Technical Tip - Sunlight Precautions

It is a great time of year to be a windshield repair technician. No rain or snow to contend with and plenty of sunny hours to get out there and make some money. But judging by some of the technical calls we are getting this summer, some of you are not taking precautions when it comes to dealing with direct sunlight.

Performing repairs in direct sunlight can cause all sorts of problems. The sun can cause premature curing, delamination, and crack outs. If you have a shop, make sure to use it. If not, make sure you move the vehicle to the shade. If you must do repairs in direct sunlight, use a UV shield. We have two styles, a traditional amber colored flexible shield with handy suction cups for mounting, and our new UV Bubble Dome, which is great for protection from rain or sun.

It is not only important to protect your repairs from the direct sun, but your resin and equipment as well. Do not leave your bottles of resin exposed to the sun any longer than necessary. Our amber glass bottles are great, because you can see just how much resin you are using, which leads to less waste. Both the amber bottles and the white plastic bottles are UV resistant, but not UV proof, so make sure that your resin is returned to the kit and the lid is closed when not in use. Remember, exposure to the sun for even a few minutes can cause the resin to cure in the bottle.

Although it is always important to keep your injector clean, direct summer sun makes these small steps even more crucial. After completing a repair, make sure to clean your injector in denatured alcohol, then store each piece of the injector separately in it’s assigned spot in your kit. The piston of your injector needs to always be stored in the down (or pressure) position to remove excess tension on the spring when not in use.

Following these simple procedures will ensure that you get the most out of your summer repairs!

-Matt Larson