Making Your Car New Again

No one ever plans on getting into a car accident. It just happens. Afterwards, getting the vehicle repaired is priority. For those who live in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, finding a reliable, affordable and trustworthy auto repair shop is the best plan of action. There are a few places that can accommodate the repairs, and a Gabriel Sports Car auto body shop can get the vehicle back on the road quickly and affordably. These are some of the services they offer.

Frame

One of the worst problems a vehicle can have after the accident is a bent frame. Many believe that a car is never the same after the frame is bent. With new technology, however, a Gabriel Sports Car collision repair shop can make it feel like new. Choose a business that uses an efficient pulling system that can handle pulling from 360 degrees and multiple directions all at once. This will help the vehicle look like it used to, before the wreck. It will also improve its drivability and make it safer.

Cosmetic Damage

Bumps and fender benders can make it embarrassing to drive around Hampton Roads. It may not make it impossible to drive the vehicle, but most people would prefer not to do that. Paintless fixes are an option for auto repair in New York. When a new paint job in unavoidable, the consumer should choose a body shop that has state-of-the-art painting facilities and can handle more than one job at a time. This prevents customers from going several days without their vehicles while they are waiting for the paint booth to be available for their vehicle’s needs. A skilled professional in the painting booth can make a vehicle look like new.

Mechanical Problems

Sometimes auto accidents involve more than external damage. Radiators are crushed, exhaust systems are bent and wheels are demolished upon force of impact. Alignment and transmission work are also frequent necessities to have fixed after a car accident. Hoses, brakes and light lenses may also need to be replaced. It is important to have a reliable and experienced professional to fix mechanical problems. It is also more convenient for the customer to have the vehicle completely fixed on both the outside and under the hood, rather than having to go to one place for external collision repair, then a mechanic to make the vehicle run properly.

The More You Know!

The fifth thing you want to keep in mind is something that not everyone thinks of in the heat of the moment. Even though you probably have a lot on your mind at the moment, make sure that the auto body shop is giving you a contract before they begin work. This contract should include the repairs they intend to do to your vehicle and the price for everything. This is to protect both you and the shop. You certainly would not want to come back in a few days with a bill that's hundreds of dollars more then you authorized.

The sixth thing that you should do, before paying for completed work, is to inspect your vehicle. Make sure that the work you are being billed for was actually done and done right. If there are flaws that need fixed, do not shy away from saying something about it. There is never a reason to pay for a poor job. The seventh thing to keep in mind is that you must keep all records of your accident. Keep receipts for the auto body repairs that were done to your car. This will help you later down the road when you want to sell your car.

When you follow these simple steps and keep them in mind before heading to the auto body repair shop you will be in good shape. You will know what to expect, you will know your rights, and most importantly, you will not be ripped off.

Getting Your Quotes

Body damage to a car is never a pretty sight. Luckily, today it's much easier to get them fixed without much of a hassle. Some of the best ways to get good quotes for repairing body damage to a car are:

Asking friends for references: Your friends can prove to be the best source of information for finding out the best places for fixing car body damage. They would have either dealt with it themselves or would know someone who has. And if they already know a local body shop that does it, then it will make your job even easier.

Call local auto body shops: Before you take your vehicle to any local body shop, getting quotes from several other body shops should be your primary step. Getting a quote beforehand will keep you from paying more than necessary for repairs. Also, make sure that you make a detailed list of the problems that your car faces because that will help the auto mechanic to find the problem quicker and rectify it accordingly. Don't forget to include the vehicle make, engine size and model year of your car at the top of the symptom list.

Moreover, you can also provide a detailed list of your car's symptoms online and get a quote, thus saving you a lot of your precious time at the local body shop. Since you already have the information about the cost of repairs from such workshop, any fraud or excessive charges can be avoided from unscrupulous body shop owners.

Get multiple quotes: Get multiple auto repair quotes from several body shops. Ask friends and neighbors if they are aware of some reliable body shop dealers who will do a great job. Since quotes will differ from one shop to another, it is always feasible to look around for better deals. It's your car and naturally you will want the best for your vehicle.

Services Offered by Gabriel Sports Car!

Frame straightening and reconstruction is one service that is available at an auto repair shop. When you get into a bad accident, the impact of the collision is so strong it bends the whole frame of your vehicle. This is when you will need to have the frame of your vehicle straightened and reconstructed and an auto body repair shop can do this for you. By using high-tech tools, auto repair shops are able to guarantee that your frame is flawlessly straight without question.

Another service available for auto repair shops is their ability to pull out and fix dings and dents. The appearance of your car is greatly affected by dents; it actually decreases your car's good looks. Skilled auto body technicians are able to remove these dings and dents and make your car look like new again. High tech equipment is now available at auto repair shops, the laser measuring system. This system makes sure that the repair is done accurately all the time.

An auto body shop's most common auto repair job is painting or repainting a car. Even a simple scratch can make your car look unattractive. Some auto repair shops already make use of a computerized paint matching system that assures the new paint on your vehicle match up with your old paint perfectly.

With great auto body repair shops around, there's no need to worry where and how you will have your vehicle fixed after an accident. Armed with High tech equipments nowadays, you can guarantee that your vehicle will be repaired quickly and flawlessly. Because of the many services they offer, you only need to send your vehicle in one place for repair.

Auto Body Shops for Custom Work!

When you think of auto body shops, the first thing that pops into your mind is usually a place where you bring your car to after you an accident that needs some sort of collision or damage repair done; you might also think that an auto body shop is a place where you would bring your car to for some minor touch up work for various scratches or dents that have mysterious migrated onto your car. Thinking these things is by no stretch wrong but another thing that auto body shops perform is custom car modifications.

The realm of things that can fall into the category of custom automotive work are endless. Everything ranging from body kits to mufflers and even paint jobs can be perform by your local body shop providing they have the proper supplies and equipment for the job. As with all things, some auto body shops have a better reputation then others when it comes to do custom work. A good thing to keep in mind is the workload of the garage you are planning on visiting on any given time. If the body shop you are trying to use is full of customers, they might very well be able to do the work but the turn around time would be long. If the reputation of the shop is good enough then it is worth the wait and going through the hassle of making other plans while your car is being worked on.

After you have decided on the type of work you would like to have done to your car, you should specifically ask one of the auto body shops you have in mind if they can perform the job. If you have a fancy car that requires special tools of mechanical knowledge then it might be out of the realm of possibility for certain garages. It is also well worth it to research the auto body work shop you are planning on visiting in terms of any complaints filed against them before you bring your car in. The best way to do this is by looking on the Internet for reports filed against the shop you are interested in.

Get REAL Estimates for Auto Body Repair

If you car has recently been involved in a minor or major accident and needs auto body repair you will need to find a great auto body shop. Finding that auto body shop that will meet your expectations will require some effort on your part. If you vehicle does need repair, one of the biggest concerns car owners face is how much money will be coming out of their wallet. So, what you need to be doing is not only checking on the qualifications of the shop but also checking their prices by getting quotes to repair what you want and need repaired.

Getting auto body quotes can be challenging and time consuming. You will find yourself repeating your vehicles problems and the concerns you have about your vehicle. You may even want to do some additional enhancements to really get your vehicle to shine. It is important that you first make a list of what you think you need done or problem areas on your vehicle and also write down the additional things you are thinking of investing in. That way you will not leave anything out and you will get a more accurate quote. You may also get a notepad and write down information from each shop that you speak to, if they do not print the information for you. That way you will not forget which shop you already spoke to and what each shop has to offer and their prices.

One way that you can get quotes is by calling auto body shops in your area. This can help you to get around a bout idea of how much your repairs will cost. You can also speak to them about additional services they offer. It would be great if you could get all the work you want done in one place.

Is Expensive Auto Repair Really Worth It?

But could a customer perceive the difference between a $2000 and $1000 bumper job? No chance. If I could quantify the difference, it might be (an undetectable) 5%.

I'm not advocating that you choose the lowest bid every time (there are some bad shops out there), but as a former shop owner, I can tell you with confidence that it's seldom worthwhile to choose the highest bid.

You're going to want to choose the most affordable bid from a shop with a good reputation.

Here's how to find that "just right" auto body shop:

1. Get at least 4 bids.
2. Toss the high bid.
3. Do some research on the remaining 3 bids.
4. Check online reviews: Google, Yahoo, Yelp, etc.
5. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
6. Inspect the shop...is it clean and orderly?
7. What about the customer service? Do they answer the phone? Are they polite? Do they answer your questions? Does the manager/estimator create a good, knowledgeable impression?
8. Do they guarantee their work? You will want at least a 3 year guarantee from defects like peeling and discoloration.
9. Usually, the shop will have completed cars waiting for pick up. Inspect the work. Would you pay for that work?

After you've done your investigating, circle the auto body shops you felt comfortable with trusting your car. Trust your gut instinct! Then choose the one with the lowest bid. You'll get a repair that you will be very happy with yet spend hundreds if not thousands less.

Auto Body Shops Offer More Than Just Repair

Do you know everything that an auto body shop can do for your car? Most people think of these establishments after an automobile accident, when damage to the car needs to be repaired, but there are many more services that they offer.

Painting cars is one of the most common tasks an auto body shop will undertake. While vehicles that have been in accidents usually need to be painted, the service center will also paint vehicles for other reasons. Sometimes the vehicle's owner is looking for a new color, and other times they are looking to customize the car with stripes, flames, or other decorations. Computerized paint mixing systems allow repair centers to carefully match a customer's desired color, allowing the company to do small touch ups that perfectly match the vehicle's existing paint.

Most companies have detailing services as well, which help restore a car's finish and brighten up its look, both inside and out. If you are getting ready to sell your vehicle, consider having it detailed. This will help it to truly shine as people come to look at it.

Dent repair is another task that these repair centers will handle. Small dings and dents greatly diminish the look of an otherwise nice vehicle. Most centers can quickly and easily mend these without the need to paint, restoring the vehicle to its like-new look. Similarly, repairing small paint scratches also falls in the list of tasks performed by a repair center.

World Class Auto Body Repair Shops

1) Notice the appearance of the auto center-the outer appearance of the auto body shop can tell you a lot about their business. Is it clean and well-lit? Does the equipment look modern? You can tell you will get the best repairs with the most up-to-date equipment.

2) If possible take a tour-If they will let you, walk around the body shop and talk to the staff members. You can ask them about their experience, how many years they have been working in this field, and you can get a feel from the mechanics if they seem competent and knowledgeable about repairs.

3) Look for special awards-While you are on your tour, try to notice any special awards or plaques on the walls or in offices. This is a good sign that they are well qualified and have undergone the necessary training to properly maintain your vehicle. The awards show that they really do know what they are doing.

4) Find out their policy-ask them what their policy is in case you don't like their work. Ask them how long the repairs will take, if they will fix it at no charge or will there be additional fees? What is the warranty and how long is it good for?

5) Inspect the vehicle after its been repaired-once your vehicle has been repaired, notice if anything doesn't look right and notify the auto body shop. Even if you don't notice anything until you are home, notify the shop as soon as possible.

How to Deal With an Auto Body Shop

It happens to all of us at one point in time. We get into an automobile collision. Hopefully, it is not too bad and we are not seriously injured. But usually the car does not fare as well and comes away with significant damage.

What is the next step? Likely, after informing the insurance company you take your vehicle to one of their "approved" vendors.

Here is what happens next. You tell the insurance company what company you choose. By this time they have already taken phones of the car and know how extensive the damage is. They have a computer system that gives them a printed estimate stating what the replacement parts and labor will be based upon a set hourly rate.

This statement is given to the auto body shop. It comes with a break down of what the labor and parts "should" be and the company has to usually be able to totally fix the car for that price. Keep in mind that what is printed out represents the best case scenario and doesn't allow for items on the car that was missed or problems that come up.

Now here are some things to watch out for. Local body shops are operating under very, very thin margins and the incentive to "cut corners" is huge. Getting an extra $300 off a job can really add up over the course of the month when you are talking about doing at least 3-5 vehicles every week.

Replacement Parts

Make sure the parts being used on your car are OEM parts. These are replacement auto body parts are sent directly from the car manufacturers and are designed with the same specs as the vehicle came with. Aftermarket parts can be significantly cheaper yet are not the same quality and make not hold up the same in the event of another accident.

Quality Auto Glass Repair Right Here!

If you are in need of high quality auto glass repair for broken windshields in New York, after that you can definitely find the complete range of very affordable wind shield repair services, done with a smile. New York has a number of different auto glass stores that will happily fix your damaged, chipped or shattered wind shields and several other auto glass. Whether you have a simple chip, ding, crack, or hole in your windshield, there are plenty of auto glass repair facilities contending for your business who can give you a competitive price and accurate estimation for insurance claims.

New York is like any place in the country--or world, for that matter--in that we are not safe from damaged auto glass. The chief culprit in damaged or cracked windshields is other vehicles on the roadway--namely, big rigs that either trail or kick up rocks. This does not have to be a stressful experience for you, however. Numerous auto glass repair businesses will probably provide you a regular estimation--whether you are completely insured or not. The average auto glass claim is around $100-$200, but of course they can be less and more. Its essential to make a claim in as timely a manner as possible for a number of reasons, not just financial.

Choose a Reliable Repair Shop

People have become so dependent on our vehicles for everyday life and we expect them to work all the time. When they don't work, things can get stressful, especially when we donâ't have an honest car repair shop to turn to for advice. Looking for a decent auto repair facility that you can depend on, can be challenging. It's safe to bet that at one time or another when you've had to have your car serviced, that you've considered whether or not you are being overcharged or if the repairs being done are really necessary or if the mechanics actually know what they are doing.


1. Word Of Mouth Is Best: The best way to find a decent mechanic/technician is to ask your friends, family or co-workers for recommendations. It's important to find out what type of car they have, especially whether it's foreign or domestic, what type of repairs they had done and whether or not the service was done efficiently and at the same price that was on the estimate.


2. Are There Any Complaints With The Better Business Bureau: Check to see if there have been any complaints against the facility. Don't assume though that if there are no complaints that the shop is fine. This should be just one of the factors in helping you make your decision.

3. Google It: Google often compiles reviews of auto repair facilities from various websites and will show them when you search for the name of the shop. More and more people are turning to the internet to voice their opinions.

Auto Repair Shops Focus on Women

Courtesy of Daniel Dullum:

"More and more, auto repair garages are seeing the advantages of marketing to the female consumer.

Cruise the Internet, and a site for a garage like Auto Repair & Fuel Systems in West Fargo, N.D., will pop up, exclaiming, "Women love our professional service!"

They're not alone in that marketing approach. In Wilmington, Del., Christian Porter fixed his friends' cars as a hobby while he worked full time at MBNA as a project manager in the technology department. While working on the cars of his friends and acquaintances, women confided that they were uncomfortable going to "professional" garages.

"You hear this enough, and you recognize an opportunity," Porter told the The News Journal of Wilmington and New Castle.


When MBNA announced volunteer severance packages to trim its staff, Porter took the buyout, seized the opportunity and opened his own garage that would cater to women – Everest AutoWorks & Auto Spa – in July 2009. While Porter doesn't turn away male customers, he estimates that 80 percent of his business comes from women.

Douglas Lee, an official with AAA Mid-Atlantic, said Porter's strategy is smart because "despite the stereotypes, it's women who most often decide where a car gets serviced."

Porter's plans included car repair workshops for women, something already being done at shops like Ponder's Auto Repair in Johnson City, Tenn., where owner Brian Ponder presents his "Women on Wheels Seminar," and at Accurate Auto in Hillsboro, Ore.


Rick Kersey, owner of Accurate Auto, explained to the Hillsboro Argus newspaper that he wanted to "empower" female drivers, especially for encountering roadside emergencies, when finding a reputable mechanic can be a challenge.

"Our main goal is to help educate women in the local community about repairs on their cars and get them more prepared for that unexpected breakdown or emergency," said Kersey, who began his Women's Car Care Clinics in April 2010.

Aluminum or Steel Rims?

Now, if you're choosing between aluminum wheels or steel rims but can't tell the difference, then what you need to know is this-most steel wheels take full wheel covers or hubcaps. Aluminum wheels take a smaller center cap cover and are either a machined finish or painted finish with a hard clear coating. However, if you're interested in chrome wheels, then you should know that chrome can either be steel or aluminum. Your auto shop should help you tell which is which. Most auto repair shops sell new and used wheels so if you're on a tight budget, you still have this option.

Gabriel Sports Car has all types and size of custom, new, and used wheels. Choose from different designs of custom and factory original 20" wheels, 17" wheels, 22" rims, and 20" rims. They carry all original brands of hubcaps and wheels such as American Racing, BBS, Eagle, Boss, Enkei, Asanti, Centerline, TSW, Panther, and Beyern. Gabriel Sports Car also provides wheel repair services and car accessory installations.

Your Tires, Wheels, and Hubcaps

If you're thinking of changing or getting new wheels or hubcaps, you have to first know their "specs" i.e. size, capacity, etc. The true size of your wheels and hub caps is dependent on the measurements of your vehicle's tires. If you look at the side of a tire on any vehicle, there will be a series of numbers ending in R14, R15, R16, etc. This final number will tell you what size wheel or hubcap you need. For example, you have a 2001 Toyota Corolla and you need to replace the hubcap. You look on the side of the tire and find a number similar to this "P175/65/R14".

What this number tells you is that you need a 14" hubcap or wheel. This applies to all, even with custom wheels or custom rims. Once you've determined the size, then you're ready to choose. Custom hubcaps are the best way to go for a personalized look but if you're on a budget, you can also opt for factory rims and hubcaps.

Frame Damage

When I was just out of college, I rumaged through the local paper for an affordable passenger car that would take me accross cuntry to New York. I happened upon a model that was labeled as salvage. Not knowing anything, and not getting help from my Grandma who was the only person around at the moment - I thought "Why not"? Well, after 2 terrible years with that car, I have learned why not.

After getting into another accident with it and finding that they would not repair it because of the previous damage,I defintely learned my lesson. It turns out the the frame of the car is the most important safety feature it has. In an auto collision, your frame is what ultimatey protects you during a crash.

In modern cars and other vehicles, the frame is a highly engineered crash-absorption component that can help to protect you and your family in a car collision New York by dispersing impact forces more predictably. Every year, hundreds of thousands of used vehicles with hidden frame damage to that very component are bought and sold, usually for one of two reasons:

1. Typical visual frame inspection procedures for new or pre owned vehicles used by even the most reputable car dealers can actually fail to detect hidden auto frame damage from a car collision.


2. Unscrupulous individuals are "passing off" a salvaged car that has been totalled and refurbished, but not repaired correctly or to vehicle safety specifications.


When I learned these things, I sold my little sports car or a song - and felt good about it.

A Lesson In Restoration

A father-daughter project turns a passion for cars into a family tradition.

Bill Miller has made a career out of restoring old vehicles—a passion that started at age seven when he built his own spray booth in his bedroom to put custom paint jobs on his model cars.

Since then, Miller has restored and sold more than 50 cars. And he’s done far more than that since opening Livermore Collision Center Inc. in 1993. The 6,000-square-foot shop in Livermore, Calif., does 75 percent collision repair and 25 percent restoration work.

Miller’s most valuable project was one he completed with his daughter, Rachel. She’d fallen in love with cars at age 16, after watching Disney’s 2006 movie, “Cars.”

“She was hooked,” Miller says, noting that he was delighted when his daughter expressed interest in his lifelong hobby. Miller jumped at the opportunity to introduce her to vehicle restoration. He searched for a project the pair could share, scouring the Internet until he came across the perfect job: a 1963 Fiat for just $1,500.

The father-daughter duo worked together on the tiny Fiat for a year. And now, the medium yellow-colored coupe with suicide doors is quite the attraction in Livermore Collision Center’s parking lot.

The Restoration
Miller says the Fiat was in decent shape when he picked it up, but there was still enough work to be done to give his daughter a sense of the entire restoration process. The car had been driven for only eight years—from 1963 to 1971. With just 46,000 miles on it, the car sat untouched for 36 years until Miller bought it in 2007.

The Fiat needed both mechanical and body work. It was filled with rust, dents and a ripped up interior. Mechanically, the suspension needed work, and the transmission and engine had to be replaced.

Miller put out $7,500 to fully restore the Fiat. The investment, he says, was well worth everything the process taught his daughter about cars. She learned how to strip a car to bare metal, repair rust and dents, replace chrome, repolish aluminum, fix the suspension and replace the transmission. She learned how to install new parts: a water pump, carburetor and hoses.

The big challenge was in finding an engine to drop in the car. Ironically, a replacement engine sat just next door—in their neighbor’s backyard. Miller’s neighbor just happened to have a similar Fiat sitting under cover.

The neighbor’s Fiat was in rough shape, Miller says. He thought about restoring that one, too, but the body was too rusted out to safely repair. There were, however, parts that could be salvaged from the car, Miller says, most notably a well-running 650 cc, 35 horsepower engine.

Finally, the Millers added a few aesthetics to the car. They installed a modern gray cloth interior and added 12-inch rims to the tiny wheels. Miller’s daughter wanted the Fiat to have a race car feel, so they installed a roll bar and racing seat belts inside as novelties.

Miller also taught his daughter that every restored classic should be given a name. She got into the spirit of it, dubbing the restored two-door, four-seater “Luigi” in honor of her favorite “Cars” character. “It was great for her to see the restoration process from beginning to end,” Miller says.

The Talk of the Town
The Fiat has become something of an icon in Livermore, and a staple in Livermore’s downtown parades.

Rachel doesn’t drive it much—the car has only 4,000 more miles on it than it did when they picked it up—but Miller says it does get recognized every time she takes it out for a spin.

And the car is an eye-catcher even when it’s just sitting in Livermore Collision Center’s parking lot. Miller says his shop has become known as “the shop with the little yellow car in the parking lot.”

“People stop to take pictures of the car,” Miller says. “We even had some people from Italy ask to buy the car so they could export it back home.”

In fact, Miller’s obvious talent for restoration earns him a second income selling his works for profit. But the Fiat is one job that’s not for sale.
The sentimental value of the time spent with his daughter, he says, is priceless.

Sourche: http://www.fenderbender.com/FenderBender/September-2010/A-Lesson-In-Restoration/

National Two-Second Turn-off Day

National Two-Second Turn-off Day is sponsored by AAA, Seventeen magazine and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Almost nine out of 10 teens admit to driving distracted and almost as many admit they know it is dangerous, according to an AAA survey.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens and 36 percent of teen drivers admit they have almost been in an car collision due to cell phone use while driving.

“Taking your eyes off of the road for two seconds doubles your risk of a crash or near-crash and National Two-Second Turnoff Day is an opportunity for young drivers nationwide to take control of their own safety behind the wheel by making the wise and responsible decision not to drive while distracted," said Kathleen Marvaso, AAA vice president of public affairs. "National Two-Second Turnoff Day is a reminder to drivers of all ages that they should keep their eyes and attention on the road while driving at all times."

For more information, go to TeenDriving.AAA.com.

State Farm about texting while driving

New State Farm survey results show that teens do not believe texting and driving is as dangerous as drunken driving, despite academic research that shows it is.

The majority of teens, 55 percent, said drunken driving could be fatal, where as only 36 percent said texting and driving could be fatal, according to the State Farm survey. Of teens that do not text and drive, 73 percent believe that, if they did, they would get into an accident; however, of teens that admit to texting and driving, only 52 percent believe they could get into an accident.

The United Kingdom’s Transport Research Library (TRL) said, in a 2008 study, that reaction time of 17- to 24-year-old drivers was reduced by 35 percent when typing a text message, compared to 12 percent when driving after drinking to the legal limit.

"Some teens still think the consequences of reaching for a cell phone are less severe than reaching for a beer bottle," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources at State Farm. "We have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to helping teens understand that texting while driving can be every bit as dangerous as drinking while driving. It's an awareness gap that must be addressed."

Paintless Dent Removal

Depending upon the degree of damage to your car, you may or may not be eligible for paintless dent removal for your Westchester County accident. The great thing about paintless dent removal is that it is fast, inexpensive and involves no major body work . It does not require painting (hence the title of this article) or drilling into your car's body. Instead, it uses suction devices to straighten out the dents. The best thing about paintless dent removal White Plains is that it saves you money because you don't end up having an entire panel of your car replaced.Since the auto repair technition works from the behind the car's panel, the damaged area is pushed forward into place to align with the surrounding areas.