Windshield Repair Forum

Anyone have any pros and cons and an overall opinion for which is better? Anyone try using just a cig. lighter?

Cryatal_Image wrote:Anyone have any pros and cons and an overall opinion for which is better? Anyone try using just a cig. lighter?

i didnt mean the fire kind, could burn yourself, i meant the ones you find in an ash tray. Could be used with an extended cord from the vehicle and would be glowing hot at first and cool itself down within 20 sec or so. Then again, may look tachy to a customer whois watching. Ok well i just answered my own ?

they don't stay hot long enough to evaporate the water

CRACK N CHIP wrote:they don't stay hot long enough to evaporate the water

ok forget about the cig lighter, what about a mini torch vs the evap tool

Different horses for different courses, I use them both. Believe me in the UK to do good repairs you need to know how to dry out, pity 90% of people doing repairs over here do not know that.

I've tried the evaporators, but I prefer to use a torch. Either way, you need some practice to get a feel for what they can do. Both allow you to dry out breaks.... and break a w/s, I can tell you that!

Wouldn't the heat coming from a torch be too intense and cause a crack out?

Dr.Chipster wrote:Wouldn't the heat coming from a torch be too intense and cause a crack out?

This is why i asked the question. Ive seen many videos of both and the ones using the torch was kind of a quik brush by a few times. Even with a hand held lighter but the guy using the lighter used it on the inside of the windshield and kept the flame on the break for 30 sec or so.

Maybe someone will post a video or pics on how they use a torch. Delta has videos on using the evaporator.

First the torch is infinitely adjustable, the further you hold it away from the glass the less hot the glass gets.

Using heat inside, same as getting inside and pushing your thumb against the damage, not a good idea without care.

I keep the heat quite close to the glass and work around in spiral, experience and practise has told me what I can get away with, without going into the depths of temperature etc. it would be hard to be specific into how long.

Spiral and why, to chase the moisture out, heat will cause the glass to expand hit the centre first and it will shut up and trap the moisture there. Think of the Drystar will the alloy centre and you will hopefully understand my points.

Whenever and whatever heat you use allow enough cooling time, observe the damage before using heat and allow it to return to the same after, the heatsink will speed this up no end.