The Wise Crack

Windshield Repair Newsletter

The Wise Crack, published monthly, is the most widely circulated windshield repair newsletter available! It includes windshield repair tips, news, & marketing advice.

December 2009 Issue

Full Version:
www.deltakits.com/wisecrack/

Delta Kits Home:
www.deltakits.com

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Making First-Aid & Safety a Top Priority

Carrying a first aid kit with you or knowing where you can find one is very important because you never know when an emergency may occur. A well-stocked first aid kit is a convenient thing to have within reach. You should always be prepared for emergencies, therefore keeping a first aid kit in your shop or vehicle is essential.

You can purchase one from the Red Cross or you can put one together but make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications, and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Also, we recommend that add all material safety data sheets to your first aid kit. Thus, if an accident ever occurs you and the authorities will have information on the chemical make-up, emergency procedures and the potential health effects related to the materials. Lastly, check the kit regularly and make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.

Here at Delta Kits Mindy Beaver our Safety Specialist ensures that we have the appropriate first aid and emergency preparedness products in place. Our comprehensive first aid kit contains the essential first aid supplies you need in a medical emergency such as:

•    (50) 3/4"x3" Adhesive plastic bandages
•    (4) 2"x2" Gauze dressing pads, (2) 2-pks
•    (4) 3"x3" Gauze dressing pads (2) 2-pks
•    (20) 4"x4" Gauze dressing pads (10) 2-pks
•    (2) 5"x9" Trauma pads
•    (1) 8"x10" Trauma pad
•    (1) Super Stop™ bandage
•    (3) 2" Conforming gauze roll bandages
•    (3) 36" Triangular sling/bandage, w/2 safety pins
•    (6) Alcohol cleansing pads
•    (3) Burn relief packs, 3.5 gm.
•    (6) Povidone-iodine infection control wipes
•    (1) 2"x5 yd. 3-Cut first aid tape
•    (1) 4"x5" Instant cold compress
•    (2) Sterile eye pads
•    (1) Eye wash, 4 oz.
•    (1) 24"x24" Biohazard bag, 10 gallon capacity
•    (2) 10"x12" Ziplock bags
•    (1) CPR one-way valve face shield, latex free
•    (1) 52"x84" Emergency blanket
•    (4) Exam quality vinyl gloves, 2 pairs
•    (1) 7-1/4" Utility shears
•    (1) 3-1/2" Deluxe tweezers, stainless steel
•    (1) First aid guide
•    (1) Flashlight
 

-Korey Gobin

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Tech Tip- Cold Weather and Cracks

Is the crack volatile? How long has it been there? Is it moving? 

If there is moisture in the crack it has to be removed, and the best way to do that is with heat, so although I prefer not to submit long cracks to drastic temperature changes I do heat cracks to remove moisture. The important thing to remember here is that you want to warm the glass slowly, and if at all possible warm the entire windshield. Once the glass is warm, a heat gun with a concentrated tip or a torch may be used to dry out the break. CAUTION: This is not for the faint of heart. As most of you know I am not a big fan of using a torch or heat gun on damaged glass, but when it comes to long cracks moisture evaporators just don’t always cut it. However, using a torch or heat gun greatly increases the chance of a crack out, so I strongly suggest that you only use those methods if you have practiced this technique at least a couple dozen times.  

If the crack moves when you apply light pressure near the end or if the customer tells you it has moved within the last few days, I recommend drilling the end and popping a small bullseye at the end with a Delta Kits 77-7SH Slide Hammer. I also recommend drilling any crack over 3” long as a precautionary measure.

If the windshield is 70 degrees F or above and there is no water in the crack I would not heat the glass. In fact, if the crack does not stem from a star or combination break that will also need to be filled I would not warm the glass unless it was under 60 degrees F. The reason for this is that as the glass is warmed it expands and if warmed too much the crack may expand and make injecting resin more difficult. 

If you do have to warm the glass, do so slowly as stated above. Defrosters work well if you can run the vehicle during the repair process, but you should also warm the outside of the glass whenever possible. Generally I like using a hair dryer for warming a break, but when dealing with long cracks I prefer using heat lamps or an electric blanket draped across the glass. This allows you to warm the glass slowly and keep it warm during the repair process. However I must admit that I don’t typically carry an electric blanket or heat lamps with me, so in most cases I end up positioning my hair dryer so it blows warm (not hot) air across the crack during the repair process. Warm the glass prior to starting the repair and do not apply spot heat to a long crack during the pressure cycle.

I don’t typically use crack expanders unless I expect to have a troublesome spot in a crack, but if you have drilled the end of the crack, popped a bullseye to terminate the crack, and have warmed the glass to the proper temperature, you may want to place a crack expander every 6” or so and carefully apply light pressure. If the crack has partially closed due to the drying or warming process, the crack expander will open it back up and make filling with resin easier. Be prepared to remove crack expanders quickly if the crack moves past the termination point. Otherwise leave them on until the crack is completely filled with resin and then remove them just prior to curing. 

Important things to remember when filling long cracks regardless of weather conditions.

1)    Be sure you identify the “true” end of the crack and mark it from the inside of the glass with a Sharpie prior to drilling and creating a termination point.  Remove the sharpie mark after the repair is complete.
2)    Be sure there is no moisture in the crack.
3)    Be sure you position yourself at such an angle that you can see the resin filling the crack. Technicians often mistake air for light reflection or vice versa, but if you watch the resin flow through the crack you will know when it is properly filled.
4)    Be sure the resin flows all the way to the end of the crack.
5)    Never attempt a long crack repair unless you are comfortable doing so. Long crack repair takes practice, and practice should never be performed on a customer’s vehicle. Use practice glass.
6)    Allow more time for crack repairs, especially in cold weather.
7)    Be sure to match the resin temperature to the glass temperature.  It does not have to be exact, but keeping it within 10 degrees F will minimize the chance of a crack out and help fill cracks faster. 
 
In summary, crack repairs in cold weather can be challenging, but with enough practice, the proper tools, and the right technique, they can be accomplished successfully.   
 

-Brent Deines

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Hot New HLPRO302 Headlight Restoration System

• Featuring the Metabo random orbital sander finishes the job smoothly, without swirl marks, and in a fraction of the time it takes to sand by hand. 
•  The new Delta Kits 3" backing plate and adapter gives the Metabo more clearance, allowing the tool to be used in tighter spaces. Interface pads are optional when using the Delta Kits backing plate.
• Messy polishing compound is unnecessary with new Delta Kits professional Headlight Restoration System. There are fewer steps, faster restorations, and better results than any other Headlight Restoration System.

Click Here To See The New Headlight Restoration System

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Certified Windshield Repair Technicians

Congratulations to all of the new Delta Kits Certified Windshield Repair Technicians!

• Ron Abraham
• Don Allen
• Troy Kivari
• Ker Lo
• Angela Muller
• Jason Sullivan
• Cheri Westphal
• Talisa Westphal
   

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Customer Speaks Out

Dear Delta Kits,

I would like to let it be known that on February 3, 2009 Time2Shine made the Right Choice When choosing and purchasing our EZK-121 windshield repair system from Delta Kits.

From visiting the website and having the pleasure of speaking with account executive Korey Gobin, to viewing the how-to videos, and ultimately using the windshield repair system we knew Delta Kits was "Simply the Best"

You’re always available to help! Our calls and emails are handled promptly without any delay.
Delta Kits’ equipment is made of great quality & craftsmanship. The system out performs others and produces optimal results every repair with “simplicity”.  In addition, there isn’t any hard to use or unnecessary pumps and hoses.

From the beginning, we knew we were in good hands and we continue to be treated just as if were family. We are extremely satisfied and Time2Shine Auto Spa & Reconditioning are customers of Delta Kits for life!

Thanks for all the hard work and determination in an extraordinary piece of equipment, and for creating a voice for the Windshield Repair Community with the Windshield Repair Forum. I encourage anyone seeking a career move into the Windshield Repair Industry to choose Delta Kits! You will be pleased and you won’t regret you did it.

Regards,
Chad E. Clewis
President/Founder
Time2Shine Auto Spa & Reconditioning

Click Here Fore More Testimonials

-Korey Gobin

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Brian Fenner (SGT) Takes First Place in WRO

Brian Fenner of Safe Glass Technologies in Easton, PA., took first place in the Fourth Annual Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics. Fenner has been in the industry for seven years, and was a second-time competitor in the event. Lee Simms of Superglass Windshield Repair took second place, and Brandon Long of Novus finished third.

Click Here To See What Forum Members Had To Say!

-Korey Gobin

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On the Road Training

This intensive hands-on training is conducted by Delta Kits factory instructors, and they will teach you how to take your repair quality to the next level. This training is held in conjunction with the 9th annual Mobile Tech Expo January 14th-16th located at the Harborview Center in Clearwater, Florida.

Click Here To Sign Up!

-Korey Gobin

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Thanks For Visiting Us At The 2009 NWRA Marketing Conference

We appreciate everyone who visited with us during the annual National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) marketing conference. We know there are numerous alternatives out there in today's competitive market and never take our customers for granted.

Delta Kits stands behind every product we sell so if you are ever unsatisfied with a Delta Kits purchase for any reason, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you and it is our mission to provide you with the best possible customer service.

On behalf of the entire Delta Kits staff, thank you very much for your continued loyalty and support.

-Korey Gobin

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Merry Christmas from Delta Kits

As we wind up our 25th year at Delta Kits it occurred to me that nearly all of us has been touched by the poor world economy in one way or another this year, but most of us still have a great deal to be thankful for.

If you made $850 this year you are wealthier than ½ of the earth’s population and if you made $14,000 you are in the top 14% of the earth’s wealthiest people. If you made $25,000 this year you are in the top 11% of the richest people in the world and if you made $50,000 this year you are among the top 1%. Kind of humbling isn’t it? If you want to see just how wealthy you are compared to the rest of the world you may find this website interesting. http://www.globalrichlist.com/

With wealth comes responsibility so hopefully we all have a favorite charity or two that we contribute to, and if we are having a good year Christmas is a time to show a little extra generosity. One cause I am passionate about is providing clean drinking water.

According to the World Health Organization more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water related diseases every year, making it the world’s leading cause of disease and death. Most of these are young children who die as a result of illnesses caused by organisms that live in water contaminated by raw sewage. As depressing as that is there is some good news!

It is estimated that in many countries $10 will provide clean water to one person for a lifetime. It literally takes only $10 to save a life so if every Delta Kits customer passed up a few lattes this month we could save 700 lives and if every adult in the United States would do the same we could save 25,000,000 people! The impact we can have collectively is mind blowing!

Now I know that some of you have had a rough year and maybe don’t have $10 to spare, but if you are reading this Christmas letter you are one of the loyal Delta Kits customers who have already helped provide clean water for people all over the world. You may not know it, but every time you purchase a Delta Kits product, part of the proceeds of that sale goes to charity, so just by being a Delta Kits customer you are making a difference. In fact, with your help we have been able to provide clean water to over 1400 people in 2009 alone, and with your help we plan to give a bit more.

In celebration and appreciation of the many blessings God has bestowed upon us this year, Delta Kits will do something we have never done before. For 5 days only we will donate 100% of the gross proceeds from the sales of Delta Kits products to Living Water International. See promotion details below.

Anyone who makes a purchase during this 5 day fundraising event will be mentioned, with your permission of course, in the January edition of the Wise Crack as well as in a Delta Kits press release after the first of the year.

From all of us at Delta Kits, a very sincere thank you. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Brent Deines

 

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

 

Delta Kits Christmas Charitable Giving Promotion

100% of the gross proceeds of your order is being donated to Living Water International.

Better Business Bureau Website Charity Reviews

 

-Brent Deines

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"Philippians 4:4-8 "
Delta Kits Monthly Encouragement

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
 

-Jonathan Powell

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