Month: August 2018

How Do Collision Repair Technicians Match Paint Color?

One of the reasons you chose your vehicle is because you liked the color of the exterior. After a collision, you may be concerned that your car will not be the same color or that the paint used to repair partial damage will not match the rest of the car. Today, collision repair technicians have technology that allows them to match your paint color so your repairs are virtually undetectable.

Using a Spectrophotometer

Because it is impossible for a collision repair center to have every possible paint color available, there must be a way for them to determine the colors used to create your particular color. This is especially true if your vehicle has a custom paint color. One way they do this is by using a spectrophotometer, a machine that measures the among of light and the exact colors that are included in the current finish. The machine then compares the information with your car’s VIN to find the actual paint formula used. Using this method, the collision expert can create a paint color that is close to an exact match for your car.

Computer Technology

New technology is being developed daily that help collision technicians accurately identify paint colors for your vehicle. Not only can computers help the technician identify what colors to use on your car, they can also help finish the work evenly so that your car is returned to you in better condition than it was before. New technology is being used to repair dents, scratches and finish work that provides you with a much better repair than you could get even a few years ago.

Older Model Cars

It has historically been easier for technicians to match the paint on newer cars than older cars, but that is also changing due to technology. Now, using computer-assisted devices, technicians are able to match even custom paint on your car after an accident. If your vintage Camaro is involved in an accident, it is now possible to match the paint so that any repairs necessary are virtually undetectable.

If your car has been involved in a collision, schedule an appointment today by filling out the easy form online or giving us a call. We offer a no obligation inspection and will work as quickly as possible to get your vehicle back on the road in as good or better condition that it was before the accident.

How To Repair Minor Scratches On Your Car

Owning a car means you can expect minor scratches and scuffs on the exterior. A shopping cart bumps the fender or you pull too close to a tree branch in the driveway can lead to small scrapes and scratches on your car. You can take care of many of these small scratches on your own without the need for a professional body shop.

Supplies You Will Need

The first thing to do is to gather the supplies you will need. You will need a small bucket with car-grade soap and cool water along with several clean microfiber cloths. A piece of 2000-grit sandpaper, a container of rubbing compound and a container of polishing wax are the remaining supplies you will need.

How Deep is the Scratch?

Your vehicle has four different layers to the exterior. These layers include the clearcoat, paint color, primer and metal. If the scratch is deep enough that you see a gray color, it has gone through the clearcoat and paint. If it is just a line or scuff, it may have only removed the clearcoat. If just the clearcoat is damaged, the scratch is minor and can be repaired easily. If you can see primer, you may need a professional to repair the scratch.

Wash the Area and then Sand

Always start with a clean canvas by washing the area with the cool, soapy water and then drying it completely with the microfiber cloth. Once the area is clean, use the sandpaper to gently scratch the surface immediately around the scratch. Apply the sanding strokes in the same direction the scratch was made to avoid further damage. Swab the water intermittently with water as you sand.

Apply Rubbing Compound and Wax

After sanding, squeeze a small amount of rubbing compound onto a clean microfiber cloth and apply to the area of the scratch in a circular motion. As you do, you should see the scratch disappear. You may need to add a bit more compound and continue rubbing until the scratch is gone. Finally, add a new layer of wax to the scratch. This restores the clearcoat that was damaged by the scratch. You don’t need a lot of wax to replace the clearcoat. As with the compound, wax in a circular motion.

If you car has a serious scratch that has gone through to the primer, contact us today by calling or filling out the form online to arrange for a no obligation consultation.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Car Battery?

If your car battery is going bad, there are usually symptoms before it goes completely dead. Although it is possible for your car battery to go dead with no warning, keeping a close eye on your battery may help you avoid problems. Preventive battery maintenance can prolong your battery life and help keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.

Age of Your Battery

One of the first things to look for when you are determining how well your battery is working is how old your battery is. There is a label on the top of your battery with punch-outs that show you the month and year it was purchased. If your battery is more than four years old, you may want to consider replacing it, even if it is working fine.

Slower Engine Crank

If you have noticed that your engine starts slower than it used to or if you hear a long, whirring sound before you start the engine, this is known as slow engine crank. It can be an indication that your battery is starting to go bad.

Other Bad Battery Symptoms

If you notice corrosion on your battery or the terminals, it is a sign you should replace the battery. You may also notice that your battery fails when the weather is cooler. In most cases, a jump start can get your car running again, but this is a temporary solution. When you start noticing symptoms, it is time to begin searching for a replacement battery.

Totally Dead Battery

There are times when a battery will die with no warning and it may not start even with jumper cables or a battery charger. If a cell in the battery fails, the battery will no longer charge. One way to check is to use a voltage meter to determine if there is voltage in the battery. If there is none, you will need to purchase a new battery.

What if it is Not the Battery?

It is possible that the battery is not the problem at all. A bad alternator can have the same symptoms as a dying battery. One way to determine if it is the alternator is to start your car and run it for a while. Disconnect the positive connection between the alternator and battery. If the alternator is working properly, your battery is unnecessary while the car is running as the alternator is supplying the power you need to operate the vehicle. If the car stops running, that is a sure indication that your alternator is the problem.

If you have been involved in an accident and have noticed problems with your car starting or corrosion on your battery terminals, call today for a no obligation inspection or fill out the simple form online.

How Often Should Brakes Be Replaced?

Your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle and they need to be well-maintained to perform at their best level. The main parts of your brakes include the caliper, pads and rotor. The rotor and pads will wear out on your car, but how they wear varies depending on a number of factors.

What Determines How Quickly Your Brakes Wear?

There are several different factors that can impact the lifespan of your brakes. Your driving habits affect your brakes the most. If you press your brakes hard regularly or if you tend to ride your brakes while you drive, your brakes may wear more often. Smooth gradual braking improves the lifespan of your brakes. If most of your driving is in the city, stop-and-go traffic, multiple traffic lights and slower moving traffic will shorten your brake lifespan. Driving in mountainous areas with steep changes in elevation can also wear out your brakes more quickly.

Do Your Brakes Need Replacing?

The general rule is that brakes need to be replaced every 50,000 miles although some manufacturers recommend every 25,000 miles. If you don’t do much city driving, brake abruptly or drive in mountains, you may be able to go as long as every 70,000 miles before you need to change your brakes. You can ask your mechanic to look at your brakes when you have the tires rotated or the oil changed. If you hear squealing or scraping noises, your brake pads may be getting to the end of their life. If your car jitters when you brake, your rotors may be warped. In some cases, the rotor can be straightened, but it is often less expensive to simply replace the rotor.

Brake Materials

Another factor that can determine how often you need to replace your brakes is the material of your brake pads. If your brake pads are hard, they may last longer, but they are more common in performance cars and must be warm before they work well. Soft brake pads work best in city driving, but too much heat can melt the pad compound and reduce performance. Carbon-ceramic brakes last longer than metal, but they also need to be warm to work properly. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also much more expensive than metal brakes which is why they are often only found on performance cars.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, call us today to set up an appointment or complete the simple form online. We can perform a no obligation inspection and get your brakes back into perfect working condition quickly.