If you're considering adding new revenue sources to your business, odds are you've already dismissed glass repair. There are some pretty good reasons for that. Profit margins for this work aren't great, and shops typically don't need to look far to find businesses — namely mobile glass technicians — to take on these services. Glass repairers perform their work on site, in little time and with limited tools and equipment.
These same factors also are good reasons for you to take on this work. With a modest investment of money and time, glass repairs can be putting revenue in your pockets instead of someone else's. Offering these popular services provides a great marketing opportunity because they will keep your shop in the minds of customers who need glass repaired today and collision work done somewhere down the line.
Let's look at the factors you'll need to consider before adding these services, along with the latest information, tips and steps for performing this work.
Training and certification
If you're going to enter the glass game, the first thing you need to do is decide which of your employees will be doing the work. Unless your business typically handles a high volume of vehicles requiring glass repairs, you probably don't want to dedicate an employee solely to these tasks.
To make this work as profitable as possible and keep your operation efficient, utilize an employee who can perform this work along with his/her other duties. If you can't spare a tech, consider paintless dent removers, detailers, apprentices and prep workers who possess an aptitude for technical work and can keep current with training and certifications.
Training should be hands on. There are plenty of glass repair courses available on line, but there is no substitute for learning by doing the work with a professional, certified repairer. Installing glass involves the use of powerful adhesives that, if not applied properly, result in an unsafe repair that could compromise the vehicle's safety and leave you liable. Don't compromise the safety of your customers or the future of your business by training on your own.
One other benefit of working with a training professional is that you'll have a resource who can advise you on future training and certification. Certification typically is conducted through the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) or the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA). Certifications are vital because insurers frequently demand them and states use them as part of their licensing for glass repairers. On that note, you'll need to become familiar with state requirements for glass repairers.
Chemistry class
At the heart of glass repair is the proper use of urethane adhesives to bond glass to a vehicle. Trainer and industry consultant Bob Beranek stresses that installers need to understand the chemistry of these urethanes to produce the strongest possible bond.
This means knowing the three levels of urethane bonding: hydroxyl, mechanical and entanglement.
Hydroxyl is the initial bonding produced when the urethane is applied and the windshield is put into place, creating a kind of "sandwich" with the windshield and vehicle functioning as the bread and the urethane as the filling. The longer this initial bond lasts and the more evenly it is produced, the stronger the bond.
Mechanical bonding is the creation or utilization of bonding surfaces. Adhesives work best when they have more surface to bond to. On the glass, some of the surface preparation has already been done by the glass manufacturer. The paint band around the bonding edge of the glass, known as the frit, features “peaks and the valleys” that add surface and thus promote bonding.
Technicians prime and abrade the vehicle surface for a similar effect. Techs should trim back the existing bead of urethane, leaving 1-2 millimeters, to create another “peak and valley” surface. Your paint department should assist here by taping off the pinchweld after applying the primer coat to build a perfect bonding surface.
Entanglement bonding occurs when the molecules of the urethane, glass and vehicle metal intertwine to become stronger. Urethanes are engineered so their molecules are similar to those in glass and vehicle metal. This enables them to intertwine. (Their molecules aren't similar to those in plastic and rubber, which explains why these urethanes don't bond well, if at all, to these materials.)
The more similar the molecules are to each other, the better they intertwine. This explains why it's critical to retain the existing urethane bead. The fresh urethane intertwines with it more completely, creating the strongest possible bond.
Proper prep
Understanding the chemistry behind urethane bonding should make clearer the importance of correct prep work. Many of the major steps in creating the strongest proper glass bond occur during prepping. Beranek says the prepping stage is where most glass installers make their mistakes.
Effective prep work begins with sticking to all of the urethane manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Urethanes are engineered to work with specific primers and other products. When you ignore the manufacturer's instructions, you risk creating a weak bond. (On a related note, always use a urethane manufactured by a reputable company with vendors who can offer technical support. Using the cheapest option will cost you money and customers in the long run due to low quality and failed repairs.)
Beranek stresses avoiding products with harsh chemicals that can contaminate the bonding area. Do not use glass cleaners containing ammonia, excessive alcohols, anti-static properties, scented oils, silicones or petroleum byproducts.
Use disposable wipes instead of shop towels to wash glass. Shop towels are laundered by towel services with other towels that may contain contaminants that are passed from one towel to another. These services frequently use harsh cleaners that remain in towels and therefore may end up on the glass.
Modern removals
While installers should pay more attention to prepping, Beranek says they can use less time and energy performing the most difficult part of a windshield repair, removing the glass, by following these steps:
· When using hand tools, begin with the shortest blade in the cold knife and work up to the longer blades. This provides more control and makes the cut easier. Opt for blades that are serrated and thin as possible to protect the paint.
· Use body weight rather than your upper body strength to pull the cold knife. You'll work more comfortably and reduce the risk of muscle pulls and strains.
· For parts with a rigid or metal-coated molding system, apply a plastic stick vertically to the pinchweld to break the molding from the glass surface. Force the cold knife blade between the glass edge and the broken molding flap and under the edge of the glass. Pull the cold knife normally. This cuts out the glass and leaves the molding in place, eliminating the need to pull the rigid molding out to access the glass edge.
· Consider replacing manual tools with power versions. Always lubricate them by spraying clear water on the blade and the adhesive to be cut. Keep the flat side of the blade to the glass surface and the cutting edge towards the power source to improve the cutting torque. Use the shortest blade available that can cut the material while protecting the interior trim.
· Never disconnect the electrical components from the rear view mirror with the ignition. This could damage the vehicle computer or erase its pre-programmed memory. Instead, disconnect the wiring harnesses and place the mirror in the back seat. Or, remove the mirror from its pad and leave it hanging from its wiring harness.
· Pull the cowl panel to allow for the best bottom seal. The passenger-side airbag, in most cases, relies on the adhesion of the bottom seal of the windshield to position it properly. It also supports and solidifies the firewall. If the cowl is not pulled, the bottom seal cannot be assured and the airbag may not deploy properly.
· Keep a collection of replacement clips, especially for the vehicle models you most frequently see.
· Similarly, keep replacement moldings available. You'll need them to replace bent or stretched original moldings.
Cracks and chips
Repairing cracks and chips will comprise much of your work. There are a number of DIY repair kits on the consumer market, and some are proving their worth. Stick with professional products. Your job is performing a repair better than what a customer could do at home. Professional tools and techniques provide a superior repair you can guarantee and that insurers will pay for.
Phenomenal finishes
Some adhesives are now promising 30-minute bonding times. Don't let these fast finishes convince you the job is done when the bond is complete. The final step of any repair is thoroughly cleaning the glass.
Beranek says the most important area to clean is the bonding edge, not the transparent center, since the edges are more likely to have attracted contaminants. He recommends the following steps:
1. Clean the edges first, using a foaming glass cleaner. If the foam begins to break up, scrub those areas with a clean lint-free paper towel. Re-spray the area again to test.
2. If the foam continues to break up or you notice other residue, use the cleaning product or procedure recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. You may need to apply an abrasive cleaner or wet scrub the area, or both.
3. Once the edges are free from contaminants, wash the remainder of the interior glass surface from the edges to the center.
If more than several hours will pass before the customer picks up the vehicle, clean the glass one more time before delivery. You don't want a dusty windshield to mar an otherwise terrific job.
Attending to details like this not only will make your business stand out, it's also the core of glass repairs.
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