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 2012

Full Version:
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Delta Kits Home:
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Delta Kits Develops the Next Generation In Headlight Restoration Coatings

Feb 2012

By Danny Miller

Delta Kits has introduced Infinity 4.1 headlight restoration coating as part of the new ClearPro PLUS Headlight Restoration System. Infinity 4.1 produces better and longer lasting results, improving a vehicle’s appearance and night time visibility.

“We had Infinity 4.1 formulated from the ground up so it’s a completely different animal than our Coat2Protect,” explains Delta Kits President Brent Deines. “We put a lot of time and money into the research and development of this product to address the weaknesses of other popular headlight coatings.”

The clear advantages of Infinity 4.1 are fast dry times and an extremely durable finish, increasing both productivity and confidence when a customer needs the car returned quickly. Infinity 4.1 also increases the lens’ resistance to rocks, car wash brushes, and the environmental contaminants that cause damage and oxidation. Other coatings have traditionally forced tradeoffs between ease of application, curing speed, and durability.

Infinity 4.1 is an environmentally friendly, water based product making for easy cleanup and safe disposal. In addition, it is not subject to shipping restrictions or HAZMAT requirements like solvent based coatings, providing significant cost savings on international and air shipments. 

The new ClearPro and ClearPro PLUS Headlight Restoration Systems from Delta Kits include the new Infinity 4.1 and will be demonstrated live at the Southwest Car Wash Association Expo  in Arlington, Texas, March 4th through 6th, 2012.

-Danny Miller

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Tech Tip: Sanding Tips for Headlight Restoration

Headlight restoration is a service that can save your customers big money and add to your own bottom line. True headlight restoration is a process of removing oxidized polycarbonate from a lens, polishing the lens, and applying a high quality protective coating like Infinity 4.1. The largest impact that you can have on the quality of your restoration jobs is made during the sanding process, especially the 500 and 800 grit sanding steps. In this month’s Tech Tip we’re going to address several things that will help you get great results, every time.

After removing the oxidation from a lens with either the 320 or 180 grit disc, the job of each subsequent sanding step is to remove all the scratches from the previous one. A disc that becomes clogged with dust, tape or other contaminants will start to leave deeper swirl or hook marks in the lens surface. If you start to notice buildup on a disc and before moving to the second lens, tap the disc against a damp towel to remove any buildup. You will get better results and more life out of the disc.

The second issue occurs if a sanding or polishing disc is not properly centered on the interface pad. This creates a situation where the hook & loop surface of the interface pad is contacting the lens and leaving swirl or hooked scratches. It really becomes a problem with 500 grit or finer discs.

If you find yourself in this situation don’t rely on subsequent sanding with a finer disc or application of the coating to bail you out. Go back to sanding with the previous grit to remove all of the scratches. If the next finest disc does not adequately remove the swirl marks and scratches, go back to the 500 grit disc and proceed from there.

Wiping the lens clean and closely inspecting it between each sanding step will allow you to discover these imperfections as soon as they occur. This will save you time and money while producing a better result for your customer.

-Danny Miller

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Requirements & Benefits of the New NWRA Continuing Education Program

The National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) has released an updated continuing education program in response to interest from insurance companies and technicians who want to distinguish themselves from uncertified technicians. An exam covering technology and current industry issues is now required every two years to renew certification.

“The NWRA has been gathering continuing education information for the advanced technician that wants to separate themselves from the crowd,” says NWRA president Kerry Wanstrath. “We strongly believe that certification and testing of technicians is becoming more and more relevant and may soon be a requirement by some insurance [companies].”

There are currently no study materials for this exam according to According to Katy Hodge O’Mara, NWRA Director of Operations, there are currently no study materials for this exam, but and the organization advises studying reviewing the original NWRA certification study guide will provide the knowledge necessary to answer the 10 questions.

For new members to be certified, they must have a minimum of six (6) months experience, perform a minimum of 200 windshield repairs and successfully pass the written certification exam. Candidates may take the exam at any time, but they will not receive the actual certification until they have met the six month time-frame and 200 repair requirement.

If you are currently a registered member of NWRA you do not need to reapply now to keep your current membership, just renew as usual at the end of your membership term. However, if your certification lapses, you must start over with the new requirements.

Should new prospective members not receive a satisfactory score, they must wait a minimum of two weeks before retaking the exam. New prospective members may take the exam up to three (3) times in the year following their application for certification. After that time, they must re-register.

The NWRA is the only organization dedicated exclusively to the Windshield Repair Industry, and membership is one of the few ways for a technician or company to distinguish themselves and the quality of their work from other industry professionals. While many technicians and companies perform high quality, reputable work, there is no way for customers or insurance companies to make that distinction prior to a repair or complaint. The NWRA is creating an opportunity for their members to proactively set themselves above the industry standard.

NWRA annual dues for regular members are $150.00 and $2,500 for manufacturers.

If you have any questions about the recertification program or its administration, please contact the NWRA certification administration at 540-720-7484 or email Janeen Mulligan.

-Amy Doherty

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Windshield Repair Training at the Southwest Car Wash Association Expo

Delta Kits will be offering windshield repair certification training prior to the Southwest Car Wash Association Expo (SCWA) on March 3rd in Arlington, Texas. This is an opportunity for people to receive expert training without the expense of traveling to the company’s headquarters in Eugene, Oregon.

In addition to the windshield repair training, Delta Kits will be demonstrating its new ClearPro PLUS Headlight Restoration System with Infinity 4.1 headlight coating at the SCWA Expo which runs from March 4th through March 6th at the Arlington Convention Center.

The event features educational forums, seminars and social events plus an opportunity to see everything related to the car wash business in one location.

To register for Delta Kits’ windshield repair training call 800-548-8332 now as space is limited. For more information on the SCWA Expo visit their website at www.swCarWash.org.

-Danny Miller

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What Broken Records and Smart Phones Have to do with Windshield Repair

The Windshield Repair Forum , the world’s largest forum dedicated to windshield repair and headlight restoration, broke another record in 2012 with the most users online simultaneously. On January 8th there were 96 users reading, contributing, and learning about the industry from the people who know best, technicians and business owners.

With over 2,700 registered members and 46,000 posts, the Windshield Repair Forum provides a wealth of information. Some of the more interesting topics on the forum right now include:

Windshield De-Icing Sprays; Do they have the potential to affect windshield repairs?

What are the best (and worst) VIN reader apps for smart phones?

Pictures of “cool vehicles” that technicians have worked on – join and submit yours today!

     The Wiener Mobile submitted by Forum member SuperGlassDave

-Danny Miller

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Great Turnout at the Mobile Tech Expo 2012

Delta Kits Account Executives Korey Gobin and Bruce McDonald recently returned from the Mobile Tech Expo in Orlando, Florida where they showcased the new ClearPro PLUS Headlight Restoration System and put on a windshield repair certification course.

“Attendance was up at least 50% over last year’s event in Corpus Christi, Texas,” says McDonald. “I was very happy with the response we got to our products and the overall attendance” he added.

The annual Mobile Tech Expo, now in its 11th year, focuses on the mobile automotive reconditioning industry that includes services ranging from windshield repair and headlight restoration to trim repair and paintless dent removal. This year’s show was sold out by October 17th and featured a classic car show and Paintless Dent Repair Olympics.

Delta Kits’ first on-the-road windshield repair certification class of 2012 was held the Sunday following the show giving people on the east coast a great training opportunity. Arlington, Texas will be the next location of Delta Kits’ on-the-road windshield repair training on March 3rd . Space is limited so be sure to call us now at 800-548-8332 to reserve your spot.

Congratulations to the newest Delta Kits certified windshield repair technicians!

 

 

-Danny Miller

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Matt Horne Named 2012 Windshield Repair Person of the Year

Delta Kits would like to congratulate Matt Horne of Deco Windshield Repair on being named the Windshield Repair Person of the Year. The award was announced at the annual Mobile Tech Expo held in January in Orlando, Florida. Individuals are nominated for the award by their peers for outstanding positive contributions to the industry.

Matt founded Deco Windshield Repair in 2006 and currently operates 156 locations across Canada.

-Danny Miller

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"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

Korey Gobin's "Three Cs of Life": You must make the CHOICE to take the CHANCE if you want anything in life to CHANGE.

 

-Proverbs

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