Year: 2021

Getting into an accident and knowing that you have to get repairs on your vehicle can be daunting. This might be your first time, and you don’t know how to start the process or what it entails. You’ve probably also run into the slew of misconceptions about collision repair. Don’t worry. Collision repair is a straightforward process, and today, we’re going to demystify it further.

Here are seven things you may not know about collision repair:

 

1. Shop Estimates Can Vary Because of the Appraiser

There will come a time when you receive an estimate for repairs from the appraiser that is less than accurate. A skilled appraiser will be able to look at a damaged vehicle and tell you exactly what needs repairing. The estimate will be very close to the final cost, and you won’t have any surprises. Should the appraiser not understand, they could come up with a lower estimate that doesn’t cover everything that needs to be done.

But even the most expert appraiser cannot determine the whole extent of the damage. They have to understand that some collision damage is invisible until you go searching for it; so, the appraiser also has to be able to convince the insurance company that such damages can be missed and that repair will return the car to a satisfactory condition.

 

2. There is No Memory in Metal Body Parts

You may have seen those gadgets that claim you can pop out a dent in a metal body panel easily, because of the “memory” in the body. Be skeptical of those claims. Once metal has been dented or damaged from a collision, it is going to stay that way. It won’t return to how the panel emerged from the factory easily.

To even remotely return the metal to its original shape, collision repair technicians have to utilize specialized tools to reshape the metal. Restoring the body panel to its original appearance is an arduous process.

 

3. Collision Damage Goes Beyond the Surface

As mentioned above, collision damage can be extensive. Sometimes, your car will be totaled even if the exterior damage looks minor. Plus, repairs are more expensive than in the past.

Whenever you collide with something, whether it is an object or another vehicle, the force of the impact will travel through the entire body of the car. That force is capable of bending and breaking panels, components, interior pieces, the drive train, and so much more.

That is why your auto technician might recommend that you get a wheel alignment after a fender bender. You never know how a collision could affect other regions of the vehicle until you bring it in for inspection.

 

4. Lacking Body Fillers Doesn’t Mean Poor Repair

Back in the day, you could use a magnet to locate the parts of a car that were metal and which had fillers to see if it had been in an accident. These days, it’s not simple. Brand new vehicles on the lot could have fillers to hide any irregularities in the metal.

Additionally, the advancement of auto repair technology has made it much easier to repair bent metal without even needing a filler, such as paintless dent repair (PDR). Old paint could crumble on impact, but modern paint is more flexible and able to move with the body panels to a degree. Some damages may be repairable without ever altering the paint, making it nearly impossible to tell a car has been in a minor collision.

 

5. You Can Go to Any Body Shop You Want

Your insurance provider might suggest taking your vehicle to their recommended body shop, but they cannot coerce you to go. They cannot revoke your compensation, either. When you need to have collision repair done, it’s best to go to a reputable auto repair shop that has knowledge, experience, certifications, and high customer satisfaction. They will do the repairs correctly and use OEM parts rather than appeasing the insurance company.

 

6. The Kind of Parts You Receive Make a Difference

When you go to the body shop recommended by the insurer, the mechanic will often use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts, which saves the insurance company money in the end. Although most aftermarket parts are designed to meet quality standards, it is always best to go the OEM route. Such parts are made specifically for your make and model, so you know you are getting the best fit and highest quality.

 

7. You Won’t Need a Whole Repaint

Technology has made it so much easier to repair vehicles. A quality repair can restore your car to as good as it was before the accident. Similarly, you don’t have to worry about mismatched paints or needing to repaint the entire vehicle. Once the damaged panel is repaired, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the new paint and the original coat.

 

Make Your Collision Repair Appointment Today

When you need collision repair, the most important thing is finding an auto repair shop that you can trust. The technicians will be able to provide an accurate estimate of the repairs and do a quality job. Such excellent services are what you’ll find at Elmer’s Auto Body. Each of our technicians has OEM certifications and extensive training. We’ll help you get back on track after an accident and make sure you’re back on the road as soon as possible.

Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

After a car accident, you want to get your vehicle repaired by a professional auto body shop. While you can find a repair shop on just about every corner, not all are qualified to fix your ride. You need to find a reputable shop, but it will require some research by you. Here are the top 10 questions you need to ask before bringing your vehicle for repairs in Medford.

 

1 – What Do Customers Say About Your Shop?

Today, you can easily find reviews of an auto body shop online. There are plenty of customer reviews, third-party ratings, and blog articles that can help you make a decision. In some cases, you could look at the shop’s website, but they often highlight just the good reviews. If you are still in doubt, you could always check out their BBB rating and reviews as well. Keep in mind that many more people are willing to leave a review for bad service rather than a good job.

 

2 – Is the Repair Shop Certified?

Many repair shops will proudly display their I-CAR, ASE, and OEM certifications. With those designations, you can be assured that the technicians have the training, skills, and knowledge to complete a top-quality repair on your vehicle. You can usually find these certification badges on their websites, marketing pamphlets, and in the waiting room.

3 – How Does the Shop Communicate With Clients?

Many shops have moved to modern times and adopted new procedures to keep in touch with their customers. This new technology allows clients to book appointments online, receive status updates via text, and send photos for an estimate. However, not all shops have upgraded from the old-fashioned way of conducting business with handwritten notes and phone calls. While these updated features are convenient, they do not necessarily mean the shop is better than others in the area.

 

4 – Does the Shop Work on My Particular Make and Model?

Anyone who drives a foreign model or rare make could have some trouble trying to find replacement parts. Along with that, you want to make sure that the repair shop has the experience, tools, and equipment to restore the appearance of your ride.

 

5 – Does the Shop Supply a Loaner Car?

When your car is in the shop, you know it can be a hassle without a vehicle. Some shops have agreements with rental car agencies for reduced rates. Other auto body repair shops may have a car rental facility on the property. In some cases, they may even have their own courtesy vehicles for you to use.

However, before you sign for the rental car, make sure to read the contract. You should take photos of the vehicle before leaving the shop and once you return it. Otherwise, you could be responsible for any damage discovered on the car.

 

6 – Does the Shop Provide a Written Estimate?

Before work is started on your car, you need to get a written estimate. Once the work is done, you need to ask for an itemized bill. If the numbers don’t match up, you should question any of those discrepancies.

In the waiting room, many auto body shops will post their shop procedures and payment policies. Many of these policies will outline the warranty information, guarantees, forms of payment, labor rates, and material costs.

 

7 – How Long Will the Repair Take?

Along with the price, you need to find out when you can expect your car back from the shop. Since every job is different, you could get several different answers. Some factors could influence the length of the repair, including the shop’s workload, part procurement process, and the extent of the vehicle’s damage.

The experience and training of the technicians can also shorten the time in the shop. In some cases, the auto body shop could outsource your work, increasing the time that your car is in for repairs.

 

8 – Will the Paint Match the Car?

With most repairs, you will need to have new paint applied to the fixed areas. You don’t want to drive a car that has two different paint colors. Today, many auto body repair shops will use the manufacturer’s paint code under the hood, inside the door jam, or in the trunk. The technician will simply program in the code, and it mixes the paint to be an identical match to your car. With modern technology, they can pair up the colors without any problems.

 

9 – Does My Insurance Cover the Vehicle at the Shop?

Accidents can happen at any time. You want to make sure that your vehicle is protected from theft, burglary, and damage while it is in the shop. In some cases, the auto body shop will carry theft and fire insurance to protect the vehicles in the building. You also want to keep paying those insurance premiums on your policy. Along with that, you want to have the car insured since technicians will be test driving your vehicle.

 

10 – Does a Warranty Back the Repairs?

You want to know that the shop will back up their work. If the repairs are faulty, the shop should correct them in a timely manner at no cost to you. Many repair shops offer a warranty on their work. However, you need to find out the time period, coverage details, and whether other shops will honor the warranty if you happen to move.

There are many things to consider before you bring your vehicle in for a repair. You should find a reputable shop that guarantees their work. In addition to that, an auto body shop will have the proper certifications and experienced technicians to work on your vehicle. These questions will help you narrow down your search to find the right shop for your car.

Looking for an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

If you are looking for a professional auto body repair shop near Medford, make sure to reach out to Elmer’s Auto Body. Our experienced technicians can bring your car back to life after an accident. You can set up an appointment by calling our shop at (856) 218-0202.

 

One thing anyone who owns an automobile fears is returning from a shopping trip or outing and seeing a new dent or ding on their car, truck, van, or SUV. The danger is always going to be there, whether it’s from falling branches, runaway shopping carts, stray baseballs, car doors, or something else. Since most dents are cosmetic issues at best, you might opt to ignore it, but that could be risky. If you want to eventually trade-in your current vehicle, those dents could lower the trade-in value. Furthermore, untreated dents and scratches leave your vehicle susceptible to rust and corrosion, compromising safety.

And guess what? Repairing those small dings doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. You can get them removed easily with paintless dent repair.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Also known as PDR, paintless dent repair is widely considered as the most environmentally-friendly and swiftest solution to dent repair and removal. The method is non-invasive, does not require repainting, and does not harm the factory finish.

When PDR is performed by an auto technician, they follow crucial steps, such as:

• Assessing the damaged area
• Removing the affected body panel to see the extent of the damage from the interior side
• Applying continuous and even pressure to the dent to smooth out the metal

Differences Between Traditional Dent Repair and Paintless Dent Repair

When you have dents traditionally repaired at a body shop, it typically involves filling the dent with a filler or paint that is then covered to match the rest of the exterior color. However, while this process does make the dents “disappear,” the actual problem is not being addressed. The dent is still there. Not to mention that the traditional process is expensive, time-consuming, and may negatively impact the value of your vehicle.

Paintless dent repair takes a different route. There are no fillers used, and sanding isn’t required. The process is much faster than the traditional method while costing you a lot less in bills.

How Paintless Dent Repair Works

We mentioned that paintless dent repair works with pressure applied to the damaged section of the vehicle and that no fillers are used. In the auto body repair shop, PDR is more like a dance. Sometimes, the technician has to get creative with how they even out the dent and make the damage invisible to the eye.

There are a series of instruments that an auto technician might use, such as knockdowns or tap downs, fender rods, whale tails, and pivot tips. They may pick up a rubber or slide hammer or brace tools, too. From there, the technician will remove the panel so that both front and back are exposed. They will begin from the backside, applying pressure to the dent so that the damaged portion is returned to the proper place.

To ensure that the metal has been restored correctly, the technician will shine a special light to check the smoothness of the exterior surface.

Sometimes the damage is far too extensive. When that happens, PDR may be applied first to get the metal back to as close to its original state as possible. Afterwards, the technician will fill in the irregularities, sand down uneven places, and repaint when needed. This method is also known as “push to prep” or “push to paint.”

What Kind of Dents Can Be Repaired With PDR?

Paintless dent repair is most often used for shallow dents, but even larger areas of damage that are several inches in diameter can be corrected. As long as there is no paint damage, PDR will work wonders.

Typical applications include:

• Damage from gravel, pebbles, and small rocks
• Hail damage
• Bodyline damage
• Fender benders or other minor collisions
• Parking accidents and bumped car doors
• Other dings of various sizes

 

The main factors that are considered include the location of the dent, the size of the dent, and the extent of the damage. Generally, most dents can be repaired with PDR, but there are some exceptions. For example, a ding close to the edge of a panel is going to require more effort to fix than one that is in the center of a body panel.

Does The Type of Paint Affect Paintless Dent Repair?

It might seem strange that the type of paint on your vehicle could affect a process with “paintless” in the name, but there is some influence. Automotive paint is made to have elastic properties so that it can expand slightly before cracking occurs. Some paints are able to withstand damage or stress for longer periods of time, making it more suitable for paintless dent repair.

Acrylic polyurethane enamel is water-based and far more elastic than the paint used on older car models, where a single dent could cause paint to crack and crumble. Since these modern pains are so flexible and resilient, paintless dent repair can completely repair dents without affecting the enamel on the body panel.

In the event that the paint is cracked or the scratching is down to the metal, PDR will be less effective. The dented body panel will need to be repainted.

Benefits of Paintless Dent Repair

There are plenty of advantages to choosing paintless dent repair over traditional dent repair. No wonder PDR has become the more popular option for car owners. Here are some of the benefits of paintless dent repair to keep in mind:

• Paintless dent repair is a permanent solution. You never have to worry about the dent randomly reappearing one day. Once the dent has been repaired, the metal will retain its strength.
• It is cost-effective. When you are looking for an affordable option, you will be amazed to find that PDR is inexpensive when compared to other methods.
• Repairs are much faster than traditional dent repair. Rather than having to wait for an extended period of time and being inconvenienced by the lack of a car, you can enjoy a much faster turnaround time. Most PDR repairs take only a couple of days.
• Extensive repairs are possible. Paintless dent repair is not solely for small dents or dings from a door. As mentioned above, you can use PDR in a number of occasions, including things like hail damage to something more extensive, like dents from fallen tree branches.

Bottom Line of Paintless Dent Repair

Consider paintless dent repair when your car has small dents or dings caused by things like hail damage or car doors. As long as the paint is unscathed, PDR is a quick and reliable option for removing unsightly dings.

Although there are DIY paintless dent repair options out there, it is best to see a professional to ensure the task is done correctly. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we will go the extra mile to make dents and dings disappear. If you want your vehicle to look like it did when you drove it off the dealership lot, come to us.

Give us a call today to schedule an appointment or to ask us your questions.

 

After you have been involved in a car accident, you probably will take your vehicle to a repair shop. When they have finished the job, you can pick up your ride. However, you might feel a little nervous about the repair work. You want to know that the shop did the job correctly.

When you head to the shop, the technician will walk you around the vehicle. He or she will explain what was fixed and provide you with a written checklist of the work. At this time, you can ask about the shop’s warranty and what to do if there are any problems. It is still important for you to conduct your own inspection. Before you take your vehicle on the road, here are some key things to check.

Is the Vehicle Clean?

The first thing you want to inspect is the car’s cleanliness, including both the exterior and interior. Dirt can hide those imperfections. For that reason, you want to have a spotless car when you pick it up from the shop. Your vehicle should be washed and vacuumed so that you can inspect those repaired areas. From the engine to the floor mats, everything should be thoroughly cleaned.

There should not be any spare parts lying around in the trunk, interior, or other areas. If you find these extra components, you might want to question the professionalism of the shop’s work. A clean car gives the owner a high-quality impression, and you will have one less reason to doubt the shop’s work. If your vehicle is nice and clean, it has passed the “eye test.” Now you can conduct a more tedious inspection of the work.

Inspect All the Repaired Areas

Once you have done a quick glance at your vehicle, you should start to be more thorough. You need to pay attention to those areas that have been repaired. There should never be any gaps in the seams of the body panels. This is the time to close the doors, hood, and truck. With this, you can ensure that there are no rubbing or squeaking sounds. Along with that, this action will check that these components are operating correctly.

You might want to lift up the hood and inspect those wires and hoses. Are they all connected? Make sure that the shop correctly replaced a deployed airbag. This is also a great time to check the beam alignment of the headlights and the distance between the tires and fenders. If your frame requires an alignment, you can also request a printout of the frame specs.

You need to make sure that all the repaired areas were fixed accurately. If you find any spots with issues, you need to check the paperwork. There should be clear documentation of what was fixed on your vehicle. When there are discrepancies, you must call up the auto body shop.

If all those areas have been examined with no issues, take a look at the finish and paint on the car.

Check the Paint Job

When your vehicle has been involved in an accident, it will probably need new paint in certain areas. You want to be assured that the car will have matching colors of paint. No one wants to drive a vehicle that looks like a painter’s palette.

However, even with the factory paint codes, it can be hard to match the paint with the rest of the car. In some cases, the color has faded from other parts of the vehicle. A good technician will add a slight tint to perfectly match the shade so that you have a beautifully restored finish.

Many vehicles on the road also have something called an “orange peel” on the paint texture. With those vehicles, it can be challenging to match the color and texture. When you pick up your car, do it in the daytime, especially in the bright sunlight. You can compare the color from several different angles and look for any inconsistencies. This time of the day is the ideal way to spot imperfections due to dirt specks, hairs, or overspray.

Look for Other Collision Flaws

When you take these simple steps to inspect your vehicle, it can go a long way to ensure that the repairs were conducted properly. Before you approve the repair work, ask to go on a test drive. In some cases, the technician will take a drive with you. If you hear any strange noises, experience questionable handling, or have poor performance, you can ask for an explanation. Don’t ever sign off on the work if you are not completely satisfied. Once you leave the shop, you might be responsible for any additional repairs.

In some instances, the problems will not show up for a few days. Fluid leaks and uneven tire wear are some examples of damage from unprofessional work. A reputable shop will offer a warranty of up to 12,000 miles or one year after the shop completed the work. However, it is your responsibility to inspect your vehicle and ensure the work was done right.

Bring Out the Light

As mentioned before, you want to check your vehicle in the full light. With bright sunshine or even a pocket flashlight, you can make sure your car doesn’t have uneven panels, paint color differences, or minor dents.

Some shady auto body shops may rush you through the inspection process, but you are the one paying for the work. What might seem like a great job could turn into trouble after a detailed inspection. You have every right to check out your car. Once again, if you are not satisfied, you need to speak to the manager or owner of the shop.

Need To Find an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

Unfortunately, there are plenty of subpar repair shops in the area. At Elmer’s Auto Body, our customers’ satisfaction is our top priority. We want you to be delighted with our work. You can check our technician’s handiwork from top to bottom. We will make sure your ride is in tip-top shape before it leaves our shop. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call the shop at (856) 218-0202.