Category: Collision Repair

Common Paintless Dent Repair Myths

When it comes to collision repair, dent removal is pretty important. For that reason, the invention of paintless dent repair processes has had a huge effect on the industry. Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is a set of methods that are used to remove dents and dings without the need for repainting or any other extra work. These methods are particularly effective on small dents, allowing people to save a lot of money on repainting costs. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few people who don’t understand PDR or how it works, so let’s address some common myths about paintless dent repair.

Myth 1: “I Can Just Buy The Tools And Do It Myself!”

PDR relies on the use of specialized tools, and so some people think that this is all you need. Even if you purchase all the specialized tools that are required (or improvise them in some way), you probably won’t be able to do a competent job. That is because PDR tools require specialized training in order to use them properly. Thus, it’s better to trust the job to a professional.

Myth 2: “It Will Mess Up My Safety Systems!”

Some new cars are equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technology. This feature uses a network of specialized sensors to detect dangerous situations (like incoming collisions) and react accordingly to prevent them. It is true that the removal of any vehicle part can disrupt the calibration of these ADAS sensors. However, this is just another reason to trust the work of a professional. A technician who knows what they are doing will be able to re-calibrate those systems with no problem.

Myth 3: “My Insurance Won’t Cover That!”

When this technology was very new, some insurance companies refused to cover PDR procedures. However, this has long since ceased to be true. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance company will probably cover these repairs. Of course, you should call them and make sure of that beforehand.

Myth 4: “My Resale Value Will Be Affected!”

Some people seem to think that a PDR job will reduce their vehicle’s value. These people reason that it’s better to replace the part because PDR cannot fully remove the damage. This one is a little more complicated because it depends on the extent of the damage. Once the paint job itself has been damaged, PDR is no longer possible. Thus, PDR is mainly used for smaller dents, and that is why it will not affect the value of your car. In fact, it might help to preserve the value of your vehicle because you can keep the original part.

Myth 5: “It Will Stretch And Ruin The Paint Job!”

One prevalent myth is the idea that a PDR job will stretch the paint itself, causing it to eventually crack and peel. This one seems to make sense on the surface until you realize that most paints are capable of stretching, including vehicle paint. Also, the amount of stretching that will result from a PDR job will be very little. There is no need to get into a detailed discussion on the composition of paint, but you should be aware that most vehicle paints use latex as the main binder, and that is why they have a certain amount of elasticity.

Myth 6: “It Will Weaken The Metal!”

This is another myth that almost makes sense until you think about it a little more. Again, PDR is only used for small dents, which means the metal itself should still be intact. Steel is undoubtedly capable of flexing without breaking, as that is one of its main properties. In fact, it’s the main reason that we now use steel for most purposes instead of iron. When you combine that quality with the specialized tools and processes of PDR, it becomes obvious that you can pop a dent without weakening the steel.

Myth 7: “All Shops Do That!”

It should be noted that not all repair shops are able to do PDR jobs. As we said, it takes specialized equipment and training. Not all shops are going to have those things, so you can’t just take it for granted that a particular shop will offer PDR. If you want that service, you need to make sure that your repair shop can do it properly. Make sure to ask about training and certifications.

Myth 8: “The Dent Will Come Back!”

This is a ludicrous myth, but some people have fallen for it nevertheless. Some people will try to tell you that a dent that is repaired in this way will not stay repaired. They claim that it will “pop” inward and the dent will return. This is the kind of thing that can happen if PDR is done incorrectly, but that’s about all. When done by someone who knows what they are doing, PDR removes dents permanently.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of misunderstandings on this subject. This might be surprising because PDR is actually a very simple concept: You reverse the forces that caused the dent by applying them from the other side. However, there are many subtle things that only an expert would know, and that is why PDR requires an expert. If you need such an expert, or if you are just asking yourself: “where can I find the best auto body shop near me?”, then we have the answer. Just call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.

How To Shop For A New Jersey Body Shop Based On Reviews

It can be very difficult to select the right repair shop when you are in great need. Most of us depend on our vehicles to a large extent, so we will definitely be in a hurry to get the job done. However, it is important that you take the time to properly vet and evaluate the repair shops in your area. By making a list and using a process of elimination, you can figure things out much more quickly. Obviously, reviews are going to be your main source of information, so let’s talk about how you can use that information effectively.

Be Aware That Not All Reviews Are Honest Or Legitimate

The first thing you should understand is that rival companies will sometimes “review bomb” one another. This means that they create a large number of false complaints which are designed to make another company look bad. Even if there is no concerted effort to deceive, some bad reviews are based on unrealistic expectations and/or misunderstandings on the part of the writer. By the same token, you should remember that good reviews might also be forged by a company that is seeking some free advertising.

You want to look for criticisms that are consistent and reasonable. When the criticisms are all over the place and don’t make sense, they can be safely disregarded. Also, you should look for reviews that do not seem overly hateful. When someone shows that they have an agenda of some kind (i.e., dropping the name of a competitor in a bad review), that is also probably not legitimate. When it comes to good reviews, you want to look for those that praise the service and the overall experience without sounding like a commercial. For instance, if they insert the company’s advertising slogans into the review, it’s probably not an authentic review.

Ask Around For Personal Recommendations

You don’t necessarily have to get your reviews online. Instead, you can talk to your family and friends and see what body shop they prefer. By asking them some questions about the shop and how they do business, you can basically get a review from them. These reviews tend to be a little more trustworthy because they come from an in-person source.

Ask Your Insurance Company

If you are in need of a body shop, your insurance company is probably aware of that. Most body shops focus on collision repair, and all collisions need to be reported to your insurance company. As such, they might recommend a body shop in your area. In some cases, they might even attempt to pressure you into choosing a certain one. If this happens, just be aware that you do not have to go with their recommendation. The law protects your right to choose any repair shop you like.

If you choose to get a recommendation from your insurance provider, we would recommend that you simply get the name of the company without committing to anything. Once you know the name of the repair shop, you can look for some online reviews and ask around the area as well. That will allow you to decide if they are actually worth your time and money.

Prioritizing

We have talked about “good reviews” and “bad reviews,” but there are many reviews that fall into a middle-ground category. For instance, it is common to see a review that is mostly positive but with one or two small complaints. You might also see the opposite (i.e., a review that is mostly critical but still offers some praise). This is why you need to prioritize and decide which points are the most important to you.

For example, let’s say you find a consistent pattern in the reviews, indicating that this company does good work but takes a little longer than most. You have to decide which is more important: The overall quality of the work or the speed with which it is done? For most people, quality will be the more important consideration. However, if you really need your vehicle back in a hurry, speed might be more important to you.

Ask Plenty Of Questions

When you are evaluating a local New Jersey body shop, and everything seems to be good so far, the next step is to call them. Ask plenty of questions about who they are, how they do business, etc. Make sure you ask about I-CAR certifications, manufacturer certifications, and other relevant credentials.

Make sure you also ask about pricing, if they use OEM or aftermarket parts, hourly rates, etc. If you already know which parts are required, ask the shop if they have those parts in stock. If they do, it will mean less wait time on your repair. In the end, just remember that you have every right to ask for this information before paying anything.

Conclusion

Evaluating reviews and testimonials can be a difficult process because there are a lot of judgment calls that have to be made. In the end, you should look for patterns, as opposed to looking at the content of individual reviews. Any single review might be bogus for a variety of reasons, but overarching patterns tend to be more reliable. Of course, if you happen to be located in southern New Jersey, we can save you all that time and effort. If you live in this area, take a quick look here at our testimonials. We look forward to servicing your auto body repair needs. Give one of our Elmer’s Auto Body locations a call at (856) 218-0202.

Car Insurance: What Does “Total Loss” Mean

After you have been in an accident, you will need to have an estimate completed. Once the insurance company receives it, they can repair your vehicle or declare it a total loss. In that case, the insurer will reimburse you for a certain portion of the car without making any repairs. Unfortunately, that could leave you without a vehicle. Here are a few things to know about how a total loss could affect you.

What Is a Total Loss?

When your vehicle has been severely damaged in an accident, it could cost more to repair it than the vehicle’s actual value. The insurance company would deem the car a total loss in that situation. If you have comprehensive coverage, and the car was stolen, that vehicle will also be considered a total loss.

A total loss is similar to a regular insurance claim. The claim adjuster will review the damage and determine the amount you should be paid for the vehicle. Instead of deciding on the amount of repair costs to cover, the adjuster will put a specific value on your car. As previously stated, if the repair costs exceed the vehicle’s total value, insurance companies will consider it a total loss.

How Insurance Companies Determine a Total Loss

You need comprehensive, collision, or property damage liability insurance to receive a payout for the vehicle. In many cases, the claims will be handled through the vehicle owner’s own insurance. Unfortunately, it does not matter which driver was at fault for the accident. You will need to pay the deductible to receive compensation for the damages.

When the claim adjuster has determined that the repair costs exceed the actual cash value of the car, it will be considered a total loss.

Determining what is a total loss is not always straightforward and can change from state to state. Some states use a total loss formula that combines the actual cash value and the car’s salvage value. If the repairs exceed that, then the vehicle is a total loss. However, some states will use a total loss threshold where the damage will only have to exceed a certain percentage to be considered a total loss.

What Happens If a Car Is Declared a Total Loss?

Sometimes, you may disagree with the decision to total the vehicle. You will need to provide documentation and a few estimates to overturn the decision. Owners will have to submit paperwork that the vehicle is worth more than the claim adjuster’s estimate or that the damage is less costly than initially thought.

Most insurance companies will stand by their conclusion, but some car owners may have to use a lawyer to overturn the decision. However, if you agree with the total loss outcome, you will need to turn over the vehicle and the keys to the claims adjuster. After that, the insurance company takes possession of the car. The insurer will notify your department of motor vehicles, and a salvage title could be issued.

Sometimes, you may want to keep the vehicle. Remember that not all insurance companies will allow it, or you could receive less compensation for the vehicle. A few salvage cars may have valuable parts, or the owner wants to keep it for sentimental reasons. Unfortunately, some states will not allow a driver to keep a total loss vehicle. In those situations, you must return the vehicle to the insurance company.

With a totaled vehicle, finding an auto body shop that can fix and restore the car to its pre-accident condition is crucial. Keep in mind that not all totaled vehicles can or should be repaired. Safety should be your first concern. If any vital safety components have been damaged and cannot be repaired, you should consider allowing the insurance company to total the vehicle.

How Are Owners Paid for a Total Loss?

The same metric to determine the total loss will be used for your compensation amount. An actual cash value of the vehicle takes the pre-loss market value minus any depreciation. Age, wear and tear, and other factors may be used to find the car’s cash value. Many insurance companies use their own methods to determine the actual cash value, meaning it could differ from a value found on a website or through Kelley Blue Book.

After you have agreed to the amount, the insurance company will pay you. If the car was financed or leased, then the payout will go to those lending companies.

Many vehicle owners have a large amount of money left on their vehicles. With depreciation and other factors, you could be stuck with a large payment for the totaled vehicle. If you have a leased or financed vehicle, you should have gap insurance, which covers you for any remaining balance on the car.

Total Loss and Your Vehicle

You have limited options when an insurance company declares a total loss for your vehicle. You could keep the car, but it can mean a reduced payout from the insurer. Many times, you could challenge the total loss decision, but you need the proper documentation for your claim. Remember that some cars are severely damaged and cannot be repaired. With that, you may have to walk away and accept compensation from the insurer.

Need an Auto Body Shop Near Me?

If you need an estimate for your vehicle or want a repair completed, reach out to Elmer’s Auto Body. We have experience handling all types of vehicle repairs, from minor fender benders to major collision damage. Schedule an appointment by calling (856) 218-0202.

Why Cheap Dent Repair Can End Up Costing You More

Before you go out and pay for dent repair, beware of those who charge too little. As many find out, you get what you pay for in this business. Car owners try to save money because of a tight budget, but they later find out how much it costs them. Not all dent technicians apply the same standards of quality, nor do they have the same skill. Let’s look at how cheap dent repair can cost you more.

Cheap Materials And Rushed Dent Repair

When you work for less, you often work faster to earn more, and this will wind up costing you more in terms of quality. The lower quality materials can build into a costly disaster. Usually, cheaper dent repair will focus on metal integrity, paint finish, or the car’s trim and accessories. This could cost you more in the long run. In some cases, you could need to respray the whole car for it to look right again. That’s not good because the original paint job will always give your car the best value.

The Costs That Go Into Dent Repair

When it comes to paying the painter for the paint labor, the cost goes beyond applying the color and a clear coat. You have many other costs factored in that include:

Prep time
Time to set up and mix the colors
Procedures to ensure paint meets standards

If you want your car to look like how it did before, you must pay more for better quality materials.

Repair Fails and Causes More Damages

A repair failing and causing more damage is the greatest danger of going with one that’s too cheap. Good auto body repair shops understand how to protect the integrity of your car’s structure and the paintwork. Let’s say you paid $125 to repair a dent, but that low-budget dent repair can wind up costing you $1,250 because the original repair failed altogether. The $125 paid was a total loss.

Factory Paint Job: The Most Expensive

The factory paint job is the most expensive, and every auto body shop will struggle to replicate that paint job without a higher cost. When you screw it up with a cheap dent repair company, this can hurt the resale value of your car. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we have found that a car with a dent visible from 10 feet away will cost you from five to 10 percent of your car’s resale value.
When you go to repair a dent, every reputable auto body technician will focus all their efforts to keep from harming the original paint job. When you hire someone cheaply, you risk that they may cut corners, and they may care less about protecting the original paint job.

DIY Dent Repair Kits

You may have seen a DIY dent repair kit for $17. Let us give you some advice: Don’t buy it! It’s a laughable scam. When things sound too good to be true, they probably are. Let’s put this into perspective. Our auto body shop has invested over $10,000 into specialized equipment to remove dents. Why would we do that if we could use a $17 repair kit? The answer comes down to quality dent repair. You will see much better results from the $10,000 tools that we use over a $17 kit that may even further damage your car. We have had customers who used those kits enter our shop frantically telling us how they tried to use a kit first. You have another harmful myth on YouTube showing people using dry ice as a way to repair dents. They believe that the extreme cold caused by the dry ice contracts the metal to make it pop out. Here’s the problem: The people we spoke with who tried it said that it delivered uninspiring results. The other risk is that its rapid contraction will cause further damage to your paint job.

Dent Repair Scams

You have some legitimate operations offered for cheap, and we’re not going to put those down, other than to say that it often winds up costing you more because of limited resources and time to turn a profit. However, you have some actual scams in this industry, and one of the scams is where a “dent repair professional” drives up to your car. They tell you how they noticed that you have dents in the car, but they can fix them for a reduced price. The scam almost always follows the same lines where you need to pay in cash because they can’t let their boss know. After you pay, they apply this so-called dent remover liquid that does nothing. They then tell you to give it 24 hours before the dent comes out on its own. If you’re lucky, they used car wax, which is what they use most often. However, we have even heard of cases where the scammer uses body filler, which ruined the victim’s paint job. The insurance provider also refused to cover them. Don’t buy into the lie that a magical liquid exists that can remove dents. There is no such thing.

Final Thoughts

Google, “Auto body shop near me,” and you will probably see Elmer’s Auto Body come up on your screen. We would love the opportunity to look at your dents and determine a good course of action. Going with cheap dent repair isn’t worth the trouble that it often brings. You can call us today at (856) 218-0202.

How Can You Tell Whether There’s Damage To Your Car’s Frame?

Whenever your car suffers damage to the frame, it makes the whole car dangerous to drive. Even minor damage to the car frame can cost you several hundred dollars to fix. Many times, frame damage happens because of a car accident, and you may not always see visible signs of damage. Even if it starts small, frame damage can quickly become more costly to fix later. Let’s take a look at the most common signs that the frame of your car may have damage.

Uneven Tire Wear

Uneven tire wear can make it difficult to keep a safe grip on the pavement in snowy and rainy weather conditions. Especially if you rotate the tires every 5,000 miles and still experience uneven tire wear, you can often pinpoint the issue as being a damaged frame. You can damage the frame as well from hitting a bump or a pothole in some rare cases.

Car Makes Strange Noises

Sometimes the car makes strange noises when the frame underneath was bent. The strange noises coming from the engine can make it hard to tell the exact issue. However, it means that the engine sits crooked in the frame. Listen for sounds of metal rubbing against metal or the sounds of squealing. Strange noises from the car may seem harmless, but you may want to have them checked to deal with the repair before it gets more costly. As a side note, bent frames are super bad for your car, and in some cases, it can lead to them totaling the car.

Car Parts Don’t Fit Right

When your car parts don’t fit right, it can indicate that they have either too much or too little room for movement. Some of the most common areas that won’t fit right due to frame damage include:

Doors
Mounts
Bolts
Windows

Especially if the frame was bent, these areas will feel out of place. You may feel like it takes extra force to close the car door. Now, you need to check because many aftermarket parts will have this problem, too, but if you had an accident recently or hit a pothole and this seems to be the case, you may want to have it looked at by a professional like Elmer’s Auto Body.

Poor Wheel Tracking

You can tell that your wheels track poorly when you try to drive straight but the car veers diagonally. Driving in a straight line poses no challenge for a car with a good frame. A bent frame, on the other hand, causes a condition that auto body mechanics refer to as “crab walking.” Poor wheel tracking often means that you have invisible damage that you can’t see. Take it to an autobody shop to have them take a deeper look at it.

Car Has Poor Alignment

You can tell that your car has poor alignment because it will pull in one direction when you drive it. A car with poor alignment doesn’t always indicate frame damage, but it can be one of the signs. Take your car in to have it re-aligned, and if it still seems like it won’t drive straight, you may want to have a technician look at it. When you drive with bad alignment, your wheels will wear out sooner, and you may struggle to control the car at its worst. Other common signs of poor alignment include:

Tires squealing
Noisy steering
Uneven tire wear
Pulling to the left or right

Look under The Car For Signs Of Damage

Doing this with a Ford F-150 or a Dodge RAM poses no challenge, but you may struggle to do it as easily with a compact car like a Kia. When you go to look under the frame, check to see if you can spot the frame as being bent. That would be one of the most obvious signs that you need to take it into an auto body shop. Just Google, “Auto body shop near me,” and you should see results come up like our shop.

Cracks, Rust, and Creases to the Exterior

One of the obvious signs of frame damage but worth pointing out to new car owners, cracks, rust or creases can indicate an issue with the frame especially if you have other signs present. Beware of rust because it can quickly spread. You want to repair this issue before it has the chance to accumulate and cause further issues.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair The Frame

Minor damage will cost you about $500 to fix, but the cost to fix a car frame after an accident usually ranges anywhere from $600 to $10,000. In some cases, it even climbs past $10,000. You even have cases where they will total the car because the frame damage is too severe and too costly to repair.

Conclusion

Let’s say that you believe that you have a damaged car frame. Take the car to us to learn if it has damage to it and how much it would cost to repair. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we would be more than willing to help you repair any damage to your car frame. Call us today at (856) 218-0202. We have served South Jersey for over 70 years.

What Is a Direct Auto Body Repair Shop?

In most instances where collision repair is required, an insurance company will be involved. These kinds of accidents can greatly affect the value of a vehicle, so they have a vested interest in the results. That is where direct repair body shops come into play. These are simply shops that work directly with insurance companies, which is why they are usually recommended by those same insurance companies. Every insurance company maintains a network of approved shops that have earned their trust.

Why Do Direct Auto Body Shops Exist?

Insurance companies have to deal with repair shops on a very frequent basis. And so, it pays to build relationships with certain trusted shops. This saves time and money on the process of vetting and verifying shops for each individual claim. When you already have a list of approved shops, you can just direct the policyholder to the nearest one.

These programs also provide financial incentives for both the insurance companies and the auto shops with whom they are partnered. The repair shop wins because they will certainly get more business. In the case of body shops, direct repair jobs can sometimes make up the majority of their work. After all, a direct referral from your insurance company is a little more convincing than a TV or internet advertisement.

At the same time, the insurance companies gain from these programs by virtue of knowing that the repairs will be done correctly the first time. This saves them money on covered repairs in the long run. When a job isn’t done right the first time, it has to be corrected, and that will often double the costs.

Do I Have To Go With A Direct Auto Body Repair Shop?

No, you always have a choice in this matter. Under the laws of most states, your insurance company cannot force you to choose their approved repair shop. They will certainly try their best to convince you, but they have no right to force the matter.

That being said, it is often a good idea to go with one of those approved shops. When you do this, you know that you are getting someone that has already been properly vetted and certified. Also, there will be a greater likelihood of your insurance company covering the repairs. Still, you should bear in mind that some smaller shops fail to get approved only because they lack the equipment/capacity that the insurance company desires. So, if you know a smaller shop that does quality work, you might save some money that way.

OEM Vs Aftermarket Parts

In many cases, insurance companies have specific rules regarding the use of aftermarket parts. When you are just replacing a cosmetic outer piece (such as a door panel), generic/aftermarket parts will usually be allowed. When it comes to the functional components of the car, however, it is likely to be another story.

Of course, your insurance company cannot force you to choose OEM parts. However, they can refuse to cover those aftermarket parts, and they can also choose to raise your rates. In some cases, if the aftermarket parts are particularly expensive, they will cover a certain amount and send you a bill for the rest.

Direct Auto Body Repair Shops Are Very Convenient

We have already talked a little bit about how the use of a direct repair shop benefits the customer/policyholder. In general, this really is the most convenient way to find a repair shop. Without some kind of guidance or recommendation, you will probably end up choosing a shop at semi-random from those that are in your area. Doing it like this is always a crap shoot, and it can sometimes take a while to find the one you prefer. Going with a recommended auto body repair shop removes the need for all that calling and vetting.

When your vehicle is out of commission, it is always going to be a huge inconvenience. The sooner you can start the repair process, the sooner you can get back on the road. Apart from the peace of mind that you get from going with a direct repair shop, you also save time and trouble. The process of dealing with the results of an auto accident is bad enough already, so this little bit of convenience goes a long way.

Conclusion

Although it may not always be the right choice, a direct auto body repair shop is never a bad choice. It pays to stick with the shops and companies that have proven their trustworthiness and credentials. For most insurance companies, the approval process is pretty rigorous, so you know you are getting someone who has already proven their worth. If you find yourself asking: “Hey, where is the best auto body shop near me?”, then all you have to do is call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202.