Windshield Repair Forum

I notice at the recent NWRA meeting they are attempting to set up a windshield repair standard.

Not a bad idea on the face of it.

Something that has been talked about for a long time now.

Perhaps someone who attended that meeting can explain to me why they wish to include the IGA in setting those standards?

Exactly what is it that the IGA needs to input about windshields that the repair industry isn't already familiar with?

And why they had a closed-door meeting in that regard?

Aside from all that, I think it would be much more apropos at this time to certify technicians with something other than a meaningless written test that proves nothing insofar as quality workmanship is concerned.

Most, if not all of the people who post on this forum are interested in improving their expertise and are the least bit interested in measuring the parabolic area encompassed by any particular windshield wiper-swipe.

Maybe I'm wrong, but if a windshield manufacturer set standards, we wouldn't be allowed to repair anything driver-visible by either direct or peripheral vision from someone with less than the eyesight of a red-winged hawk.

I really don

Hey, Repair1.

I just posted something in that regard to your post about the sign that you attached to your other post.

I don't really think it's a question of beating up on the NWRA.

Let's see if there is any response to your query and then question why not (?) if there isn't.

This quote is from the latest addition of AGRR magazine. The letter is dated Dec.15, 2003 and signed by the IGA Board of Directors. Very interesting, did anyone else read this?

"We support the development of an ANSI windshield repair standard. The ANSI-AGRSS Council provides a good model to follow. Therefore, we have asked the board of directors of AGRSS to lead the auto glass industry once again and manage the development of a similar standard for windshield repair. The process of developing an ANSI standard for windshield repair through an independent council such as AGRSS would offer fair and widespread input regarding procedures, education, and product performance."

This is only part of the letter, but I did not see the NWRA mentioned as being part of this process.

AGRSS has decided not to pursue this

http://www.glassbytes.com/newsAGRSS12004.htm

I think the present certification process and test is fine. There are now presently 80 certified windshield repair tech in the world. Myself being one of them. I have never met a certified windshield repair tech who was not excellent at repairing a windshield. If you know of a certified tech who is not good at repairing windshields and who operates in an unethical manner please report him or her to the NWRA and the NGA. I would be willing to bet that every hack and bait and switch artist out there is not certified. I know now that I have stated this you will all tell me that the test proves nothing to you. You see I believe passing the test and being certified does say to my customers that I take my profession seriously. It says that I am making every effort I can to learn everything I can about what I do for my customers. I always get customers calling me and try to haggle a better price by saying someone else will do the job for a few
dollars less. I always tell them that if the competitor is certified and professional then use him. 9 times out of 10 they call me back. I was doing windshield repair full time for 21 years before I studied the manual and took the test 2 years ago. I was amazed when I actually learned a few more things about auto glass and my industry because I like most of you believed I knew all there was to know about w/s repair already. As I said I did learn a few things and there were some things that I did know that became more clear and better understood. Did reading the manual and taking the test make a tech with 21 years of experience any better? Yes I am better. You are right the test does not test any hands on skill but lets face it, windshield repair is not brain surgery. Anyone who studied the manual, past the test ,practiced for a month or two and truly wanted to be good at repairing windshields could become very good. Could they become very good without the manual and taking the test? Yes. Would reading the manual and taking the test make anyone worse? Absolutely not. The only down side is that the test cost I think about $150 to take. The NWRA and the NGA does not make the money. The testing centers make the money. The NGA and the NWRA spent over $180,000 to develop the test. I can't start to imagine what a fair and unbiased hands on test would cost to develop and implement. Would everyone on this board be willing to donate say $2000 to $3000 each to develop and implement a hands on test? Thats what we would probably need if we didn't want to take any money from the NGA the insurance industry or the glass companies. I don't read these boards to get hands on tips on w/s repair. I read them to get some positive ideas and answers on the business of windshield repair. It seems like when it comes to the NWRA though all I get is what Odd Ball calls negative vibes. If anyone on this board has any positive ideas or answers to the problems in our industry then get involved and help. Please stop the negative whining. The bottom line is the NWRA is not them. It's YOU if you join and get involved.

Don Boccafola wrote:Please stop the negative whining.

Don,

I don

Good thoughts.

Would my customers see my sticker and think I'm with the National Womens Rifle Association? Yeah, lame joke...

Good point about the costs that would be involved in creating any kind of hands-on testing. Maybe it's impossible. It would be a logistical nightmare and very costly to take the "test" also. There would have to be a classroom somewhere to host it.

But this is done in other industries. My brother is a flooring installer. Classes are scheduled in locations around the country for anyone to attend and pass that "class". There are many different schools these guys can go to. They get "certified" training... usually one or two days, for a specific product. It's not always hands-on, but more of a demonstration and education. I believe these are usually conducted by the manufacturers. There are not the kind of resources in the wsr industry for this. Maybe something like this could be done by cooperation of the "big" wsr companies... they ones who have training schools. There are several around the country. Could they act as a "host" for such a one day certification class?

Anyway, You make a good point about the "test" showing some work on the part of the certified tech. I don't have a problem with having a written test... it's all there is for an independent certification.

But the fact remains that you could take the test and be one of only 81 certified techs in the world, and yet never have touched a bottle of resin.

Such a person would show desire and motivation to learn, etc, but doesn't mean he cares about his work... just that he sees the value of being "certified". I know this sounds cynical, forgive me.

Or the old drunken jerk across town could be "NWRA certified" and do only "ok" quality work, while I do excellent work, carry a clean professional image, and have no idea what the nwra is about. I give this example because I have seen it first hands several years ago. The guy had NWRA stickers on his truck, anyway... I don't know if he was officially certified or not, but he could have been... that's my point.

Question: I have not read any manuals from the nwra and have not attended any wsr company training of any kind. But I do know how to repair a damn rock chip. Would I pass the written test without reading the manual? I'm serious. I don't know what kind of questions are in the test, and what specific methods the nwra endorses. I checked out the nwra site where the test is mentioned, and one of the three sample questions is like a trick question, IMO.:

Which is most likely to prevent an effective repair?
A. moisture contamination
B. Previous repair
C. combination damage
D. disconnected leg
That's like asking who's the hottest girl on Gilligan's Island? It's arguable. How do you interpret "most likely". Most likely it would be A. because you are most likely to encounter that this time of year in most parts of the country. If I answer B., are they going to say: Wrong, you are not supposed to repair these anyway? C. is open to interpretaion... should be more specific.

I also wonder what possible impact being an "NWRA Certified" tech has on my business. Not to be negative, just realistic. It's not like the public has any clue of what it means, or if I am certified, or how many are techs in the world are certified, or if what is involved in becoming certified. I hope people are not going to start asking if I have a certificate before I fix their w/s.

Again you made a good point here, if you get price shopppers, you can bring it up and press them about your "certification".... to seal the deal.

Tell me if I am way off base, or way too cynical.

How about this, I would be willing to bet you could get 10 guys from this forum that would be certifiable if not already. I

I have sent in for the info on joining the NWRA. I will join as soon as I get the info. It has occurred to me that even if you don't like what the NWRA is doing or what they stand for they are the only ones doing anything. In that regard if you don't like what they are doing the only way to change that is to join and do something about it. Do you vote in the general election? I do, and I though I am also guilty of it I can only equate complaining about the NWRA and not being a member with complaining about the government even though you don't vote. I am not referring to the NWRA as the governing body of windshield repair. Some members of this board have voiced strong and sound ideas about the direction they feel this industry should be headed. I propose that everyone who wants the NWRA to hear what they are saying to become a member. They don't have enough members to ignore any one of them. I will not complain about the NWRA or the industry on this board or even in private conversation until my membership in the NWRA is complete. To do so would be hypocritical.