

Thats one thing I like about W/Shield repair as an add on service.I do SMART type spot paint repair /touchup and will always find a couple of stars etc on the lots I work at.I will just pull 2 or 3 of the cars out back in a line by my trailer and use them as a fill in for extra $$$$ while waiting on paint and primer to dry.I also do headlights and between that can keep real busy all day.As Splitpit has mentioned its amazing what will happen to a repair if you just give it time to do its thing.

[Nomad]

Sometimes it is how you say something and not so much what you say. That's the trouble with writing on the forum, you can't convey the smile or the shrug or other body language that you might use when or if you tell a customer that "hey, if you stand out here with me and block as much wind as you can while I do the work, I'll start the repair". You can say this half jokingly and not insult the customer at all.
I believe that patience is one of the best friends that we can have. Some of the things we do just can't be hurried too much.
I also work in southern AZ in the winter and when the wind kicks up past about 30 mph or so it means you are working while crunching sand in your teeth and sticking in the resin around the injector and in the pit filler before you can even put the tab on.

But one good thing is that when you have a lot of gas, on a windy day you don't embarrass yourself nearly as much if you have the customer standing near you!! Unless you're really loud!!

[gt_repair]

Nomad has the idea on what I am saying..... My customers know how I am. Messing around with them or joking.... When I tell them they have to stand out there with me while I am doing the repair, They think differant and say "well maybe it can wait till the weather changes. It havs been there for a few days " I have never had one insist on it having to be done ASAP in the wind or cold weather.....

The point gets across with out insalting them. Typing is not the same as talking face to face. Don't think I am a hard a#$, I am just to the point.