Category: Auto Body Repair

Car repair estimates are never going to be exact, but they are the surest method of diagnosis. Even an expert can misjudge something if they don’t take a close enough look. A car repair estimate involves a thorough inspection of all working parts, making it far more likely that any problems will be discovered. Although these are just ballpark figures, it is important to understand them completely. That includes any acronyms or special terms that might be used. Let’s talk about a few of those terms in more detail.

R&R: Remove and Replace

Once you know what the letters mean, this term becomes self-explanatory. It should be accompanied by the name of a vehicle part such as the radiator, the brake pads, sensors, etc. The “R&R” designation means that the part is completely shot and cannot be repaired. Thus, the only thing to do is remove the damaged part and replace it with a new one. This might involve waiting for several days or even a week or two, as it can take time for parts to be found and shipped. Needless to say, older and/or less common parts are going to take longer.

You should also understand that there is a safety issue here. A damaged part might be technically usable, but a weak or damaged part might pose a safety hazard. Even if it still partially works, replacement is the best option. This is particularly true in the case of safety features like brakes, airbags, bumpers, and outer panels. It takes a skilled eye to tell the difference between something that can truly be fixed and something that has been compromised too much. In any case, when you see “R&R” on your car repair estimate, it isn’t hard to understand the meaning.

R&I: Remove And Install

This is what happens if the part is not completely shot. Like the “R&R” code, this one will appear next to any parts to which it applies. When you see “R&I”, that means the part needs to be removed and then reinstalled. Obviously, this tends to be cheaper since you are only paying for labor costs. Also, you probably won’t have to wait nearly as long since the shipping of parts is not an issue.

There are a number of good reasons why a mechanic might need to remove and then re-install a vehicle part. Sometimes, they might have to remove that part in order to gain access to another part. Not all vehicle components are easy to reach, even if you have the proper tools. So, there is often no other choice but to remove the part that is in your way and re-install it later.

This kind of thing might also be done if the part itself can be repaired. For instance, if they need to remove an outer panel to repair a minor dent, this kind of fee will apply. If you are getting an alternator repair, the “R&I” tag will also be present. In the case of an estimate, it might also apply to any parts that had to be removed during the diagnostic. Every estimate needs to include a detailed look at every working part (which means most of them), and that might require the removal of certain parts to gain access to others.

Other Terms That You Might See

Let’s go over a few other abbreviations/codes that you might see on your car repair estimate. They are all less common than the two that we’ve already discussed, but it pays to know what these terms mean:

• PDR: Paintless Dent Repair: This means you have some minor denting that can be repaired without any need for repainting.
• O/H: Overhaul: This means that a set of parts (an “assembly”) will require a total re-working, which may or may not require replacement parts.
• FEA: Front End Alignment: This means your front wheels are out of alignment and require correction.
• OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer: This term denotes an original part. That means it either comes from the same company that made your car or that it has been made to their specifications.
• A/M: Aftermarket: This is the opposite of OEM. It refers to parts that come from third-party manufacturers.
• BC/CC: Base Coat/Clear Coat: These refer to painting costs. The base coat is the paint layer, and the clear coat acts as a protective layer.

Understand What You Are Reading

When you are looking at your repair estimate, it might be confusing at first. So, ask plenty of questions and make sure you understand everything that you are reading. Also, make sure you understand that you are looking at two sets of costs here: The cost of the estimate itself, and the estimated cost of the final repair bill. Make sure you don’t get those two mixed up, as this is a common mistake.

Where Can I Get A Good Car Repair Estimate?

As we said before, it’s important to choose the right place. It takes a competent hand and a trained eye to detect those subtle problems that lesser mechanics would have missed. And so, if you are in need of car repair, you are probably asking yourself: “Where can I find the best auto body shop near me?”

If you are located in South Jersey or the surrounding areas, your best option is Elmer’s Auto Body. We’ve been serving the community for over 70 years, and our reputation for excellence is well-known to the people in the area. If you would like to find out why, you can call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

Most people live busy lives and figuring out the best time to take your car into the auto body shop can prove difficult. You keep pushing it to the back burner because other more important things keep coming up. Luckily, you can do a couple of things to squeeze it into your schedule more easily. Let’s take a look at how we work around your busy schedule.

Start with a Phone Call

Many times, the thing that holds people back the most comes from them not realizing how little time the repair could take. They continue to put it off because they think it will take over a week to receive the repair. It depends on the repair, but auto body repairs usually take from two to five days. Minor auto body work requires one to two days of work. Give us a call over the phone, and we can give you an estimate of the time so that you can plan for it.

Just keep in mind that we can only give you an approximate amount of time on it and how long it takes to get it fixed. Knowing how long it would take will let you fit it into your schedule more easily. We can’t give a diagnosis over the phone, however, because we may miss crucial repairs that were hidden on the vehicle.

Maintenance Prevents Costly Future Problems

You want to make the repairs on your car as soon as possible because if you continue to drive a car with damages, it will worsen over time. This will lead to higher costs than the original repair. Think of it as maintenance and a way to save more time on your busy schedule.

How to Handle Not Having a Car

When your car goes in for repairs, it can interrupt your schedule. Even if you have your car repaired, you don’t want to take a day off work. We don’t recommend it either. Instead, you would leave the car in the shop with us and borrow a friend or family member’s car. You could even rent a car for those days if it will take a while. This ensures the minimum disruption to your day.

In general, we don’t recommend that people wait in the shop for us to finish the repairs. Auto body repairs do take longer than regular mechanic repairs in most cases, and it rarely will make sense for the customer to wait around like you would with an oil change or tire rotation.

Hire Someone Who Works with Your Schedule

You can Google, “auto body shop near me,” and you will come across many companies. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we will work with your busy schedule to try to get you in at the time that you need. Unlike some of the alternatives, we will work on your schedule and help you so that you experience as little of an inconvenience as possible. You don’t need to have this take up all your time to have the car repaired.

Why Do Auto Body Shop Repairs Take so Much Time?

Almost every customer will ask us, “How long is this going to take?” We need to look at your car to give you an exact estimate of time because of the potential for hidden damages that need repairs. Many variables enter the equation, which explains why it can take us so long.

Let’s take the example of a bumper repair. Sure, it might look simple, but when we start to disassemble the car and take a look at it, we learn how it had further damage than its original appearance. Most of the time with auto body repairs, we need to repair hidden damage that we didn’t see at first. It doesn’t become apparent until you start to take the car apart.

In this case, we might even have to order extra parts, which will take another one to two days. We need authorization from you as well as the insurance company before we start. Most of this happens electronically, which makes it reasonably fast, but it does make things more complicated. It opens the door for more things to go wrong.

To sum it up, the things that will impact the amount of time auto body work takes include:

• Parts availability
• Auto body repair time
• How complicated the repair is
• Insurance company’s approval
• Doing quality control on the auto body work

Every auto body shop should follow strict standards about what they will do for repairs. Following strict quality control standards ensure that the technicians catch a defect before it can lead to an accident on the road. Not all auto body shops follow these standards, but at Elmer’s Auto Body Shop, we do everything that we can to get your car back to you as quickly as possible with the quality control standards followed strictly.

We can’t promise that you won’t experience a delay, but you can trust that when it happens, we had a good reason for it. We did this to ensure that your car meets the highest standards of quality repairs.

Final Thoughts

At Elmer’s Auto Body, we have the experience to ensure that you receive the best repairs possible. We have served the South New Jersey region for over 70 years. As a family-owned and operated business, we seek to make our services easy, convenient, and fast. At the same time, we wish to provide exceptional services to our customers so that they can trust and depend on us. You can call us now at (856) 218-0202.

When you think about car manufacturing, you probably don’t think of aluminum auto body repairs. Instead, you think of classic steel cars. Over the last few decades, they traditionally made cars from steel. Even today, about 54 percent of all American cars use steel to make them, but things have been changing. The fueling shift comes from changes in technology, more environmental awareness, economic factors, and safety. We see an increased number of automakers transitioning over to aluminum. With this increase in the popularity of aluminum, let’s take a look at what you need to know about aluminum auto body repair.

Aluminum Auto Body Repairs vs Steel Auto Body Repairs

Aluminum is more pliable than steel, and steel will return to its original form because of a concept known as “metal memory.” While many alloys including steel have metal memory, aluminum doesn’t have this. You need special tools to pull out dents with aluminum. Using an aluminum dent-pulling station has become the norm at auto body shops today.

The other thing that makes aluminum auto body repair different from steel comes from the fact that aluminum doesn’t react as well to heat. You put too much heat on aluminum and it will harm the structural integrity. Most auto body shops will use other methods besides welding to connect the parts of a car with extensive aluminum.

Let’s take the Ford F-150 as an example since it uses many aluminum parts. It joins the aluminum parts with the steel parts using special adhesives and rivets. Even if we have experience with steel, we can’t use the same techniques on aluminum because we would ruin the car. Welding aluminum incorrectly can lead to safety hazards because the metal decays at high temperatures.

The technicians who work on aluminum auto body repair also require special and advanced training techniques to do it right.

Why Has Aluminum Gained Popularity?

Looking at all of that, you may wonder why people would use aluminum at all. It does have advantages, but in the past, only supercars were made from aluminum. Now, many cars use aluminum materials to one degree or another. The reason behind this is that the government continues to push stricter requirements on fuel economy. How do you get better fuel economy? You lower the weight of your car, which you can achieve with a lightweight aluminum body.

It may be more complicated to fix, but the fuel savings will outweigh the cost of the repairs. All aluminum vehicles will shed about 40 percent of their body mass, which improves your economy at the fuel pump by 18 percent.

Surprising Number of Benefits

To sum it up, there was a reason why supercars would use aluminum bodies over traditional steel. Because aluminum weighs less, you can make your doors and panels thicker. This greater thickness will allow it to withstand collisions better. Lightweight vehicles can also accelerate faster and handle better than heavier cars. This is because it requires less energy to move the car with a lighter mass.

Believe it or not, aluminum cars also meet up to safety standards better than their steel counterparts. This is because of better energy absorption at impact. Aluminum is also the most environmentally friendly choice in metals for a car because you can recycle it, which saves up to 95 percent of the energy used for raw production.
The Biggest Differences between Steel and Aluminum Auto Body Repairs

Let’s quickly highlight the key differences between aluminum and steel auto body repair:

• Requires different equipment
• Uses different dent-pulling techniques
• Takes a different approach to welding

Should I Get an Aluminum Vehicle?

Even now, aluminum vehicles still tend to be the higher-end cars because of the higher cost of aluminum, but that has been changing slowly. Some of the most common cars that use aluminum today include:

• Ford F-150
• Mercedes Benz SL-Class
• Jaguar SJ
• Tesla Model X
• Range Rover
• Honda NSX

In general, aluminum cars just perform better, which is why we would recommend it. You’ll see a big improvement in your car’s performance in areas like fuel economy, better handling, better braking, and better acceleration. Aluminum also has better towing and payload capabilities, which is why we see it used in some trucks today.

Aluminum Repair Happens in a Separate Enclosure

Because of the risk of irreparable corrosion damage, aluminum auto body repair happens in a separate enclosure to prevent contamination. It uses heavy-duty non-combustible curtain walls to prevent aluminum and steel from mixing. Let’s take an example of this to paint a better picture of how corrosion could happen otherwise.

It happens through a process known as galvanic corrosion. The two dissimilar metals aluminum and steel react to each other chemically. A white powdery substance of corrosion will start to form on the aluminum surface, which bubbles the paint and deteriorates the aluminum. Galvanic corrosion is the reason that we go to such great lengths to avoid contact between aluminum and steel. If the two metals make contact, it creates a problem.

Final Thoughts

If you’d like to learn more about aluminum auto body repair or you need some auto body work done, you could Google, “auto body shop near me.” You could also call Elmer’s Auto Body Shop in South Jersey. At our auto body shop, we have the expertise of over 70 years behind us. As a family-owned and operated business, you support a local family in your community. We seek to make service for you easy, convenient, and fast. You can call us today at (856) 218-0202.

There comes a time in a car’s life when you may have to get a paint job, either to touch up damaged areas, match new parts to your old color, or just for a change in your car’s look. After your paint job your car may look perfect as you see it, but looking at it in direct sunlight and from many different angles, you may discover imperfections or errors that should be covered by the company that did the job’s warranty.

Be sure to check your vehicle as soon as you can in direct sunlight, and to check everywhere so that you can bring any issues to the attention of the paint shop and get your issue resolved quickly. There are many different signs that something might be wrong, some extremely obvious– and some a bit harder to spot. After this article, you should have the know-how to make sure that your paint job is done perfectly, or know for certain if that isn’t the case.

Sagging or Running Paint

One big issue is sagging or running paint, which is usually caused by an inexperienced painter rushing the job or failing to mix the paint correctly. The sagging could be very subtle or it could be very obvious even when viewed from afar, but either way, you will need your vehicle to be repainted if you spot the warning signs. You may also notice unsightly spots or raised marks on the vehicle, which may be a sign of over spraying. Overspray may be visible when panels aren’t masked off properly, showing that important steps may have been omitted in your car’s paint job.

Uneven Texture

Uneven texture may be an issue you can spot as well, which could be the result of spraying too close to the surface or having the pressure on the paint gun too low or under-thinned paint. The texture of the paint may resemble ripples or waves, or even have the texture of an orange peel. Trapped air under your paint could produce pinholes in the paint job that can be seen with the naked eye. Wrinkles or feathered edges (raised or lifted edges outlining a repaired area) are sure signs that an issue is present, as well as small circular openings in the surface of the paint job, caused by spraying onto a dirty, oily, or waxy surface. You may also see bubbles on the surface, thick raised and uneven lines, or even spots where the paint is simply peeling off of the vehicle.

Color Quality

Besides the texture and structure of your paint job, there can be issues with the color or look as well, which will indicate that action must be taken to fix a mistake that occurred during a paint job. If a vehicle has a gray cloud that appears on your car over time, that may indicate that condensation had formed on your vehicle as the paint was being applied. You may also notice discolorations, which look like stains forming over time that could be caused by a contaminated product, or too little or too much hardener used. The most obvious issue could be poor color matching. Something may look like it matches at the time, but seeing it in a different light and at different angles can sometimes bring to light streaks, blotches, swirls, or entirely different colored panels than the rest of the vehicle.

Miscellaneous Issues

Your paint job will either look or feel wrong, but it may take some careful examination to actually diagnose the issue. Besides what was listed above, there are many other small issues that you may notice after a paint job. You could see pieces of the paint chipping off or cracking, or forming crow’s feet (like what appears on your face, but on your vehicle’s paint job instead.) You could notice peeling paint or even patches where the paint seems to be sagging or running down the vehicle. There are many different issues you may see, but you will easily be able to see that something isn’t quite right, even if you’re not sure exactly what that something is. Always be sure to document and take as many pictures and videos as you can and send them to the shop you used for the paint job immediately. The quicker you solve the issue, the less of a chance that it could turn into a bigger issue.

Looking for the Best South Jersey Auto Body Shop?

You should always go with a shop that offers a warranty, so any issues discovered after the paint job can be addressed and fixed with minimal stress from you, the owner of the vehicle. Consider Elmer’s Auto Body for your future auto paint job, with over 75 years of experience and high standards for customer satisfaction, safety, and performance, Elmer’s Auto Body will match your color exactly and guarantee that the job is done right the first time, so you can rest assured that now that you know what exactly to look for in a bad paint job, you won’t see any signs of what we’ve discussed, since you will have an unparalleled paint job! So don’t leave the quality of your auto paint job to chance, contact Elmer’s Auto Body today for a free consultation, or book your appointment today!

Auto body repairs are an inevitable part of car ownership, and finding a reliable and trustworthy auto body shop can make all the difference in the quality of the repairs and the overall experience. Here are five tips to help you choose the right auto body shop for your needs.

Certifications

First of all, you should look for certifications. Certifications are a good indicator that the auto body shop has the proper training and experience to perform quality repairs. Manufacturer-specific certifications indicate that the shop has received training and equipment directly from a particular manufacturer, such as Honda or Toyota. For example, Elmer’s Auto Body is a certified collision repair shop for vehicles from Acura, GM, Ford, Kia, Infiniti, Tesla, and more.

Certifications are not the only factor to consider, but they can provide peace of mind that the auto body shop has trained and skilled technicians who will provide quality work.

Referrals

Another good way to find a reputable auto body shop is to ask for referrals from friends, family, and colleagues. Personal referrals can be a good way to find a trustworthy shop with a track record of quality work. Ask for details about their experience with the shop, such as how long the repairs took, whether the staff was friendly and helpful and whether the repairs were done correctly, as well as cost and overall satisfaction. This can give you a good idea of what to expect when you work with the shop.

Online Reviews and Testimonials

In addition to personal referrals, it’s a good idea to check online reviews of the auto body shop you’re considering. Look up the shop on review sites like Yelp or Google Reviews and read reviews from previous customers. Pay attention to both positive and negative reviews to get a complete picture of the shop’s reputation. Look for patterns in the reviews, such as consistent praise for a particular technician or complaints about the shop’s customer service. It’s also a good idea to check the shop’s website and social media pages for testimonials from satisfied customers. This can provide additional insight into the shop’s reputation and the quality of its work.

Written Estimates

Before choosing an auto body shop, get written estimates from several shops. This will give you an idea of what the repairs should cost and help you avoid overpaying for the repairs. Make sure the estimates are detailed and include all of the necessary repairs. If one estimate is significantly lower than the others, be wary – it could indicate that the shop is using inferior parts or cutting corners in some way. Keep in mind that the cheapest estimate may not always be the best choice. Quality repairs may cost more, but they can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for additional repairs down the road.

Visit the Auto Body Shop in Person

Finally, it’s a good idea to visit the auto body shop in person before making a decision. This will give you a chance to see how the shop operates and get a feel for the staff and their level of expertise. Look for a clean and organized shop with modern equipment. A well-equipped shop with up-to-date tools and technology can perform repairs more efficiently and accurately. Talk to the staff to get a sense of their level of customer service and expertise. A knowledgeable and friendly staff can make the repair process less stressful and ensure that your car is repaired correctly, as well as give you peace of mind knowing that your job will be done professionally and to the best of the staff’s abilities.

Looking for a South Jersey Auto Body Shop?

Choosing the right auto body shop can make all the difference in the quality of your car repairs and the overall experience. Look for certifications, ask for referrals, check online reviews, get multiple estimates, and visit the shop in person to make an informed decision. By doing your research and choosing a reputable and trustworthy shop, you can ensure that your car repairs are done right the first time.

If you live in the South Jersey area, you should consider Elmer’s Auto Body as your repair shop of choice. Our work speaks for itself, as well as plenty of certifications and other happy customers. Visit our Medford, Mt Ephraim, or Sewell locations today, or simply book an appointment through the website and get your repairs started! As long as you’re following the five simple tips listed above, you’ll wind up at Elmer’s Auto Repair eventually!

You had an auto collision. Now, you want to get your car repaired as quickly as possible. Auto collision repair deals with the removal of dents, straightening metal parts, glass work, painting, and auto detailing to get your car back to its pre-accident condition. Aside from that, there are 4 important things you should know about repairing your car after a collision, so you know exactly what to expect.

What is Collision Repair?

For starters, let’s briefly discuss what it means to go to an auto collision repair center, because it is different from lube shops and regular service centers. With auto collision repair, you have automotive technicians who are trained and certified in the restoration of vehicles that have been damaged in accidents or other incidents.

Collision repair has nothing to do with oil changes. Instead, it involves removing scratches, dents, replacing glass, matching paint, straightening bent metal, auto detailing, replacing hardware and doors and handles, and much more. Once your vehicle has been repaired, the technician may also do detailing to eliminate minor scratches with buffing, waxing, polishing, and more.

 

1. Damages May Affect Other Areas

When you are in a collision, there will be damage to the body of the vehicle, even if it is minimal. The more severe the accident, the greater the damage. Sometimes the cracked glass and bent metal will give way to broken sections of frame, damaged sensors, and issues with the engine or transmission. You never really know the extent of the issues until the technician gets to take a peek.

In order to get your car thoroughly repaired, you must take it to an auto body shop where it can be inspected inside and out. The technician will be able to give you an idea of what needs to be repaired and for how much.

 

2. Repairs Will Return Your Car to Its Original State

Dropping your car off at one of the many auto body shops in South Jersey (or elsewhere) ensures that your car will be returned to original specifications. That being said, different makes and models will require various techniques and equipment. Keep an eye out for collision repair shops that have technicians certified by manufacturers for repairs, as that guarantees OEM parts and properly repaired computer systems.

Additionally, having your car repaired to its pre-accident condition gives you peace of mind. You know that your car will be sound and safe, even when driving through poor weather or terrain.

 

3. You Can Choose Not to Have Your Car Fixed

This may not be surprising, but the cost of the repairs is going to depend on the damage done to the vehicle. After a collision, your vehicle may have frame damage, mechanical damage, or both. Any time there is mechanical damage, however, you can expect the cost to be driven upwards.

At this time, you can choose whether you want your car repaired or not. If the car is not totaled, you can choose to keep the cash instead of having it repaired.

For example, your car is estimated to have $2,500 worth of damages. Even though it is still driveable, you do not have to get the repairs. You could choose to take the money and do whatever you wish with the car.

 

4. You Can Choose The Body Shop Of Your Choice

One of the things that many people do not know about repairing their car after a collision is that you can choose where your car goes. You do not have to choose your insurer’s preferred auto body shop. Think of it as a suggestion.

In actuality, you have the right to take your car wherever you choose, though you may have to obtain some bids from a couple of shops.

Choose an auto body shop with high ratings that is close by, like the best body shop in NJ, Elmer’s Auto Body. When shops are unaffiliated with insurance companies, they are not coerced to use certain parts. For example, at Elmer’s Auto Body, we only use OEM parts for your vehicle and have certified technicians do the necessary repairs and installations.

 

Schedule Your Collision Repair Today

There you have it—4 important things to know about repairing your car after a collision. Heading over to an auto collision repair shop and receiving an appraisal of the damage is key in getting your car back to normal. However, you do not have to get your vehicle repaired or even go to the repair shop recommended by the insurance company.

Make sure you are choosing the best body shop in NJ for the job: Elmer’s Auto Body. With 3 locations and over 75 years of experience, Elmer’s Auto Body has you covered. As an I-CAR and recognized collision repair center for Acura, Nissian, Kia, Subaru, Honda, Ford, and more, our technicians will get your car running like new. Give us a call today or fill out the contact form to schedule your consultation.