New Windshield Repair Tool Instructions
Star Flexor
(1) Low Pressure, Low Profile
(2)High Pressure, High Profile
(3) Low & High Pressure & Profile
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The number one mistake made in the repair of a stone break is leaving a leg or legs unfilled or not completely filled to the tip(s). This new windshield repair tool eliminates that problem. The Star Flexor can flex open any unfilled section of any type of stone break.
The first photograph on the left uses the least amount of pressure with a two-inch suction cup for pressure and 1 ¾ inch suction cup for stability. These cups are also low profile so the pressure point is more blunt rather than pin-point. The small bolt on the tip will allow the pressure point to be altered and raise the tip up for viewing progress when you are mounted over and parallel to the leg.
The second photograph is a three-inch suction cup with a higher profile. This will allow more pressure and pin-point pressure. Pressure in all modes is controlled by the pressure bolt. The experienced professional technician will prefer this set up and this mode most often, especially with the swivel bolt. Moving the cup toward the point will alter the profile and pressure. Reversing the tool also changes the pressure from pin point to blunt. Blunt can be used for flexing sections of a break, which comes in handy when using higher viscosity resins or on a star burst. Higher viscosity resins have more durability and should be used for breaks over the defroster area.
The third photo is the Star Flexor 2. This mode has the
most stability and the profile can be adjusted by moving the cross bar into the
four mounting holes. The fourth hole will give the highest profile and the
third is where I seem to use it most often. The second hole can be used for
blunt pressure to flex more than one leg at a time such as with a star
burst.
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Stage
1
Stage 2
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Step by Step Instructions:
1. Clean the area around the break so your suctions cups have no interference from dirt on the windshield.
2. Determine which pressure and profile mode you will be using and place the cups in the proper hole. I suggest keeping your cup in the third hole as in the photo; this will be the one you use most often.
3. Use Vaseline on the suction cups to seal and maneuver. If you are going to be moving around the break to flex more than one leg you need to apply sufficient Vaseline. Insufficient Vaseline will cause more work. Vaseline cleans up easy if you wipe it off with a dry cloth first, before cleaning with a glass cleaner. Never try to remove vaseline with glass cleaner. Wipe it off first with a dry cloth.
4. Mount the Star Flexor windshield repair tool with the tip near the leg you are going to flex.
5. Turn the bolt so that the tip lowers and almost touches the glass.
6. Slide the tool tip perpendicular or parallel to the leg. Perpendicular will give you a better view.
7. Carefully and slowly turn the pressure bolt which will lower the point and apply pressure until you see the leg flex or start to fill. See above Photo - Stage 1. Like any windshield repair tool too much pressure can spread the damage.
8. Once you see the leg flex or start to fill STOP and let it work by itself. See above Photo Stage 2.Use the least amount of pressure as possible. Note: windshields have a tendency to crack horizontally. Use less pressure on legs that are horizontal.
9. After the leg or section has filled release the pressure and remove the tool.
10. If you are going to do another leg then turn the bolt until the tip is off the glass and slide it to the other leg and repeat steps 6-9.