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.

February 2010 Issue

Full Version:
www.deltakits.com/wisecrack/

Delta Kits Home:
www.deltakits.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2010 South West Car Wash Association Convention and Expo

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 technicians have used to start and run some of the most successful windshield repair businesses in the United States.

In addition to the windshield repair training there will be a headlight restoration demonstration and a mini marketing seminar designed to help you become more successful in your windshield repair businesses.

 

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

·    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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With Delta Kits Headlight Restoration System (HLPRO302) you get professional results the first time, every time!

The Delta Kits Professional Headlight Restoration system contains everything you will need for restoring cloudy or discolored headlights, allowing you to restore the optical clarity of the discolored lenses.

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mobile Tech 2010 Recap

Mobile Tech 2010, in Clearwater, Florida was a good show for Delta Kits. We occupied a double booth this year in order to focus our attention on both windshield repair and headlight restoration. It was definitely a smart move! Both Bruce and I were kept busy throughout the entire show, with no time for lunch/bathroom breaks, answering questions and giving demonstrations. It appeared to me that more people were interested in headlight restoration to grow their current business, whereas the people who were talking to us about windshield repair were trying to get tips/pointers on how to take their windshield repairs to the next level. Both are great reasons to attend the Mobile Tech Expo.

My favorite thing about the Mobile Tech Expo is the fact that most attendees are from small companies and in most cases the technician is the owner. These are the hands-on people that take great pride in their profession and understand that their reputation is their best business card. These folks always seem to be open to hearing about new ways to expand and/or improve their business. They understand expenses and the true bottom line of their business. This is one reason the seminars that go on throughout the days are so well attended.

Our first seminar on Thursday was very well attended.  I did a headlight restoration demonstration, explaining what made our system different and the benefits of headlight restoration, then fielded questions afterward.  Everyone who was in attendance was very impressed with the quality our system can achieve, especially with how easy it is to use. The second seminar on Saturday had the same presentation, results, and positive response. Both of these seminars generated purchases of our headlight restoration system, proving they were a success.

Delta Kits held an on-the-road training course on Sunday after the show, which was also very well attended.  The trainees were quick learners and their repairs looked like they were completed by seasoned pros. Everyone in attendance was certified after completing our factory training and certification course and passing the final exam.

I am already looking forward to next year and hope to see even more of you there. 
 

-Jonathan Powell

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 January:

Water Exiting Crack While Heating!

Dryout Alternatives?

Is this the standard of WSR?

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delta Kits Certified Windshield Repair Technicians

Delta Kits held an on-the-road training course on Sunday after the show, which was also very well attended.  The trainees were quick learners and their repairs looked like they were completed by seasoned pros. Everyone in attendance was certified after completing and passing our factory training and certification course.

"You guys were awesome. I have attended several seminars in the past for different business related categories and yours is by far one of the best, well rehearsed, and friendliest atmosphere, (including high-end knowledge) out there. I am very happy with this opportunity and you guys made it look flawless... who knew! Thanks again for all your help." - Chuck B.

Chuck Bible
Ray Brewer
Charles Brokhoff
Jeff Carlin
Tom Cuff
Dennis Feehan
Brian Hitzeman
Bill Lemon
Gary Mathew
John Myers
Jack Pretts
Dennis Scherback

 

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delta Kits Customer Speaks Out!

January 4, 2010

I just wanted to drop a line about the customer service and quality of products I have received from Delta Kits.  I had been in the auto glass replacement and repair business for several years before deciding to purchase a windshield repair system for myself.  After reading tons of reviews and talking to other technicians in the industry I decided to purchase the Delta Kits Double Bridge 25th Anniversary special package.  I did not make a mistake!!  The quality of the product, the completeness of the kit and customer service received, puts Delta Kits heads and shoulders above its competition.  The technical support provided is unmatched by other manufacturers.  I even had Korey call me without me first contacting him as he read on the windshield repair forum that I was having a couple issues with my technique.  After a brief conversation Korey was able to identify what I was doing incorrect, I made the adjustments suggested and my repairs look better than ever!

I also purchased the Headlight Restoration system (with Metabo) that Delta Kits offers and it makes me look good everyday!  The quality of the finished product is jaw dropping.  I really get that “wow” factor from my customers after I restore their headlights.  The system is extremely complete and I have already made my investment back. 

I am impressed that Delta Kits continues to update, evaluate and test different techniques and products to make their current catalog even better.  I look forward to continuing my business with one of the best vendors I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

Thanks for everything!

Eric D. (aka Ricersux)

Indianapolis, Indiana
 

-Eric D. (aka Ricersux)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tech Tip - dry-out alternatives

I’d like to know what dry out alternative methods you guys may use besides a moisture evaporator or Drystar. Excluding the vehicles defroster or a hair dryer. (Question from windshieldrepairforum.com member Time2Shine)

There is a big difference between warming the glass and drying out a break. Although a lot of windshield repair technicians use torches I prefer not to use an open flame. It works well, but it is much harder to control the temperature of the glass. Not impossible, just harder. ??

Before drying out a break it is important to warm the glass. I find it very interesting that so many technicians are afraid of the defrosters but instead use lighters, torches, hair dryers and heat guns. I find the defrosters to be very useful in keeping the entire windshield reasonably warm and safer than any other heating method. I do however like to warm the outside with a hair dryer with the defrosters running on the inside whenever possible...before drying out a break. Unless you have an hour or two to kill warming from the inside with any method is not going to cut it, and neither is using a hair dryer. You need some relatively intense heat to remove the moisture rapidly. The only tools I am aware of that work well for this purpose are moisture evaporators (my preference), heat guns, and torches.??

Regardless of your preferred dry out tools, only use these tools from outside the vehicle. (Answered by B. Deines)
 

Click Here For More Responses
 

-Brent Deines

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Safety Tip- Safety Glasses and Their Importance

Safety glasses are very important because a lot of work place injuries that occur are eye related. In reality most injuries are easily avoidable by taking a couple of preventive measures. The simple fact is that this is mainly contributed to the lack of training and human negligence.

The bone structure of your face helps protect your eyes from injury due to impact from large objects, and eyelashes help protect against injury from small objects, but eyes are still very prone to injury if proper precautions are not taken to prevent accidents. Eye injuries are a serious matter. Not only can an eye injury be painful, but if severe enough could cause a loss of vision. Glass fragments can be very damaging to the eye, and glass is very difficult to locate and remove, especially when in the field. Windshield repair resin and headlight restoration chemicals may also cause damage to the eye, and even the most careful technician may fall victim to a defective bottle tip, failed injector seal, or any number of other unforeseen accidents.  

Statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Labor suggest thousands of consumers and employees suffer from eye injuries every year, many resulting from work related injuries incurred when workers used inadequate eye or face protection. Such injuries may result in blindness and thousands of dollars in lost production time and medical expenses.

Eye injuries in the workplace typically result in up to 20% of temporary and permanent vision loss among workers. While workplace injuries are common, there are easy to use tools available for preventing eye injury. The most common hazards associated with eye injuries on the job include:

•    Airborne particles or bits of metal, glass or wood
•    Tools and power equipment that elicit sparks
•    Flying objects
•    Radiation or UV light
•    Chemicals or other corrosive substances that may spray and damage vision

It is important for employees and employers to understand the benefits of wearing adequate eye protection. Eye protection and safety glasses generally fall under the category of PPE or personal protective equipment, and generally serve to protect workers and consumers from hazards exposed to on the job.

Benefits of Safety Glasses

•    Safety glasses can keep small particles entering your eyes

•    Safety glasses are heat resistant and protect the eyes from sparks and flames.

•    Safety glasses protect your eyes from chemical splashes

•    When working with any kind of equipment that may be hazardous to your eye safety, don’t forget your safety glasses.

Features of Safety Glasses by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

•    Safety eye wear is not the same as regular eye glasses. The frames are much thicker and stronger and the lenses of safety eyeglasses are also much stronger than those of regular dress eyeglasses.

•    The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is an organization that sets standards for manufacturing of products. The ANSI has also set standards for safety eyewear. The lenses in safety eye glasses should be impact resistant and be able to pass what is known as a ‘drop-ball’ test. In this test, a ball is dropped onto the lens of safety eyeglasses from a considerable distance. If the lens can withstand this impact, then it is fit for being used in safety eyewear. If the lens shatters, cracks, or breaks, then it cannot be used for safety glasses.

•    Frames of safety glasses are heat resistant and prevent the lens from being pushed into the eyes of the wearer.

•    Most safety eye glasses are made from plastic polycarbonate lenses. These are much more durable, stronger, and more impact resistant than lenses of regular eyewear.

•    Safety eyewear should be of the right fit. It should not only cover your eyes fully, but also fit perfectly so as to cover the tops and sides of your eyes.

•    Safety eyeglasses usually have the markings of the manufacturer on the lens, frames, and removable eye shields. These markings can help distinguish a pair of safety eye glasses from other eyeglasses, and also determines whether the eyeglasses pass the standards for safety eyewear.

 

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Labor & American National Standards Institute
 

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"James 1 2-4 (New International Version)"
Delta Kits Monthly Encouragement

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

-Korey Gobin

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------