Repair Round Up
nwra reports

ROLAGS™ to Provide Guidelines to Test
by Kerry Wanstrath
kerry@gtglass.com

The Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS™) could be the answer to some big controversial claims. Recently, there have been a lot of claims and advertising about the quality and high-performance standards of various companies’ new windshield repair resins—claims such as bonds better, better clarity, better strength, only this resin meets this standard, etc. Well, it will not be long before we can all test the results of any windshield repair resin available, tested to an independent test developed by the ROLAGS Product Performance Committee.

Small or large companies can verify their claims or be tested against others that have either passed or failed this industry recognized standard for resin quality performance. The industry needed and now has a guideline for evaluating who has a repair resin that is producing the quality that many companies advertise they have. Until now we have only had the British Standard Institute (BSI) standard that many reputable windshield repair companies have tested and passed the BSI Standard for windshield repair. The ROLAGS Product Performance Test goes a step further and tests relevant properties for adhesion and resin strength.

The Standard, The Committee
Of course, the ROLAGS Standard remains voluntary, so no company is required to test its resin. Yet, I would think that those companies that can afford to would rush to test and have bragging rights, so to speak, or to ensure their customers or clients they are using the best products available. I would think that those companies making the biggest noise about resin performance would be the first to submit their resins to this independent test; time will soon tell.

Regardless of who does or does not test, the windshield repair industry (especially those that volunteered their time for several years) are to be commended for going the extra mile in producing such a wonderful consumer protection testing program. Yes, this product performance test does help protect consumers against those that would use inferior resin to produce a less than quality repair. So, if a company’s resin is capable of passing this test, and assuming the actual system used also is designed to produce maximum results (more on that in another issue), there is no reason for a failed repair to produce a replacement. Yet, in some areas data collected suggests poor quality repairs are being passed on to the consumer.

The National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA) has been working to elevate the standard of quality, education and now the standard for product performance. We now have continuing education for the technician willing to test their level of industry knowledge. We hope insurance companies and the networks will recognize the technicians that are willing to go the extra mile and reward them accordingly. We believe the consumers appreciate this and have come to expect professionals to have the credentials the NWRA is now offering.

Kerry Wanstrath is the president of National Windshield Repair Association and Glass Technology Inc. of Durango, Colo.

AGRR
© Copyright 2012 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.