After an accident, the first step is to get an inspection of your vehicle. Sometimes the insurance company will want their representative to inspect it (which they have the right to do if they wish). Otherwise, the collision repair shop can perform the inspection for you.
Stick welding is typically used for heavy equipment repair, construction, pipeline welding, and steel erection. The advantages of Stick welding is the low cost equipment, portability and the ability to work on dirty or rusty metal.
It’s common for a body shop’s estimate to be different from an insurance company’s estimate. This is often because the insurance company didn’t take some necessary work or hidden damage into account. If you don’t understand why an estimate is different, ask the body shop and they will be happy to explain it to you.
Wondering how much paint you’ll need for your particular car? While the specific amounts will depend on the dimensions of your vehicle, the general guideline is that, for a small or medium-sized car, you will need one gallon of base coat or primer, three gallons of topcoat, and two to three gallons of clear coat.
We all know motor vehicle crashes can cause injuries and fatalities. That's why enhanced safety features on newer vehicles are so important. Care to guess how many motor vehicle related injuries occurred in the U.S. during 2013? That would be 2.31 million.
When it comes to washing your car, you should never be tempted to use dishwashing liquid. Dish soap effectively strips waxes and sealants off your car and may even damage the topcoat if used repeatedly.
According to automotive trend trackers, white will continue to be the preferred color for traditional vehicles for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, hue-shifting purples and metallic oranges with colored aluminum flake are gaining traction on vintage hotrods, sports cars and statement vehicles.
Don’t let your insurance company tell you that you have to go to the repair shop that they tell you to after your car has been in an accident. It is your right to be able to choose the shop that makes any repair to your vehicle.
Color preferences shift based on the type of vehicle involved. SUVs are the only vehicle category where white is consistently the most popular color, and in fact nearly 20% of SUVs are painted white.
While a minor car accident may seem insignificant, it can actually end up involving complex repairs. Common collision repairs generally involve work to the fenders, bumpers, doors, and hood of the vehicle, as well as extensive paint work.
What four things should you do first after a vehicle collision? If you guessed: stop your car; turn off the engine and check your passengers and yourself for injuries, you're right.
Automotive paint applicator guns are a must-have auto body paint tool. The best guns are those that are made of corrosive free metal and have a rust free applicator wand. Auto paint applicator guns are also available with varying spraying distance capacities.
A fresh paint job on your car can eliminate the natural wear and tear that comes with age and get your car looking like-new again. The bottom line is, everything from harsh sunlight and the soap you use to wash your car can take a toll on your paint, eventually breaking down the color and finish.
Did you know plasma is actually utilized in welding as well? A type of welding known as “electric arc” actually used an electrical breakdown of gas to create plasma used to weld metals.
Care to guess how many motor vehicle crashes were reported to the police across the U.S. in 2012? If you guessed nearly 5.5 million (5,419,000), you're right. Those crashes resulted in 33,561 fatalities.
Did you know that there is no in-car driver training in the high school systems in twenty-five states? There are even seven states that don’t even have driver ed at all!
Many car enthusiasts set out to restore their old classic cars. They accomplish repairing the engine and parts, as well as the interior. The last job on any restoration and the trickiest is the paint job. Leaving that step to the pros is a great decision.
A frequently asked question after a collision is how long repairs will take. The actual amount of time will depend on how much and what type of damage. The body shop understands that your life is disrupted while you wait to get your vehicle back, so they will get the repairs done as quickly as possible.
When parts are replaced, you have your choice between after-market materials or OEM parts (original equipment manufacturer). The choice is up to you. In many cases, there is little, if any difference between the two, if they are new. However, if your vehicle is still under warranty, you may want to select OEM parts to make sure you do not void it.
With our advanced auto coating removal system, we are able to remove all types of finishes, including powder coat, e-coat, and high temp coatings from a wide range of materials.
Automotive paint history: Did you know that original varnishes used in vehicle painting could take more than a dozen coats to sufficiently apply?
Are you curious about whether our coating removal process is the right choice for your vehicle? We’re always happy to answer all the questions you may have so you can make an informed decision.
Has your car been in a collision? Even if it’s still drivable, you should resist driving it if the damage makes it at all unsafe, such as if a part might come off. Fortunately, an auto collision expert can help get it ready for use again quickly.
The clear coat on your car provides gloss plus physical protection from the elements, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore, most car manufacturers will only allow about 25 percent of the clear-coat thickness to be removed without voiding the paint warranty.
It’s not always possible to see the extent of collision damage without disassembling the vehicle. This is why most body shops will start with a visible only estimate, one that assumes there isn’t any hidden damage. This estimate may go up after the vehicle has been completely inspected.
A fume plume is a visible column of fumes that rises directly from the spot that is being welded or cut. It is very important that welders and cutters should take precaution to avoid breathing this in. Ventilation can help avoid breathing it in as well.
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.
Unless you are using a small brush to touch up some dinged areas, we recommend masking all of the surrounding areas that you do not want painted, especially if you are using a spray gun. This keeps overspray from covering them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a lion's share of the cost of vehicle crashes every year is paid by people and entities not directly involved in the crash. How? Through state and federal taxes, insurance premiums and other charges.
According to traffic and safety experts, the number of auto collisions spikes on the first snowy day of each winter season. Typically the figure levels off as the season progresses and drivers regain their winter driving abilities.
You might have heard that you need multiple estimates or appraisals, but these are not actually required by law. If you already know a collision repair expert you trust, then it’s better to go with them right off the bat.
Are you confused about the information on the quote you received after a car accident? We’re always happy to help you better understand what your car’s repairs will entail.
Want to make sure the sides of your car are perfectly straight? The best method is filler and a lot of sanding. Skilled body shops can also use specialized tools to take some dents and creases out. Once everything's straight and flat, the canvas is all set for your paint job.
Shielded Metal Arch Welding, or SMAW, commonly called Stick welding, is a process that uses a welding rod(electrode) to carry the current and provide the majority of the weld metal. The temperature is approximately 6,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Head-on or rear-end collisions have the cushion of the engine or trunk space, but not side collisions. That’s why Volvo pioneered side impact protections in 1991, and added side airbags to their cars in 1994. A Volvo repair expert can make sure you can count on these systems.
Want people to view you as youthful, fresh and modern? Paint your vehicle white. Across all vehicle categories, it’s consistently one of the top three choices for the young and energetic, and it’s especially practical if you live in a hot climate.
If your vehicle was in a serious collision, it's best to take it to a shop that's well-known for their collision repair work. Sure, it may cost more, but you'll at least get the peace of mind you need because you know that the job was done right.
If you have welded on new metal to fill holes or to repair oxidized patches, the weld joints need to be smoothed. A cutoff wheel should be used first to bring flatten out and level the surface, then finish with a grinding and smoothing pad.
The National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) for 2012 listed some interesting but somewhat predictable findings. The highest cell phone use while driving occurred among 16 to 24 year olds and increased the risk of crashes.
A low speed collision is any auto accident that occurs at 10 miles per hour or less. Cars are heavy, even when they're coasting, though. Low speed collisions can still cause damage and injuries.
During the repair process, we may remove any undamaged, non-structural parts that may interfere with repairs, or that could be damaged during the repair process. In addition, this allows us to check structural sections that may have suffered damage in the collision.
Automotive paints are a combination of a number of compounds specifically made for coating the surface of motor vehicles. Typically, a primer is sprayed on the surface of the car, which prepares your vehicle for the new paint you have chosen. Your choice will determine application technique, color saturation, and the amount of paint needed.
Severe damage can damage the car's frame, but that doesn't mean your car is totaled. Modern unibody construction makes it possible for auto body experts are to repair a good amount of frame damage and make your car as good as new.
Did you know that men and women see the color red differently? While women see different shades of red like maroon and crimson, men tend to see just plain old red. If you choose to get your car painted red though, nobody will mistake how great your car looks.
Over 85% of all reported automobile crashes where a teenager was involved and responsible for the accident stated that “driver error” was attributed for the cause. Not speed. Not drugs. Not alcohol.
One well-known car site recommends drivers to prevent damage to their car finish by avoiding gravel surfaces and roads with loose rocks and pebbles. A protective paint shield means you can drive where you have to whenever the need arises.
If you are considering purchasing a used vehicle, and are wondering if it has been in a collision and had repairs, bring it to us. As experts in collision repair, we know how to inspect a vehicle for signs of damage, so you can make an informed purchasing decision.
Curing lights are a must for your auto body paint booth, as they both increase performance and save you time in the process. Remember, infrared lighting is best and can increase efficiency, while fresh air moving vents can make hours of painting less tiresome.
In auto collision repair, the technicians will carefully disassemble the vehicle to expose any structural damage that may have been obtained upon impact. This is the type of damage that can be easily overlooked but can significantly affect they safety of the car.
The goal with auto collision repair is to restore the damaged vehicle to manufacturer specifications. Part of this process involves carefully measuring dimensions to ensure there are no door gaps, bad alignments, frame damage, and other imperfections.
After your house, your car is usually the second-largest investment that you make, so why compromise with a substandard job? Taking it to a collision expert is the best way to take care of your investment and protect it.
Did you know the original Model T only came in black because it was the quickest paint to dry off the assembly line? We’ve got a little more time than the 95 minutes it took to build a Model T, so we have quite a few more options.
That sticky tree sap that bonds to your car in the spring and fall months can cause some serious damage to your car’s paint job. But how do you get it off when it’s so sticky? A simple wash cloth along with either bug or tar remover will do the trick and save your car’s paint job for the winter months.
After your house, your car is usually the second-largest investment that you make, so why compromise with a substandard job? Taking it to a collision expert is the best way to take care of your investment and protect it.
Did you know the original Model T only came in black because it was the quickest paint to dry off the assembly line? We’ve got a little more time than the 95 minutes it took to build a Model T, so we have quite a few more options.
Did you know that, for a time during the mid-20th century, wood was a popular material for panels and trim on some cars and trucks?
Before any type of collision repair is performed, a thorough inspection is needed in order to pinpoint any problems or structural weaknesses in the vehicle. Careful attention should be paid to the alignment, suspension, and all mechanical elements.
That sticky tree sap that bonds to your car in the spring and fall months can cause some serious damage to your car’s paint job. But how do you get it off when it’s so sticky? A simple wash cloth along with either bug or tar remover will do the trick and save your car’s paint job for the winter months.
After your house, your car is usually the second-largest investment that you make, so why compromise with a substandard job? Taking it to a collision expert is the best way to take care of your investment and protect it.
Did you know the original Model T only came in black because it was the quickest paint to dry off the assembly line? We’ve got a little more time than the 95 minutes it took to build a Model T, so we have quite a few more options.
What are pearlescent paints? "Pearlescent paints," writes the website carwow, "replace the metal particles with ceramic crystals (often called ‘mica') that don't just reflect light but refract it, too."
If your windshield has been cracked or chipped because of a collision, it needs to be repaired or replaced – depending on the extent of damage. If left alone, the crack will spread and eventually cause your windshield to fail.
Did you know that, for a time during the mid-20th century, wood was a popular material for panels and trim on some cars and trucks?
Before any type of collision repair is performed, a thorough inspection is needed in order to pinpoint any problems or structural weaknesses in the vehicle. Careful attention should be paid to the alignment, suspension, and all mechanical elements.
That sticky tree sap that bonds to your car in the spring and fall months can cause some serious damage to your car’s paint job. But how do you get it off when it’s so sticky? A simple wash cloth along with either bug or tar remover will do the trick and save your car’s paint job for the winter months.
After your house, your car is usually the second-largest investment that you make, so why compromise with a substandard job? Taking it to a collision expert is the best way to take care of your investment and protect it.
