One important aspect of minor collision repair involves color matching so that the vehicle looks like it was never damaged in the first place. This involves both accurately matching new and old paint hues and then blending the paint into adjacent areas needed to mask the damage.
Custom automotive paint technicians are able to individualize your car’s finish to meet your specifications concerning color; metallic, pearl, or flat finishes; and using multiple colors on the car, including in the engine, handles, bumpers, and wheels to create a customized look that is unique and yours alone.
Did you know that insurance companies can’t force you to go to a certain shop? The most they can do is give recommendations, but they’ll still pay your claim no matter what, so it’s best to take your car to a repair expert who you know can do the job.
Quality air tools can make all the difference when it comes to painting cars. Plastic, battery-powered air tools may be lighter, but they are also quicker to break. The best compressors, blow guns, air wrenches, and ratchets will be heavy duty, made of steel, and built to last.
Did you know that a low-speed car accident is still considered a collision? In fact, even an accident in a parking lot at 1 mph is considered a collision. Low-speed collisions are among the more common types of accidents and most often involve minor bumper and light cosmetic damage.
While auto paint shields can be crafted to cover virtually any exterior surface, they’re most commonly applied to the hood and front bumper, rocker panels, mirror backs, trunk ledge, roof, door edges, and door handle indentations.
Don’t take the risk of driving your car after it has been involved in an accident. No matter how minor it may look, there could have been damage sustained that you cannot see, which could make your car unsafe to drive.
Many variables, such as the type of polish, compound and speed, and the amount of pressure used may affect the amount of paint and ultra violet protection available for removal.
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.
Have you ever wondered if there is a color for a car that is safer than others? According to a Swedish survey, if you want the safest color car, be prepared to respray your car pink.
Wondering if a rental car will be covered while your vehicle’s damage is being repaired? This depends on the terms of your insurance policy. Check with your agent to see if you’ll need to cover the cost of a rental car yourself.
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.
According to some auto experts, unintentional encounters with trash cans are the leading cause of minor collisions requiring car repairs. Colliding with parked cars and other stationary objects is the second most common cause of damage.
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.
The frame of your vehicle is comparable to the foundation of your home, and must be strong and precise to ensure the safety and performance of your vehicle. Repairing the frame following a collision is critical, as a compromised frame diminishes a car’s ability to safely withstand a second accident.
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.
You’ve probably seen the commercials about used cars that were repaired poorly. The truth is, bad body repairs can really drive down the resale value of your car. The best option is to have a collision repair expert take care of any repairs you need.
Did you know that darker colored vehicles require more maintenance? Generally, scratches on lighter colored vehicles are less obvious than on dark colored ones. Therefore, owners of light colored vehicles tend to be less concerned about paint issues.
Can you name the major types of vehicle collisions occurring on U.S. roadways? In no particular order they are: head-on, road departure, side impact, rear end, sideswipe, single car, roll-over and multi-vehicle.
The U.S. made so many strides in welding technology we could hardly keep it to ourselves. President Roosevelt wrote in a letter to Winston Churchill that we were making new techniques never seen before in welding; he just had to show off.
Make sure that the collision repair center you choose has the advanced systems and equipment to perform all necessary work to your vehicle. Some of these items needed for repairs include systems used for frame, suspension, engine, and drive train removal and replacement.
A healthy car is pretty quiet. Clicking or tapping commonly means a part is worn or oil pressure is low. Rattling or whining means the cam shaft belt needs checking. Cars talk to us, and loud noises are usually a sign that something needs repair. A squealing fan belt will not be ignored.
Removing dents has become a science, and paintless dent repair means that we can remove many of these dings without having to do anything further once they are fixed. However, if the dent is too large, or the metal has creased, more extensive work may be needed.
A good paint job can make a world of difference on your car, but like anything else, it can be the details that make the look. When it comes to cars, this can include flame effects, racing stripes, or even simple pinstripes to make the paint job really shine.
Care to guess the cost of automobile crash related injuries for calendar year 2010? According to data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that would be around $99 billion.
Water-based paints rely on additives to work as the binding agents. As Cars.com explains, "Water dilutes the pigment and carries it to the car body."
PPF has ultra-violet stabilizers built into it, which means that UV protection is guaranteed. This is important, as UV damage is the number one cause of vehicle paint damage, including sunburning and two-toning.
Often, it takes multiple layers of specialized auto paints to create that smooth, glossy finish you crave. Most cars sport at least four different types, including a corrosion-resistant substrate, a primer, a colored base, and the clear or finish coats.
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.
The vast majority of auto collision repairs are the result of relatively minor incidents. The most frequent causes are scrapes and reduced-speed encounters with parked cars, dumpsters, telephone poles, trash cans, trees, sign posts, and similar stationary objects.
Part of the reason auto body shops are so good at what they do is because of the advanced technology they have available. These include equipment and systems that can remove and reinstall components like frames, suspensions, and engines.
When you receive a custom automotive paint job, you are not receiving a stock color that is pumped from the same thousands and thousands of gallons of colors from a big box manufacturer. You are receiving a unique color experience that you will not see every time you turn a corner.
One of the most important parts of collision repair involves the quality of the materials and parts used. High-grade parts can really make a difference, as they ensure durability as well as the best finish possible to restore your vehicle to its factory look.
The New York Times helped popularize the term “automobile,” a word it despised. In 1897, the Times published the first media reference to the term, using these words: “The new mechanical wagon with the awful name automobile has come to stay …”
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.
While most vehicles are still constructed primarily of steel, a number of manufacturers are making widespread use of aluminum. Working with these materials requires experience, complementary skill sets, and different tools.
Many modern auto paint and clear coat formulas contain special additives that improve the coating’s performance and durability. Flex agents are added to help resist cracking and UV inhibitors protect the finish from fading and yellowing.
With all the generic-looking sedans and hybrids coming out, it’s hard to make your car stand out. Find out what it’s like driving the only bright metallic purple car in town.
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.
If your vehicle needs to have any paint work done to it after being in an accident, make sure that the repair shop that you chose uses only the highest-quality products and latest technology in mixing and color matching.
You are not legally obligated to take your vehicle to the repair shop that your insurance provider tells you or suggests you to go to. It is entirely your choice on where your vehicle gets its repair work completed.
Here are some fun facts for Ford lovers: The fastest recorded time ever for removing and replacing a car engine was forty two seconds: a Ford Escort in November 1985. And guess how much folks paid for a Ford in 1924? That would be $265.
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.
Headlights and fog lamps can be expensive to replace. Luckily, protective films for lights are available, usually slightly thicker than protection for paint. A good light covering can withstand the impact of a 1” diameter stone when travelling up to 120 mph.
When getting repairs done to your vehicle after it was involved in an accident, make sure that you ask the shop if they are using genuine manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts.
Auto paint protectors aren’t just for cars. The same materials and methods are an equally effective way to protect the finishes on your truck, van, motorcycle, RV, or any vehicle that works or plays hard.
No one's really sure when the practice of painting flames started on vehicles. Pictures have been found with custom flame paint jobs on WWI and WWII fighters. Painting it on cars started at least in the hot rod days of the 1930s, but who knows if it goes back farther.
If you’ve recently been in a traffic accident, you may be hesitant to bring in your vehicle for repairs because the car still drives fine. Remember, the longer you allow dents and scratches to remain, the more difficult they can be to repair when you’re ready.
It’s becoming more and more common for there to be hidden damage from a collision, because modern vehicles are designed so they crush in a way that protects the occupants but may do more damage to the inner components. Your body shop will assess damage and write a supplement to the original estimate if needed.
One thing that needs to be inspected following an auto collision is the radiator. Radiators can develop leaks around upper or lower hose connections as a result of cracks from the collision and vibration of the engine, and will need to be repaired.
Front end impact accidents usually require a certain type of collision repair. Typical repairs include bumper and light replacement work, as well as the rewiring of lights and installing new fixtures. In many cases the repair will also involve replacing and installing damaged air bags with brand-new ones.
Looking to save on gas? Check your tire pressure! You can check this with a digital gauge. Be sure the pressure is at the recommended amount listed in your owners manual.
Do you have a fleet of cars for your salesmen? No matter how hard you try, odds are good that some minor collisions can occur. Fortunately, a collision repair expert can work out a rotation schedule to keep your sales fleet looking fantastic and on the road at the same time.
Unfortunately, not every repair can be a quick in-and-out repair job. Whenever it looks like your car will take longer to fix than the initial estimate, we’ll let you know right away.
Front end impact accidents usually require a certain type of collision repair. Typical repairs include bumper and light replacement work, as well as the rewiring of lights and installing new fixtures. In many cases the repair will also involve replacing and installing damaged air bags with brand-new ones.
Looking to save on gas? Check your tire pressure! You can check this with a digital gauge. Be sure the pressure is at the recommended amount listed in your owners manual.
Speeding is against the law, and it also puts you at higher risk of injury in a crash. The chance of sustaining a serious injury goes up markedly when traveling faster than the posted speed limit.
Installation of paint protection film (PPF) varies, but on average it is a fairly quick process. The factors that determine how long installation will take include the vehicle’s overall size and any unique contours your vehicle has.
Do you have a fleet of cars for your salesmen? No matter how hard you try, odds are good that some minor collisions can occur. Fortunately, a collision repair expert can work out a rotation schedule to keep your sales fleet looking fantastic and on the road at the same time.
Unfortunately, not every repair can be a quick in-and-out repair job. Whenever it looks like your car will take longer to fix than the initial estimate, we’ll let you know right away.
Front end impact accidents usually require a certain type of collision repair. Typical repairs include bumper and light replacement work, as well as the rewiring of lights and installing new fixtures. In many cases the repair will also involve replacing and installing damaged air bags with brand-new ones.
Looking to save on gas? Check your tire pressure! You can check this with a digital gauge. Be sure the pressure is at the recommended amount listed in your owners manual.
