Added Services

[sunshine wr]

Does anyone here sell rain repellent (rain-X /aquapel) along with wiper blades. If so, how do customers like it and does it do well with your fleet accounts?

[gold star wsr]

I avoid rain-X like the plague. I did offer windshield wiper blades for a short time, however, I found it to be an inconvenience carrying them around. In addition, I'd rather not have so much tied up in inventory, as sizes vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. So I no longer offer them.

[StarQuest]

Sunshine,

There are some good windshield treatments on the market that you could possibly upsale. Unfortunately, Rain-X is not one of them because it has a silcone base. Silcone doesn't mix very well with any current manufactured resins. Stay away from it!!! I quess the trick to upselling window treatment is simply subject to your ability to market it. You'll need to spend some time developing a clever marketing stradegy to push this item as a profitable add on. The majority of my used car dealership accounts just use Rain-X cause it's cheap. My only successful upsells to date with windshield treatment products have been with RV centers. I'll do both sheilds, front side glass and mirrors for around $50-$65. Takes approximately 15 minutes doing a nice job. Sometimes I'm asked by these folks to simply sale them product. When I do I'll mark it up around 300% and they have no problems paying that. Guess it all depends on you!

[GlassStarz]

I know a couple guys wh cater mostly to car dealers who offer interior vinyl and leather repair as well as WR the dealers they are in are pretty loyal because they can do both services with one vendor making things much simpler.
Myself i dont offer anything but WR I have all the work I need and dont see the reason for anything else
Do one thing right instead of several half arsed is my theory

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

What about head light restoration?

I just received a small do it your self kit from Glass Technology to try on Saturn but traded it Mon. The polycarbonate was badly stone chipped. I've noticed many discolored plastic headlights and looking for some in local junk yard to try on after the mud dries.

The small amount of chemical and pads are the same as in the professional model.

Anyone doing or tried it? How much do you charge? Etc.?
Thanks, Bill Boone aka graybeard, lukydude, Chips Away WSR., probably some unmentionables as well.

[starman]

Hi I use glass T. poly hog also, it works really good. I charge anywhere for 45.oo to 65.00 a set all depends on how bad they are. If if has custy file over it and If I have to use sand paper then I charge 65.00 but if it has just got a white clodly look to it and all I do is polish it then I charge 45.00 and it takes about 15 to 20 mins to do.

[screenman]

I am guilty of doing all the smart repairs although I started screen repair 16 years ago I have tended to give another service about every two years or so.

This gives me the time to perfect the repairs before taking on something else I have found by doing this I have cut down on my mileage and can quite often spend a whole day at one customers.

I still specialise in screen repair as for some fleet customers it is the only thing they know me for, I find by offering all these services I do not suffer any quite periods off business and it keeps my interest up.

Apart from PDR most smart repairs are quite easy to learn they just take a bit of quality training and plenty of practise.

I will list the order in which I think is the most profitable in terms of income against time spent.

1st Screen repair

2nd PDR although if you are doing a lot of cars at one stop this can be on top. ( very difficult to learn)

3rd Trim repair (plastic or velour)

4th Paint work (blow ins etc.)

5th Touch up stone chips etc. ( can be very time consuming)

6th Deodourising ( very quick to do, I have not found a regular source of work for this and I do get some come backs.

7th Valeting I do not do this, I can see no benefit in cleaning a complete car about 4 hours work for the price of a screen repair.

I am sure someone will disagree with this list but it is only my opinion of what I have found works for me.

On top of this I find time to train people in screen repair which is the job I enjoy most.

[CPR]

If you want to make headlights look really nice spray them with clear coat when done. I have a backgroung in painting and will admit shooting clear takes some practice but well worth the end results.

[screenman]

CPR I agree with you on this one the only thing I would add is before you clear coat them treat them with adhesion aid this helps bond the laquer to the plastic, you can buy clear coat and adhesion aid in aerosol form they just need a little practise to do a good job.

Just another idea if you ever have problems with aerosols of any type just try warming them up CAREFULLY you will find this improves the spray pattern.

I charge as much as a

[Chips_Away_Windshield_Repair]

Sorry for dumb questions guys, PDR? Adhesive spray? Do you use the clear coat and adhesive sprays on polyies? With my limited knowledge I would think they would desolve the material.
By the way screenman, I read an article about London doing away with your vintage double deckers. How can this be? New modern ones just don't seem right!