when is to cold

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yukonglass
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when is to cold

Post by yukonglass »

I live in a rather cold climate what is the lowest temp for outside repairs
Frank EU
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Re: when is to cold

Post by Frank EU »

Zero Kelvin is too cold, that's for sure.
Everything comes to a stand still :o

I would say: whenever YOU feel it's too cold would be your temperature.
We do repairs (mobile) both in the Midwest (USA) and Europe, and it really happens rarely that we cannot operate.
Again: you set your own personal limits, it doesn't really depend on the subject glass, system or materials.
Good luck.
ghost rider
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Re: when is to cold

Post by ghost rider »

I agree with Frank, whatever your nose, toes and fingers can take without frostbite.

One thing to remember is condensation is a problem on cold glass. I always keep the glass warm and dry until I have the damage sealed off by the injector, then start to fill as the glass cools. Cure after glass is back to even temp. across the w/s. If you are working at below freezing temps. make sure you are keeping the glass above freezing as you fill. Curing below freezing is not a problem as long as you have removed all of the moisture. Some people on this site say the ideal temp. for doing repairs is 70 to 80 F. This is not realistic for cold climates. You can't have most of your W/S at 0F. and try to heat a small area to 80F. and try to keep it there long enough to do a repair. Filling at 40 to 50f. seems to work good for me. Then let it cool from there to cure. I'm sure glad winter is almost over!!!!!!!!
SuperGlassDave
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Re: when is to cold

Post by SuperGlassDave »

You might want to check with your resin supplier. Many resins have a temperature range for optimum results. There may be high and low temperatures that go beyond the guidelines of your resin manufacturer's. The good news is that you can warm or cool the glass to meet those guidelines. With that in mine, there isn't a temperature that is too cold.
Ricersux
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Re: when is to cold

Post by Ricersux »

ghost rider wrote:Some people on this site say the ideal temp. for doing repairs is 70 to 80 F. This is not realistic for cold climates. You can't have most of your W/S at 0F. and try to heat a small area to 80F. and try to keep it there long enough to do a repair. Filling at 40 to 50f. seems to work good for me. Then let it cool from there to cure. I'm sure glad winter is almost over!!!!!!!!
I disagree somewhat with this statement...I on a regular basis maintain a 70f to 80f temp area of about two foot surrounding the break. I can control the temp very easily in colder months with the use of a hair dryer, the car defroster and the uv shield.
-Eric
CLEARVU INC.
Indianapolis, Indiana
ghost rider
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Re: when is to cold

Post by ghost rider »

Eric, you did not mention how cold your glass is before you start to warm it. I don't start the car to warm the w/s with the defroster. It takes too long when the car is that cold and I can usually have the repair almost done in the time it takes to warm the car up enough to warm the w/s and I have had some crack out trying to warm them with the defroster. People that say "cold is cold" have never been anyplace really cold. I envy your warmer temps. according to a weather history site, Indianapolis average high temp never gets below freezing even in January. Average high temp here stays below freezing for about six weeks in the winter with average high around 20F for most of January. I know it doesn't sound like a big difference, but that extra 15 degrees below freezing does make a difference in how glass reacts. I have done repairs below 0F. when I had no choice, and theres a huge difference between 20F and 0F. I guess its just what you get used to. Yukon glass (I'm assuming Yukon, Alaska) is probably thinking he would absolutely love having a balmy 20 degrees to work in. If I had my choice I would never do another repair in the cold again.
Dave M
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Re: when is to cold

Post by Dave M »

I'm in Maine which has maybe 4 1/2 months of winter cold, snow, ice and frost. I will do everything possible to get the vehicle inside out of this weather. This is why it's nice to have fleet accounts and dealerships. I hate doing a repair in the cold. I've recently talked to some of my competitors in this area and they feel the same way....it's either inside or reschedule.
I realize for some of you this is not possible but if you are achieving quality repairs that would win the Windshield Olympics, than I salute you. It's above 32F for me!
DryStar
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Re: when is to cold

Post by DryStar »

Have to agree with Dave on this one....seen too many cold weather repairs gone wrong. Not saying that it can't be done properly but most are not. Nobody is really taught how to handle cold weather repairs, it's a learned experience.
Nomad
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Re: when is to cold

Post by Nomad »

Snowbirds here from Yukon area, I talk to them a lot so I know it gets 50 below or so up there. I think you need a place to bring them inside if you are going to do good work. I wouldn't want to work in Des Moines Iowa at zero or even 20 above much less in 40 or 50 below. Here in Yuma it's cold when it's 50 above, at least it seems that way to me. But we have to put up with the 115 to 120 in the summertime, so every place has its downside.
Props24
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Re: when is to cold

Post by Props24 »

I live in northern part of minnesota where it's 32f or below 0 are just about 5 months a year.
My rule if tumb is if your glass cleaner when sprayed on the window freezes it's too cold.
If only the boss would see it that way !
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