Year: 2019

What To Consider Before Changing Your Car’s Paint Color

Changing your vehicle’s paint color involves many considerations and decisions. If you have an older, or even newer, vehicle in good shape, you may want to use the same color to renew its original vibrancy. You may want to change color altogether to achieve an updated or different look. There are some factors that you need to consider before taking the color change plunge. Here are some of those critical details you shouldn’t forget to take into account:

Paint Deterioration

If the paint on your current vehicle is showing wear from simple age, years of exposure to extreme temperature changes, and plain old everyday wear and tear, it may be time to consider a new paint job. Though the original paint may have been factory perfect, enough time will deteriorate any paint job. When the paint on your vehicle shows extreme fading as well as cracking, peeling, scratches, and bare spots, it’s probably time to evaluate whether the paint on your vehicle has reached that stage.

Expense

The cost of painting a vehicle is always going to come into play. Painting almost any vehicle, regardless of its size or color, is going to be expensive. A new coat of paint is going to be less costly than purchasing a new vehicle, but there are still factors to weigh when trying to keep the expenses of painting to a minimum. The least expensive paint jobs available are usually through discount oriented paint companies with fast turnaround times, but as the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” If your vehicle needs a decent and lasting paint job, you’re better off spending a little more at a reputable shop with expert paint technicians who are willing to go the extra mile.

Color Changes

Changing a vehicle’s original color to another color is going to increase a paint job two-fold. That added expense is due to the exterior parts of a vehicle’s body being regularly exposed to the elements, as opposed to interior areas that are hidden from view like a trunk, hood, engine, door jams, and other surfaces and openings. When the outside color is dramatically changed, then the interior parts will have to go through the same process at a higher price to ensure the colors match.

Another aspect to think about when you want a complete color change is that you won’t be able to reverse your choice to another color, or back to your vehicle’s original color, once your vehicle has gone through the painting process. Most of the original paint and any original sealant will have been stripped away. So, you need to think hard about a color choice long before your vehicle is in the body shop.

Complete Removal

If you plan on a total color change with your vehicle, be prepared. The interior of your vehicle will be stripped of both interior and exterior parts to do the job right. That means the removal of the seats, console, panels, trim pieces, and even the engine and other major components. You can save by going to a two-tone appearance with all those hidden spots, like the inside of the trunk, engine compartment, and door areas. The entire color change process is one reason why shops charge higher rates for a complete color change; whereas, there is usually a reduction in price and savings with the two-tone effect.

Resale Value in Color Change

Another important factor to be aware of with a complete color change is the effect it has on the resale value of a vehicle. Unfortunately, that value is usually affected negatively. Most repaints, regardless of the condition or appearance of the vehicle, will likely not increase its value. The same is true, if not more so, when it comes to more valuable vehicles. Most people want to remember the original factory colors on older or antique vehicles. If you’re planning on keeping your newly painted vehicle, the resale value is not as critical. If you are contemplating selling it, you should probably keep its original color to make a faster and more profitable sale.

Never Going to Look the Same

Any repaint job is never going to look the same as the original, fresh off the assembly line paint job. When someone other than the manufacturer applies the paint, it’s simply not going to look like the original. The reason for this is that the factory painting process involves the use of equipment that is specialized for the job. A new paint job will usually look good, but it just won’t be the genuine article.

Lots of Preparation and Time

Preparing a vehicle for a complete paint job means removing any clear coat and wax, as well as a good portion of the original paint. When a vehicle has major imperfections, dents, scratches, cracks, or other issues, all of these areas will have to be sealed, filled, sanded, and smoothed out. A lot of preparation is involved with scuffing up the painted areas and applying several primer coats to make sure any remnants of the old paint aren’t allowed to come through and combine with the new paint.

Some less costly painting companies can complete a vehicle paint job within a couple of days, but with a more precise and thorough paint job, it’s going to take at least a week. The painting process involves a significant amount of work and time with a complete repaint, particularly when a new color is required. The job entails several days, not a few hours. You’ll need to be prepared to let go of your vehicle and make plans ahead of time for a rental car or another ride.

There are many factors outlined here that you should consider before changing your car’s paint color. Sometimes, the cheap route seems like a quick fix, but in the long run, finding a reliable paint and body shop with experienced technicians is the answer to giving your vehicle the superior paint job it deserves. If you are unsure of what choices to make when repainting your vehicle, complete the online contact form and an experienced technician will get back to you with the information you need to make the right color choice for you and your vehicle.

Fender Repair 101

Any fender damage can be a real pain, and the whole idea of fixing the damage can put a real “dent” in your day. When it comes to thinking about the hassle and expense of repairing a fender bender, you may want to have some guidelines at hand. Any initial steps to tackle the problem are of definite help, and there several different ways to approach the situation. Here are some of them to get started.

Fender Bender Causes and Characteristics

Fender benders are usually minor car accidents that can happen at slower driving speeds, or even while parked. A runaway shopping cart can be the cause, as can a rear-end collision, backing out of a driveway or parking space, or hitting a mailbox. You can identify fender bender characteristics through the appearance of numerous scratches, scrapes, cracks, and dents.

Fender Inspection

If you don’t have the time to deal with a fender bender repair yourself, the first thing to do is arrange for an inspection with an auto body repair expert. An inspection will entail a thorough examination of any exterior damage. It will also include the removal of outer trim and hardware to get a clearer picture of the extent of the damage. This kind of examination will help a collision expert determine how to properly repair or possibly replace any parts if the damage is significant, or beyond repair.

With a broken or severely damaged fender area, there may be unseen damage that requires moderate to extensive repairs. That could mean the replacement of any number of interior or exterior parts. In this situation, a more thorough assessment or examination should be conducted, including an estimate for repair replacement and labor costs.

Magnitude of Damage

Depending on the magnitude of the damage, minor fender repairs can be completed in a few hours. Any scratches that go along with a dent can be buffed out, and any intense or deeper scratches can be covered. The dents can be pushed out, and any cracks that occur alongside the dents can be filled with the right type of body filler or putty. If the fender bender is minimal, there is usually no need to replace the full bumper.

An expert body person can repair most dents by working with the right materials to restore the fender to its original shape and fit. Once the body shop repairs the damaged spots, they will place a primer over the area. The primer is allowed to set and cure. After that, the damaged area is sanded to get a smooth surface for paint application. Most paint can be easily matched through computer color technology to formulate a specific color for a vehicle. Once painted, a clear coat is applied, and any remaining flaws are buffed out for a smooth and even finish.

Do-it-Yourself Fender Repair

When fender damage is less serious, repairing a minor problem can be done on your own if you have the time and patience. With so many vehicles today having both metal and plastic parts, the pliability of both materials allows an amateur mechanic to repair minor dents and other flaws. There are several easier methods that you can use to repair fender benders. Here are some of the more successful options.

Hot Water

Hot water use can make dent removal easier. Simply boil water in a pot and pour the water over the area in need of repair. The water should soften the plastic area and make it more pliable. Apply pressure behind the bumper, and steadily push out the dent. The dents may be somewhat alleviated, but their appearance will likely not be perfect because of the initial damage. This process can also work using a hairdryer to heat the area and push out the dent. Again, the procedure probably won’t leave a completely smooth finish.

Suction Devices

Several suction devices can help when working out a dent. A plunger for sink use could be useful in a larger dented area, while a windshield mount used with cellphones could be used for smaller dents. The windshield mount should contain a pulling handle device.

Before tackling a smaller dent, clean the area thoroughly. Once clean, insert and press the windshield mount suction device onto the dent. Use the handle and pull the cup out, and the dent should release. This action should work with more shallow dents that are sunken or concave in appearance. However, this method is less effective with more involved dents and creases.

Hot Glue and Pulling Sticks

Similar to kits used by professionals, using hot glue and a wooden dowel is another do-it-yourself method for repairing a dent. Though a bit more taxing, the process is somewhat effective. Place hot glue over the area of the dent, and place the dowels on the glued area. Allow the glue to set up. The placement of the dowels allows you to pull on the various sections of the dent. Pulling should be straight out and at an angle to detach the dowels. A hairdryer can be used to soften and remove the glue.

Filling and Painting

One of the more difficult and time-consuming methods for fixing a fender bender is through using body filler on the area in question and repainting it once you repair the damage. Body filler is used to build the dented and creased areas back to their original profiles. The area where you will do the work should be clean and dry. In addition to the body filler, you’ll need sandpaper (both wet and dry), cutting or rubbing compound polish, and paint. This method is a step-by-step process that relies on completing each step carefully to avoid imperfections with the filler, the sanding, the polishing, and the final layer of paint, which you need to match to the vehicle’s original color carefully. This method is effective, though difficult.

Hot and Cold Air Use

Hot and cold air can work reasonably well on fender benders. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the area of the dent. Once it is heated, freeze the area with compressed air. The expansion of the heat will expand the area while the cold contracts and diminishes it, which will help pull out the dent. This method works best on more superficial dents in body panels made of plastic, though it can work on metal panels as well. It’s not a perfect method, and the dents may reoccur with weather changes.

Fender benders are never fun and can ruin the appearance and possible safety of a vehicle. Do-it-yourself techniques are great to have at your disposal, but they aren’t always going to give you a showroom appearance. You also want to make sure that those dents, deep creases, and scratches aren’t causing any mechanical problems before you dive into the do-it-yourself scene. If you want more than quick fixes, complete the online contact form, and a qualified professional will get back to you with the information you need to make an informed decision concerning your fender bender.

How Long Do you Have to Report a Car Accident?

People do not plan to be involved in car accidents, but they sometimes happen unexpectedly. Whether you are at fault or not for an accident, you will have to deal with multiple things following it. Dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be a real headache for most people. If you suffered injuries in your accident, your first priority should be to seek prompt medical care. After you have sought medical care, you will then need to complete several other steps that are time-dependent, including filing an accident report and potentially filing a lawsuit. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we can work with you and your insurance company to repair your car while you attend to the other tasks that you will have to handle that are accident-related. In this article, we will provide you with some information about the steps that you should take, the timing of filing different documents and claims, and when you should complete different actions after your car accident.

Reporting a car accident

After a minor accident, you might not want to report it. However, there are few situations in which a report is unnecessary. Under New Jersey law, you must report any accident in which the damage exceeds $500 by filing an accident report with the state. However, if the damage was very minor, and no one was injured, you might not want to report an accident to your insurance company. In that situation, the damage may be less than your deductible. Your insurance company might also react by raising your insurance premiums. Low-speed crashes that have damage that appears minor may sometimes cost more than you might think.

If you cause damage to someone else’s property in an accident for which you were at fault, you should report it to your insurance company. This applies even if your accident was a single-vehicle accident. For example, if you glance down at your cell phone and run off of the road and run over someone’s mailbox, you will need to report your accident to the property owner and your insurance company. Even if your accident was not your fault, you still might want to call your insurance company.

How long do you have to report an accident?

If you are involved in a collision with another driver, you should call the police to report it from the scene. You should never leave the scene of an accident before help arrives. If you do, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident even if it was not your fault.

New Jersey requires people to file accident reports with the state within 10 days of when their accidents occurred. This report must be filed for any accident that results in damage of more than $500 or an injury or fatality.

For reporting an accident with another vehicle to your insurance company, you should do so as soon as possible. You may report the accident from the scene. A majority of insurance companies have 24-hour accident report numbers and mobile apps that you can use to report an accident. If your accident only involved your vehicle, you might want to wait to call your insurance company until you have had a chance to review your policy so that you can make a better decision about whether to report it to your company. Many companies have requirements for their policyholders to file claims within a specific time after an accident. You will need to check your policy or ask your insurance agent about this requirement.

Statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit

Most car accidents will not lead to lawsuits. However, if you were seriously injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may need to file a lawsuit to ensure that the insurance company will provide you with sufficient compensation to pay for your losses. All of the states have statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits. These are legal time periods for when you must file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the prescribed time, you will lose your right to file a lawsuit to recover damages in the future. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of your injury. Since accidents must be thoroughly investigated to build a strong personal injury case, it is best to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your injury accident to provide him or her with plenty of time to build a case for you.

There are also different time limits for different types of lawsuits. For example, if your insurance company engages in bad faith practices when handling your claim such as unreasonably dragging it out or refusing to pay your valid claim, you may file a bad faith insurance claim. The statute of limitations in New Jersey for bad faith insurance claims is six years. However, many insurance companies include limitations in their policies to limit the time to file a bad faith insurance lawsuit. You will want to check your policy to see if this type of time limit is included in your policy.

Getting help

After an accident, you will have many things to deal with. Whether or not you were injured, you may have to also deal with car repairs. In many cases, it is possible to settle the property damage portion of your insurance claim while the injury portion is still being negotiated. Elmer’s Auto Body has decades of experience helping people to get the repairs that they need to their vehicles after car accidents. We can work with your insurance company to make certain that your vehicle will be restored to the condition it was in before your accident. To learn more or to schedule a repair estimate, contact us today by filling out our online contact form or calling one of our three New Jersey locations.

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The 4 Categories Used To Assess Vehicle Damage

A vehicle accident is one of those things that no one wants to consider.

When your car is involved in an accident, one of the first things you should do is to inform your insurance company. Of course, your first call should be a call to the police so that they can file a report, but the insurance company is your next priority. They will probably send an inspector to your home in short order to evaluate your vehicle. This article is intended to help you understand the terms that the inspector will likely use.

The Four Categories Used To Assess Vehicle Damage

Based on the level of damage, an insurance assessor will classify your vehicle into one of four categories. We should note that these categories have changed in recent years. In the past, vehicle damage was classified into categories A, B, C, or D. This system worked pretty well, but it had one flaw: It was based only on the estimated monetary cost of the damage. The new ratings take cost into account, but they focus more on safety concerns.

It is crucial to understand the legal aspects when dealing with an insurance claim. Anytime an accident occurs, your insurance company (and the authorities) will want to determine who was at fault. That will determine who pays for the majority of the damages. Without an inspection, there is no way to know what kind of insurance claim to file.

Category A: Completely Ruined

This category represents the worst kind of damage and indicates that the car cannot be repaired. A vehicle in this category cannot be driven again, and its parts cannot be removed and re-sold. When this level of damage occurs, the only thing you can do is send it to the scrapyard and collect whatever you can.

Category B: Only Good For Parts

A car in this category has suffered severe damage, and can never be driven again. However, it is permitted to salvage any undamaged parts for re-sale. The salvage yard will scrap all of the damaged parts. Most of the time, the insurance company will not permit you to salvage any part of the vehicle’s body. Cars in this category have usually suffered extensive body damage.

Category S: Major Damage

You could describe this level of damage as “bad, but repairable.” A vehicle in category S has sustained severe structural damage. The letter “S” indicates this fact. As such, the frame is probably no good, and the body is also likely not salvageable. However, it might be possible to salvage the frame if you take your vehicle to a skilled professional. You must take vehicles in this category to a licensed mechanic for extensive repairs, and you cannot drive the vehicle until repairs are complete.

Category N: Minor Damage

This category is the one that you want to hear when the inspector comes around. Category N damage might be as light as a busted headlight or a broken wire. As such, you might be able to repair this damage without taking it to an expensive body shop. Since these cars have no body or frame damage, you will only have to swap the damaged parts with undamaged parts. These vehicles might be safe to drive in the meantime, but you shouldn’t take any chances. If the car has any damage to the brake system, turn signals, transaxles, or transmission, you shouldn’t drive it until its repaired.

Buying A Damaged Car

Sometimes, you can buy damaged cars at a very low price. Of course, you need to have some basic auto repair skills (or maybe a little more than that, depending on the level of damage). Even those with no auto repair expertise, you might be able to turn a profit by re-selling a car after completed repairs.

If this is your intention, it is vitally important that you familiarize yourself with the damage categories listed above. In this way, you can make sure that you get a vehicle that isn’t beyond your ability to save. You can also make sure that the seller has been honest with you by doing a vehicle history check. If you don’t know how to do that, you will be relieved to hear that it’s quite easy. All you have to do is get the VIN from the seller (before you pay, of course!). The VIN is just a unique identifying number that allows you to check the vehicle’s history. Once you have it, search the number on this website. Some companies will try to get you to pay for this service, but it can be done for free if you know where to look.

Conclusion

Thankfully, this system is not complicated or difficult to learn. After reading this short article, you should at least be able to understand the terms in which your insurance provider will describe the damage. For most people, that’s all that is necessary.

When it comes to legal questions, we recommend that you contact your attorney as soon as you have finished dealing with the police and the insurance company. We hope that we have been helpful to you and that you will fill out the contact form below for more information.

Can Body Work On My Vehicle Void The Warranty?

The more expensive the item, the more important its warranty will be. This basic rule is true for all products. Thus, a vehicle warranty becomes the most important warranty that most people will ever have.

Unfortunately, warranties are sometimes full of boobytraps. When we say that, we mean that there are a variety of conditions under which a manufacturer can void your warranty. How can they do this? Well, it’very simple. A warranty isn’t just a pledge from a company. It’s an agreement, and you have to keep your end of the bargain. If you don’t keep your end of the deal, they are not required to keep theirs.

You Don’t Have To Get Repairs From A Dealership

The good news is that companies cannot force you to use their repair service. In most states, it is illegal for a company to deny a warranty claim merely because someone else worked on the vehicle. As long as the work is correct, the claim should be approved in the end.

That being said, there is an easy way that you can avoid problems in this department. It is best to choose a body shop that is certified to work on your particular brand of vehicle. For instance, if you have a Ford, make sure Ford, rather than a third-party organization certifies your body shop. By doing this, you will help to ensure that the company approves your claim. It will be difficult for them to justify voiding your warranty when you chose a body shop that they certified and approved.

Sometimes, unscrupulous car salespeople will attempt to convince you that you should get all your repair and maintenance work done at the dealership. Of course, they are just trying to make more money for their employer, and they probably hope to gain a bonus by doing so. The problem for you is that dealership repairs are always more expensive, even though they usually employ very skilled mechanics.

What Kind Of Damage Is Covered?

Most warranties will only cover damage that is the fault of the manufacturer. If the damage comes from your mistake, they will not pay. If you take your car to a substandard body shop and they cause damage, the company also will not pay. If you put aftermarket parts on the vehicle, or if you buy used parts from a junkyard, those parts will not be covered by the warranty. In some cases, using aftermarket or secondhand parts could void your warranty altogether.

Other Things That Might be Covered

We should note that some warranties are much more generous than others. While some will only cover manufacturer defects, others will cover the costs of maintenance and repair as long as certain criteria are met. Make sure you read the entire warranty before you buy a vehicle, and make sure you don’t neglect the fine print. You can get different kinds of warranties that will cover different parts, or you can get what is called a “bumper-to-bumper” warranty. This kind of warranty covers all parts and is usually much more forgiving. Some will even cover the effects of rust damage, vandalism, or damage from natural disasters.

Keep Good Records

Every car will occasionally need maintenance and repair. When your vehicle requires these things, you should make sure to keep a record of the job. This record could be a receipt from your body shop, a written statement from your mechanic, or a witness statement from someone present during the process. Whichever way you choose, make sure that you can show records of all repairs and maintenance.

This information can help you if the manufacturer decides to dispute your claim. You can take those documents into court and prove that your car was properly maintained and that qualified professionals repaired it. Without that, they will simply have to take your word for the matter, and they probably aren’t going to do that!

Remember: They Don’t Want To Pay!

It is essential to realize that most companies do not want to pay out any money whatsoever on your warranty if they can avoid doing so. That’s why warranties will often contain all sorts of limitations and conditions. You should think of these conditions as traps that you must avoid.

Thus, you can almost certainly expect your claim could be denied at first. You may need to appeal that decision, and you may need to get a lawyer. In some cases, the threat of legal action alone will be enough to make them sing a different tune, but only if you are legally in the right. If that doesn’t work, you might try calling the Federal Trade Commission, the government body tasked with regulating this kind of problem. You might also lodge a complaint with the better business bureau, but all they can do is publish a report. It might damage the company’s reputation, but the BBB cannot force the manufacturer to honor a warranty.

Conclusion

It would be nice if we could give you a simple answer to the question posed in the title of this article. However, there is no simple answer to the question. The truth is that body shop work can void your warranty, but it should not do so under most circumstances. As long as the work was done correctly, you should have no problems.

If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it is this principle: Always make sure that you choose a body shop carefully. We recommend that you start by looking at all the reviews that you can find for that particular shop. A place that leaves a lot of unsatisfied customers is far less likely to give you the results that you want. If this article has helped you to understand this issue a little better, we hope that you will fill out the contact form below.