THE COLD HARD TRUTH ABOUT MOBILE SERVICE

The outcome of the replacement or installation is generally compromised in one way or another when done in a parking lot or driveway, especially when it's cold out or adverse weather conditions are present. Years ago, someone or some company came up with the idea that every auto glass replacement can be done via mobile anywhere, and without clearly understanding the pros and cons before implementing mobile service. And especially with no regard to weather conditions. But nonetheless, mobile service was born, and since then, people have experienced extremely poor installations accompanied by water leaks, wind noises, moldings coming loose and beating the roofs of the vehicles as they travel down the road, and even rust forming around the perimeters of the glass opening as demonstrated in the picture. And all of these mentioned issues could be avoided if proper training was implemented and installations were completed in controlled atmospheres.

*Mobile services should be limited to body shops that can't get damaged vehicles into an auto glass repair facility, or homes and businesses with heated facilities for windshield replacements only. All other glass breakage outside of windshields at homes or businesses are highly recommended to be scheduled for in shop appointments only so that the replacement can be achieved  cleanly, properly, and professionally.

Almost all auto glass replacements, especially new windshields and back glasses, require new moldings or gaskets, which are made from variable plastics and rubber compounds and are usually extremely stiff and wound up tightly and just 'thrown' into packaging, and they look pretty rough when we receive them. And every autoglass shop faces the exact same dilemma. Therefore, heat guns are a vital necessity when applying the new moldings onto the new glass. The elevated and concentrated heat 'relaxes' the moldings so they fit the glass and conform to the body of the vehicle properly once they are installed. And this is a procedure that cannot be accomplished  by mobile companies outside when it's cold out, period. The moldings become part of the cosmetic appearance around the glass and if they are not installed properly in a heated environment and with the use of heat guns, the installation looks highly unprofessional and cosmetically unacceptable. So, imagine a mobile company installing your windshield or back glass in the cold or freezing temperatures. You now know what to expect if your insurance company or agent refers you to mobile companies for glass replacement when it's cold out. Don't be a victim of such unprofessional services. Trust a local shop that has the proper overhead and knowledge to install your new glass properly the first time!!

And for mobile auto glass companies, they will never be able to achieve an extensive and thorough clean up job like what can be accomplished through an in-shop appointment. Broken tiny fragments of glass can embed into surfaces of car, truck, or SUV interiors when the glass explodes and with the use of high powered air compressor tools driven by professional shop air compressors, those fragments can be easily released without dragging vacuum hoses over the interior panels, causing the panels to become scratched. And for the rest of the glass cleanup, bigger professional shop vacuums are more powerful, therefore removing the broken glass from the seats and carpets much better than the smaller not so powerful portable vacuums. And when it comes to broken door glasses, glass falls to the bottom of the doors as well as becoming trapped in the door handles and lock operations of the door, which could cause the handles and locks to 'jam', creating even more problems. So by using practiced removal techniques, air hoses with powerful blowers and using a powerful vacuum at the same time, aids in the removal of  the broken glass tremendously and effectively. Loose glass that remains in the door can rattle and fall out of the drain holes in the bottom of the door every time you open and close your door, leaving glass fragments on your driveway or garage floor, and who wants that? Always insist on an in-shop appointment when it comes to broken tempered glass!! At Lee's, we spend the extra time required to remove any broken glass that remains inside your vehicle or doors with the best equipment possible, resulting in the professional job that you expect!!

If you are scheduling an appointment with us, mention the word "JACKSON" to instantly save $20 off of any 'new' glass replacement and to also receive a brand new can of Sprayway spray foam window cleaner as well, the brand used exclusively by the professionals at Lee's Expert Auto Glass every day!!