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.

May 2010 Issue

Full Version:
www.deltakits.com/wisecrack/

Delta Kits Home:
www.deltakits.com

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Delta Kits Training and Certification Schedule

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

May 21st

June 18th

July 16th

August 20th

September 17th

October 15th

November 12th

December 10th

**all dates are subject to change

-Korey Gobin

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Benefits of Attending Delta Kits Training and Certification

• It significantly reduces the learning curve for windshield repair.  Avoid mistakes by learning proven windshield repair procedures first. 
• Witness first-hand what proper windshield repairs should look like so you can set realistic expectations. 
• It increases your confidence because you’ll learn proven techniques.   
• You’ll learn helpful tips and advice for business start-ups.
• You’ll get a leg up on your competition by learning the marketing techniques of seasoned professionals.
• You can network with fellow technicians.  Learn from others in your industry who have varying levels of experience.
• You’ll become factory certified by Delta Kits.  You can use the Delta Kits brand recognition- and certification- to enhance your credibility.

Below are comments from windshield repair technicians/forum members who have attended the Delta Kits Factory Training & Certification Course. This is what David from Mandeville, Louisiana had to say:

“I did a fair amount of research before deciding which kit/company to go with. I recently talked with a WSR tech that wanted to sell his WSR business, and asked him to do a repair so I could see the equipment he claimed to be "the best there is".  On a "practice windshield", the repair he did was at best a 70% visual improvement in the damaged area (and that is being a little generous). I don't recall the manufacturer of the equipment he used, but I do recall that it was one of the most expensive and that it had some of the best and slickest marketing (especially their website) to promote their system. In my opinion, there are three aspects to consider when deciding which WSR kit to buy;

1. The quality of the repairs the "system" is capable of

2.The training that's available

3.The customer service provided after a kit is purchased

I went with Delta Kits, but before buying ANYTHING, I attended one of their one-day repair workshops. During the workshop, I was amazed at the quality of the repairs I was able to make after a little training. Throughout that day, I wondered if their equipment worked as well "in the field" as it did in class (it does).  While the DK equipment seems simple at first glance, don't confuse simplicity with effectiveness. I am often very surprised at the quality of the repairs this equipment is capable of. I somewhat hedge my sales presentation by telling a potential customer that,” if I can't provide a minimum of an 80% visual improvement in their windshield, I won't do a repair". Nearly all of the repairs I do result in a 90%-95% visual improvement (sometimes, better). Coupled with a 100% lifetime guarantee (in writing) for all repairs, it's not a "hard sell".

The "customer service" aspect is just as important as the equipment you end up purchasing. This will be critical no matter which kit you end up getting. As for my experience, the staff at Delta Kits has been amazing when it comes to support (and has been VERY patient when answering ANY question and helping solve any problems I have had).?Hope you find this info helpful-” (David T., Mandeville, LA)

This is what Paul from Oakland, CA had to say:

I find it interesting that much of the marketing used by many of the companies that manufacture and sell WSR equipment use Delta Kits equipment as the test standard and comparison. It tells you less about what each company is offering and much more about the quality and performance of Delta Kits' equipment. I also attended the one day training at Delta Kits. I have since used only Delta Kits equipment and supplies. I have been able to achieve great results right from the start and my repairs are getting better and better with time. I also feel that a lot of fancy high tech equipment, pumps, tubes, etc., are not necessary to achieve positive results. (Paul R., Oakland, CA)

-Korey Gobin

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What's New On The Forum

As many of you know, Delta Kits hosts the world's largest and most popular windshield repair forum. This is the perfect place to ask questions, and get advice from thousands of windshield repair technicians and business owners all over the world.


Below are some of the hot topics from the month of April:

SWOOPER FLAGS!!!! THUMBS UP!!!!

insurance too much of a hassle?? dont use it!

Crack Out Liability ? and Introduction!

As of April 30, 2010 the world's largest windshield repair forum included 39,121 posts on 4,970 topics. 

If it's happening in the windshield repair industry you will find out about it at www.windshield-repair-forum.com. Membership is free, so join the windshield repair forum today. You'll be glad you did.

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Certified Windshield Repair Technicians

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

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Customer Speaks Out

Hello all,

My wife and I just returned from attending the Delta Kits training and certification class in Eugene, OR. First of all I want to thank Brent, Korey, Jonathan, Bruce and the entire Delta Kits staff for the great day we had. The training class was more than I expected. Having no prior knowledge or experience of the windshield repair industry I left the class having a wealth of knowledge about the industry. We were given an overview of the industry, the processes of a professional windshield repair and marketing and billing tips. The best part of the class was the hands on training that was provided for all participants. I strongly recommend this training class for all windshield repair technicians regardless of what system that you may use. I feel confident that I can perform a professional quality windshield repair after attending this training class. With that said I will continue to practice my new trade.....because as the saying goes "Practice makes perfect". Thanks again to the entire Delta kits staff!!

Lee L.

Atlanta, Georgia

-Korey Gobin

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Tech Tip: Maintaining your Windshield Repair Resin Injector

Properly maintaining your windshield repair resin injector will save you time and money. Delta Kits windshield repair systems require very little maintenance, but cleaning your injector after each repair is absolutely essential.

The process is really quite simple, but must be performed properly and consistently to keep your injector in top working condition, particularly if you are using one of the new Delta Kits I-100 injectors due to its extra tight tolerances. Recommended cleaning procedures are as follows:

 

• Separate the piston from the cylinder immediately after use and lock the piston in the vacuum position.
• Rinse both parts in denatured alcohol for a minimum of 30 seconds.
• Remove the parts from the alcohol and set the piston back to the pressure position.
• Rinse the piston for an additional 30 seconds. 
• Blow out any residual alcohol that remains in or on the piston and/or cylinder with compressed air.
• Store the piston and cylinder separately in your Delta Kits tool box with the piston in the pressure position. Be sure to keep the lid closed to reduce UV exposure. 

Note:  The I-100 is longer than the EZK-3 so you will need a larger, 6oz cleaning jar.  You can order a Delta Kits jar (part number JR600) that will also work for your older injectors. 

Failure to properly clean your injector voids the lifetime warranty, so please take the extra two minutes to thoroughly clean your injector after each repair performed. 

Denatured alcohol is available at most paint and hardware stores. Always carry a can of compressed air with you in case there is not an air compressor available at the jobsite. Compressed air is available at most office supply stores, just be sure that it does not contain an oil or lubricant of any kind. 

With proper maintenance your Delta Kits injector will last a lifetime!

 

-Brent Deines

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Safety Tip-Can Resin Cause a Skin Reaction?

Recently on the windshield repair forum, “Stihlcarven” posted that he’s guilty of not wearing gloves when doing a windshield repair:

“I am guilty of not wearing my gloves....ever. I have plenty of them, too. I do plenty of repairs every day and I am getting the effects I expected on my hands....cracks (painful)...roughness....I am also getting nauseous and dizzy towards the end of my day especially...is it possible that by using alcohol to clean my hands after repairs that I am absorbing resin into my system carried in by the easily absorbed alcohol? Just wondering if anyone has experienced this...I am going to try to make an effort to wear gloves from now on regardless...just curious to know if it’s a common reaction or maybe I’m just getting sick,” says Stihlcarven. 

Several forum members chimed in with opinions. Brent Deines, a veteran windshield repair technician, offered the following advice:

“Your skin will absorb resin, which is why we always recommend wearing proper fitting nitrile gloves. Alcohol will very definitely increase the rate in which the resin is absorbed into the skin, so it is even more critical that you protect your hands when you are cleaning your equipment.

Some individuals are also far more sensitive to windshield repairs than others as well, but even if you have been repairing windshields for years without any sort of reaction, you should never let down your guard. Windshield repair resins are sensitizers, meaning repeated exposure increases the likelihood or an allergic reaction.

Some resins are far more likely to cause skin irritation than others, but regardless of the resin you use you should take every possible precaution to keep from getting it on your skin. I have been repairing windshields for 23 years, the first 10 of which without the use of gloves, and so far have had no negative reactions to the products I use. However I now use nitrile gloves and eye protection whenever doing windshield repairs, and work in well ventilated areas whenever possible.

I have never heard of anyone getting sick from working with windshield repair resins, but I would imagine that like with any other chemicals if enough resin and alcohol is absorbed through the skin it is possible. If the problem continues I would encourage you to seek medical attention, and by all means start taking proper safety precautions whenever working with chemicals of any kind,” says Deines.

Delta Kits recommends that all windshield repair and headlight restoration technicians wear gloves, but keep in mind that all nitrile gloves are not created equal. Some offer far better resistance to tears and punctures, which does increase the cost. 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 your hands should be washed thoroughly with hot water and soap immediately.     

Nitrile gloves have low resistance to friction and slide on easily. They are made from a synthetic polymer and contain no protein, so they are hypoallergenic and less likely to cause irritation. Most Nitrile gloves are very durable, providing a high degree of softness, flexibility and 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 that a puncture or tear occurs. Remember, safety first and foremost…always! Wear Nitrile gloves when repairing windshields or restoring headlights.

-Brent Deines

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"2Cor4:8-10"
Delta Kits Monthly Encouragement

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down but not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in us!" ~ 2Cor4:8-10

-Korey Gobin

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