Windshield Repair Forum

Got another question. The guy I'm going to be working with and who is training me is showing me how to repair cracks real soon. However, I've noticed that instead of fixing cracks, which he says he doesn't like to do, he just sells the customer a new windshield. I asked him why he does this. He said, "Sure you can fix a crack if it isn't too long but there aren't any guarantees that it won't break off somewhere else and go another direction. So I just sell a new windshield and don't even worry about it." So far I haven't seen anyone complain about it, most accepting the fact that the glass is cracked and you can't do much about it. What is your opinion on this practice? To be honest, I'd rather not mess with cracks and just selling them a new windshield seems to be the easiest route to take.

I personly dont do cracks IMHO with the high fail rate Im not convinced its good for the industry. Think about it people really dont listen too or remember the pitch telling them that the repaired crack may fail but when it does they remember paying for something that didnt work result they dont think WR works. I have heard this from many people when approached to get a repair. The insurance companies dont pay for crack repair for a reason Many states wont pass a car for inspection with a repaired crack again for a reason. I realize bunches of people are going to chime in and tell you they fix em with great success and who knows what else but your question was is it somehow unethical to pass on crack and IMHO the answer is NO its the right thing to do there is a bunch of $ out there to be had and I dont need the crack$ (and for those crack experts I consider 6" or more to be a crack)

I have done many crack repairs, while I agree that if done inappropriately the fail rate will be high, if you decide to go into this area of the field, you must qualify the repair. #1 it has to be a fresh crack, I.E. not contaminated. I have done a few that were over a month old! The circumstances surrounding the crack are essential, ? has the break been exposed to expobic chems? (rain-ex or the like) or alot of rain and road grime? Bottom line is a fresh crack is very repairable with a good cleat installed. I have done a few that I was able to track and after 3 years I found the repair to be as good as it was when it done. so.......

I to have repaired many cracks with very good results. The only ones that let go (and there is only a few) are the repairs that were done in the winter months.

I have done plenty of successful crack repairs over the years, but depending on the location, the age of the crack, contamination, etc., I generally recommended a replacement, even before I started replacing glass myself.

Even in the best of circumstances I believe the failure rate is somewhat higher for long cracks than for bullseyes, star breaks, combination breaks and short cracks, but when properly repaired the failure rate should still be quite low. In fact, I don't recall ever having one of my completed crack repairs fail, but then again less than 1% of my windshield repairs involved long cracks.

There are several reasons that I don't like to do long cracks, the first being that cosmetically I am generally not all that satisfied. My completed crack repairs still look 80%+ better, but when you are talking about something 10, 20, or 30 inches long, that simply is not good enough for me, mainly because when the light hits it just right a crack will nearly always show. It's not that my customers were unhappy with the results, but my own expectations that could not always be met.

The second reason I don't like to repair long cracks is a bit more selfish. It takes more time, and more resin than other windshield repairs. The resin really isn't that big of a deal, maybe an extra quarter per repair or so depending on the length of the crack, but I find that it often takes me nearly twice as long to do a good job on a long crack, and all that extra time requires my full attention. I would much rather spend that time repairing an extra chip or two, doubling, or even tripling my money.

My final reason for shying away from long cracks, and this one may be a bit controversial, is that insurance companies and for the most part the glass industry as a whole do not recommend the practice. The last thing I need is a liability issue because I did not follow the recommended practices of insurance companies, or to damage the relationship between the glass replacement and glass repair industries that I have worked so hard to establish.

If you do decide to repair long cracks be sure you spend plenty of time practicing first. The learning curve is greater for long crack repair than it is for other types of breaks, and most training programs do not spend a lot of time on it. For instance, we teach proper methods for repairing long cracks in our free one day training and certification classes, but typically technicians only have time to repair one long crack that day. I recommend at least a couple of days to practice your long crack skills before working on a customer's vehicle, and we just don't get enough interest in long crack repair to devote the resources to the extra training.

For all of you long crack specialists out there, as long as your are doing them correctly, more power to you. I just believe it is a personal choice and since I found plenty of work without promoting long crack repair my choice was not to promote it. I certainly don't see anything unethical about choosing not to offer long crack repair if that is not your preference, but I will say that it is a good skill to know and practice, just in case you have a soft heart and get talked into it from time to time as I did.

Question for the "Crack Masters"

When your repairing a crack that extends to the edge and is covered by 1"-2"
side moldings or up to 6" on bottom cowl, how does that 1"-6"" area of crack cure if a UV activated crack resin was used?

Curious to hear your responses.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't want to do cracks. I told the guy today to not even bother showing me how to fix them because I wouldn't ever do it no matter how long they are. I watched him repair one today and it took forever compared to just fixing the chips. I'd much rather sell the customer a new windshield and take my commission and fix some chips than mess with that stuff.

Thanks for the help!

StarQuest in answer to your question with an edge cover as large as you describe then maybe it would not be a good idea to do the crack. However with only a small trim cover why not use a cleat. I do long cracks mainly due to the fact that I can, most of my customers are fleet and bus operators and the screens or shield's in your case can cost up to $5,000 , the average being about $2,000 and they sure like the fact that I can fix them. I do not find time a major factor as most long cracks will be finished in 40 minutes or less. The cosmetics in large screens on these vehicle's is far less of a concern than that on a car, but you must still make sure the damge is filled correctly.

StarQuest;29658 wrote:Question for the "Crack Masters"

When your repairing a crack that extends to the edge and is covered by 1"-2"
side moldings or up to 6" on bottom cowl, how does that 1"-6"" area of crack cure if a UV activated crack resin was used?

Curious to hear your responses.

Starquest, you are referring "6" "to a crack that terminates below the cowling. While true u cannot cure it sufficiently during repair, w/o removal of the cowling, if done correctly, I think that due to the fact that the cowling is perforated it will cure in time, if of coarse you don't take the time to remove the cowl during the repair process. (a three min job). I agree with the cleat method on side mouldings as it is a necessary feature for cracks that end via the edge of the shield. I have done many cracks and while I first recommend replacement, I do repairs for those who wish it be done, we also warranty them for the life of the glass as we do all repairs. So in my opinion your post was not entirely accurate, you see if I choose to spend my time on a crack you would decline, that is a repairable shield, and I receive payment for my services, how is this a problem? Less I have better things to do?

Screenman.

With cost of your fleet,bus screens averaging $2000 youve got to be making good money repairing cracks, I would have thought the M.O.T. wouldnt allow such a repair, I know they are picky on M.O.T. tests, Your crack repairs must look great to get past the M.O.T.