12 rules to work by

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series addressing technical issues related to windshield repair, courtesy of the National Glass Association’s National Windshield Repair Committee. For more information, visit windshieldrepair.org.

1 Always establish reasonable customer expectations prior to performing a windshield repair. It is best to under-promise and over-deliver.

2 Use a pre-inspection form before starting the windshield repair to  document the location and size of the windshield damage, as well as any pre-existing damage to the paint or vehicle body in your work area.

3 Use fender covers, and avoid getting resin on painted surfaces.

4 To avoid scratching the vehicle, don’t wear belt buckles.

5 Wear protective glasses, especially when probing for loose glass, drilling and injecting resin under pressure.

6 Wear neoprene gloves when
working with chemicals such as resins, cleaning solvents and dry-out solutions. Wash hands immediately if any of these substances come in contact with your skin.

7 Remember, your number one priority is to get air out and inject resin into the entire break.

8 Suction cups don’t stick well to dusty surfaces.

9 An overheated drill bit can scorch the glass or the plastic interlayer and cause a black dot in the drill hole. Drill in short bursts and wait several seconds in between.

10 To remove trapped air in the pit area or drill hole, use a straight pin or needle to push the resin in and pull the air bubbles out.

11 To help eliminate air bubbles, store your pit resin bottle upside down in your toolbox.

12 Keep tools clean, and make sure all of your supplies and tools are accounted for.