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.

August 2010

Full Version:
www.deltakits.com/wisecrack/

Delta Kits Home:
www.deltakits.com

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On the Road Windshield Repair Training & Certification

 

Delta Kits will be holding an on-the-road training and certification course in Las Vegas on October 9, 2010. This is the Saturday before NACE. The full day training class will be held at the Hampton Inn Tropicana. Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis, so you must call into Delta Kits to get signed up. Due to shipping needs, the cut-off date for getting signed up is Sept. 30, 2010.

-Korey Gobin

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Are you thinking about competing in the Windshield Repair Olympics?

Dear readers,

I've given this a great deal of thought and decided that for the first time, Delta Kits will sponsor contestants in the 2010 Windshield Repair Olympics. Other manufacturers have sponsored contestants in past years, but we have refrained from doing so because we think the Windshield Repair Olympics should focus primarily on the skill and professionalism of the technician. Does the equipment matter? Well of course we think so, but anyone who has attended the Windshield Repair Olympics will tell you that, regardless of the system used in the competition, most of the contestants do exceptional repairs. Brian Fenner is a very self driven competitor, but I think that not having a sponsor gave him even more incentive to win the competition. His 2nd place prize money in 2008 did not even cover his expenses, but his 1st place prize money in 2009 did!

So why the change of heart? Well, primarily because we have been contacted by a number of Delta Kits users who would like to compete but just can't justify the expense in this economy. Since our competitors are sponsoring contestants, it only seems fair that we offer some assistance to Delta Kits users as well. Besides, poor Brian would like some company! 

I also gave a lot of thought to how much assistance we should provide, and to whom we should offer it. Invitation only was one thought, but that might create some hard feelings. A set amount to each Delta Kits user who enters the contest was another idea, but that didn't really seem fair as some will show up far more prepared than others. Therefore we decided to offer a combination of incentives that will be progressively more attractive to those who bring their A game. Here is what we are offering:

Complimentary Delta Kits baseball cap.

Complimentary Delta Kits shirt (style to be determined).

Complimentary Delta Kits windshield repair resin to be used in the competition.

Team dinner with other Delta Kits contestants and Delta Kits employees.

Reimbursement of up to $150 competition fee (includes one year membership in the NWRA) - Delta Kits certified technicians only.

$250 cash prize for 3rd place.

$500 cash prize for 2nd place.

$1000 cash prize for 1st place. 

I hope that this will be just enough incentive to encourage serious Delta Kits users to compete, but not enough to attract those just looking for a free trip to Vegas. Combined with the prize money that AGRR is putting up, a Delta Kits user who takes third place will be able to cover most of his or her expenses. If he or she takes 2nd place, all expenses should be covered and there may even be enough change left to throw a couple of quarters in a slot machine. A 1st place win will bring in enough prize money to cover all expenses and still go home with a few bucks in your pocket. 

There is some fine print, but nothing any Delta Kits user will object to. Just the Delta Kits tattoo on your forehead and stuff like that.”

-Brent Deines, President of Delta Kits

Please contact us at info@deltakits.com if you are a Delta Kits user interested in competing in the 2010 Windshield Repair Olympics. Delta Kits will e-mail you the requirements to receive the incentives listed above.

-Brent Deines

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New Products

144-14 RESIN, PREMIUM PIT PLUS, 7ML

New technology minimizes air bubbles at the bottle tip making Premium Pit Plus easier to place than other pit fillers.

The viscosity of Premium Pit Plus bridges the gap between traditional pit fillers and higher viscosity plate glass resins. It's the perfect resin for filling large or small surface chips, or capping a large pit prior to injecting low viscosity resin into the damaged glass.

Premium Pit Plus is formulated to cure faster than other pit resins, and provides superior resistance to weathering.

Yellowing is a thing of the past with Premium Pit Plus and technicians appreciate the smooth, hard, glass-like finish that eliminates wiper streaks.

Technicians immediately notice the improved ease of use and exceptional performance. The bottle tip stays cleaner too!

Premium Pit Plus is packaged in plastic squeeze bottles.  

Viscosity 3600cps

 

 

HLSDI 180-30 DISC, 180 GRIT SANDING

The 180 grit sanding disc can be used for initial sanding on headlights that have severe discoloration. Once the initial sanding is completed, resume the regular sanding procedure using the 320, 600, and 1500 grit sanding discs, followed by the 3000 grit polishing disc.

The 180 grit sanding discs are available in packs of 30.  

 

 

-Korey Gobin

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Delta Kits Training and Certification Dates in Eugene, Oregon

Delta Kits Training and Certification Dates in Eugene, Oregon

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

August 20th, 2010

September 17th, 2010

October 15th, 2010

November 12th, 2010

December 10th, 2010

**All dates are subject to change.

-Korey Gobin

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“Can a drill be used to do a headlight restoration?”

Answer: If a technician doesn’t have access to a random orbital tool, it is possible to use any standard drill to do a headlight restoration, as long as it’s equipped with the correct backing plate adapter. However, the random orbital sander is still the recommended power tool for headlight restoration. The erratic spinning and oscillation of the tool creates an ideal sanding motion that provides the best results.

The Metabo HLSTRP300 random orbital tool, included with Delta Kits HLPRO302 headlight restoration systems, is highly balanced, has low vibration, and allows variable motor speeds while delivering smooth operation and super fine finishes.

Technicians face the following risks by using a drill:

• Drills are very difficult to control because they are limited to a circular sanding motion. If the technician is not extremely careful, damage to the vehicle may occur.

• A drill may burn the lens, especially if the pad is held in one place for too long, or if too much pressure is applied against the lens.

• Cordless drills, when used for sanding, may not have enough power. As the battery dies, the speed will fluctuate and increase the risk of damaging the lens.

Conclusion: In an emergency a drill can be used for headlight restoration, but for professional results you can’t beat the Metabo HLSTRP300.

-Bob Ellert

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How to Maintain your B300 Bridge Assembly

Watch this video to learn how to properly clean and maintain your B300 Bridge Assembly. Proper storage and maintenance of the B300 Bridge will prolong the life of the cup and pump, and keep it ready for your next windshield repair.

 

-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 to get advice from thousands of windshield repair technicians and business owners from around the world. Below are a few of the hot topics from July:

Referral Programs This includes some experiences that technicians have had with referral programs, as well as some advice for getting the programs started.

Cleaning Equipment What should you use to clean all of your windshield repair equipment? Take a look at how others are doing it.

Canadian Eh? What does a new technician need to consider when starting their own business? See what others are saying.

As of July 31, 2010, the world's largest windshield repair forum included 40129 posts on 5070 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.

-Bob Ellert

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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 Customers Speak Out!

I started doing windshields at a carwash and saw the potential in revenue increase drastically. Then I got certified by Delta Kits! Business really took off! The knowledge of windshield repair and headlight restorations has helped me generate over $60,000 in 6 months in the carwash industry. Thanks to Delta Kits I am proud of the work I do and not only that, I order my products and resin from them to maintain the quality of work I do. The windshield repair forum is another way to get ideas and tips on how to earn business and to market services. I am grateful to Delta Kits for the certification and training.

Thanks,

AJ Butler

Hattiesburg, MS

-AJ Butler

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Tech Tip – Hot Weather and Resin Viscosity

Q: Do I need to use a different type of resin in hot weather to do windshield repairs?

A: The short answer is no. For optimal windshield repairs, you need a resin with the best formulation of the following attributes: viscosity, elasticity, elongation, shrinkage, shore hardness, lap sheer strength, tensile strength, and a refractive index that matches the glass. You also need a resin that’s appropriate for the weather conditions you are working in. Delta Kits’ MagniBond resin meets all of the standards previously mentioned, and can be used to complete optimal windshield repairs in all types of weather conditions.

What can cause delamination, commonly referred to as “flowering” or the “Daisy Effect?” The three factors are heat, pressure and aged glass. With a Delta Kits I-100 low pressure injection system, you are able to control the pressure and flow of the resin into the break to help avoid flowering. Other injectors using air to force resin into the break are more likely to cause flowering because of the necessity to use higher pressure. If you use that type of system you may need to use a higher viscosity resin in hot weather. For this reason, Delta Kits offers resins of various viscosities to accommodate all windshield repair technicians. However, if you are using a Delta Kits windshield repair system, MagniBond resin is the only resin you need for all weather conditions and all types of windshield damage.

MagniBond resin has less acrylic acid than other resins, making it safer to work with, yet maintains the exceptional bonding strength and durability Delta Kits users have come to expect. Delta Kits has passed the BSI (British Standards Institute) requirements for repair strength, clarity, and durability, with flying colors.

While we’re on the subject of warm weather repairs…a few of last month’s hot weather tech tips are worth repeating. You can reduce the risk of crack-outs and flowering by following these steps:

• If possible, do your repairs in a climate controlled environment or a shaded area.

• Make sure the glass is between 70-100 degrees Fahrenheit, and that your resin is within 10 degrees Fahrenheit of the glass.

• Do not spray cold water, alcohol or any other cold liquid on the glass. When cooling the windshield, do it gradually and if you must use a liquid try soaking a towel in warm water and laying it across the windshield. The moist towel will draw the heat from the glass quite effectively.

• Use the floor and defroster vents to cool the entire cabin of the car, to minimize the risk of cracking the glass. If you cannot run the car, at least roll down the windows to equalize the inside temperature.

• Use a Delta Kits HX1000 Heat X-Changer for spot cooling.

Using the right resin and taking the proper precautions will make hot weather repairs a breeze!

-Brent Deines

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Where is YOUR MSDS?

If you’re doing headlight restoration or windshield repair, some of materials you are using must be used carefully. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the chemical make-up, use, storage, handling, emergency procedures and potential health effects related to a hazardous material.

Safety equipment such as safety glasses, masks, and gloves are recommended for windshield repair and headlight restoration technicians. However, in the event that someone else is exposed to the chemicals, or if your safety measures fail, it’s important to have an emergency plan in place. In the event of an accident, notify the proper authorities and refer to your Material Safety Data Sheets. The purpose of the MSDS is to inform you of the following:

• The material’s chemical make-up.

• The material’s physical properties and fast acting health effects.

• The level of protective gear you need to wear to work safely with the material.

• The first aid treatment to be provided when someone is exposed to the material.

• The preplanning needed for safely handling spills, fires, and day-to-day operations.

• How to respond to accidents.

Learn how to locate the chemicals in your MSDS, and make sure you have emergency contact information available. You can prepare yourself prior to any accident by following the proper emergency response procedures.

Delta Kits has an impeccable safety record and continually strives to provide the safest products in the industry.

-Bob Ellert

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" "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. "
Jeremiah 17:7 (New International Version)

You fear what you do not understand, but faith makes you walk confidently even when you don't understand!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence.

-Korey Gobin

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