How to Evaluate A Collision Repair Facility

A Consumer Service of SCRS

In order to improve understanding between the consumer, collision repairer and insurance company, we'd like to take this opportunity to describe the important points you should consider when looking for a collision repair facility.

When Looking for a Facility...

Know it is not in your best interest to seek or consider an estimate or damage report from a repair facility you believe will not meet your expectations. As a consumer, you have a financial interest to protect. The ultimate choice is yours.

Price Isn't Everything

Sometimes consumers make the mistake of believing one collision repair facility is like any other. They believe price should be the prime consideration, however, nothing could be further from the truth. If you select the estimate that is cheapest, it can often turn out to be a mistake.

The Damage Report

The written damage report is a signal a collision repair facility holds itself to high standards. All facilities do not write damage reports - many of them write estimates - and there is an important difference between the two. Estimates do not contain the detail of a damage report, which is completed during a careful examination of your vehicle. This examination may require putting your vehicle on a lift or partial disassemble. In any case, an itemized, carefully rendered damage report - the blueprint for repairing your vehicle - can only be created with an investment of time and effort.

First Impressions

Your first impression of a facility is a significant one. Make sure the facility you consider makes an initial impact that is positive. The staff should be courteous, knowledgeable and take a real interest in your vehicle. As the service representative prepares you your damage report, he or she should take the time to explain what needs to be done and why. The front office should be orderly and reflect the atmosphere of a professional business. An honest effort toward cleanliness should be evident. Choosing a collision repair facility is an important decision. If one seems not to meet your basic standards, don't feel obligated to have your vehicle repaired there. You may also request a shop tour.

Shop Tour

Unibody vehicles require sophisticated measuring equipment, metal inert gas (MIG) welders, and a dust-free paint environment for spraying factory-type paint finishes. See that the repair facility of your choice is similarly equipped. Ask to take a tour of the facility, and while doing so, observe a repair similar to the one needed on your vehicle. You may also request to see a factory specification chart for your vehicle make and model.

Painting is Important

At the factory, most vehicles are painted with a two- or three-stage paint system that includes a clear coat. These are premium systems that require skilled technicians and proper equipment for application. They also ensure your vehicle will be returned to factory texture and glass for a maximum number of years. Inquire about the type of paint system used by the repair facility you select.

Ask About Parts

What parts should be used to repair your vehicle? Only those equal to the original equipment manufacturer's or those originally on your vehicle. The use of imitation parts could void a portion of your warranty of devalue your vehicle. To stay well-informed, inquire about the parts a ficility uses before repairs are made.

Training and Industry Involvement

When you enter a collision repair facility look for certificates declaring participation in professional and fraternal organizations. Equally important are certificates from technical training courses. Check to make sure the dates on the certificates are current. This is evidence the business is active in the industry, involved in the community and up-to-date on repair techniques.

Insurance Companies

Each insurance company has its own claims handling procedure. Collision repair facilities deal with many different insurance companies. When you choose a collision repair facility to repair your vehicle, give them all the claims information they request and let them help you deal with your insurance company.

Warranties

The best collision repair facilities provide written warranties on collision repair and refinishing Find out what your facility offers.

A Paint Primer for Consumers

Thinking of getting your car painted?

The experts answer your questions: An interview with Dennis Beeler, instructor, Auto-Body Excellence Centre, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary and Bob Hamilton, regional leader, DuPont Canada, for Western Canada.

Question: Is a paint job a wise investment if you're going to sell your car?

Answer: People who know cars often like to be able to see what they're getting. New paint could hide rust or corrosion -- buyers may prefer to see the original finish. On the other hand, some buyers are impressed because a repainted vehicle looks good -- it's a strong selling point. Then there's the matter of economics. A good paint job will cost about $2,000. Will you recoup the $2,000 in the selling price?

Question: Is a paint job a wise investment if you're going to keep your car?

Answer: If your car's body has chips or scratches and is showing signs of wear, a paint job is a wise investment. The paint will not only take years off your car's appearance, it will protect it from rust and corrosion.

Question: Should I change my car's color?

Answer: Changing the color increases the cost of the paint job because areas such as the inside of your trunk need to be painted. And if scratches or chips occur, the old paint color may be exposed.

Question: Can new paints be applied over the existing paint? Answer: In most cases, yes. The best base finish for applying paint is the original. If your car has an acrylic lacquer finish, however, it should be removed before repainting. Since acrylic lacquers don't contract and expand like other finishes, they tend to crack, damaging the new finish. Lacquers are no longer available due to their high solvent content and tightened environmental regulations.

Question: How do I know I'm getting a fair price?

Answer: Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. For example, a single-stage paint is cheaper than a base coat /clear coat combination, but is less durable. Additional prep and detail work is also required to apply a two-stage finish. Be sure each bid reflects the same caliber of preparation.

Question: What's the difference in single-stage and multi-stage paints? What about different types of clear coats?

Answer: A single-stage paint is less than a base coat only. The two-stage process combines a base coat and a clear coat, providing a more durable finish with a deeper, longer lasting shine.

Question: What about warranty? Answer: Most paint companies certify autobody technicians to apply their products. The warranty may be directly with the paint company or with the body shop. Most paint companies stand behind their products, if they are applied properly. Most body shops guarantee workmanship for a specified period. The vehicle's condition, however, may affect the length of warranty. If, for example, the vehicle is rusty, the warranty is likely be shorter than if it were not.

Question: If I'm only getting part of my vehicle repainted, will the paint match?

Answer: Generally speaking, yes. To reduce the possibility of noticing this difference, most painters feather the new color with the existing color on the adjacent panels. This process is called blending and should be specified on the work order.

Question: How do new paints protect the environment and affect costs?

Answer: High solids paints contain less solvent, and therefore less VOCs, than acrylic lacquers. The new high volume, low pressure paint guns that are used to apply high solid paints spread the product more efficiently than traditional spray guns, therefore emitting fewer VOC's to the atmosphere. Since the guns produce a softer spray than traditional spray guns, more paint lands on the vehicle, eliminating over spray and allowing less solvent and contaminants into the atmosphere.

Question: I'm a vintage car owner. I understand vintage paints will not be available. What do I do?

Answer: Some of the older paints are no longer going to be available because they contain volatile organic compounds (solvents) that evaporate and exhaust into the atmosphere, depleting the ozone layer. The exact colors of the vintage paints, however, are available with current base coat/clear coat finishes.

Question: How will my car be protected against corrosion?

Answer: Part of the refinishing process includes replicating the factory corrosion protection processes. An E-coat, the factory protective coating, is applied to the bare metal prior to priming.

Question: How should I care for my new paint finish?

Answer: Keep it clean. Most of today's paint finishes are base coat/ clear coat finishes that don't need to be waxed. Dry your vehicle thoroughly when washing it in sub-zero temperatures. But beware: if your vehicle is very dirty and you use a brush to wash it, the dirt can get onto the brush and cause scratches in the finish. Try using a pressure hose to remove the heavy soil before using a brush. Some waxes, such as silicon based or sealer waxes, seal the car's finish so that the finish can't contract and expand adequately, causing the finish to crack and allow moisture to enter. Wax build-up also yellows the finish, giving it a hazy appearance. Although new paint finishes do not require wax, those who wish to wax should use a high quality natural wax.

AUTO BODY ABC's

A GUIDE FOR THE USED CAR BUYER

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair

Before you buy any vehicle, it is always wise to have an expert check it out. The engine isn't the only item to consider before purchasing a used car. The condition of the frame and body are just as important because proper frame and body repairs can often cost more than the vehicle is worth and improper repairs could be structurally unsafe. That's why it's important to find out if repairs were made and if they were made correctly. Here are some tips on what you can do before purchasing a used vehicle . . .

Ask about the vehicle's accident history. Has the vehicle ever been in an accident? If so, what was the damage and who fixed it? Is the auto body shop that repaired the vehicle registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair or any collision repair industry associations? Has the vehicle's certificate of title (pink slip) been labeled "salvage"? "Salvage" means that an expert has determined that the cost to properly repair the vehicle is more than its value. This usually happens after the vehicle has been in a serious accident. Is the advertised price of the car less than other cars of the same type and year? Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Be a smart consumer. Before you take the car to an auto body expert, examine the vehicle's "fit and finish." Here are some items you can check. Is there paint overspray or primer in the doorjambs, trunk, or engine compartment? These are signs that the vehicle has had body repairs. Check the paint - do all of the vehicle's panels match? Check the gaps between body panels - are they equal? Unequal gaps may indicate improper panel alignment or a bent frame. Do the doors shut properly? Do the keys open all the door and trunk locks? If not, the doors and trunk lid may have come from different vehicles.

Check with a qualified auto body expert. Not all salvage vehicles are bad - properly repaired salvaged vehicles can be a safe and sound investment. As a consumer, you need to know what you're paying for. By using these tips to help you select your vehicle, you can make an informed choice and put yourself in the driver's seat. By taking the car to a qualified auto body expert before you decide to buy, you may be saving yourself a lot of trouble and money down the road.

Snowstorm-damage claim tips

By insure.com

Despite the unpredictability of winter weather, there's bound to be some homeowners who find their dwellings may suffer from the weight of snow or damage from ice, especially if the precipitation or freezing is unseasonably cold and heavy.

"In times of disaster, the last thing people are concerned about is their insurance claim, but the more information you have about your damaged possessions, the faster your claim generally can be settled," says Loretta Worters, a spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (III).

The III offers the following advice to speed the insurance claims settlement process:

• Call your insurance agent or insurance company's 800 telephone number. Be prepared to give your agent or insurance representative a description of the damage to your dwelling. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible to inspect the damage. Be sure to give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached.
• Take photos of the damaged areas. These will help with your claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to make two copies — one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, and include a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase, and estimated replacement cost.
• Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts, or other papers that will assist the adjuster in determining the value of the destroyed property.
• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows, damaged roofs, and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your property and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs, and replacement prices.

Even with many additional adjusters, it will take time to process the many damage claims being filed. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will work to see that you are given priority.