The term “hot rod” moved into popular use after World War II. Why? In the late 1940s, independent hot rod builders and drivers gained widespread recognition when they consistently defeated large auto manufacturers in national and international races.
If your vehicle was in a nasty collision, it's important to heed the advice of a professional evaluator even if he or she pronounces it irreparable. Sure, some shops may offer to fix it, but bear in mind that the structural integrity of the vehicle has been compromised so it no longer is safe to use.
A few options are available as far as polishing your final paint job. You can achieve a glossy look either by hand with specialized material or by purchasing buffing machines and power polishers.
While it may seem like a good idea to attempt repairs to your car yourself after a collision, the hidden costs could be much greater. Relying on a team of professionals means the work will be done correctly, preserving the value of your car, and ensuring you and your passengers are safe when driving.
While clear auto paint protector shields provide substantial protection wherever they’re applied, they offer a significant advantage: they can safely be removed at any time without damage to the finish.
If you have just finished restoring an antique car, you might want to leave the finishing touches to the professionals. Having your restored car painted by the pros will help you achieve the look of perfection.
A number of factors can contribute to a car crash, including road conditions, vehicle function and driver attention. Here's an example: Younger drivers have the fastest reaction time of any age demographic, but also tend to have a higher instance of accidents. The experts believe other risk factors, like low impulse control, cancel the benefits of a fast reaction time.
It’s important to remember that just because something is a paint option for your car doesn’t mean it will look the way you’d hoped. If you aren’t sure about whether what you’re asking for will look quite right, we’re always available to provide our professional opinion.
Automobiles didn’t become common until the early 20th century. The first documented auto collision occurred in 1771, however, when French inventor Nicolas Cugnot accidentally drove his latest invention, a steam-powered, three-wheeled experimental vehicle, into a stone wall.
When it comes to major collision repair, the first step will always involve determining whether the damage is reparable. Technicians will carefully inspect not only any damage to the body of the vehicle, but internal damage as well.
If you’ve decided to paint your car, you’ll have to reconsider using your household garage. Garages usually contain water heaters and furnaces. These appliances can become extremely explosive due to the paint's toxicity.
Body work is an important part of auto collision repair. In addition to mechanical and frame repair, all body panels are repaired or replaced, not just so they are straight and dent-free, but also to ensure no panel gaps exist.
Safe removal of coatings requires using a blasting medium that is harder than the coating being removed but softer than the one below it. We take time to conduct a thorough assessment of the project before selecting the materials we will use.
It’s your choice whether to submit a claim to your insurance company or settle repair costs privately after an accident. Before you decide, however, it’s a good idea to get an estimate for the damage. There may be much more financial burden than either party thinks, which can make insurance a better bet.
Some insurance companies may want you to visit their drive-in claim center before having your car repaired. However, you have the option of bringing your car to the shop of your choice, and having it inspected there instead.
After a serious wreck, the decision whether to declare your vehicle totaled can vary significantly depending on the insurer. Many insurers say a car is totaled when the cost of repairs equals or exceeds the actual cash value of the vehicle.
Side-impact collisions are among the most potentially dangerous because many cars aren't equipped with side airbags. By what other colorful name is a side impact collision or broadside collision referred to? If you guessed a "T-bone," you're right.
You can choose between two types of paint guns – siphon or gravity fed. With gravity fed guns, the cup is mounted on top, using both air-pressure and gravity to deliver paint. A siphon-fed system relies on tubing to pull paint from an under-mounted cup into the gun.
If a collision’s hard enough or bad enough, it can actually damage the car’s frame, but that doesn’t mean it’s not repairable. A collision repair expert can restore the car’s frame to a level where you can count on it being safe again.
A common trick when using certain colors that could be overbearing is to use one or the other in moderation. Some experts recommend separating two strong colors with a neutral color (such as tan or black), usually a pinstripe. This helps separate the colors but also helps tie them together.
After a collision, there are several ways to repair a car, and a lot of them can be masked so well that you don't know they were there. But that won't fool an auto diagnostics expert. He or she knows how to spot any problems with collision repair.
Fiberglass resin is a waterproof, impact-resistant cream hardener that cures quickly, making for a workable, sandable surface. Ideal for SMC and automotive fiberglass parts, fiberglass resin can also be used with fiberglass cloth, tape, and mat.
Did you know that frontal collisions often result in damage to mechanical components? This is why a pre-repair inspection is always recommended, so that these types of damages are identified at the onset and properly repaired.
The good news? True self-healing auto paint may soon be a practical reality. The bad news? The individual molecules that create the self-healing reaction only work once. The bottom line? Until the formula is perfected, quality traditional coatings are a better solution.
Not all collisions require extensive body repair work. In a process known as paintless dent repair, small dents and dings from minor fender benders can sometimes be carefully pushed out from the back side of the body panel.
It is important to properly clean your car if you want to protect your new paint job. Washing your car by hand, towel drying, polishing, and waxing are all important steps to help maintain a glossy paint job.
