Repairing long cracks

[flipdsm]

I just started repairing windshields a month ago and I am unfamiliar repairing 2-3ft long cracks with my delta kit. What is the process and what resin should I use? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Brent Deines]

I would encourage you to try our method first since you are using Delta Kits products. We can walk you through the entire process but it's far easier on the telephone where you can ask questions and get immediate answers. Of course you are welcome to try other methods as well, but doesn't it make sense to perfect the process recommended by the manufacturer of the equipment before you start experimenting with other recommendations, some of which will no doubt come from technicians who have never even used Delta Kits products or attended one of our training classes?

[olo77]

why not doing a youtube video?!

[Brent Deines]

Our training video that is included with every Delta Kits windshield repair system we sell does show our long crack repair process. That video is also available for purchase. I thought we had a long crack video on the website as well but just checked and didn't see it. We have a number of projects to complete before we will have time to make another long crack video, but I'll make sure it goes on the list new videos we plan to release later this year.

[Brent Deines]

Based on an e-mail I received from a good customer I feel I should clarify my position on long crack repair. In most cases Delta Kits does not promote the repairing of cracks over 6 inches, however I do feel it is important for professional windshield repair technicians to have the skills and proper techniques to repair cracks of any length.

I used to own an auto glass replacement business and currently work with many glass shops and glass shop suppliers, but those are not my primary reasons for not recommending long crack repair except under certain circumstances. My reasons are as follows.

There is not enough time in our one day training class to make sure that every technician is proficient in long crack repair by the end of the day and we have not found enough interest from customers to offer a longer, more expensive training course. While repairing long cracks is not difficult, getting good at it does require considerably more practice than auto glass chip repair and in our experience many windshield repair technicians never really take the time to get all that good at it.

Long cracks are typically still visible from one direction or another, and that can be a distraction to the driver depending on the location of the crack. Even if it is not a distraction there is an increased risk that in this sue happy society someone will claim that a distraction caused an accident. Our industry has an amazing safety record and I sure would hate to see change.

With that in mind I have to admit that when I was in the field every day I did my share of long crack repairs, but in most cases only if the crack was at the bottom, along the passenger side, or along the top of the windshield where the faint line that was left after the repair was complete would be largely unnoticeable. I'm very picky about my vehicles and won't complete a repair on a customer's car that I would not be happy with on my own. Everyone is different but I would not like a long crack in the center of my windshield regardless of how well it was repaired.

It's all a personal preference however, so I don't try to tell my customers what they should repair and what they should not. You know your customers better than I do so as long as the you are confident that you can do the job properly the decision to repair long cracks is entirely up to the individual technician.