Windshield Repair Technical Tips
NWRA member Richard Campfield, founder of Ultra BOND Inc., shared his expertise with attendees by presenting a seminar entitled, “Windshield Repair Technical Tips.” The overall topic of the seminar was the repair of the two types of windshield cracks—the edge crack and the floater crack.
Campfield stated that the ability for a crack to be repaired is determined by contamination. He also advised that 90 percent of the repairable crack market is more than six inches, with 60 percent being more than six but not more than 14 inches, thereby 30 percent of the repairable crack market is more than 14 inches.
Campfield addressed safety issues with regard to keeping the OE windshield and installation in place and further stressed the safety importance of windshields by showing attendees photos of windshields blown out in accidents by airbags and rollovers.
He continued his presentation by presenting results of lab tests and field tests, which Campfield said showed that field tests were more accurate than glass-to-glass lab tests because the stresses on a windshield (specifically the edge crack) cannot be duplicated in a lab and that the bond to the PVB is determined by viscosity.
Campfield argued that the “technically inaccurate six-inch length that eliminates 90 percent of the repairable crack market has no merit and is backed by no science or any evidence whatsoever.”
He asserted his belief that the 6-inch (or size of a dollar bill) or less requirement for windshield repair, in conjunction with the automobile insured’s deductible, profits the insurance companies and networks.
“Because a crack is repair versus replacement, by turning a repair into a replacement the insurance company pays zero and the network sells a windshield because the deductible is $500 most of the time,” explained Campfield.
Campfield discussed multiple stresses on windshield cracks and advised attendees on how to match the stresses with the appropriate resins, as well as the tools used to assist in injecting the appropriate resins. He continued with his advice on how length offers leverage and mechanical advantage, while the size and durometer of the suction cup prevent and control the opening, not spreading the crack.
Campfield concluded his presentation on how to repair the edge crack and floater crack and then showed an instructional video, which may be viewed here.