News Archives
December 2007
Partnering with recognized leader in local area media
Ray Sands Glass recently selected Dixon-Shwabl,
for it's media planning, public relations and advertising in the
coming year. "We're excited to have the folks at Dixon-Schwabl
representing Ray Sands Glass - it's a good fit" says David Burns,
president of Ray Sands Glass.
Rays Sands Staff Certified in OEM Approved Urethan for windshileld replacement.
Ray Sands Auto Glass technicians, customer
service and sales representatives are now certified in OE Tech
urethane; the only OEM approved one hour cure urethane for
windshield replacement. Windshield safety is a priority at Ray Sands
Glass, and our staff is routinely updated on the latest trends and
procedures in the auto glass industry.
November 2007
Six time winners of the People's Choice Awards
Ray Sands Glass Wins the Democrat & Chronicle's Annual People's Choice Award - 6th consecutive year. Thank you Rochester Ny for making this possible. Ray Sands Glass strives to provide the greater Rochester area with outstanding auto glass repair and windshield replacement services - We Appreciate It!
July 2007
Ready for That Summer Road Trip? Play It Safe
and Make Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Highways.
More families than ever will be heading out on the highway to vacation summer beginning with the July 4 holiday. In their haste to get the show on the road, many drivers simply overlook the need to give their vehicle a thorough safety checkup. Even those who remember the basics, such as tire pressure, fluid levels, belts, air conditioning, brakes, and lights, often overlook one of the most important components of the vehicle -- the windshield.
Minor windshield damage should be repaired to avoid further damage, complications, or a costly replacement that could ruin your family’s vacation.
“The most important thing to remember about minor windshield damage,” says Dave Burns, co-owner of Ray Sands Glass, “is not to procrastinate.” Vibrations from the road and rapid changes in temperature can cause chips to spread into cracks. And that may prohibit a windshield repair.”
Dave Burns also notes that there are four compelling reasons to get your windshield repaired:
- It’s covered. Most comprehensive insurance policies cover the cost of windshield repair.
- It’s fast. It takes about 15 minutes, and you can drive your car away.
- It’s smart. If the damage spreads, you will need a new windshield, and that could cost hundreds of dollars.
- It’s safe. Repair restores the structural integrity of your windshield.
So play it safe! Inspect your vehicle’s windshield, and if it is damaged, get
the damage repaired before you leave home. Don't take chances that could
interrupt or postpone your travel plans.
June 2007
Tips For Selecting Mobile Service When Having Your
Car Windshield Replaced
An auto glass installer who comes in a mobile
van to replace a car’s damaged windshield can be a great convenience
for busy Americans. But, is mobile service as good as having your
windshield replaced at a glass shop?
That depends, says a leading automotive replacement glass
industry expert, who recommends consumers follow these steps.
“Most important is to find an installer who is certified by an
industry organization and adhesive manufacturer,” says Bob Beranek,
president of Automotive Glass Consultants who often provides
testimony as an expert witness in auto glass-related litigation.
“Don’t be embarrassed or shy about asking to see an installer’s
credentials,” Beranek advises. “A professional installer will
understand the consumer’s concerns and be pleased to provide the
information. Ask to see a copy of the certification, which should be
in the name of the installer, not the shop.”
The next important consideration is the weather. “If the
weather is inclement, rainy, snowy, or damp, don’t have your
windshield replaced outdoors or in an open-air environment,” Beranek
says. “Installers use special materials to bond the glass to the
vehicle body, and dry surfaces are needed for the materials to bond
properly in a reasonable period of time.”
Also important are air temperature and humidity. While it is
not impossible to replace a windshield in temperatures below 20
degrees, Beranek says it is not practical. “The reason is because of
the importance of having a good bonding seal between the glass and
the car body. There are two factors to consider. First, is the need
for there to be no condensation or frost on either the glass or the
car body,” says Beranek. “So, if the temperature is cold enough for
frost to form, the installer must make absolutely sure the glass and
car body surfaces are dry.”
“The second consideration,” he continues, “is the type of
adhesive used to install the glass. Many two-part chemical cure
systems can be used in cold conditions from zero to 20 degrees.
One-part systems are generally used at temperatures above 40
degrees.”
Whenever a windshield is replaced, whether it is by mobile
service or at a glass shop, Beranek says to ask the installer for
safe drive-away time and follow his instructions exactly.
“The drive-away time is the time needed for the urethane
adhesive to cure completely before it is safe to drive away.
Chemical adhesives cure more quickly and have faster drive-away
times than one-part systems that take longer to cure. So ask what
type of urethane system will be used and the cure time needed before
it is safe to drive the vehicle.”
In a glass shop, an installer has greater control over
the drive-away time, Beranek says. With mobile service, when a
windshield is replaced at an off-site location that is convenient
for the customer, it is the customer who must follow the installer’s
advice.
One final consideration, Beranek notes, is windshield size. “Some large
windshields, such as those on minivans, require two people to
install. A professional, reputable auto glass installation shop with
mobile service will know which windshields need two installers and
will make sure there are two people sent to handle the job right.”
April 2007
Properly Installed Windshield Is Necessary for Airbag to Work Right
Your vehicle’s windshield needs to be installed
properly for the airbag on the passenger side to work correctly. So,
if you need to have a windshield replaced, make sure the work is
done by a professional, certified installer who understands its
importance to your safety and that of others riding in your vehicle.
Bob Beranek, owner of Automotive Glass Consultants, who is often
called to testify as an auto glass industry expert trial witness,
advises consumers to ask the installer about the airbag when having
a windshield replaced.
“When a vehicle is involved in a collision, a passenger-side airbag
is designed to deploy off the windshield at speeds up to 200 mph,”
Beranek explains. “So it is imperative for the windshield to be
installed correctly. You don’t want the airbag to force the
windshield out of the frame, which would defeat the purpose of the
airbag and possibly allow passengers to be ejected from the
vehicle.”
Federal law requires windshields in vehicles without passenger-side
airbags to be able to sustain pressure of up to 56 pounds per square
inch and remain in place, Beranek said.
“Windshield installations in vehicles with dual front airbags must
be able to take up to six times that much force.” All airbags are
not alike, so auto glass installers must know how to remove and
replace a windshield so that proper airbag performance will not be
affected. “It’s important for the installer to know how to disable
and enable the airbag, especially with the sophisticated computer
technology in many of today’s cars,” Beranek said.
Because of the importance of the windshield installation to correct
function of the passenger-side airbag, the glass must fit properly
in the frame and be installed with the proper materials, Beranek
says.
“I recommend consumers ask for a windshield made by an auto glass
manufacturer that is also a supplier to the car manufacturers,” he
advises.
For the passenger-side airbag to deploy, the windshield must remain
in place, Beranek says, so it is important for the installer to use
urethane adhesive.
“The installer has to use the right urethane adhesive system to bond
the glass to the car frame for the windshield to be installed
properly. Two-part chemical cure systems are designed to provide the
needed bond strength.”
Once the car owner knows that the right glass and urethane will be
used, Beranek says to ask about the installer’s training.
“Make sure the installer is certified by an industry organization
and an adhesive manufacturer,” Beranek says. “Ask to see the
installer’s credentials. Professionals won’t be upset if you ask but
will appreciate your concern and be glad to show you their
certificates.”
December
2006 - Ray Sands Glass chosen for Rochester's Choice Awards 5th
year!
We're proud to announce that for the fifth consecutive year, Ray Sands Glass has been chosen by our local community for this year's Rochester's Choice Awards. We're excited to have our customers, friends and neighbors think so highly of us. Thank you Rochester, we appreciate it!
April 2006 - Ray Sands Glass teams up with the New York State Troopers Sniper Unit
On Thursday, April 20th, 2006 Ray Sands Glass gave a presentation to the New York State Troopers Sniper Unit at their training facility in upstate New York. Dave Burns, owner of Ray Sands Glass along with Scott Wells and Shelly Hueston, Marketing Managers for Ray Sands were present.
We were given the opportunity to provide the NYS Trooper Sniper Unit with valuable information concerning the many aspects and properties of all types of glass as well as providing the team with several pieces of different types of glass for their training. The NYS Trooper Sniper Unit is called upon when there are extreme cases of danger and must be prepared in every way. The men are highly trained in their field and have one goal, "To save lives".
With this in mind, they need to know how all types of glass will react when penetrated by a bullet. Dave, Scott and Shelly were able to remain at the facility while the training was in progress and in many cases we were able to predict just what would happen to the glass when fired upon. The results gave the NYS Trooper Sniper Unit the knowledge they need to deal with all types of situations.
Ray Sands Glass sets the standards in safety and
works exclusively with OEM products. Anytime we can be of service to
the community we are happy to oblige. We would like to thank the NYS
Trooper Sniper Unit for the opportunity given to us, it was a
privilege to be able to spend the day with such an elite group.
October 2005
Ray Sands Glass 100% Certified
Ray Sands Glass employees recently completed an extensive recertification course through Dow Automotive, manufacturer of Essex primers and urethanes. We are proud to announce that 100% of our employees are completely certified in Automotive Glass Installation. In doing so we follow a "Code of Practice" to ensure our customers safety. The "Code of Practice" regulations are as follows:
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Ensure vehicles are restored to OEM design specifications
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Assure compliance with the Motor Vehicle Act 1397
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Comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 208,212,216 and 219
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Comply with Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS)
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Promote the use of most current products, materials and methods
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Create awareness of safety issues
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Follow high standards of workmanship and business ethics in the industry
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Establish and maintain a high reputation
In addition to this Ray Sands Glass will be partaking in an ongoing Safety Program offered through New York State Insurance starting in January 2006.
2005 - Winner of the Democrat & Chronicles Rochester's Choice Award 4 years in a row...
Ray
Sands Glass would like to thank all our loyal customer's for
nominating us as the winner of the Rochester's Choice Awards in Auto
Glass for 2005. This is our 4th consecutive year for winning
this prestigious honor. We appreciate our customer's and
strive for 100% customer satisfaction. We look forward to
another year of serving the Rochester area community. Dave and Frank
Burns would also like to thank all the employee's here at Ray Sands
Glass for their hard work and dedication.
Ray Sands Glass offers Extended Auto Care Products & Services...
WINDOW TINTING
Whether you're looking for a way to increase privacy or reduce UV
sunlight we have tinting for all your applications: Auto ·
Boat
· RV ·
Home
· Business
PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR
Now you can have that annoying dent on your car fixed at Ray Sands
Glass! We can remove any dent or ding golf ball size or
smaller. Let our expert restore your car to that "new
look" condition.
BUMPER COVER REPAIR
Remove cuts, dents, and scratches from your bumper!
EVEN MORE GREAT PRODUCTS AVAILABLE:
-
Downey Tonneau Covers®
-
SVR Sideview Spot Mirrors®
-
Clearview™ Window Graphics
Windshield Safety Tips
If you are a front seat passenger in a vehicle please do not put your feet up on the dashboard. If an accident occurs and the passenger side airbag is deployed you can not react quick enough to escape serious injury or death. The airbag deploys in two tenths of a second and our bodies cannot take the impact in such a position.
Anyone under 5 feet tall should ride in the back seat. In an accident the airbag is designed to go off before you hit the dashboard enabling your body to "ride" the airbag down. People under 5 feet reach the dashboard quicker in an accident, therefore resulting in the passenger airbag deploying after the victim is all ready reaching the dashboard.
#1 cause of vehicular accidents is still your radio!
Be Informed. Be Educated. Ask Questions. . . . IT'S YOUR LIFE!
