Auto Shop Safety

In today's auto shop there are many potential hazards to the fragile human body. In order to have a safe and productive work environment, there are simple steps that need to be taken in order to insure the physical safety of everyone in your automotive service shop. There are many tools and pieces of equipment in use that can potentially seriously injure someone. The first step is to take census of your auto or mechanical shop and locate machinery and tools that can be potentially hazardous. Any machine or tool that can cause a serious injury must be safeguarded. For example, a band saw is common tool in a mechanical shop and has the ability to cut off fingers and limbs. This piece of equipment needs to be safeguarded and all applicable safety features should be correctly installed. It is all too common to the plastic safety guards removed on a table saw because they are in the way of the operator. Safety cannot be sacrificed for convenience.

But remember machinery is not the only hazard, you need to be aware of in the shop. The power cords and air hoses that power equipment also presents a tripping hazard. Many auto shops have several air hoses and power cords stretched all over the place and most of them are not even being used at the moment. To combat this problem and help keep your shop floor clutter free we recommend using an air hose reel. Air hose reels are mounted on the shop walls and are usually self retracting. When a mechanic finishes working with his air tools, the air hose can be retracted and stored with a quick tug on the hose. There are similar devices for extension cords as well. Lets face it, a mechanic is much more inclined to keep his air hoses and power cords retracted if its easy and an air hose reel makes it easy. Also, spilled grease oil and oil can collect on a shop floor and produce a slipping hazard. It is inevitable that motor oil and grease will end up on the concrete floor. Most auto shops have containment spill kits that can contain the oil spill and aid in cleaning it up the minute it happens.

The next level of safety is the person. Once the auto shop is a safe and secure environment, you will need to consider the mechanics and other workers in the area. Eye protection should be worn at all times. There is almost always some type of work going on that is a potential hazard your fragile eyes. For example, grinders and needle scalers are capable of throwing debris a long way from the point of contact. People working in the same area are in just as much danger is the operator using the tool. Also, chemicals and gasoline can be splashed onto unprotected eyes causing anything from mild discomfort to blindness.

Hand and feet protection is usually fairly obvious. Most mechanics wear gloves to prevent burns and cutting while working on automobile. But gloves are also needed for a variety of other tasks as well. Do not handle chemicals and solvents with out wearing gloves and remember to remove watches and other jewelry as well. Always be aware of where you fingers are especially when lifting heavy objects. It may seem obvious but it is all too common to crush your fingers by letting a heavy object down on them. Mechanics gloves are a great choice when you need to work with small parts and tools. Mechanics gloves are light and tight fitting on your hand. This allows you to feel the parts and tools and still maintain protection. For your feet, there are advanced mechanic shoes that help you gain traction on oily floors and boots with steel toes to protect you from heavy objects.

Safety in the auto shop requires some basic common sense and attention to detail. A safe work environment is a combination of both the work area and the workers themselves. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure the proper safety gear is worn and the rules are followed.

Mobile Auto Shops Make Car Repairs Simple and Convenient

Make car repairs easier! Your area car mechanics may provide mobile services, bringing their tools and expertise to you for on-the-spot preventative maintenance and repairs. Call your auto repair shop today to learn more!

When you're having car trouble, it used to mean the hassle and inconvenience of taking your car to the auto shop, waiting while the mechanics evaluate it, and spending tons of time in addition to the actual costs of the repair itself. But with the innovation of mobile auto repair shops, your mechanic can come to you. You get the same top-quality repairs and pricing along with the convenience of not having to take your car in to the shop! Keeping your car in tip-top shape just got easier.

Most mobile auto shops offer a full range of repair services for cars and trucks of all kinds. Combining expertise in both preventative maintenance like oil changes and diagnostics like reading check engine codes, these professionals can help practically no matter what your vehicle's needs. It's like having a transmission shop, brake shop, and muffler shop all in one! So whether you need shocks and struts installed or just require a basic transmission flush, your on-site auto repair shop can take great care of you and your vehicle. Don't go to them: these pros will come right to you!

Using a mobile car mechanic just makes sense! Not only is it super convenient, it can also help you save big. You don't have to shell out for towing services if your car won't start, and there are no costs in terms of time lost waiting. With on-site car repair pros, you get the preventative maintenance and automotive diagnostic services you deserve, all with the utmost convenience and affordability.

For more information about mobile auto shops near you, contact your local mechanic today.

How to Fix Car Scratches

After so much of your labor, you manage to buy your favorite car or if it is not your favorite one, you still spend a big amount on it. You invest months of salaries to buy a car to travel to your office or clients.

You love your car so much like your kid and care for it. Your car cares for you too and facilitates in every possible way to provide you with comfort in 'not so favoring' weather outside. It provides warmness in winters and in summers; it cools you with its AC. You can listen to your favorite music tracks in low volume while driving down to your home. It allows you enjoy every moment of being inside the car. While it is raining outside, you don't have to wait in your office. You can get back to your home on time and enjoy seeing the rain while driving your lovely car.

But, one unlucky day, a stupid on road leave a scratch to your car. How much painful it is! We can understand. You scream, cry and feel sorry for your car. What to do now? How much sensible and careful you are while driving, you cannot avoid scratches.

If the scratches are not that much severe; you need not to feel sorry for your car. You can cure it completely with a few tips. You can repair scratches of the car easily. Below are some tips to recover the original look of the car's exterior:

1) Inspect the body of the car completely where you doubt scratches will be.
2) Use water and soap to wash the affected area and let it dry completely.
3) Apply sand paper to smooth the area.
4) Clean the dust with any used toothbrush after the sanding so that dust can be completely removed.
5) Apply body compound to flatten the surface.
6) Apply primer paint over the flatten surface.
7) The final step is the most crucial one. Apply the touch-up paint that looks same as the color of your car. You should use a good brush to paint the area.

Keeping in mind these above mentioned scratch repairing tips, you can save your money that you might spend on the repair on services center. There is no need to pay for small scratches. You too can deal with it.

However, you can use variety of products available in the market for better results. You can buy them and keep in your garage to cope with the small and severe scratches as well.

Dash Repair - How to Fix a Cracked Padded Dash

Weather change is here and the cracked padded dashes are rolling in. With every weather change I get the phone calls. "My dash is cracked and what can be done to fix it."

Due to the exposer to old mother nature, these materials become dried out and crack over time leaving you with a crack in your dash. Left unattended this small crack can and will get larger.

There are measures that can be taken to prevent the dash from getting cracked in the first place. Now I know your dash is already cracked and your wanting to know how to fix it, but this will prevent further cracks and keep your car cooler and looking nicer, and well.... for further reference.

One way to prevent this is to use a sunshade. This will not only protect your automotive dash from the sun but also keep your vehicle cooler keeping the plastic pieces cooler and less likely to warp and then crack.

Another way to prevent the materials from drying on your dash is to condition them with a good vinyl conditioner-protectant. Now I know I've always said to not put the slimy stuff on your interior pieces and parts ... But if your vehicle is exposed to the sun on a constant basis, then I would recommend you use a vinyl conditioner. Now I'm not going to say that any old vinyl conditioner will work, because it won't. Tire shine is not vinyl conditioner! This is probably one of the biggest mistakes made, and I do a lot of repair because of it. Tire shine contains solvents, which as you know from previous articles, it doesn't mix well with the water based dyes being used on today's cars. What it does is lifts the dye from the surface, causing it to peel. So no tire shine...What I recommend to my customers is a product made from a leather conditioning producer that I feel from some of the research I've done is safe and should work very well, it's made by Lexol and it's called Vinylex. Designed by the guys that really know their stuff when it comes to interior conditioning and protecting.

The last and final tip to keeping your automotive interior, including your dash, looking it's best and lasting longer is window tint. Now in some states you need to be careful with the tinting laws to make sure you don't get it too dark, plus you need to think of your safety too. I have tint on our family Tahoe and I kinda wish I would have gone a little lighter, at night it's really hard to see, my Tahoe stays nice and cool, but it's a pain in the butt at night. I have to roll the window down sometimes just to see. So keep it light and you will be impressed with the results, plus it looks cool.

Now on with the fix for that crack in your dash.

Depending on where the crack is and how big it is will depend on how to fix it and how expensive the repair will be. If the crack is bigger then 2"-3" and curled up on the edges, the repair will probably not look that great. There is a limit to the size of crack that can be repaired, too big and it probably won't hold and will look like crap. If the crack is too big, replace the dash pad, don't try to fix it. Another thing is location, if the crack is up close to the windshield then it's almost impossible to do a repair without removing the windshield, which can be costly. So with that said you be the judge.

The first thing I do before I start any repair is to mix my color, this insures that at least the color will be right.

Next I inspect the crack in the dash, if the edges are curled up then you will need to trim that off with a razor blade or Xacto knife. The goal here is to get the area as level as you can. Now when doing so cut at a 45 degree angle and don't bring the ends to a point, what I mean by this is trim all the way around the crack rounding off the ends of the crack, this will insure that the crack will stop and not crack further after your repair.

Of course your next step is prepping the repair area, use your prep solution with a scotch brite pad and clean the area thoroughly. You might need to clean the entire dash depending on where and how large the crack is.

Now it's time to determine what fix you going to use.

If the crack is smaller then an 1/2" I usually grab the super glue and do a super glue repair. I do this by spreading the glue in the crack then sanding it smooth with a 240 grit sandpaper, texture with your water based spray grain, then dye.

But there are times when your vinyl repair compound will need to be used, after all this is vinyl. The low cure usually works best because high heat tends to warp the repair area. This is where your patience comes in when doing your repairs. Thin layers of compound work best, curing and dying between coats until the area is level and smooth. You can texture while layering your compound with your grain pads. One little trick I use to help level the repair when using a grain pad is a little rubber squeegee about 3"x5", it's what body shops use to squeegee the water off the painted surface when they wet sand. This little thing works great, when you use your hand to imprint your grain into your repair, your hand kinda molds around the area and doesn't leave a level area but with the rubber squeegee it gives you a little more backing when you go to imprint. Now graining your repair can be tricky, the low cure compound doesn't grain that well, but if all else fails make sure the repair is level, this is your best hide. If that is achieved then texture with your spray grain.

One last trick up my sleeve is the use of a great product from Urethane Supply Co. This is a two part epoxy like substance that is specifically designed for padded dashes and the name says it all, Padded Dash Filler.
This stuff is the bomb, when it comes to dash repair. Mixes like Bondo and is even applied like bondo, but its flexible. It's just what the doctor ordered when it comes to dash repair. If the crack is larger then 1" this is the stuff to use.

Now this product will require you to trim the area and then sand around the area about 1" to 2" out with a heavier grit sandpaper like a 180 grit, this gives it something to bite too. Trim down into the foam a little to, so that you make like a little groove for the compound to lay in.

Mix your compound on a small piece of tile, I like using small tile pieces, they clean up easily and are easier to hold when mixing and applying. Now when you get the product they send you the red catalyst, try the blue, it seems to set up a little quicker. The blue you can get at any automotive parts shop. But the red works just as good just takes it a little longer, time is money in my business.

Apply your compound liberally over the repair area, don't worry about getting your first coat really smooth, all you need is to get it covered, you'll be sanding it smooth later. Let it set up for a while, depending on the weather will depend on how long this stuff takes. You can speed it up a little with a heat gun but don't melt it just give it a little boost.

Once hardened start sanding, I usually start with a 180 grit to knock off the big chunks then progressively move my way up to a finer grit like 240 and then to 400.

One coat won't be sufficient, I promise, this is another layer thing. Sanding between coats. Each coat you apply you will need to make smoother. Again what your trying to achieve is a smooth level repair.

After all is smooth and level, grain with a spray grain then dye.

As far as texture goes, I use two types of spray grain. One is a water based spray grain and the other is Sems Texture Coat. In fact the Sems Texture Coat almost matches the some of the Pontiac dashes to a tee. Now the Sems Texture coat is a solvent based, but I haven't had a problem with it peeling up against the water based dyes on the dash, so kudos to Sems.

One other trick I have found with the the Sems Texture Coat is after sprayed if you let it flash out a little but not dry completely, you can take your grain pad and imprint your grain into the texture coat, pretty cool huh.

Dash repair is an art and a craft, just like all automotive interior repairs. If the steps are followed right and patience is used in your repairs you success will be good.

Hope this helps in your dash repair adventure. One thing to always keep in mind is to keep your repair as level as possible, this is your best hide.

Rearview Cameras Increase Safety and Convenience

How many times have you been backing up your large vehicle or SUV and wished that you could have a better view of what was behind you? Even smaller vehicles can have significant blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see when in reverse. Adding a rearview or back-up camera to your vehicle can drastically increase your rear vision when backing up and parking.

A rearview camera is a special camera that is mounted to the rear of a vehicle, usually above the license plate. When installed, the camera is typically pointed slightly downward, allowing drivers to have a clearer view of what is on the ground behind them. The dash-mounted monitor permits drivers to easily view the camera transmission.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have recently proposed a new vehicle safety regulation that would require all new cars and trucks to have rearview cameras by the year 2014. Proponents of this regulation believe that rearview cameras will help prevent adults and children from being hurt or killed in backup accidents.

Aftermarket rearview cameras can be added to most cars, trucks, SUVs, and even RVs. If your vehicle is already equipped with a navigation system with a screen, your rearview camera can be integrated into your existing system. If not, a separate LCD screen can be mounted to your dash. Most aftermarket rearview cameras switch on automatically when the vehicle is put in reverse. These systems offer a variety of different features and range widely in price.

Listed below are a few benefits you might consider when deciding whether or not to add an aftermarket rearview camera to your vehicle.

Life-saving:

NHTSA estimates that, on average, 292 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of back over crashes involving all vehicles. The majority of victims are children and the elderly. A rear-view camera allows drivers to have a clearer view of children, pedestrians, and pets that may walk behind their vehicles. While back-up cameras cannot completely prevent fatalities and injuries from occurring, many experts agree that cameras can reduce the number of incidents significantly.

Parking Made Easy:

A rearview camera can be useful tool when parallel parking or parking in tight spaces. The camera offers the driver a better view when backing into spaces or between cars. Used in conjunction with your rearview and side mirrors, a camera can help drivers determine their distance from curbs and other vehicles.

Avoid Costly Vehicle Damage:

Driving over toys, bikes, and other debris left in your driveway can not only ruin the items you run over, but can seriously damage your vehicle. As most car and truck owners know, vehicle repairs can be quite costly and inconvenient. Because a rearview camera is tilted slightly toward the ground, drivers will have a clearer view of objects lying behind their vehicle, preventing costly damages. Preventing accidental damage will also help keep your insurance premiums low, saving you money over time.

Convenient:

Those vehicle owners who hitch trailers or boats to their trucks and SUVs have an added benefit of rearview cameras. Drivers can use the camera system to line up the hitch and coupler without help.

With a variety of features and cost points available, aftermarket rearview cameras offer many benefits to the drivers. With models to fit most cars, trucks, SUVs, and RVs, a back-up camera can be a valuable safety feature for any vehicle.

Car Scratch Repair Tips - Do it Yourself!

Does your car have scratches in the paint or paint blemishes you'd like to get rid of without going through the expense and hassle of dealing with a body paint shop?

Have the scratches become more and more annoying to you ever since you first noticed them? Car paint repair is not difficult and time consuming once you get sound information and commit yourself to following a few easy-to- understand directions.

Thousands of car owners have discovered this mega-money-saving truth, and today have professional looking paint jobs they've completed successfully themselves.

Minor paint scratches and imperfections can easily be repaired by car owners who are willing to take the time to do the job right and carefully progress through the required steps for professional car paint repair.

The first thing to understand is that touch up paint provided by auto dealers is not the best solution to your problem if the scratch you are trying to repair is noticeable from a distance.

If you go to an auto dealer complaining about minor scratches and dings that you can see at a distance of six feet or more away from your car, they will want to sell you touch up paint immediately, promising it's all you need to repair the scratch. Don't fall for this sales pitch, because touch up paint never blends well with your car's paint and will only create another eyesore.

In effect, you will only be replacing a scratch on the car's paint surface with an uneven blob or gob of paint that will be just as annoying as the scratch was. Touch up paint is only useful for very small nicks and scratches and nothing more.

To fix scratches and nicks in your car's paint, you first must carefully sand the scratch down, using 240-grit sandpaper, initially, then going to 320-grit sandpaper, working slowly to assure you are producing an even and smooth surface where the scratch used to be. Deeper scratches should be sanded with 800-grit wet and dry sandpaper.

When you are satisfied the surface is sufficiently flattened and smoothed, clean the area to be painted thoroughly, removing all dust, debris, sand, etc., and then evenly apply the primer. Finally, you will next apply three coats of color over the primed area, and finish up the paint repair job by applying a coat of clear coat.

Be certain to allow enough time for each coat to dry thoroughly, fifteen minutes or so, before applying the next coat. And don't attempt your car paint repair project if the temperature is below 55 degrees, or you will get inferior results.

One final note:

Really deep scratches require a complete re-paint job of the entire car to achieve professional looking results, so you may want to consult a few paint shops to get their counsel on the severity of your car's paint scratches before beginning your project. You may also want to learn how to fix and paint your own car from home.

Solve All iPhone Issues With iPhone Repairs

The iPhone is a smartphone developed by Apple. The first iPhone was released in June, 2007 and an updated version has been released roughly every year since then. Yet with all the features there sometimes arises the need for phone repairs.

What is an iPhone?

Apple's first Internet-enabled smart phone, the phone combines the features of a mobile phone, wireless Internet device, and iPod into one package. The Phone has a sleek, minimalist design, and differs from other smart phones in its lack of buttons. Most operations on the iPhone are performed using the touch screen display. The iPhone 4, the latest iPhone includes a 960 x 640 pixel "retina display," which has double the resolution of previous iPhone displays. The Phone runs the IOS, an operating system developed by Apple for portable devices. There are hundreds of thousands of apps available from the App Store, which provide the iPhone with limitless functionality.

What does an iPhone repair mean?

It can mean many different things so therefore the first step for you would be to recognize exactly what the problem is that you are having.

A couple questions to ask before getting an iPhone repair:

• Is the glass cracked? Is the LCD behind it showing lines or is it all white? If so, you need an iPhone repair known as iPhone 3GS Glass and LCD renovate. This would require many iPhone parts and tools so be prepared if attempting a DIY fix at home.

• If it is only your glass that is cracked and your LCD is working fine then the iPhone renovate you need is iPhone Glass Repair.

• If your glass is not broken, but your LCD is showing a white, distorted or black screen then you would need our iPhone Repair.

• Did you drop your Phone in liquid and/or spill something on it? Then you need a Water Damage iPhone mend. The quicker you get the iPhone to an iPhone repairing service provider, the more likely you are to have a working iPhone and for it to be mended.

• Is your iPhone not accepting a charge or dies really fast? You more than likely need a Battery Replacement.

• If you not sure of the problem you are encountering with your Phone or the problem is not listed than iPhone Diagnostic needed. An iPhone repair service provider will need to do full diagnostics of your Phone.

The different variations of problems can make a big difference in the time and parts needed as well as the difficulty of the mending. Knowing this allows for a faster more convenient service experience.

Once you have identified the problem the iPhone repair center will figure out the solution.

Some tips for extending your battery life:

• Set Auto-Lock to 1 minute

• Turn off any extra sounds, like keyboard clicks

• Turn off the iPod EQ

• Use headphones instead of the speaker if you have to listen to audio or music

Auto Repair Basics: Opening Your Hood

Too many auto repair articles and videos assume a certain level of knowledge on the part of the reader/viewer. While it's nice to not feel condescended to, the truth is that many car owners know next to nothing about their vehicles. They know how to drive and change the radio station, but that's about all. And frankly, with a good mechanic no more than a phone call away, it isn't always necessary to know much more than that. Of course, taking the first hesitant steps into doing your own car work (or even checking your oil) requires expanding your knowledge just a bit. So here's how to pop the hood.

The Lever
More often than not (at least if you drive a car made in the last twenty years), the first step to opening the hood will actually start inside the car. The lever for doing so will be located in a different place on every vehicle, but it's under the dash more often than not. It will usually-but not always-be a much larger lever than those used to pop the trunk and the gas tank, but it works in a similar fashion. Check your owner's manual for your car's location. Just give it a tug and you should hear the hood release pop open.

The Safety Latch
You're not out of the woods quite yet. To prevent the hood from accidentally flying open during vehicle operation, all cars are equipped with a safety latch. You'll need to press this in and lift the hood simultaneously. This is another situation where it's different on every model. Just pull the hood up as far as it will go and then feel around with your fingers until you come across it. If you're having trouble finding it, there should be a diagram in your owner's manual that will show you where to look. Press it in (or pull it out) and you should be able to lift the hood completely and access the engine for auto repair.

Keeping It Open
Hoods work in one of two ways: they either stay up on their own or have to be propped with a rod. If yours stays up on its own, congratulations! You're all done and you can commence to checking the oil, changing the spark plugs, or any other auto repair you had in mind. If you need a prop rod, you should find it located on the right side of your engine compartment. It will be connected to the car on one end and loose (well, held in a small latch) on the other. Pull it up and put it into one of the holes on top of the hood. Set the hood down gently and make sure it isn't going anywhere. That's all there is to it!

Useful Approach to Check Your Windscreen Prior to a MOT Check

For many automobile owners, altering oil and undertaking routine maintenance checks are very important elements of maintaining their car. This is always important especially when the vehicle is due for its next MOT Check. Once the automobile displays signs of a fault, the driver generally will make sure that it's corrected instantly to avoid more costly repairs later. But one particular issue most car owners neglect, but need to not, may be the windscreen. The significance of the windscreen cannot be understated. As with any auto component issues, windshield harm really should be repaired immediately.

A number of consumers doubt the worth of a windshield chip repair. Nevertheless, most do not comprehend that the windscreen is pretty fragile to internal stress. It may well look impenetrable, but when subjected to road and temperature stress, the chip can become a crack.

Functions of one's windshield

The Windscreen plays critical roles in automobile security and driving. Initial along with the most apparent function from the windscreen is blocking wind and airborne debris from you and delivering a clear point of view of road circumstances. That is much more of a driving issue. The next two functions are safety-associated, primarily during an accident. Within a frontal collision, two security attributes in the auto lessen effect harm towards the driver and passenger: Airbag and seat belts. In order for the airbag to deploy properly, the windshield wants to become in place. It stops the airbag from deploying upwards and redirects the direction of inflation toward the driver. Within a rollover, windscreen serves two purposes; to stop the roof from the vehicle from collapsing as well as the passenger from possessing any physique parts hanging outdoors the automobile. This problem is far more pertinent with side windows, where loose body components will drastically enhance fatality rates.

An improperly installed or cracked windscreen will certainly jeopardize your safety. As a result of an accident or after a crack finally breaks the windshield the flying glass shards are extremely sharp and dangerous.

Stresses the windscreen Endures during driving

Whether or not your automobile is parked, or commuting your windscreen endures several abuses: temperature modifications (most notably night cooling and day heating,) road vibrations and car or truck physique frame shears, and road debris.

Properly completed repairs will enhance the strength of the windshield. Checking you vehicles windscreen before its MOT Check will make certain it will not fail.

Taking Your Vehicle to an Auto Body Repair Specialist

It is important to care for our vehicles properly. You should maintain the regular scheduled maintenance and take care of repairs promptly. If you got sick or broke a bone you would go to a doctor or specialist to get you feeling better. So, if your vehicle is in need of repair you should take it to a repair specialist. A specialist of your vehicles auto body repairs should specialize in auto reconditioning. Find out why you should take your vehicle to an auto body repair specialist and what to expect from them!

Simply taking your vehicle to just anyone or trying to repair it yourself is not the best solution. Sure you can try to complete auto body repairs yourself and they may come out looking o.k. but it will not be the best quality work. It is important that the repair is done right and that a quality job is done to preserve the car and keep it looking great for a long time. There are many auto body repairs that if not repaired will lead to more auto body damages, which will be more money out of your pocket. Also, if they are not completed correctly they can also lead to more damage.

Qualified specialist in the auto body repair shops should have received classroom and on the job training before actually working in a repair shop. In most cases they are still receiving ongoing training from there company and/or an outside source. They are professionals in their field. They are continually improving upon their skills and technique. Also it is their job to repair vehicles auto body, so they have had plenty of opportunities to perform the repairs and become masters of the trade. They also know and use the latest technology and skills of the trade when completing the auto body repairs. They know what will work best for each auto body repair and can fully complete the job.

When you take your vehicle to an auto body shop for an auto body specialist to repair your vehicle there are a few things that will happen. First they will asses your vehicles auto body damages. They will recommend repair services for your vehicle and give you a price quote and a time frame for the job to be completed. Some repair shops will give you this estimate for free. You may ask to see examples of the work they produce to see that their quality of work is acceptable for you. Then they will schedule a time to bring your vehicle in for the repairs, if you so choose. They may give you a rental or you may need to get a rental if you need. They will complete the work and return your vehicle back to you. The best part is they will return your vehicle to your looking like new!

So, if your vehicle is in need of auto body repairs be sure to take it to an auto body repair specialist. They will really get your vehicle looking great and keep it protected for a long time to come!

Why Auto Glass Repair Is Important

Every second, a vehicle driving down the roadway suffers damage to the windshield that requires auto glass repair. Whether it's from a rock, a stick, a bird hitting the windshield, etc. there are numerous causes that result in the same thing; a chipped or cracked windshield. The problem with damage to your auto glass is two-fold.

1. It Impairs Your Visibility - A crack on the driver's side of the vehicle, or a bulls eye chip in a broad splash, can reduce your vision far more than you realize. Essentially you're creating a blind spot directly in your field of vision. This can make you miss red lights, a pedestrian, the brake lights on another vehicle, debris falling into the road, etc. It also negates the glare reduction of windshields, making it harder to see when driving into sunlight or at night.

2. Safety is Reduced - A windshield is designed with two layers of glass separated by a layer of PVB that performs multiple purposes; it glues the layers together and bonds them, it reinforces the glass in the event of a break (forcing it crumble instead of shatter into large deadly shards) and it reduces UV exposure. When you let chips and cracks develop, you damage this internal layer, exposing it to the elements. This also reduces the integrity of the windshield overall.

Too many drivers believe that getting a chip repaired is an expensive ordeal but it's nowhere near as expensive as completely replacing your windshield. Here are the primary benefits of opting for auto glass repair over windshield replacement.

Convenient Repairs - A repair on your window is simple. This can be handled typically in under 60 minutes and your vehicle is immediately available to you. Compare this to replacement which can take several hours before it's finished and drivable with another 10-24 hours before it's cured completely at the seams.

Cost Effective - The cost of windshield and auto glass repair is surprisingly affordable. If you were to pay out of pocket you could expect somewhere in the range of $50 for a single chip repair. That's less than the cost of most insurance deductibles on windshield replacement. If you have full coverage, your insurance company may cover the chip or crack repair outright, without you spending a dime.

Environmentally Safe - This is a big kicker and like many things relating to the environment and to living a "greener" lifestyle, most people don't consider it. Because of the way windshields are manufactured, they cannot be recycled. That means every windshield that's damaged and replaced winds up in a landfill somewhere. The environmentally responsible thing to do is always have your damage assessed to see if auto glass repair is a possibility before opting for replacement.

Windshield Repair Advice From Auto Glass Specialists

Did you ever consider how a windshield can crack? Or it may pose a danger due to a small crack too? Various accidents occur due to windshield related problems. When driving on the freeway at high speeds, little pebbles when smash onto the windshield cause nicks and cracks on the glass. Auto Glass Specialists recommend timely and careful inspection of the windshield at regular intervals so as to prevent mishaps. Even a small vein in the glass has the potential to cause a disaster on the road. We here mention some of the ways the windshield can get damaged or is even helpful in many ways.

Windshields, surprisingly, bear almost 70% of the roof's weight on itself. So it makes sense to keep the glass serviced and maintained. A small crack can cause an accident in the car. This is because the windshield is put under high stress when it is placed. Serious accidents can occur when driving at high speeds. Auto Glass Specialists suggest regular check up and maintenance of the windshield.

When you are driving on the freeway, it is very obvious that we will be driving on a fairly high speed. Suppose there is crack on the windshield, this causes stress on the crack. As we know that the glass is tempered, meaning that it is made to withstand high stresses. In spite of this, the glass has a tendency to break all together when a vein is present. On account of such a property, the glass can break while in driving and cause a disaster on the road causing serious injury to the driver as well.

Keeping the windshield intact has other benefits too. When driving, one desires the least disturbance. The windshield, though such a name, not only provides us resistance against the wind, but also bugs, debris, gravel and other such objects. Keeping the glass clear of cracks and veins also helps in clear vision through the glass. Cracks and veins hinder the straight vision of the driver.

Auto Specialists recommend a regular check on the windshield. When you happen to see small cracks or veins on the windshield, the wise thing to do would be to take care of it as soon as possible. Because the later you do the needful, the sooner you invite the trouble. This may lead to replacement of the whole windshield in fact. Repairing the cracks in time helps in saving money and is also cheaper. In the long run, you will appreciate the effort.
Auto Glass Specialists constantly remind us to check the genuine of the glass we purchase from the market and also to look for the service thereafter. We should not fall prey for cheap substitutes, where we know that for a fairly higher price we get the best.

The Benefits of a Flexible Car Workshop

Having a flexible car workshop is very important. It makes your tasks simpler and is more convenient to use at anytime of the day. You can either get a small or a large workshop depending on the number and size of vehicles you own. More importantly, you can create enough room in the workshop depending on your needs. Thus, a flexible workshop is efficient to use and works remarkably well. This is based on the fact that you can always rearrange it to meet your personal needs best and enjoy a greater degree of flexibility.

Additionally, having a changeable car workshop enhances your repair job. Note that it has enough space where you can always canopy your car as opposed to driving inside the workshop. This is advantageous because it will be easy for you to carry out repairs without necessarily moving the car and even if you move, it will be a smaller distance. It is also easy to streamline everything in a flexible car workshop for more efficiency and to make your repair job simple and timely.

It is also easy to enhance a flexible car workshop to suit your repair needs best. Today, you can easily create a high quality or high grade shelter to use for all your repairs. Pockets and pouches are some of the best enhancements to include in a car workshop. They are great for keeping essential repair tools so that you can easily access them when need arise. They are also important in a workshop because they enhance your safety in the workshop. This is because you won't have to have to stuff your toolboxes all over the workshop. Note that it is a very creative workshop and it is easy to design and redesign the room neatly.

Having a flexible workshop also offers portability benefit. It is highly functional compared to an ordinary garage. For this reason, it is easy to move the workshop around and take it anywhere that you can comfortably carry out repair tasks. This is an incredible feature especially if you love to travel on vacation or camping. It is not difficult to move and arrange your workshop. Therefore, it will be easy for you to do your repairs whenever and wherever. This is one of the benefits that set a car workshop apart from ordinary garages.

Similarly, it is easy to keep a flexible car workshop in good condition. Note that for you to carry out quality repairs and more efficiently, you have to maintain your workshop and keep it in the best condition. This is a workshop that you can easily move and access to check on its condition. Therefore, it will be easy for you to spot any damage that needs repairs and proper maintenance. Keeping your workshop in good condition helps to prolong its life and you will be able to use it comfortably and efficiently for all your car repairs. Chiefly, a flexible workshop comes with many benefits. Customize it to suit your needs and keep in good condition for quality services.

Five Amazing Facts About Auto Windshield Replacement

Drivers who know these five amazing facts about auto windshield replacement do not let just anyone touch this life-preserving part of vehicles. A Windshield is part of the structural integrity of automobiles and airbags rely on this glass to keep people securely in their seats. Each piece of clear material is engineered specifically for one vehicle. Adhesive and rubber strips hold this strong, clear substance in place but contamination during the Windshield Replacement weakens the necessary seal.

Structural Integrity

Automobile engineers work hard to keep the weight of these transportation devices down to improve gas mileage. Every component of freedom mobiles is necessary; even the glass is designed to keep passenger compartments intact. During a rollover, the Windshield will absorb up to 60% of the automobile's weight without collapsing; this keeps the top of the auto away from the people inside. This glass also provides up to 45% of structural strength during a front end collision. If the Windshield Replacement was not properly done, the Windshield can pop out during a collision. This issue allows the roofs to collapse or people to be ejected.

Airbags

Airbags instantly fill and seek the course of least resistance. This sudden movement hits the windshield and explodes towards people sitting in the front seat. If the windshield replacement was substandard, the glass is knocked out. Since the airbags continue to move to open areas, they deploy outside the car. This action leaves people open to injuries and death. Unprotected individuals absorb impacts by slamming into the dash or other hard surfaces or flying through the wide, open space and colliding with trees, ground or other immovable objects. Only a certified Glass Company should be allowed to do Windshield Replacements.

Special Design

Because engineers design each piece of glass to fit individual automobiles, substitutions are not allowed in the Windshield Replacement process. Not only does this curved product exactly fill the opening, the Windshield has the structural strength necessary to keep the passenger compartment intact. Although close-fitting substitutions appear to work in Windshield Replacement, they fail during accidents. Price quotes should identify the right products.

Adhesive and Stripping

Replacement of windshields is more complex than removing one glass panel and inserting another. The right adhesive glues this panel in place stopping wind noise and water leaks. This product also holds the Windshield in position during times of stress. Sometimes rubberized strips are required. Improper materials fail under duress.

Contaminants

During the Windshield Replacement process, a quality glass company verifies three things. The glass is right for the automobile and the adhesive and stripping material is recommended for both the vehicle and product. Because any contamination during the Windshield Replacement weakens the bond between the newly installed class and frame, this contamination becomes a life threatening issue. Greasy fingerprints, dirty or dusty glass and wrong components allow this clear substance to give way and throw innocent and fragile people out of fast moving vehicles at inopportune times.

Many windshield companies follow procedures outlined by AGRSS which stands for Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards. Before getting price quotes, concerned drivers ask about auto windshield replacement policies and if the company follows national guidelines and uses trained technicians. Since these clear, easy-to-see-through panels do more than protect people from wind, rain, snow and flying insects, drivers should be concerned about the training of repair technicians. After all, the life they save may be their own.

These five amazing facts prevent injuries and death. By understanding the purpose of a Windshield and importance of Auto Windshield Replacement, owners ask informed questions. Since these drivers understand the true value of quality in this process, they will insist on it.

Auto Glass Repair - Increases Safety For Drivers and Passengers

Unlike engine trouble or body damage, car owners are not usually concerned when they see damage to their auto glass. As a result, glass problems can exists for months, sometimes even for years, before the car owner finally decides to do the repairs. NV glass repair experts do not recommend waiting this long. Glass damage is a serious problem. A minor accident can turn into a major one if appropriate care is not given.

Glass repair are done for more than just cosmetic purposes. It provides protection to the passengers and ensures peace of mind for everyone. Fortunately, people are now realizing that prolonging glass repair can do more harm than good.

NV Auto Glass Repair Increases Safety

Proper Glass replacement and repair is crucial. Take note that glass is a part of the overall structure of the vehicle. Car manufacturers invest millions of dollars into crash management; the system pulls together the body, windows, air bags, and the frame to minimize the force of an impact during an accident. However, if a vehicle already has cracks or any other damage to the Glass, the crash management system could fail. This is a scenario that should be avoided at all possible cost.

The importance of having an intact Glass is further emphasized during high-impact and rollover incidences. The glass, in this case, is capable of providing up to 50 percent of the car rollover strength. It is the material that stops the car passengers from being thrown off the car.

All Types of Cracks and Damages should be repaired

NV Auto Glass cracks present more risks than smaller ones. However, keep in mind that the properties of glass means that a small chip can easily become bigger. If you add humidity, cold conditions, a slight bump, or even driving in a rocky road to the equation, the minor crack can turn into a big problem.

Cracks can also impair the driver vision. Right now, a lot of states have already passed laws that enable police to ticket vehicles with Glass cracks in "critical areas" (on the driver side). An impaired line of vision presents a safety hazard for the driver, the passengers, and other people on the road. Because of this, it is crucial to repair all types of Glass cracks and damages as soon as possible. Sending your car to a qualified NV Auto Glass repair specialist is especially recommended.

Camper Trailer Maintenance

Having a camper trailer is like becoming a snail. Suddenly you have your home on your back, and this then means that you can stop anywhere and make anywhere into a cosy and relaxing place to sit down and have a nice cup of tea.

However at the same time this also means that you essentially have a small property attached to the back of your car, and everything that comes with that which means there is certain maintenance that needs to be carried out that can result in expensive repairs, or even leave you unsafe if neglected. Here we will look at some of the necessary trailer maintenance you need to carry out and why it is so important

Lights

Like a car, a camper trailer has lights on the back to help other traffic to see you on the road and thereby prevent an accident. However, once again like a car this can go wrong from time to time and you can find that you end up needing to replace your bulb, or having cracked plastic around them. It is crucial to replace these in this case to avoid an accident.

Autoglass

Similarly like a car, a camper trailer has auto glass which helps to maintain the integrity of your vehicle, keep your warm, and more importantly keep you safe when you are spending the night in there. It's thus very important to make sure that this gets replaced should anything happen to it.

Tires

Over time the tires on a camper trailer will deflate like any other, and you need to therefore fill them back up as you would the tires of your car. Otherwise this can slow down your trailer which will mean you waste more fuel driving and which will mean that you are slower getting to your destination. Again it will be more difficult to notice any problems with the tires on your trailer as you aren't sat on top of them in the same way you are when you drive a car. As such then you should make sure to again check this regularly before heading out on a long journey.

Interior

Of course there is a lot of maintenance that needs to be done around the home, and much of this will also apply in a camper trailer. This means things like keeping your carpet cleaning and dusting and this is very important partly because of the small size of a camper trailer - which will mean the air quickly becomes recycled and filled with dust particles and bacteria. Using a carpet cleaner on your carpeting and washing the curtains won't hurt from time to time.

At the same time you also need to make sure that you pick up anything that you have left lying around the floor and this is again particularly important in a camper van. Not only because you can otherwise trip over something, but also because it can otherwise rattle around inside your trailer when you are driving and potentially cause a lot of damage that way.

The Difference Between Repairing Early Model Cars and Cars of Today - Metal Straightening

Repairing Early Model Cars
On early model vehicles the metal was thick, which had advantages and disadvantages. First of all, they had a lot of metal to work with. This allowed body men to hammer, dolly and pick on the metal, then file the top surface knocking the high areas down. Then they could repeat the process, work the metal and file the surface level. This allowed the body man to metal finish much of the damages without the need of body fillers. This is called metal finishing. If there were still a few imperfections remaining, the body man would use lead to fill the lows and file the surface level and smooth.

Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantage they had was the possibility to straighten and work the metal without the use of fillers. If we tried to use those methods on vehicles today, we would have a hole in the part from filing through the part. If we didn't file a hole through the part, it would be very thin and weak. Another advantage of working on early model vehicles is being able to get to both sides of the panel. Vehicles today have limited access. It is hard to get behind most panels to use the hammer and dolly method. The disadvantage of working metal on early model cars was the strength of the thick steel; it hard to move, unlock, and reshape. It took a lot more force to move the thick metal when straightening. The lead filler that was used also took more time and skill to fill the small imperfections. We are also more educated about lead today and the safety hazards of it.

Repairing Vehicles of Today
Today's vehicles are thinner and have very limited access. However, improved fillers, such as body filler and tools have made the job easier. The most common tool to use for repairing dents is a stud nail gun. The cost of a stud nail gun ranges between $200 to $500. This tool tacks a small nail to the surface. Then you get a slide hammer or t-handle to pull on the nail. Therefore, you tack the nails to the low areas and lightly tap on the high areas with a body hammer. It is important to do this at the same time. Just pulling out on the low area will cause the metal to be over pulled and stretch the metal. Just hammering in on the highs may cause the entire area to be hammered in too much. This is referred to as chasing your damage around. It is always better to have multiple forces at one time. You need to think of it as rolling the damage out, rather than hammering or beating it out. The metal wants to go back to its original shape, you just need to help persuade it to. Forcing metal will result in stretched metal.

KISS Keep It Simple Silly
When you have access, a hammer and dolly can be used. This is probably going to be the fastest way to repair the damage if you have access. When performing auto body repair, think like electricity. Electricity move where ever it is easiest for it to pass through. The path of least resistance. This is why a ground wire is used on homes. If lightening hits your house, it will follow that ground wire that is attached to a ground rod that in hammered in the ground, as that is the path of least resistance. When determining how to repair a dent, just try to think of what would be easiest. Just because you have an expensive piece of equipment does not mean that you have to use it every time. If you can reach behind the panel and pull out on the low with one hand and push down on the high with the other hand, then simply use your hand to repair the damage. It may still need a little hammer and dolly work afterwords, but I have repaired many dents with nothing but my hands. Remember today's metals are thin and it does not take much to dent or repair it.

What Ever It Takes
Whether you're working on early or late model vehicles, just remember to select the tools that will make the job easiest to repair. Don't over work the thin metal on late model vehicles, as the metals are thin. The use of body filler will help repair the surface back to its original shape.

by Donnie Smith

Online Auto Repair Manual - Fix Your Vehicles Yourself

If you have recently taken your car in to be repaired, you have likely been dumbfounded by how much you had to pay for even simple repairs. You may have a desire to decrease your repair expenses by doing the repairs yourself. However, you may lack the knowledge necessary to make the repairs on your own. Fortunately, you can find an online auto repair manual to help you with the process.

Not All Manuals Created Equal

On the Internet, you will find many repair manuals. However, you should not assume that every manual you find online will be helpful. The quality of the online repair manual will depend on the experience and knowledge of the person who wrote the manual. Also, you will want to review the manuals carefully to see if they cover the repairs you need to make. Some repair manuals will only cover certain parts of the car.

Where to Find a Online Auto Repair Manual

There are many places you can look on the Internet to find a repair manual. You can simply go to your favorite search engine and do a simple search and you will find a multitude of repair manuals for you to search through. You can also find these manuals on websites dedicated to cars. These could be manufacturer websites or personal websites maintained by mechanics.

If you know some mechanics, you may want to ask them if they know of a good place online to find repair manuals. Also, when you find a good manual, you should pass on the knowledge to others so that they do not have to search all over for one.

You can also use the Internet to find actual auto repair books. The Internet is a great source to find books. If you do not mind purchasing a used book, there are many websites that sell used books for a fraction of the price of a used book. Also, many well known bookstores also have a website where you can purchase repair manuals.

You May Still Need Help

Even if you find an online auto repair manual, you still may need some help in repairing your car. You may need to find a friend who knows who has experience fixing cars to help you see how to apply the things taught in the repair manual. However, the manual can help you learn how to repair your car over time and thus save you money.

Go Find One

Now that you know how to find an online auto repair manual, go out and find one. As stated above, the repair manual will not only help you to save money, but you will also be able to learn a new hobby and may be able to help others out that need their cars repaired. The Internet is a great resource that can help you learn to repair your car and avoid having to pay a mechanic. Do not delay in finding a repair manual today, you will not regret it.

Auto Glass: Laminated Versus Tempered

The right windshield can add extra safety to your vehicle and also streamline the look of it.

For the last 70 years, laminated glass has been the preferred choice in most vehicles. Invented at the turn of the last century, laminated glass is actually several layers. It has two or more layers of glass surrounding an inner plastic or resin layer which serves as a binding interlayer. This interlayer keeps the glass from breaking into smaller, more dangerous pieces in the event of an accident. Instead, the glass breaks into the common "spider web" pattern seen in almost every crash. There is also tempered glass. Tempered safety glass is a single piece of glass that has been heated then cooled quickly to harden it. Tempering glass strengthens the glass to about 5-10 times the original strength. This allows it to break into small, pebble like pieces without sharp edges. Tempered glass is generally used in side windows on vehicles to allow for emergency escape.

Since it doesn't allow the glass to completely shatter, laminated glass is ideal for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. It has also benefited the consumer by being largely repairable; chips and cracks can be easily repaired with resin. While its safety features are innumerable, it actually has more features that make it the number one choice for auto glass manufacturers and auto glass repair services.

Laminated glass is much more difficult to shatter than glass that has been tempered. That means that theft is greatly reduced simply because of the amount of time that it would take for the thief to effectively shatter it. Also, the extra layer in laminated glass is perfect to reduce exterior noise. It makes the car more comfortable without blocking out emergency sounds such as ambulance and police sirens. Most laminated glass comes with the options for UV protection and temperature control. This helps to protect you and your passengers from UV rays and keeps your car at a more comfortable temperature during the warmer months.

Tempered glass, while it has its advantages, should never be used in windshields. It simply is too easy to shatter. And while this can be beneficial in side windows for safety reasons, it can be extremely hazardous in a windshield. A rock that would only chip laminated glass could potentially shatter tempered glass; which could be incredibly dangerous if you're traveling at high speed on the freeway.

It's important to keep your glass, whatever the material, in good condition. Letting chips on a windshield develop into long cracks can present safety hazards as well as affect the functionality of your windshield. Auto glass repair services are available to repair your auto glass with a minimal cost to you. Depending on the circumstance, the repair may even be covered by your insurance company.

Speak to your insurance agent or a certified auto glass repair technician today to discuss your options and how much it would cost. Older vehicles need to be inspected to make sure that they have the correct type of safety glass installed.

Run-Flat Tyres, Repair Kits And Space-Saving Spare Tyres - A Guide

If you're a car user, blown-out tyres and punctures suffered while driving must rank as one of the greatest possible irritations. They can ruin your entire day, possibly delaying you on your way to a meeting or even leaving you stranded on a country road in the dead of night. That's why it's a great idea to have a short-term solution on hand to deal with tyre problems while you're out on the road. But which option offers the best value in terms of both performance and safety?

In this article we'll look at three possible solutions and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each option. This will help you decide which is the most appropriate for your individual needs and preferences.

Solution One: Run-Flat Tyres
How do they work? Run-flat tyres feature a reinforced sidewall, allowing them to retain their shape in the event of a puncture. They typically allow drivers to continue for another 50 miles or so at a speed of no more than 50mph.

The advantages are that run-flat tyres do not suffer a sudden loss of stability in the event of a puncture, meaning they offer greater safety when travelling on motorways. Similarly, they allow you enough time to find a hard shoulder or service station to pull into if you cannot get to your destination.

However, it is advised that run-flat tyres should not be repaired in the event of a puncture because of the stress that has most likely been placed on the reinforced sidewall. Instead, they should be replaced, which some may find inconvenient. In addition, your car must be set-up to handle run-flat tyres, which means that you cannot simply replace your existing tyres without having a tyre-monitoring system installed in your car.

Solution Two: Tyre Repair Kits
How do they work? Lightweight kits featuring a sealing agent and compressor unit, allows you to repair standard punctures and continue driving for a limited distance.

The advantages are that repair kits can act as an alternative to a spare tyre, meaning more space in the boot and less weight in your vehicle.

Furthermore, they offer a quicker and easier way to get back on the road than replacing the tyre completely.

However, the repair will only be sufficient to let you travel a limited distance, and you will have to get the tyre replaced anyway. Also, you'll be unable to repair any major damage to the tyre using one of these kits and they can be expensive considering that they only offer a temporary solution.

Solution Three: Space-Saving Spare Tyres
How do they work? Space-saving spare tyres are narrower and lighter than a conventional tyre, allowing you to travel for a limited distance and they take up less boot space than a regular tyre.

The advantages are that spare tyres can be re-used once you've acquired a full-sized replacement tyre, provided they've only suffer minimal wear. Their smaller size makes them both more portable and easier to fit.

However, space-saving tyres should not be used for a long time, because they affect handling and have poor durability when compared with conventional tyres. They can also cause long-term damage to your car if used for a sustained period, as the different-sized tyres will place stress on the car's differential.

To summarise, each solution offers an effective means of allowing your car to travel the extra miles so that you can reach a garage or safe location. However, in each case the fix will only be temporary, meaning you may want to consider a call-out service which offers full-sized replacement tyres at the roadside, saving you the added expense of a short-term fix.

The Rising Importance of Mechanic School

These days, people looking to become a mechanic can expect formal, standardized training in addition to apprenticeships. Programs that offer both in-class and in-shop auto mechanic training fill the essential role of protecting the health and safety of the consumer, and also help the student become certified and prove their qualifications to an employer.

Increasing Technological Sophistication

Cars have evolved. They've come a long way from the open sided "horseless carriages" that carried passengers and drivers two centuries ago, and they continue to become increasingly sophisticated. It was only sixty years ago that mandatory seatbelts were a new thing, and radios considered a luxury. Today, the modern driver expects air conditioning, heated seats, auto steering, anti-lock brakes and an integrated entertainment system (flat screens in a car are so common that they no longer turn heads.) With the computerization being inseparable from car design and with the quick rise of electric cars, and it's no wonder that auto technician training includes formal classes. There's simply more information to learn than there was in the past.

Decrease in Vocational Training

While cars have gotten more complicated, education budgets have been restructured away from preparing students for vocational studies. All across the board, high schools have cut trade courses, ranging from carpentry to auto shop classes. Meanwhile, fewer children are raised with hands-on training in the home. Families decreasingly do their own oil checks and tire changes, so prospective mechanics may never have seen the inside of a car until their first day of training. Taking auto mechanic programs in a school means that high school graduates can play catch up and get their hands dirty before the more demanding requirements of an apprenticeship put them to work.

National and Regional Standardization

Certification has become essential. People looking to become a mechanic can expect multiple exams to prove their skills before they can legally call themselves a mechanic. Much like how we restrict who can practice medicine or law, standardized expectations allow clients to know that the person working on their car can be trusted. While auto technician training has always been a specialized skill set, as most people now spend at least some part of their day in a motor vehicle, their safety depends on mechanics always being top notch and correctly identifying and eliminating problems. Certification also works to the mechanic's advantage. Certified mechanic often earn higher salaries, and their qualifications are more portable than if they had to rely purely on client or employer references.

Taking all this into account, it is clear that the benefits of auto technician training are well worth the time and effort necessary.

5 Tips To Avoid Being Over Charged By Your Mechanic

We all live in a very transient world. We are picking up and moving our families to new places more frequently than ever. Every time we do we have to build up our local network of resources. You know what I am taking about...the new auto repair shop, the school, the dry cleaner, the plumber, the electrician, etc, etc. The one that I usually always find myself dreading is the auto repair guy. Why? Because for some reason I always feel no matter where I go I am going to get taken advantage of monetarily. It's like I have a sign on me that says "I obviously have no idea about how my car works or how to fix it".

Let me give you an example. The last week in August I went to a Subaru dealer to get an oil change and tire rotation for my Subaru Outback. 2 hours later I found myself glaring at this laundry list of repairs that were presented to me by the dealer to be urgent and potentially dangerous if I did not act soon. Oh, ya did I mention that this list was also estimated upwards of $1500. I left there thinking my car is falling apart. Should I sell it, get a new one? I better get these fixed now or I could be on the side of the road, stranded with two kids. Life seemed to take a hold of me and the repairs on my sweet Subaru, Betty went to the way side. Two months later and I have finally gotten around to choosing a local shop to do my repairs. Here is how I narrowed it down;

Networking Group: I am a member of a mom's group in the Denver area and I find it to be a tremendous resource for anything from where to buy diapers to what restaurants are good and who is reputable in the service businesses around the city. If you have one of these in your area and you are a parent, join it. You will thank me later.

Read Reviews on the Business: Go to your local BBB and type in the name of the business that you have heard about or been referred to. See if there are any complaints. Go to the search engine of your choice and type in "auto repair Denver, CO" and read reviews from Google, Angie's List, Yahoo, Bing, Google, Yelp on the local auto repair shops. There are so many customer testimonials on the web. Educate yourself.

Check to see if they are reputable: Look to see if the shop is ASE certified? This certification carries a lot of weight. How long have they been in business? Can they do Factory Warranty work on your car?

Get more than one estimate: If you have a major repair like I did please, please, please take-the-time to get at least two estimates on the work.

Research Car Repairs: What is the shops average labor cost per hour? You will find that the normal range is $90-$120. Visit a parts store like AutoZone to check to see what the cost of the part is. You will be able to figure out really quickly if the shop is fair or not in their estimates.

Finally talk to the owner of the repair shop yourself. See if they are honest and will let you know if a repair can wait or if is a necessary to fix now. I ended up doing a lot of research and in the end it was worth it. I took my first estimate of over $1500 and found a repair shop that was fair in price, honest about the repairs that were urgent and I ended up cutting $1100 off by bill. Next time I need a repair I know where I am going to go. If any of you live in the Denver area I have all ready done the homework for you.

Insurance Coverage A Must For Collision Repair Shops

If you keep yourself abreast of news and developments in the collision repair industry, you will undoubtedly see on a fairly regular basis reports of shop fires razing down entire businesses and more often than not taking along a few customers' cars. This nightmare scenario can happen to any collision repair shop as volatile chemicals, gases and electrical equipment are both present and necessary components of a repair shop. Apart from inculcating an atmosphere of safety above everything else, a shop owner also needs to make sure that his insurance coverage is adequate for the business.

It's understandable that we in the collision repair industry tend to worry more about business intake, unreasonable customers, relationships with suppliers and insurance companies and complying with ordinances and regulations. Since these are all everyday concerns, we tend to think of disasters or a fire razing our business down a possibility but not an immediate concern. The effects of a fire or severe weather damage are devastating. Even one that doesn't engulf the business has the potential of destroying customers' cars, injuring workers and disrupting the workflow. Having even a small disruption or shop fire can also give the impression that the shop is negligent to some extent, turning off potential customers.

Many companies offer tailor-made insurance coverage for collision repair shops. Apart from business property and general liability insurance, you can also take out additional insurance for weather damage, injury and damage to a customer's car. Since not all shops are exclusively devoted to collision repair, these companies also handle insurance coverage for air conditioning shops, auto glass replacement services, muffler, transmission and brake shops, radiator service, quick lube services and emission testing facilities.

Just like any consumer who shops around, collision repair shop owners would do well to ask their peers as well as do their due diligence when looking for an insurer for their business. Decide how much coverage you need. Every collision repair shop has different needs in terms of what type of insurance they need, and only you can decide which factors and circumstances are most important. This will determine the ideal makeup of your insurance policy. What you are looking for is a complete yet affordable insurance coverage that will help you settle damages and pay for other expenses that would seriously threaten your cashflow and your business. It's true that insurance coverage is an expense all business owners can do without. However, can you sleep well knowing that a single event can put you out of business and you will have no one to turn to when disaster happens?

Internet Marketing For Auto Repair Shops

We all know that business in this day and age is extremely competitive. And one of the most competitive fields is automotive repair shops. There are so many different automotive repair shops. So what is going to set you apart from your competition?

The best way for your automotive repair shop to stay ahead of the curve and your competition is Internet marketing. Nearly seventy percent of sales nowadays are from Internet search engines. And the way to make sure you are using the Internet to your advantage is to make sure you are on top of these search engines. A possible customer may drive down a road and see five different automotive shops. What is going to make them choose you over your competition?

1. Find a top SEO company that can design a website for your company. They can include all the difference car maintenance and repair services you perform.

2. Get an Internet marketing campaign started. The same company that designed your site will be able to help drive traffic to your shop.

3. You can even look into a PPC campaign to further your popularity.

Internet marketing is an amazing way to get a wide range of customers brought more locally to your automotive repair shop. It allows people who normally wouldn't have the chance of seeing repair shop immediate access to you at the touch of their fingertips. Exactly when they need it most. Now it's just up to you. Are you going to use the greatest marketing tool to its your advantage?

Car Repair: What's Leaking Under My Car?

Let's face it, there are a lot of things that can wrong with your vehicle and often the first tell tale signs of trouble are overlooked. One sign you should be paying attention to however if you want to avoid a costly car repair bill down the road is what is leaking from under your vehicle.

Car leaks can be subtle and unless you park in the same spot consistently, the subtle leak may go undetected by you. Or you simply hope or presume that any leak is okay and if your vehicle is still running, you simply don't worry a whole lot about it. However a leak is your car's way of telling you something is wrong and the sooner you address what is wrong, the better your car repair prospects will be.

There are a few basic fluids that go into every vehicle to make it run smoothly and these fluids ideally should not leak out. Oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and radiant coolant are some of these fluids. You can generally tell what is leaking by the color of the fluid and where it is leaking from if you can determine a location.

If the fluid is a bright green it is likely radiant coolant. If you don't change your radiant coolant every 3,500 miles however the fluid can be a light or medium brown color which can be a little harder to identify.

Windshield wiper fluid can be just about any color from green, pink, yellow or orange and finding this leaking is usually just a result of over filling the holding tank too much.

Red fluid is usually power steering fluid which will affect your ability to handle the steering in your automobile, or it can be transmission fluid. Either way, if your automobile is leaking red, you need to have a mechanic look at it and diagnose what is leaking and why before your automobile becomes non-operable.

Brake oil can be a clear oily substance or it can be yellow or brown, depending on how old it is. You will usually find this by the wheels of your automobile if it is brake oil. If your brake oil is leaking, it is probably a problem with your master cylinder and your brakes may have trouble working properly if you continue to drive.

Amber colored liquid can be fresh oil, while a brown or black liquid can be used oil. An oil leak is usually the most common fluid leak and can be the result of a wide variety of car repair issues.

The long and the short of it is, unless you know the leak is simply windshield wiper fluid, which is the only leak you can really ignore, the rule of thumb is to have a mechanic diagnose your leak and make sure it's not an indicator of a bigger problem down the road.

Guide to Buying Car Parts Online

Purchasing Car Parts

Identifying the Right Car Parts

1. No matter how handy you may be, or how much you think you know about cars, don't make a diagnosis without checking with a qualified mechanic first. If you have problems later, you may void your warranty or ability to exchange the purchased car parts once installed.

2. Rather than rely only on the seller to recommend the right parts, call your local dealer and get the part numbers you require. Some dealers may not give this information out over the telephone. In these cases, call another dealer.

3. Contact the online seller and confirm the part numbers. Do this even if they have the car parts listed for your application (without the part numbers).

4. If you receive parts that look incorrect, do not install them. If you do, you may not be able to exchange them. Contact the seller immediately.

5. Be aware that some car parts have multiple part numbers.

6. Be aware that some parts may have superseded part numbers or may have been revised and look different to the original car parts or photos provided online. In these circumstances, the part is OK.

7. If buying from a seller in another country, it is essential that you use part numbers to identify the required car parts. Overseas applications may vary even if the cars appear to be the same.

8. Unless the buyer is very reputable, make sure you only buy parts which have photos of the actual part on the advertisement. That way you know what to expect when you receive them.

9. Although not always effective, checking the photos may help differentiate them from other car parts that may also be applicable to your application.

Quality of Car Parts

1. There are various levels of quality when buying online.

2. Ask the seller about brands of the parts you are interested in.

3. Please be aware that the vehicles manufacturer does not always manufacture the car parts you are replacing. For example, many cars have Bosch fuel injectors installed in the vehicle by the manufacturer. In these cases, Bosch fuel injectors are the genuine replacement. If you buy your fuel injectors from Ford, they may come in Ford packaging even though they are Bosch injectors. If you buy online and receive them in packaging such as Bosch, that does not mean they are not genuine.

4. Ask the seller whether there is a warranty and for how long the warranty applies to your car parts. Also ask whether there are any conditions on the warranty. One such condition may be that they be installed by a licensed mechanic.

5. While there is a preference to replace your car parts with genuine parts, many aftermarket brands are built to OE quality standards and will suit your application just fine.

6. In the EFI market, you can always rely on brands such as Bosch, Delphi, Hitachi, Denso,Walker, VDO, Valeo, Standard, General Electric, Walbro, Pierburg, Bremi, Bougicord etc.

7. Cheaper car parts manufactured in countries such as China are the ones where greater care needs to be taken. While some of these car parts are built well, others are not. Ask your seller about the reliability of these as well as the warranty.

8. Remember you get what you pay for. There are many online sellers listing car parts that appear to be a bargain, however it is important to note that these may not last very long, or worse still, they may put you and your family in danger.

9. Be aware of fake or counterfeit car parts and report someone trying to sell these. A Bosch 044 fuel pump for example may be listed as "Bosch 044 'style' fuel pump" or "Bosch 044 'replacement' fuel pump". This may be misleading as the fuel pump is not a genuine Bosch and 'Bosch' should not feature in the title. Others simply advertise fake parts as genuine items and sell these with fake packaging. Buy from a reputable seller and purchase using PayPal (see below) so that you're covered.

10. Don't always go for the cheapest car parts. Remember that a reputable and trusted seller will provide you quality parts, better service and further assistance after they have sold the items to you (if needed). Things can go wrong so ensure you are dealing with someone you trust.

Payment

1. Read the terms and conditions of the transaction and ask questions before committing purchasing. Often the terms are displayed at checkout or on a separate page of the website. There may be disclaimers about the photos and/or information displayed on the website.

2. It is highly recommended that you use a form of payment that provides you with cover in case something goes wrong. Credit card companies or Paypal provide such a service. For example, you may be eligible for a refund if your item does not arrive, arrives damaged or is not what you were expecting. For more information refer to the Paypal website or your credit card company.

Shipping

1. Online sellers may not take responsibility for your car parts once they have dispatched them.

2. Check which courier company your seller is using.

3. If your parts are required urgently, ask how many days before they are dispatched.

4. There may be a processing period which is independent of the time taken to arrive once dispatched. For example you may select and pay for express post, but your items may not be shipped for two days after your purchase is made.

5. Express Post does not mean your parts will arrive the next day. The processing period may need to be taken into consideration (see above) or you may be outside of the express post network.

6. Will your parts be dispatched with tracking? This is particularly important if you are buying from another country.

7. Ask for the tracking number.

8. If buying from another country, your parcel may be held up in customs or your car parts may be incur tax. Please note, these circumstances are not the responsibility of the seller and are out of their control.

9. When your car parts arrive, will they require a signature before they are released. Will you be at the address at the time?

Golf Cart Repair Manuals

There are different kinds of golf car manuals - one for owners, one for parts and another for repairs.

If you bought your cart used, you probably did not get an owner's handbook. They can often be found on line or for free from the manufacturers website as a PDF file.

Some of the owner's handbooks have some good foundational instructions on maintenance and safety - so this is a good place to start. The Yamaha Golf Cart Owner's manual for instance does include great instructions and graphics on normal service and maintenance issues and it also includes schematics.

These manuals come in different formats - as a PDF file that you download and print, as a CD to view on your computer, or in a hard copy booklet. For me the most practical format is the hard copy booklet. I didn't want to mess with printing out all the pages and putting them in a notebook - only to lose some of the pages or to arrange them in the wrong order. Having a hard copy manual to take with me into the garage while working on my Club car has worked out the best.

In order to get the correct manual, you will need to know the make, model and the year your golf car was built.

EZGO Golf Cart Manual

The EZGO golf cart manual for owners can be found on line as a free PDF file from the E-Z-Go website. The EZ Go website calls it a service manual which is not the same as a repair manual.

To obtain a repair manual you can purchase a hard copy EZGO service manual or for less money you can download a PDF copy and print it yourself.

Yamaha Golf Cart Service Manual

The Yamaha Golf Cart Service Manual can be found on line. There are several options from downloading a free service manual to purchasing a hard copy or a CD. There are several different types of manuals available, but first you will need to know the make, model and year of your Yamaha cart. Then you need to figure out which manual you want. Here are your options:

1. Owner's Manual

2. Assembly Manual

3. Parts Manual

4. Service Manual

Club Car Service Manual

The Club Car service manual is not available for free on line or in a PDF file. Don't bother contacting your local authorized Club Car dealer because when I checked around, none of them kept them in stock - however, they could order one for you. So you might as well do that yourself. The Club Car repair manuals normally cost from $50 - $75. Sometimes you can find them used on eBay or craigslist.

Low-Cost Windshield Replacement And Repair Seldom Succeed

The cheapest price for windshield replacement or auto glass repair might be justified in certain circumstances, but most times price-shopping is a bad idea. An experienced glass company can restore the safety functions windshield replacement should meet at reasonable prices. Cheap price quotes are seldom beneficial because consumers will pay the price eventually. Poor fittings can cause leaks and interior damage when unqualified installers perform windshield replacement. Loose windshields can pop out in an accident, and passengers can be ejected from the vehicle, or they may lose the protection of safety equipment such as airbags. There are times when the cheapest price may be reasonable, however. Travelers who are away from home may need a quick fix to avoid safety-violation tickets, and quick repairs may help drivers pass inspection until they can replace the windshields. If the windshield is already damaged, then a quick repair may improve vision sufficiently to drive home.

Price quotes for windshield replacement are seldom that expensive anyway, ranging from $100-$400. The industry is competitive due to strict insurance company monitoring, so consumers should seek the best qualified technicians to ensure family safety. Auto glass insurance can reduce the price to zero, because many companies do not consider glass coverage a claim and do not apply the deductible to auto glass replacement. In fact, four states have laws that prohibit any deductible for windshield replacement: Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and Massachusetts.

Repair price quotes can range from $20 to $100. Many full-service car washes offer quick glass repair. Quality does not matter to these repairers; they have graduated an extensive training regimen that lasted almost an entire hour. Certainly this training qualifies the technician to make repairs that might affect family safety. Drivers can entrust their $1000 windshield to one of these experts because they might save $10. Car wash glass repairs are just an up sell option to increase the bill. Drivers should avoid these repairs like the plague. A glass company should be a legitimate business with receipts, phone number, written warranties, and general accountability. Professional installers will help customers file insurance claims and answer any questions or concerns they may have.

Windshield replacement should match original equipment manufacturer standards. Heated windshields must be properly connected, or drivers lose the benefit of heated wipers. DIY repair kits are a complete waste of money. Kits often compromise a small imperfection, requiring complete replacement down the road. The kits do not work properly because most home repairs do not drill out the area, allowing the resin to penetrate. The resin the kits supply is inferior in quality, and a vacuum cannot be created at home to remove air from the break. DIY repairs are seldom successful, but might work in 5 percent of cases. Usually, these home repairs only cause the break to grow and make it impossible for trained technicians to repair. Most insurance companies are happy to pay for auto glass repairs from a reputable glass company because the repair saves money on glass replacement.

Mustering the Courage to Clean Your Dirty, Scratched Stainless Steel Appliances

Ten years ago, before stainless steel was "hot," my husband and I bought stainless appliances for our newly renovated kitchen. We bought a refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and matching hood. The appliances looked great. A few weeks later, they were covered with fingerprints. How could I remove them?

One oil-based cleaner, a spray, worked really well. I bought it at a cleaning supply store and the can lasted a year. Another cleaner, with a cream base, did not work well. Our appliances have a brushed surface and the cleaner clogged the finish so badly I threw it out.

Decorating channel programs recommend vinegar as a cleaner. Apple cider vinegar was my choice and, while it worked, the kitchen smelled like a salad dressing factory. The decorating channel also recommends olive oil as a cleaner, but it was not that different from the product I bought from the cleaning supply store.

According to the article, "Cleaning Stainless Steel FAQs," posted on the Do It Yourself website, stainless steel is 10% chromium. The metal surface resists stains, "but occasionally dulls or will show oily finger prints." The article says you can clean stainless steel with club soda. If your appliances have a brushed finish like ours, you should use a really soft cloth (a flour sack works well), and rub in the direction of the grain only.

The article goes on to say that you should never use a steel wool soap pad on stainless steel because it damages the surface. You can brighten your stainless steel sink by cleaning it with half a lemon dipped in baking soda. Cleaning the sink was easy. My cleaning challenge -- one that requires courage -- is repairing the scratch on the refrigerator door. It is a deep scratch and every time I open the door I clench my teeth.

While I was searching the Internet for information about cleaning stainless steel, I came across a new product. Customer reviews of the scratch remover ranged from favorable to euphoric. I called the manufacturer to learn more about the product and was put through to the Customer Experience Center. The representative had never heard of the scratch remover and said it had never been tested on their appliances.

To remove scratches, The Dollar Stretcher website says you should buy rubbing compound from an auto body shop and "the finest grit automobile sanding paper you can find." According to the website, you should try the compound first. If that does not work, try the sandpaper. The sandpaper should be wet and you should rub gently and slowly. When you can barely see the scratch, finish with the rubbing compound.

The moral of this stainless steel tale: Cleaning is easier than removing scratches. Though I have not mustered the courage to try the scratch remover yet, I think I will. I love my stainless steel appliances and want them to last as long as possible.

Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson

Auto Glass For Classic Cars

Despite what the kids might think, cars were around when their parents were young. Glass had been invented by then and was even around during their grandparent's time. Sometimes it comes as a shock that anything cool existed before video games and cell phones, but classic cars are definitely cool. When windows need to be replaced, lovers of classic vehicles cannot always turn to the regular auto body repair shop where they get their 2011 Ford windows fixed. The right pieces of glass are not typically in stock, and not all windows fit every make and model of car.

Patterns for auto glass were different forty, fifty, and sixty years ago. There are special patterns for each type of vehicle which specialist auto glass replacement and repair shops have access to. Although tools used to cut this glass are more technically advanced compared to those which cut glass 50 and more years ago, the glass is cut precisely to fit into the windshield of an old-fashioned Desoto, Hudson, Studebaker, or other pre-1960 model. A number of auto body shops specializing in repairing old automobiles possess a library of patterns. If the one a customer wants is not available on-site, they will order the pattern. These professionals appreciate the beauty of an older vehicle and the history around its creation.

Many auto enthusiasts take care of their own cars and trucks, replacing or repairing hardware, rubber, and glass with skill and care. There are sites where they can find glass replacements for specific vehicle types, models, and years which will arrive pre-cut. Certain windshield replacement shops are particular enough to offer various types of glass since one style does not fit every project. For instance, choose a thickness of glass or a tint. Select tempered or laminated glass. Opt to have edging added. These might sound like small points, but they are important to someone who wants every detail of his classic car to line up with its original appearance, or for an individual creating a custom car who wants to recreate his first vehicle; the one that disappeared with his hair some years before.

If you are still uncertain about which company to give your business to, websites often post pictures of cars they have helped to restore. Use these to find out if a company seems to know what it is doing. Although there are specialist auto body outfits all over the country, finding exactly the right professional for the job is worth a road trip if you needed an excuse for one.

Portable Car Heater Solutions - What to Do When Your Car Heater is Not Working

If you found this article, that probably means you're in search of a portable car heater for your vehicle. Which probably means your car heater isn't working. (I know, I'm awfully smart, aren't I?!)

I got excited about showing others some of the portable car heater solutions that are out there after owning an ancient Hyundai that was leaking so much antifreeze that the mechanic just bypassed the heater core. For one whole winter I had a car that was basically not drivable during the winter weather. If I'd known then that there were inexpensive portable car heater solutions out there, I would have been able to keep my part-time job teaching adult literacy. But as it was, I gave up the low-paying job that I loved because I just didn't have the money right then to get the heater repaired.

So, given my history, you can probably imagine how I felt as I strolled through the forums the other day to see what advice is being offered to the poor Joe (or Josephine) who calls for help when a portable car heater solution is needed fast.

Typical forum post: "Car heater not working. Can anyone help, PLEASE? (And don't tell me to get the heater core fixed. I got an estimate, and I just don't have the $500 the mechanic will charge me.)"

Typical forum response: "You really just need to get the heater core fixed, buddy. If your job is so important to you, then just shell out that $500 and take care of the problem."

Grrrrrrr.

I'm sorry, but this kind of response is just totally NOT helpful. If that poor soul had the money, then that is exactly what he or she would do. And guess what, smarty-pants? They already told you they DON'T HAVE IT. So how's about snapping out of your perfect little world and answering the question?

Having experienced the same problem myself (and having now researched the various solutions), here is how I would answer it.

Car heater not working? So sorry to hear it--let's get you fixed up quickly. Here's a 3-prong solution for you.

A. Emergency solution to get you (shivering and with teeth chattering) to work: Get a plug-in cigarette lighter portable car heater for $13. The ride will still be miserable (sorry, Sweetheart)--but your windows will be defrosted and you won't get into an accident or pulled over by a police officer. So the glass is really half-full, right?

B. Take care of the kids. Get a 3-way adapter (assuming you've got two little cuties to transport in the back seat). In one of the sockets goes your $13 portable car heater. In the other two sockets go your heated car seat covers, for $17 apiece. Total purchase? Under $50! (I highly recommend Amazon Prime, by the way. You'll get free shipping and second-day delivery with every purchase.) Note: It's mighty important to get the kind of adapter that shows you some indication of how your battery charge is doing. You don't want to find that your plug-ins have totally drained your battery! It's also a good idea to remove the adapter from the socket each time you get out of the car--just to make sure that the juice isn't flowing out in a slow drain when the car is just sitting in your driveway.

C. If you plan to replace the car soon (or get that heater fixed), then don't invest any more than that in devices for the car itself. Consider (if you have a garage) saving for an infrared electric garage heater for under $200. Even when you do replace or fix the vehicle, you will appreciate that little comfort. It'll get you more heat and spread it around better. You can also use it to heat a patio or deck if you choose. It's a marvelous device--and portable so long as you don't get a wall-mounted model. So no, you do NOT have to spend that $500 to get the car's heater fixed. At least, not this moment.

You may end up needing to do that by the time your next vehicle inspection date rolls around. But don't go running up your credit card bill--try to save up and take care of that repair when you've got the money.

Benefits of Paintless Dent Repair Vs Traditional Paint and Body Shops

Advantages of Paintless Dent Removal

Whether you're looking to save time and money or you simply want to make a more educated choice when it comes to your vehicle, there are many reasons why paintless dent removal has become the preferred choice for dent repair.

o Retain the car's value. Car panels that have been repaired using traditional body shop work almost always contain body filler and auto paint. These are more detectable to the eye and also detract from the overall value of the car, since you are no longer working with the original exterior. Even if you can't see the work, the addition of these materials means that your car is worth less in the long run. Paintless dent repair relies only on the expertise of the professional and gentle dent removal tools, leaving your car worth more when it comes time to trade it in or sell it.

o Make an eco-friendly choice. When you opt for paintless dent removal, you almost never have to use auto paint or other costly and environmentally-hazardous materials. Traditional paint and body shops rely on chemicals in the form of basecoats, clearcoats, auto paint, body filler, and paint thinners to repair the dents in a vehicle. Paintless dent repair works by massaging the metal of your car and returning it to its original shape without the need for added materials. From start to finish, there are no chemicals released into the air or put into landfills.

o Keep overall costs low. Because you don't have to pay for the auto paint or body filler materials - or the manpower involved in using these typically labor-intensive substances - the costs of paintless dent removal are low in comparison to the work you get from traditional paint and body shops. In most cases, you end up paying around 50 percent less than traditional body repair work.

o Save time. Many paintless dent repair services are mobile, meaning that the company comes to your residence, office, or business to do the repairs - getting your car back on the road within a few hours and offering virtually no inconvenience. Due to the materials they use and the time-intensive repairs, traditional body and paint shops cannot offer this option. In fact, you may end up having to leave your car at a traditional shop for several days before it is ready to go.

Getting your car picture perfect and back on the road has never been easier. From mobile services and ecologically-friendly materials to lowered inconvenience and an increase in your vehicle's value, the reasons why paintless dent repair has become the most popular dent removal choice are clear.