The task of approximating an estimate for car repair costs is no longer necessary, thanks to the advent of estimating software systems. This process, known as blueprinting, automatically generates a repair parts order and the repair bill. But as Ed Staquet, senior technical support manager for Fusor Aftermarket Repair products at LORD Corp., explains, it is still important for body shops to understand the importance of choosing the right size cartridge when applying adhesives/sealers to the repair.
How has blueprinting changed the repair estimating process?
In the past, body shop owners and technicians pretty much had to rely on “guesstimates” to determine the cost of adhesive/sealer use. With blueprinting, a damaged vehicle is dismantled to determine exactly what parts and products are needed for repair. The damage report information is entered into estimating software systems, which generate the parts order and repair bill. These systems feature an override function that allows the user to add repair products to the database. When a repair product is designated for use on an estimate statement, the charge for that product is automatically entered.
Why is it important to choose the right size repair product cartridge?
Selecting the appropriate size cartridge of repair product can help eliminate waste, while generating more profit. For example, if you are repairing or replacing a large side panel on a car, the job would probably require at least one large cartridge of repair product — and possibly one smaller cartridge. For a smaller job, such as repairing a bumper, just one or two small cartridges might be required. A technician should decide the proper combination of cartridges that will be the most economical and efficient for the job, rather than just choosing the largest size cartridge of repair product.
What types of repair products are dispensed from the cartridges, and what cartridge sizes are available?
Fusor 133 Application with 300 Gun: Job-size packaging allows the repair technician to get as close as possible to the amount of product needed for a repair. Typically, repair products are available in 10-, 7.5- and 2-oz. package sizes.
There are a variety of repair products such as plastic repair, panel bonding, seam sealing, and sound deadening foams and coatings that are dispensed from cartridges. These products come in cartridges that are sized to match applications needs, known as “job-size” packaging. Typically, repair products are available in 10-oz., 7.5-oz. (for metal bonding) and 2-oz. (50ml) package sizes. This makes it easier to get closer to the amount of product needed for a repair without wasting product.
How does choosing the proper job size cartridge help eliminate waste?
All of these repair products have a shelf life. If you don’t completely use a large cartridge of repair product, the remaining portion is wasted if it is not used soon after opening. So, it might be a better choice to use one or two smaller-sized cartridges and eliminate the possibility of wasting any product. Although there are no hard and fast rules to follow for determining how much product is needed, you can get close to the proper amount by choosing the appropriate-sized cartridge for each job.
What are the advantages of using the smaller-sized cartridges?
The 2-oz. cartridges offer just the amount of product for a variety of smaller repair jobs. Body shop technicians like the convenience of the smaller cartridges, which are easier to get into tight spaces for vehicle repairs. If all that is needed is a small amount of adhesive or sealer, the smaller cartridges offer more options for getting closer to the exact amount needed to make a repair.
Why is it important to keep the right amount of repair products in stock?
Having enough repair material on hand is another good method for eliminating waste. If you keep several sizes of each cartridge in stock, you can choose the combination of cartridges needed to complete the job, and avoid being left with half-used cartridges. Make sure that your repair product supplier can provide the sizes you need. If you can only buy one size product — usually the largest size — you will be paying for more product than you need. Not only is this wasteful, but it is not very cost-efficient.
What equipment is needed to use the cartridges?
Standard applicator guns are used for applying repair products from the cartridges. Only two sizes are needed: The larger guns handle the 10- and 7.5-oz. cartridges, and the smaller gun holds the 2-oz. tubes. For smaller jobs, easy-to-use, handheld manual applicators are available, with the option of air-pneumatic guns that dispense 10-oz. tubes of product for bigger jobs. If maintained properly, the applicator guns will provide years of service.
How does choosing the right-sized repair product cartridge add to the profit margin for body shops?
Nearly every estimating system now features an override function that allows the body shop estimator and technician to add product pricing to the final estimate. Instead of absorbing the expense of using a larger cartridge, body shop owners can earn greater profits by using smaller cartridge sizes when needed. Cartridges can be billed as line items on the repair at a profit. Ask your jobber for the published “repair-order pricing” for cartridges that you will be showing as a line item on the repair order. Repair-order pricing normally allows the body shop to mark up their costs by 25 percent, which is acceptable by most insurance companies.
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