Auto Vehicle Care - The Importance of Full & Professional Diagnosis and Diagnostics

There are diagnosticians and there are diagnosticians when it comes to auto repair. Some of the times second best will just not do when it comes to say electrical problems on your vehicle and your local standard auto garage just will not do and you have to call in or visit a specialist or perhaps more in depth diagnostic auto repair shop in your area. Still in many cases it many not be that the auto repair shop with the great established name in your area (and generally a higher fee) is even better or more experienced than the smaller shop but rather that they either have more specialized and advanced tools or simply have the time to examine the problem thoroughly and fully with out distraction.

In other cases it may be simply that most of the variables and issues have been worked out before. Most of the workup has been done, a lot of frustration and frustrating time spent. The next person, mechanic of technician just has to start from square one once again, go though the paces and just do it once more time, to completion and fruition. Thus voila the problem is identified and thus solved. The last auto diagnostic person in is thus a hero.

Yet one might ask from the very beginning why is auto and engine diagnosis so important to begin with. It can be said that if any mechanic can not or does not know in essence how to find, locate and challenge automotive, engine and motor difficulties and problems then all in all you are wasting your and their time, money and effort. Its all money and time thrown down the drainpipe. Reliability is key. If you or your mechanic can not identify motor or engine problems you ultimately will have not solved the problem at hand fully, your vehicle will not be properly or fully repaired and ultimately neither you nor your family will have neither pleasant nor economical driving experience. Simple as that. Pleasant driving and motoring.

How To Find Local Auto Repair Shops

Being able to find a good local auto repair shop is part of budgeting wisely. If you own a vehicle, you will need to pay for the scheduled maintenance that keeps your vehicle running smoothly. There may also be major repairs that need to be performed. By having already chosen and worked with a shop, you will be able to save yourself some worries.

To start, ask people you know who they have do their auto work. Someone will have a great mechanic in mind for you and someone else will be able to tell you who they believe you should steer clear of. In addition, ask them if the repair was completed on time. Did the shop do what they said they would do? Was the bill the amount you were quoted? Are they happy with the service they received?

Check with the better business bureau for any complaints that have been lodged against the shop. Also find out if they were solved to the satisfaction of the customer. Another place to get more information is the internet. There are several sources that will review or comment on shops.

An advantage to using a shop locally is they will want you to refer other customers to them, and will work hard to please you as a customer. They do not specialize in any one particular make or model but rather have experience with working on everything. This experience makes it possible for them to find the issue more quickly and at times offer solutions that may save you money in the long run.

Find out if they have a certificate for ASE Master Mechanic. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and is a voluntary program that test mechanics on repair issues. Once they pass the test they receive the certificate. If the shop does not have one for master mechanic, do they have an ASE certificate at all? You may want to also ask how many years of experience their technicians have.

Take the vehicle into the shop for an oil change or something else that is simple. While there, you can determine if the technicians seem knowledgeable and skilled at their work. Also, if they charge you the amount agreed upon or if they have hidden charges that you did not know about until the work was completed. This will give you an opportunity to find out if you like the shop before you need major work done.

There are several reasons to find a good local auto repair shop. They are a part of the community and will want to do a good job so that you will refer them to others. If there is an issue with the repair, they are close by to correct it for you.

Clay Bar and the Proper Maintenance of Paint Finishes

Of all the information out there and of all the products being sold to the public to preserve and protect your vehicle's finish, little or nothing is said about a simple product used in the Automotive Detailing and Paint Repair industry.

Some detailers don't really understand the benefits of using this product in the way I am going to talk about, and how it is beneficial to their customers and why it should be done on a somewhat regular basis!

Well what is this product?

It is called a Clay Bar.

This is not a new product or a secret product. However, it is not a well know product. Its use even by manufacturers is not well explained or understood.

We have some insight that is unique and not well understood by detailers or body shops because of the range of automotive appearance restoration we specialize in. Since many of the vehicles we work on have already been detailed we have to leave the vehicles "front line ready" when we are finished.

Unlike a body shop whose job does not include any kind of 'detailing" we have to leave the vehicles we work on "front line ready". Also, unlike a detail shop we have paint restoration experience.

Why does this matter to you, and how can our experience and knowledge benefit you?

First of all let me explain a basic rule to paint preparation when preparing for refinishing. The surface being worked on has to be completely "sterile" and properly scuffed in order for new paint to adhere well to the area being refinished.

Let me illustrate it this way. If I paint something that has decal on it and I paint over that decal what happens if that decal's glue looses its adhesive quality? That area will certainly peel off sooner or later. You would not paint over a pin stripe or decal but on a larger scale if you have removed all surface contaminates you will have great adhesion and a long lasting paint job!

One of the biggest things that makes a paint job a quality paint job is how well the surface has been "prepped'! I cannot stress this point enough!

Have you ever priced a paint job? Have you wondered why some body shops can do a paint job for $400 and others will tell you $3000?!

Did you know the factory paint job on your vehicle can be valued somewhere between $3000 to $6000 depending of the make and model? Any paint work that is not done to the factory standard can devalue your vehicle the amount of your factory paint job.

The prep work done for a paint job when done properly can be the difference between a factory quality paint job and disaster!

So you have this $3000-$6000 paint job on your car, how do you protect it?

First of all do not neglect it by not removing damaging surface contaminates such as tar, sap, bugs, industrial fallout etc. Sap can actually boil in the sun and burn off the finish under the sap, ruining the panel where the sap is.

Second, make sure your waxes or sealants used to protect your paint job are of good quality and prepare the finish for proper adhesion of your wax or sealant.

Should you "prep" the finish for was or sealants? Absolutely! However, most people think they are but they are not. So how do you "prep" the finish for wax?

The best way to "prep" your vehicles finish for wax or paint sealants is the use of a clay bar! Before you wax and after you have washed your vehicle use a clay bar at least once a year or every six months for the best protection of that expensive paint job.

A clay bar will remove any surface contaminates that washing did not. It can even remove hard water stains on the paint if they are not too bad.

How do you use a clay bar?

A clay bar has to be used with a lubricant. It is a simple process really. In fact you can even use water as a lubricant. However, it is better to use a spray way that will both lubricate the panels you are clay baring and can be used to clean up clay residue as you go.

Simply spray the area you are clay baring...a 12" X 12" area is best and rub the surface with the clay bar back and forth in a side to side motion. You will hear the clay bar picking up light contaminates and as the surface is cleaned you will stop hearing the movement of the clay bar.

You can also feel the surface. If it feels rough like tiny pieces of sand after you have washed it, it needs to be clay bared. Use the same method above and listen and feel the area you are working on after you dry it off.

So work your small area wipe it dry when you think it is finished and check the surface with the inside of your hand rubbing lightly feeling and listening for rough areas. Once you have completed a section you can move on the next.

A word of caution, it has been said, although I gave never experienced this, that a clay bar can rub the paint off eventually if not kept lubricated while using. Use common sense and you should be fine.

Well there it is, this is the best way to prep for waxing your vehicle and a great way to be sure you are getting the best results from your wax.

Enjoy and I hope this article helps!

Custom Paint Jobs - It Does Not Start With the Paint Gun

All of the awesome auto paint colors are what make cars look great and attract interest from car enthusiasts around the world. Ed Roth broke the mold by altering the stock look with modified body parts, pinstripes, and custom paint. Since then people began customizing cars in every way imaginable. This has created a lot of people interested in custom painting. However, the same rule applied then and still applies today, which is, it does not start with the paint gun, it starts with the wash mitt.

As a collision repair instructor, I see the same thing many times when it come to painting a car. Students tend to rush though the preparation stage and then expect superior end results. Painting is an art and it does take practice. Travel speed, distance, spay pattern overlap, and technique is necessary to learn in order to produce professional results, but more attention needs to be concentrated on preparing the car for paint than the spraying itself.

Here is an example that I give my students when I am trying to convey this point. Let's say that we did not properly wash and clean the vehicle. Then we sanded the car, but fast and sloppy. Lastly, we slap a little tape and paper to mask it off. If Chip Foose (very know for his painting abilities) came in and painted the car, how would it turn out? Well, it would have dirt in it as we rushed through the preparation process, probably fish eyes in the paint, paint over spray on the glass and moldings where paint seeped though. Well, I guess you could say it would look horrible. The paint would probably peel later due to a loss of adhesion. All of Foose's abilities are useless if the car is not prepped correctly. This is similar to spending $200,000 dollars building a nice home on top of a bad foundation. Even if you use the best materials to built the house, it will fall apart if the foundation is not right. Therefore, assuring that you have a good foundation is important before building a home, just like having a properly prepped car before painting it.

I know that I stress that point, but it is often overlooked. So get your wash mitt out and spend extra time washing the car before starting repairs. Then take your time and assure all of the surface to be painted is sanded so the top coating will properly adhere. Always re-clean the area to remove all dirt. Dirt in crevices may blow out with the air pressure of the paint gun and get in the paint job, if you do not blow the car off thoroughly before masking it off. Use a good quality paper and masking tape to protect glass the other items that you do not want painted. Wipe the surface with quality wax and grease remover to remove all traces of condemnations, waxes, silicones, etc. Use a tack rag to remove final dirt and lint before applying the paint coatings. Now you can start spraying the car. Spend 80% of your time and efforts becoming a good prepper and 20% of your time perfecting your spraying techniques. This is what it takes to produce custom paint jobs that will look great and turn heads.

Tips For Getting Your Vehicles Auto Body Repaired!

When your vehicle is in need of auto body repair you are already under a lot of stress. You trying to think of everything and hoping that your vehicles repair come out looking great. You have a lot to worry about so you should have something to help you as you prepare to get your vehicles auto body repaired. Here are a few tips for getting your vehicles auto body repaired.

First of all you need to be sure that you take the time to find a great auto body repair shop. You must find a shop that has a good reputation, so ask around and see what you find out about auto body shops near you. Also you should get a good feeling from the auto body repair specialist as well, so if you get a bad feeling move on. You can and should ask to see examples of work they have completed so that you can see for yourself their standards of workmanship. You also want to make sure that you are getting a good deal. Most auto body shops will give you an estimate for free, so ask for one from each shop you are considering. If you are going to be using insurance to help pay for the repair you must ask if they work with the insurance provider before you get the work done. After all this research you will move to the next step.

Once you have found the auto body shop that will work for you, your vehicle and your budget you will want to set up a time to get your vehicles auto body repaired. Before you set up a time you should ask the auto body repair specialist how long they will be working on your vehicle so you can plan for it. Some auto body repairs take more time than others. Once you set up the time you are on your way to a great looking vehicle. However you may need a rental car depending on your situation. Be sure to ask if they offer any discounts on rentals at nearby rental facilities that way you can save a little money. Plan on a little set back when getting your vehicle auto body repaired. They may have told you a 4 hour time frame, but may tell you they are running a little behind. Things can come up while repairing your vehicle that they might not expect. It will reduce the amount of stress you encounter if you simply just plan for a little delay. Once your auto body repair is complete they will usually contact you to let you know and you will be able to go pick up your vehicle. Usually when it comes to auto body repairs they can be completed in a way that it is not even visible that there was ever any damage to your vehicles auto body.

Follow these tips to getting your vehicles auto body repair and you will find that auto body repairs can really get your vehicle to look great!

Professional Auto Mechanic Services

Auto mechanics are life savers when it comes to finding the problems that are wrong with your car even if you don't really know how to describe them. They are knowledgeable in every inch of a car and can help to resolve the problem through their different services.

Auto glass service is when a windshield or window in a car is removed and replaced or repaired with special materials and equipment. If you have been driving on the highway and a rock hits your windshield and makes a ding, chip or scratch you should have a mechanic look at it. If you leave it alone it has the chance to grow and spider and can even shatter your entire windshield while you're driving. If it is small enough then you can have it repaired with their liquid repair materials so there will be no risk of expansion or you can just replace the entire thing.

Body work is something that can be done at the same shop as engine work and glass repair. Mechanics have the proper tools to pull dents, sand scratches and have the connections to replace parts of the body like the doors, side panels and bumpers. Ordering parts might take a few weeks depending on where they are being shipped from.

Taking your car to a shop for routine maintenance like tire rotation, oil change, breaks, tune up and other such services is a quicker and easier thing to do than bigger repairs. Most of these services take only up to an hour or two depending on the wait.

They can do inspections and certifications for you too. As long as an auto shop is certified by the state that it is in, you can go to them to make things legal. They can set you up by appointment or some shops will even welcome walk-ins.

Finding a mechanic that does every service that you could need is not that difficult of a thing to do. It is best to go by recommendation or look at their track record. Most mechanic shops though, are filled with the most knowledgeable, skilled professionals that have been certified to do their job correctly and will honor their commitment to complete the job they took on by accepting the job. There are many places that can fix up your car in your area if you do your research and get the right recommendations.

Choosing an Auto Repair Shop

Looking for a good San Diego car service repair shop can be an involved process. How do you know you're picking a trustworthy shop? And with so many shops in San Diego to compare, how do you know you're getting a fair price? The only way to know for certain is too visit the shop itself and try their service, but it helps to know a few things about auto shops first.

One of the first things you should do is to ask your friends, family members, and other people whom you trust to give you recommendations. If they've tried the services of a particular shop, was it a good experience?

Calling up a few auto repair shops in San Diego to compare prices doesn't hurt. However, keep in mind that the prices you'll get on the phone are probably going to be different than the final repair estimate you'll get once you take your car in to get checked. But again, calling up a few repair shops in your area doesn't hurt. So Google auto repair shops in San Diego and make a few rounds.

And also, it's a good idea to look for a good repair shop before you actually need it, so as to avoid the hassle of looking for one in the future. If you're wondering whether a car shop has had a lot of customer complaints in the past, call up your state's Attorney General's office or your local consumer protection agency to get the facts about any given auto repair business.

Now, the question of whether to choose a local shop or an established chain depends on the shop itself. This is because, even if you do go to an established chain, each franchise in that chain will usually have its own prices for labor and parts.

However, you might have a better time finding local shops that specialize in repairing specific car models. For example, if you're in need of San Diego BMW repair services, Robert's Auto Service is a good place to go. In addition to BMW repair, they specialize in Mercedes repair and Volkswagen repair in San Diego. Some people also prefer local shops because they sometimes have a friendly, community feel to them.