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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips for Car Seat Safety

Sept. 20-24 is Child Passenger Safety Week (CPSW) sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

CPSW’s goal is to educate parents about proper car seat installation and use. On average four kids younger than age 14 die in car accidents every day and more than 500 are injured. The proper use of car seats and seat belts decreases that risk, according to NHTSA, but more than 75 percent of car seats are improperly installed.

Dorel Juvenile Group, one of the sponsors of CPSW gives the following suggestions for proper car seat use:

1. Face children to the rear;
2. Use car seats that fit the child’s weight and height;
3. Do not buy used or expired car seats;
4. Replace car seats that were involved in an accident;
5. Consult the experts, such as fire fighters or local police officers.

Additional car seat tips can be found at safety1st.com. For more information about CPSW, go to nhtsa.gov.

Fender Benders

Every time I'm in a Walmart parking lot I have several opportunities for a fender bender - or worse. There are so many people swerving wildly around the parking lot looking for who knows what and fewer people who are really doing thier best and most aware driving. It's situations like this that make me nervous that I might need to call my auto insurance company or visit a New York Collision repair shop rather than doing the fun things I had planned.

Fortunately, things usually go fine. However, there are many close calls and I think it's important to have a plan in mind in case a car collision really happens. So, what to do? Do you solve the problem with the other party without the police? Should you call the insurance? Will it rack up your premiums? Will the other driver change their story tomorrow?

If your local police force will handle this type of minor accident, then it's best to consultant the police. It's been my experience that police in more rural areas like the rural parts of Westchester County will handle the situation. However, I have lived in urban areas where the police are too busy to deal with fender benders - in this case, it's important to document the situation and exchange contact information. Write the driver's license down and license plate and have a disposable camera on hand to document the damage to both cars.

If you plan to involve your insurance company - you'll need to involve the police most likely.Insurance companies usually require that any and all accidents, regardless of their magnitude, have to be reported and this means that a police officer has to come to the scene of a reported accident and document his or her observations about the accident and the drivers. Even though an insurance company will eventually cover the repair costs and medical claims, sometimes there are other legal issues which could arise from a minor thing such as a fender bender and we'll talk about them later in the article.

If the damage is minimal to both cars and this is a no fault situation, it's probably best to leave the insurance company out of it. For one thing, the deductible might be too high to cover the collision damage. Or, you might increase your premiums. If this is the case, talk to the other driver and agree upon the total cost of damage and what the other person will pay, or if itis your fault, what you will pay.

If the other driver involved in the car collision is combatitive, you should definitely call the police because this person may change their mind later on and request further damage claims.

In any case, figure out how you're going to handle this type of situation if it arises and keep whatever you need on hand, such as a pencle, paper and camera, if you need it.

Keeping Your Shop Honest

Okay, so the above two things are things to watch out for if you haven't picked an auto collision repair shop. What, you say your vehicle is already at a repair shop that the insurance company referred you to? Don't panic, here are some things that you can do that will help you keep the shop honest:

1. Ask the shop manager to provide you with a copy of all the invoices for parts they had to purchase to fix your car, and then compare the parts list with the cost listed on the insurance company estimate.

2. Ask the shop for a written repair guarantee.

3. Ask the shop if they are a direct repair facility for more than one insurance company (just asking this will make them think twice about cutting a corner at your expense). If they are, ask them for the list.

4. Bluntly ask if they have used new Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts (OEM), used OEM parts, or aftermarket parts.

5. Ask the shop to explain "betterment" to you, just because you are curious. This is just to show them that you are reading up on the repair process.

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Trust or Not Trust Your Auto Body Shop?

If you are cool with trusting a collision repair facility, then fine, go find another article to read. But if you are like me, you want to learn how to avoid having to trust a body shop (the concept could apply to doctors and lawyers, too). Try to avoid using a shop if:

1. You were referred to the shop by an insurance company . . . here's why:

a. The shop has an agreement with the insurance company, and if you are able to get a copy of the agreement between the shop and the insurance company, you are impressive.
b. The insurance company has a vested interest in making sure repairs are as cheap as possible.
c. Questions that would normally be directed to the vehicle owner, like "should we fix this wiring while we're at it?", or "hey, did this happen in the accident?" will be directed to the insurance company and not the customer. The owner is left out of the loop.

2. The shop is dirty or unorganized . . . . I know that sounds obvious, but a lot of people just overlook that aspect because they think repairing vehicle damages is a dirty job. It's not, a good shop will be clean and organized. Dirty and unorganized implies to me that the auto repair shop is used to cutting corners to save money.

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Collision Repair and Things You Should Know

Worried about your car repair? You ought to be. In nearly 15 years as an adjuster I have seen some doozies when it comes to collision repair. As a short example, let me tell you this . . . When I was an adjuster, I caught an auto body shop and a rental car company conspiring to defraud the insurance company. What they did was that the rental company would file a claim for undercarriage damage, and we would inspect the vehicle, find the damages, write the estimate and pay the body shop. What I figured out is that instead of the damages happening like the rental company said (like a renter hit a curb, or hit some debris in the road), it was being caused by the body shop. The shop would have their technician put the car on a lift and then he would get under it with a sledge hammer and damage the oil pan or some other component, then they would give the car back to the rental company and they would file the claim.

We would pay the shop to replace the damaged component, but they would just go in an repair the component and pocket the money for the parts that we paid them. They sometimes made $400.00 or $500.00 on one scam by just faking invoices for parts that they had damaged to begin with, and then repairing the part (or replacing it with one they had lying around) and pocketing the insurance money.

Not all shops are crooks, but body shops, like any other business, are in business to make money. Most people are not experts on collision repair, and body shops know this. Taking your car to a body shop is sort of like going to the doctor or hiring an attorney. You kind of have to trust what the doctor or lawyer says because they are specially trained. It is the same for a body shop, you kind of have to trust what they tell you because they are specially trained.

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Demanding Experience and Expertise

Auto collisions are one of the leading causes of vehicle damage. They are unfortunate incidents that damage outer auto body the most and also cause technical problems in automobiles. However you cannot stop all those unfortunate incidents to be happened, you can actually get your vehicle back in its shape and working condition with the help of some experts automobile collision repair services that are dedicated to help those who are seeking a professional help to take care of their damaged vehicles.

Collision body repair is not an easy task to do as it sounds; it is a complicated process that needs expert hands and a long experience to be done right. Automobiles are complex machines that are made up of various parts with every single part performing its own unique task making a machine fully functional to serve you in its best condition. There is also a big role of the outer body of the machine that has its own importance in making a machine successful on the roads. So, experience and expertise is all that is required to repair a vehicle after an incident of collision.

When it comes to repair a damaged vehicle after a collision, a professional Automobile collision repair service can help you to get your vehicle back in its full working condition. They help you fix auto body damage of all kinds ranging from door dings, fender benders, unibody and frame repair, bumper repairs, paint less dent repairs, hail damage repairs to all paint color matching and custom painting repair services. With the help of their latest tool and technology, they help you a lot to fix your vehicle the way it should be fixed and to your satisfaction. With the expertise to do auto body repair on foreign as well as domestic vehicles, they also offer you expert assistance in claiming insurance for your damages.

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Employ Only the Best!

As roads and highways become more populated with vehicles, the results are more auto accidents. But getting involved in a car accident is virtually the last thing anybody would want or think of. Having one's own vehicle disastrously dented and damaged can leave the person psychologically and financially stressed specially if its required to be run on a daily basis. All the same, it does happen to everyone if not today then tomorrow and when it does the only thing one wants is to be able to get their vehicle repaired to its original condition in a timely manner. For this you would actually need a "car restorer" that is a collision repair specialist who can restore your car as closely as possible to its original condition following an accident. Accidental repair is one of the most difficult, highly-involved types of car repair tasks in the industry, so it is better to choose an experienced professional help that can yield out the best results in repairing your vehicle.

With the rapid advancement in technology, the auto collision repair specialist job has evolved from being purely mechanical to including electronic technology. Because vehicles today hold complex computer and electronic systems, mechanics have to have a broader base of knowledge about internal systems than in the past. This can be achieved with the aid of computer diagnostic tools with the help of which a collision repair specialist can accurately pin point the problem areas of the vehicle and implement best methods and techniques to restore the vehicle to a condition that is as good as new. He has to know what to look for when it comes to damaged internal systems.

Over all this he must be able to determine how to best restore a body's external structure which includes paint and auto body repair. A collision repair service employs a variety of experts who work together to restore a car's exterior using a broad range of state-of-the-art techniques and parts. They will completely transform the damage making it look like nothing ever happened at all. Hopefully, you will find the right and the best collision repair shop in your area that will not just repair and restore your vehicle back to itself but will also make the entire process easy for you so go along and make the most for your bucks.

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Drive Safer With Headlight Restoration

If you have cloudy or worn and yellow headlights you are taking a big and unnecessary risk when you drive at night. According to the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety: An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced, repaired or restored.

Most people do not know that not only do worn or cloudy headlights look bad, but they also reduce light output by as much as 95 percent. That is a huge difference in whether you can effectively see or be seen when driving at night.

In a recent search on Google and Yahoo search engines, it was found that thousands of accidents were linked to ineffective light output due to worn and cloudy headlights. The majority of headlight lenses produced today are made of plastic and are very susceptible to road and weather conditions. Harsh UV rays in hot climates, chemicals from the engine and fumes, smog, etc. all take a toll on the plastic and cause it to breakdown from the outside in. The resulting cloudiness is like cancer and quickly gets worse. Soon reducing visibility and making your vehicle unsafe at night.

Accidents caused by reduced light output and bad or cloudy headlights tend to also be much more severe. According to the National Institute For Highway Safety: Accidents at night due to a more limited visibility are usually of a more severe nature, but when equipped with ineffective headlights the chances for a more severe accident are far greater.

Save Money on Auto Repair!

Getting an auto repaired is nothing less than a headache. With costly replacement and repair of the auto parts, one tends to search a cheaper alternative as a part of an affordable auto repair and replacement service that provides quality repair job at competitive price.

Most of the auto repair firms advertise for repairing and replacing auto vehicle at very less rates, nevertheless they do this through employing the unskilled workers and making use of inferior quality parts. Usually, the specialized shops including the old car replacement and transmission repair shops, provide, cheaper auto replacement and repairs in comparison to the general repair shops.

It is inspiring that you talk about the exact and correct nature of the repair job and spend some time with the auto mechanic prior really starting on the replacement or repair. Many of the modern auto vehicles have the computerized monitoring system that assists the mechanics in identifying the problems simply and easily. The auto repair guides and manuals tell you all the details of every repair job as well as the normal time involved in each repair. These guides and manuals can be purchased from the auto parts shops accessible in your neighborhood.

Windshield Repair

Proper windshield repair is very important for any vehicle to ensure the integrity of the car glass and to prevent untimely and costly windshield replacement.

The car glass used for windshield repair is laminated glass. Two sheets of special composite car glass are fused together by a laminate of vinyl plastic between them. The laminate is very strong and not only holds the two sheets of car glass together while they are intact but also keeps them stuck even upon shattering. The fragments of car glass remain held together like a web instead of dangerously flying toward the car driver and passengers.

The windshield is held in place by the urethane molding, which glues it to the car, and the frit, which is the black frame that protects the urethane molding from being melted by ultraviolet rays.

The most obvious role of the windshield is to protect the car’s occupants from the wind, rain and airborne debris, thereby allowing a clear and unencumbered view of the road. Less obvious is the role of the windshield in providing safety during accidents. In head on collisions, the windshield ensures that the airbag works properly by preventing it being inflated outwards. In case the car rolls over, the windshield provides the necessary support to prevent the roof from collapsing.

Modern Techniques in Auto Body Repair

100% Auto Paint Match

Whether your car needs whole auto body painting, spot painting for covering dents, graphics removal, or others, the new paint should match the original car paint 100%. To achieve this, photo spectrometer is used to analyze the original paint of your vehicle. Then, a computerized auto paint color match system is employed to find the true color that will match the original color of your car. After this, the painting is done carefully to achieve a seamless finish. Once the paint has dried, your car will surely look like it's just freshly taken from a showroom.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)

Dents are commonly caused by impacts when your vehicle comes in contact with other cars or other hard surfaces. And the problem is, dents can sometimes occur at or near the angular or curve surfaces of the car, in which case they are very noticeable and harder to repair. Today, paintless dent removal method is already in use to solve these problems. Special tools are used to press, knead, or rub down on the affected part until it is back to its normal shape. This should be done while ensuring that the paint does not get damaged. And for those dents on hard-to-reach areas such as the edge of the car's floor, fill and spray methods are used.

Body Frame Straightening

For cars that experienced collision with another vehicle or object big enough to cause a longitudinal or lateral damage on the car's frame, body frame straightening is required. A computerized tool is used in this process. An ultrasound technology measures the discrepancy of the frame alignment and then a laser is used to accurately align the frame back to its original shape.

Can You Repair Your Bumper?

You can say you have had a bad day if you get rear ended, in a car accident, or if you accidently run or bump into something. However the day you take it to get repaired could be an even worse day. Most times people are discouraged by taking their vehicle to be repaired not only due to the high costs involved, but the fact that they may be out of a vehicle for days or weeks. Finding an honest mechanic can be a challenge as well.

Things to consider: Every 17 seconds a reported rear end collision occurs, and every 8.5 seconds an unreported rear end collision occurs. The most frequent accident on the road is the rear end collision, at almost 29.7%, and 75% of these accidents occur at less than 10 mph. Something else to consider is that 36% of all minor auto body damage is to the front or rear bumper.

More than a third!

One in three people with auto body damage have plastic bumper damage.

So if you unfortunately find yourself in a situation where your bumper needs repair know that you are not alone.

There are some practical solutions for you so, read on about what can be done.

Some mechanics or auto body shops will tell you that your bumper will need to be completely replaced. Well that will involve an average of two days to repair depending on how busy the shop is at that time. Also it will cost you at a minimum 500 dollars and up from there. This is an option for you, however it is not the only or most cost effective option you have.

The fact is that bumpers have changed as does everything else in time. They used to be made of sheet metal, now the metal bumper is covered by a plastic fascia in hopes that minor abrasions might pop out more easily. However the plastic can bend, break or rip.