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.

January 2010 Issue

Full Version:
www.deltakits.com/wisecrack/

Delta Kits Home:
www.deltakits.com

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May this New Year bring newly found prosperity, love, happiness and delight in your life.

New Year's Day, or January 1st, is an occasion that witnesses the biggest annual celebration across all countries of the world. It is the time when we ring out the old year and welcome the present year with open arms, with eyes filled with new dreams and hearts replete with new expectations. On behalf of everyone at Delta Kits,

Happy New Year!

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Recaps Silver Anniversary

Despite a failing economy the windshield repair industry held strong in 2009, and Delta Kits celebrated the close of its 25th anniversary with record sales and several other company records.

•    April 2009 - Best month in company history.

•    Quarter 3, 2009 - Best quarter in company history.

•    2009 – Best year in company history. Over 30% sales increase over 2008. 

•    Most certifications – Over 100 windshield repair technicians trained and certified by Delta Kits.

•    Most charitable contributions – Over $43,000.00 donated to charities, much of which was used to provide clean water to people living in 3rd world countries.

Delta Kits also introduced a number of new products in 2009. Here are a few of the most popular.

•    EZK-125 Silver Anniversary Windshield Repair System. – Best Seller!
More features and special pricing all year long.

•    HLPRO-302 Professional Headlight Restoration System. – Best Seller!
Simplified process and superior quality tooling.

•    HX1000 Heat Exchanger. – Industry 1st!
An industry 1st with increased surface area and ergodynamic design.

More exciting news from Delta Kits in 2009.

•    Delta Kits user Brian Fenner awarded Mobile Tech Windshield Repair Person of the Year

•    Delta Kits user Brian Fenner wins 4th Annual Walt Gorman Windshield Repair Olympics using a Delta Kits windshield repair system. 

•    Jamie Browing and Greg Hamilton take the gold and silver in the 5th Annual Pilkington Classic Auto Glass Technician Olympics using Delta Kits windshield repair systems for the repair portion of the competition.    

•    Over 37,000 posts on the world’s largest windshield repair forum hosted by Delta Kits.


As we usher in the New Year thank all of our wonderful customers for an amazing 2009! We are very aware that our success is nothing more than a byproduct of your success, and promise to work even harder to earn your loyalty in the future.  We are looking forward to serving you in 2010 and making it another fantastic year. 

A very sincere thank you from all of us at Delta Kits.  Happy New Year!

-Brent Deines

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Delta Kits Upcoming Event Schedule

January 15-16, 2010 Mobile Tech Expo in Clearwater, FL.  See www.mobiletechexpo.com for more information.  Delta Kits will be in booth 207 at this event, and we will be offering a one day training and certification course on January 17th at Harborview Center. Delta Kits trainers are also National Glass Association (N.G.A.) & National Windshield Repair Association (N.W.R.A.) certified technicians who will teach you how to take your repair quality to the next level. Also, come by and visit with us to see live demos and new products!

February 21-22, SCWA 2010 Convention & Expo in Arlington, TX.  See www.swcarwash.org for more information.  Delta Kits will be conducting live demonstrations at this event, and we will be offering a one day training and certification course on February 20th at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel. Delta Kits will show you the techniques our most successful technicians have used to become some of the most successful windshield repair businesses in the United States. Also, the marketing seminar is designed to help you become more successful in your windshield repair businesses.

Delta Kits Training and Certification Dates in Eugene, Oregon

Eugene windshield repair classes are FREE with a purchase of a Delta Kits windshield repair system, however space is limited and reservations are required.  

February 5th, 2010
March 19th, 2010
April 16th, 2010
May 21th, 2010
June 18th, 2010
July 16th, 2010
August 20th, 2010
September 17th, 2010
October 15th, 2010
November 12th, 2010
December 10th, 2010

**all dates are subject to change

Benefits of attending training

·    Whatever fits your budget Save $$$: Gold, Silver or Bronze training packages to choose from!

·    Significantly reduce the learning curve in windshield repair.

·    Set your expectations for what windshield repair looks like.

·    Increase confidence.

·    Great business startup information and advice.

·    Get a leg up on your competition by learning the marketing techniques of seasoned professionals.

·    Learn correct windshield repair procedures first, before you make the mistake.

·    Networking with your fellow technicians.

·    Become factory certified by Delta Kits.

·    Use of the Delta Kits brand recognition and certification to enhance credibility.




 

-Korey Gobin

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How to change the backing plate on the Metabo HLSTRP300

The 3" backing plate is a new item to the HLPRO302 Headlight Restoration System. The backing plate was created to make the Metabo random orbital headlight stripper a true 3". The 3" backing plate gives you more clearance when doing a headlight restoration and works with all standard 3" sanding and polishing disks, making an interface pad optional.Several customers have inquired about how to change the backing plate.

 

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits, Inc. Donates $22,000 For Water Wells

Eugene, OR. - January 1, 2010 - As pledged earlier in the month, Delta Kits donated all proceeds from retail sales during the week of December 21st - 25th to Living Water International.

Living Water International is a Christian organization dedicated to providing clean and safe drinking water to the over 880 million people around the world who currently do not have that luxury. In addition to the $22,000, Delta Kits makes regular contributions to several other charitable organizations including Life Outreach International, Disabled American Veterans, Special Olympics, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, American Bible Society, and McDowell Ministries.
"There's no shortage of good causes", says Brent Deines, President of Delta Kits, "but none have a greater impact than the simple gift of clean water; something that most of us take for granted. There is no better feeling than knowing you are helping someone less fortunate than yourself."   

Mindy Beaver, office manager for Delta Kits, and husband Rick donated Mindy's entire bi-weekly paycheck to the Advent Conspiracy through Norkenzie Christian Church who also supports Living Water. "It's people like Rick and Mindy who are changing the world", said Deines. "The struggling economy in Eugene has taken a toll on their family finances this year so it was no small sacrifice to give up two weeks pay in addition to their many other donations. It's quite humbling to work with generous people like Mindy."

When asked why she and her husband felt compelled to be so generous Beaver had this to say, "It is our love for God, who provides everything we need, that led us. The really cool part is that He uses ordinary people like us so that He can provide the needs of others."

Deines credits Delta Kits customers and employees for the ability to give to charity. "I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate our customers", says Deines. "I have been serving many of them for over two decades and their loyalty is what makes our company successful. I am also very thankful for my co-workers. Everything we do at Delta Kits is a team effort and I thank God for the good fortune to work with some of the best people I have ever met." 

-Brent Deines

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What's New On The Forum

Delta Kits hosts the largest and most popular windshield repair forum in the world. This is the perfect place to ask questions, and share your thoughts with thousands of windshield repair business owners and windshield repair technicians all over the world. Be careful though, the windshield repair forum is addicting!

Below are some of the hot topics from December:

Checking the competitor

Change with the Market

Battery supply unit?

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Certified Windshield Repair Technicians

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

• Phillip Andreotti
• Craig Johnson
• Jayson Larson
• Wynne Moore
• Vince Tafoya

 

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Customer Speaks Out!

Good evening Brent,
 
You may not remember me, but I had dinner with you and Korey last year during the Auto Glass Week out in Vegas.  

As a business owner, my single greatest obstacle is finding high quality, dedicated employees that are looking to contribute to the company rather than just picking up a paycheck.  Why am I telling you this?  Because last week I had the privilege of experiencing one such employee that you have!  Last month when I found out Delta Kits would be attending the Open House I called and spoke with Korey.  I asked him if he knew who would be coming out for Delta Kits, and he told me that he would.  I told him that I'd be grateful if he could afford me some of his time.  He agreed to meet with me.
 
Before our Wednesday evening event, Korey met with me and I shared with him that my repairs were no longer looking as good as they used to look.  He re-instructed me on the proper repair techniques to be used with Delta Kits equipment.  Heeding his advice, I tried a repair and "presto", back to the repairs of ole.  My technician later met with us, and I quickly told Butch to FORGET everything I had told him about repairs, and listen to everything Korey had to share with him.  Korey instructed, Butch listened and Butch did several repairs Thursday and Friday, all much better than we had been previously doing.       
 
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how fortunate I think you are to have someone with your company that is such a huge ambassador.  Korey presents himself and represents Delta Kits in the highest possible manner.  Maybe in time, Freedom Glass can find someone equally as dedicated.  I long for that day.
 
Have a great week, and if you're headed to Vegas next week, I hope to see you there.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michael P.
Midlothian, VA

-Michael P.

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Tech Tip- Acoustic Windshields Pose No New Problems

As most of you know acoustic windshields are designed to reduce the amount of noise that is heard inside the cabin of modern vehicles without adding mileage robbing weight to the glass. Acoustic windshields are more expensive than traditional laminated windshields which can be used as a selling point for windshield repair technicians.

As acoustic windshields becoming increasingly popular I am also receiving an increasing number of calls from windshield repair technicians wanting to know if they are repairable, and if so, if there are any special precautions that they need to be aware of. 

Regardless of brand name, acoustic windshields are currently no different than any other windshield with one exception; The PVB. In an acoustic windshield the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) inner layer is acoustically enhanced for more efficient sound reduction. This does not affect the ability of a technician to repair the windshield and does not affect the quality of a successfully completed windshield repair.

Yes, acoustic windshields are repairable, and no, there are no special precautions that windshield repair technicians need to be aware of.
Although acoustic windshields pose no new problems for windshield repair technicians, I recommend checking the identification markings on a windshield, often called the “Bug”. In most cases the Bug will identify the glass manufacturer, the American Standard “AS” number, the DOT number, the M number and as shown below, a name or logo identifying the glass as acoustical-grade. You may see the word Acoustic, or simply an “A” for acoustic, and sometimes manufacturers get creative, so you have to use your imagination. This photo shows an ear at the bottom of the Bug to identify this windshield as acoustical-grade. The vehicle manufacturer, an E Code (required to identify the country in European Union), solar control identification, and heated identification are also typically found in the Bug.

The Bug can be found on the bottom center or bottom passenger side of the windshield.   

  

Note: Glass replacement technicians should not rely on the Bug to identify acoustic windshields as not all manufacturers specify that information in the Bug. However this is not a concern for windshield repair technicians.

-Brent Deines & Korey Gobin

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Safety Tip- To glove or not to glove, do you need gloves at all?

Our hands have a protective layer of skin called the dermis. This protective layer can become irritated when using chemicals, so to enhance our own natural protection Delta Kits recommends that all windshield repair and headlight restoration technicians wear gloves.

Don't make your choice based on price alone! All gloves do not provide the same level of protection. For example, latex gloves offers little to no protection against many of the chemicals used for windshield repair and headlight restoration as they are easily permeated and degrade quickly. Latex is not a good choice for windshield repair and headlight restoration technicians. In contrast, Nitrile gloves provide a better barrier because they offer low permeation and high resistance to chemical degradation. They are also more durable. Nitrile gloves, which cost about $15.00 for a box of 100, offer good value for your safety dollar. Permeation refers to the capacity of a given chemical to pass through the glove material at the molecular level. Degradation is the actual chemical breakdown of the glove material.

Not all Nitrile gloves are created equal. Some offer far better resistance to tears and punctures, which brings up the cost vs value issue again. A Nitrile glove that is compromised by a tear or puncture is worse than not wearing a glove at all as chemicals can become trapped against the skin. If a Nitrile glove is torn or punctured it should be disposed of and hands should be washed thoroughly with hot water and soap immediately.     

Nitrile gloves have low resistance to friction and slide on easy. They are made from a synthetic polymer and they do not contain any protein so they are hypoallergenic and less likely to cause irritation. Most Nitrile gloves are very durable, provide a high degree of softness, flexibility, and generally provide better protection against a greater range of chemicals than other disposable gloves. Nitrile gloves also protect against the acrylic acids found in windshield repair resins, whereas latex and vinyl gloves do not.

The premium blue color of our Nitrile glove serves a functional purpose as it makes it much easier to spot pin holes in the event a puncture or tear occurs. Remember, safety first. Wear Nitrile gloves when repairing windshields or restoring headlights.

Helpful tips for Nitrile glove use from the Environmental Protection Agency and Delta Kits.

•    No glove will hold up indefinitely. Change your Nitrile gloves more often with higher exposure to solvents and chemicals. Also, change gloves immediately if they show signs of wear, tears, punctures, or pinholes.

•    Never reuse a disposable glove. They are meant for one time use only. Removal should be from the cuff so after the glove is removed it is inside out.

•    To keep your hands as healthy as possible, keep them clean inside your nitrile gloves and wash them after you have used the gloves. Dirt on your hands while you are using gloves can irritate your skin.

•    If you sweat with gloves on, make sure you wash your hands when you take the gloves off. A build up of sweat and moisture under nitrile gloves will irritate your skin.

•    For extra protection a barrier cream or foam can be used prior to putting on the Nitrile gloves.

•    When wearing disposable gloves it is very important to have a proper fit, which in a disposable glove means a tight fit. There should be no loose material at the end of the fingers or anywhere else in the glove. Proper fitting gloves increase dexterity and are much less susceptible to failure.

Nitrile gloves are available in powdered to go on easier, or powder free. 

-Brent Deines & Korey Gobin

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"Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)"
Delta Kits Monthly Encouragement

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

-Korey Gobin

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