Car paints have changed quite a bit since the late 1800s, when there was basically only one type of paint used. Today's custom paints offer at least four different major types of paint: water-based, acrylic urethane, acrylic lacquer, and acrylic enamel.
While no one wants to, or plans to be, in an automobile collision, it is still a good idea to be prepared just in case. Take time to periodically review your collision insurance, so you understand its terms and conditions and exactly what is covered.
When painting your car, no matter the size of the area, the first thing you need to do is attack the rust. If the rust damage is mild, you can use as steel brush to scrape it away until the bare metal is exposed. Never try to paint over rust.
Following a major collision, all suspension and mechanical components of the vehicle need to be thoroughly inspected. This way, they can be repaired or replaced as needed to ensure the vehicle’s continued safety and performance.
In the 1920s, metalworker Joseph Ledwinka developed a large-scale sheet welder that could produce finished steel sheets up to 140 ins long. This innovation allowed the Budd Co. to stamp the entire side of a four-door sedan in a single operation.
There are a number of different tools used in auto collision repair that help ensure a seamless, like-new appearance, where it’s impossible to tell that the accident occurred in the first place. This includes CNC machines for cutting and fabricating, as well as frame machines for frame repair and air flange tools for body panel work.
Most auto body painters use HVLP spray guns. Why? The HVLP nozzles are highly adjustable and can be modified to deliver a fine mist, a medium spray, or a thick coat for more control over the process, the paint, and the final outcome.
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.
Filler primer body paint comes in both black and gray, is quick drying, and can be sanded. This smooth, rust-resistant auto body paint can be used on metal as well as fiberglass, and will improve the appearance of any top coat.
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.
Unlike old-fashioned car masks or bonnets that were made of opaque materials and strapped onto the hood or grille, modern auto paint shields are form fitting, transparent, nearly invisible, designed to remain in place, and provide superior protection.
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.
Have you been wondering about the strange sound originating from underneath your car? It is possible that your car may be having issues with fumes, framework or a suppressor.
Did you know that a teenager is killed every 64 ½ minutes by an automobile accident and that a teen is injured in a car crash every 55 seconds? They only make up around 7% of licensed drivers but comprise over 20% of automobile accidents.
If you want your ride to resemble the work of master car painter Charley Hutton, you’re in luck. A new line of automotive paints developed with Hutton’s input offers a range of rich, deep and dramatic shades including charcoal, gold, red, lime, blue and orange.
Care to guess which type of auto accident is the most common across the U.S.? If you guessed a rear end crash, you're right. This type of accident is often caused by a distracted driver, and responsibility for the collision is rarely disputed.
Want to make sure that your custom paint job stays as flawless as the first day you get it? There are a variety of speciality products and techniques used to keep it good shape, and a painting expert can give you recommendations.
Did you know that internal components such as frame rails are often damaged during a collision, but that this type of damage is often overlooked? It’s important that these and other internal damages are properly fixed to restore the vehicle to its pre-collision safety standards.
Not sure what color or colors to choose for your custom paint job? Consider asking for samples, just like you would when painting your walls. Mix and match different color options to obtain a unique look that’s yours alone.
When you bring your car to us for collision repair, we will be able to provide a rough estimate for your insurance company. Once you approve working with us, we will conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, including directly damaged and incidentally damaged areas in order to provide a firm estimate on the cost and time it will take to complete repairs.
If you are repainting your car and want to match the original color, then look at your car’s compliance plate, as there will be a color code listed there. You can then take that code to an auto paint shop, where it will be matched.
If you have been involved in an accident, chances are that damage has been done to your hood, bumper, and/or fender. In some cases, minor dents and scratches can be repaired, but in other instances, the repair might include total replacement.
Acrylic lacquer is thinned to improve the quality of the coat applied to the car. The combination of ingredients leaves your car with a quick-drying finish that looks like and is as smooth as glass. Just some simple buffing every now and then keeps the shine up.
When you have a collision in your new car, you might think that having the damage repaired at a shop other than your dealership would void your warranty. This is incorrect, however. The manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t have anything to do with collision repairs, so you’re free to choose the shop you want to use.
