Affordable Auto Windshield Repair

Even a seemingly small rock chip on your windshield can pose several problems. Apart from posing an optical hazard during driving, these rock chips have a tendency to grow into longer cracks and weakening the windshield ultimately. Sooner or later one is faced with the inevitable auto glass replacement option. However, if you react in time you will be able to save tremendously by opting for an auto windshield repair rather than a windshield replacement.

Auto windshield repair provided by Dings Plus is an effective way to ensure that the windshield chip is contained and there is no need to replace the windshield in question. There are several advantages which translate to monetary terms when one opts for an auto windshield repair option rather than a windshield replacement. These are discussed below-

• 
  Direct savings - Since the average cost of windshield replacement can vary from $300 to $500, the measly amount of $60 that is charged by Dings Plus for auto windshield repair is definitely a huge savings. The company provides excellent guaranteed service and ensures that rock chips and cracks of a quarter size and smaller are repaired completely. This strengthens the original windshield and also allows optical clarity while driving.


• 
  Time savings - Since Dings Plus comes to your doorstep rather than you having to go looking for them, this saves tremendous time. No doubt this time saved can be utilized for other more valuable chores that help in money generation. So instead of having to take a day off work and going to repair your auto glass, you can continue to work while Dings Plus fixes the car in the office parking itself.


• 
  Fuel savings - Apart from the time spent in driving to a to an auto glass repair shop, the fuel spent in driving to and from that place also results in you incurring fuel costs. No doubt with the door to door facilities that Dings Plus provides, the auto windshield repair option is an economical one.


• 
  On road savings - When your car goes off road, you end up having to rent a car or hire a taxi which costs dearly. Dings plus ensures that with its auto windshield repair door to door mobile service, your car does not need to go off road. This of course further allows you to save money that you would have ended up spending when your car was at the auto glass repair shop for a windshield replacement.

Succeeding As an Auto Body Estimator - Focus on the Little Things

According to one recent study of the body shop industry, more than half of the collision-repair shops in the United States are run by members of the Baby Boom generation. As this cohort nears retirement, they will need to pass the automotive body estimator torch on to the young folk. This means that auto body schools could gain in attractiveness for young people interested in pursuing a career involving automobiles.

Taking the time to explain

As an automotive body estimator, estimates are your bread and butter. You read and write them every day. But for the customers who come in to your shop, an estimate may be a foreign entity. They may struggle to understand the information it contains. They rely on your auto body training for a clear explanation.

Remember: A good estimator will take the time to go through the estimate, item by item, with the customer.

Taking the time to listen

Some customers are reluctant to discuss the accident, but if you can get them to share the details with you, it will help you create a better estimate. As automotive body schools teach, the more information you have on a repair, the better.

For instance, as an estimator, it can be helpful to you to know whether:

- the car was driving or parked when involved in the collision
- how many passengers there were at the time and where they were sitting

Remember: A good estimator knows that the more information he or she has, the more accurate the estimate will be.

Ensuring the necessary repairs get done

One phrase familiar to most graduates of auto body schools: "Can you save me my deductible?" As an auto body estimator, you will have the task of explaining to people why saving money on repairs may be doing them a disservice in the long run.

Remember: A good auto body estimator makes sure that his or her customers understand that you get what you pay for. When it comes to a body shop, there are no shortcuts.

Choosing tools wisely

Like the rest of the automotive industry, bodywork is trying to become greener. There is a new trend towards using paints, for example, that are water- rather than solvent-based. Auto body schools can teach students about the existing technologies, but graduates have a career-long commitment to keep up with emerging trends.

Remember: A good auto body estimator stays abreast of industry trends.

Belonging to a direct repair program (DRP)

Looking for a way to increase your sales volume in your auto body estimator shop? Sign up as a repair partner for an insurance company. Shops that do so tend to make more money and are even able to pay their employees more.

Remember: There is more to auto body training than welding and painting. A good estimator also needs to know how to maximize business relationships.

Automotive Auto Body Franchises Have a Lot of Potential!

Choosing to invest in a franchise is a great choice if you wish to be a business owner. Franchises have a better chance of success than independently started businesses. Once you have made the decision to become a franchisee, you need to figure out what type of franchise you would like to open. With the economy not doing so great you need to choose wisely. You want to choose a franchise business that has a good shot at success from the start. Automotive auto body franchises have a lot of potential; find out why.

Let's start by looking at a few facts! There were 220 million vehicles on U.S. roads in 2003, and that has been growing steadily at approximately 5% per year. So, by using that information we can project that there will be more than 275 million vehicles on the road in 2008. With increasing number of vehicles on the road there will be an increase of vehicles needing repairs as well, which is great for automotive auto body franchise owners. Just to let you get an idea, every 17 seconds a reported rear end collision occurs, and every 8.5 seconds an unreported rear end collision occurs. The most frequent accident on the road is the rear end collision, at almost 29.7%, and 3/4 of these accidents occur at very low speed. That means that almost 30% of drivers on the road will need bumper repair, which is a great service offered by automotive auto body franchises. Not to mention that Nearly 26 Million auto reconditioning repairs are performed annually in the US and Canada! That is a lot of auto body repairs and a lot of profit for auto body repair shops!

Auto reconditioning repairs include body and paint repair, replacement of "bolt" on parts, and glass and interior repairs. Typical damage includes scratches, dents, chips and gouges. Auto reconditioning shops usually offer a wide variety of services such as paintless dent removal, bumper repair, windshield repair, auto body repair, window tinting, wheel rim repair, auto detailing, 3M clear bra installation, lease return inspections, headlight restoration and paint touch up. Some automotive auto body franchises even offer a mobile service, where they will come to you to complete the repairs. Also since auto body repair is affordable many people choose to have it done versus replacement which can be much more costly. With such a wide variety of repairs and services you are sure to have customer bringing their vehicles in for your great auto body services.

So, as you can see with the increasing amount of vehicles on the road an automotive auto body franchise has increasing chances for success. Each year the amount of vehicles on the road is only growing, which means you business will have many opportunities to grow as well.

Start looking today for an automotive auto body shop to invest in. You will definitely have a lot of room to grow as a franchise and become a successful franchise business owner!

Can a Car Salesman Benefit From a Mechanic's Education?

It is quite the negative stereotype we have of car salesmen in our society as being mistrustful people. Perhaps the reason for this is that when we walk into a car dealership and are confronted with a salesperson, we ask ourselves if their enthusiasm and loyalty to their product is genuine, or is it merely because they are employed at that particular brand's dealership. If a salesperson is working at Toyota, for example, they might insist that Toyota is far superior to Honda and give you many reasons. But if next week, that salesperson is offered a better job at a Honda dealership, they would easily flip their argument, arguing for Honda over Toyota.

Auto mechanics have a slightly different relationship to the cars they build and work on. One might trust a mechanic more because we assume their knowledge is genuine due to the fact that they truly know the ins and outs of how their cars are manufactured, and are not merely relaying statistics from a salesmen's handbook. The assumption is that people who build things take pride in their products, maybe more than people who just sell them.

Now this isn't necessarily the truth. A mechanic might believe that a rival's car is better-made than their brand, while a salesperson might have a true commitment to the brand they work for. Nevertheless, if one is considering a career in either field, attending an automotive training centre with programs both in mechanics and sales can only result in a more rounded and educated professional in either field, but probably more so for a salesperson.

How a mechanic would make a good salesperson

The main reason for this is knowledge. The more one understands about how a car is made, the better able one is to inform customers. It relieves the customer's suspicions that a salesperson would say anything to impress them, because they would make it their priority to explain and give good, foundational reasons why this car is made better than the next. The mechanic's edge instills a pride in their product that translates to honest sales.

Some setbacks for a mechanic wanting to go into sales

With extensive auto technician training, a salesperson might make the mistake of assuming the customer has a much greater knowledge of how cars work. This runs the risk of speaking too technically, or in jargon, which can confuse and alienate the customer, making them think they are being manipulated with complex and impressive data.

In conclusion, a salesperson would definitely benefit from having a solid background in auto mechanics. But this transition is not completely smooth if that person does not have any training in sales as well, specifically to learn good customer communication. In the end, a great education in the product's manufacturing only goes so far without the people skills that salespeople depend upon.

Car Repair Manual - How to Get a Free Auto Repair Manual

If you are trying to find a repair manual for your car then you want to search online. It is easier to make automotive repairs when you have your cars manual. There are a variety of manuals to choose form so make sure that you get the manual that fits your needs the best.

Use the title of your car and search online to find a free auto manual. When you are trying to make repairs the only way to get the best results is to have a repair manual to help you out. Make sure you search for the type of manual that suits your needs. There are many to choose from such as general repair to diagnosis manuals.

It may take some time to find the car manual that you need so set aside this time. This will help you to not get frustrated and give up when you know that you are going to spend the extra time to find your manual. Try a variety of searches by using different keywords to find the manual you need.

If you have a common repair that you are trying to due such as a oil maintenance issue than there are manuals that work for a lot of car models. When you get into more specific issues like replacing your brakes then you will need a more specific manual for your car year and model.

Remember that getting a repair for free can be obtained online. You just need to use the year and model of your car and search for your manual. If you are doing more basic maintenance then know that you can use more general search terms to find a manual that will work for you.

Warranty Auto Repair

Let's say you move from wherever you purchased your new vehicle, and the dealership is no longer near where you live. Or maybe your dealership closes, and the next closest dealership isn't so close after all. Or you buy a new vehicle, but you have already sustained an excellent working relationship with another auto shop. No matter what the situation is, warranty work on your vehicle may not be as restrictive as it seems. There were over 16 million cars sold in 2007, and most new vehicles come with a warranty for maintenance either for a period of time or a period of miles. While there may not be many serious issues with newer vehicles, the warranties can and should come in handy with regular maintenance and smaller but important issues that may in fact come up.

This article discusses what to do if indeed you find yourself in this position. A few things to consider with warranties since the dealer is separate from the company - if you have a problem not covered by the normal warranty, see if it is covered by a federally mandated warranty. Some of these go up to 100,000 miles, but dealers don't always admit that they exist. See your owner's manual for details - and if you don't have an owner's manual, borrow one for your model year. Most makers sometimes authorize repairs after the warranty is over, depending on the circumstances and the staffer's mood. While dealers can do this in some cases, few will take the risk. Dealers may think something is not covered when it really is.

One common misconception is that you don't have to take your vehicle to the a dealership to have something taken care of that is covered and approved under the warranty. You can take your car to any certified mechanic (ASE), and it will not void the manufacturer's warranty. Of course, before deciding whether or not to go to the dealership or an independent service shop, think about the repairs and the budget you have. Many dealerships tend to add or recommend services which may not be necessary at that exact time. Private auto repair facilities are more likely to provide the necessary services without trying to push any other products closely associated with the car company. Auto repair shops other than the dealership can still communicate with the car company to discuss the warranty coverage to see if it approved. Also, similarly, for work not under warranty like routine oil changes or tire rotations, private service shops have less overhead costs making it less expensive than a dealership. This will not void your warranty in most cases. However, you should keep records and receipts for any of these services.

Used vehicles sometimes also come with limited warranties which do not always require repair to be done by the dealership. State laws hold dealers responsible if cars they sell don't meet reasonable quality standards. These obligations are called implied warranties - unspoken, unwritten promises from the seller to the buyer. However, dealers in most states can use the words "as is" or "with all faults" in a written notice to buyers to eliminate implied warranties. There is no specified time period for implied warranties. If the manufacturer's warranty still is in effect, the dealer may include it in the "systems covered/duration" section of the Buyers Guide. To make sure you can take advantage of the coverage, ask the dealer for the car's warranty documents. Verify the information (what's covered, expiration date/miles, and necessary paperwork) by calling the manufacturer's zone office. Make sure you have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) when you call. Like a warranty, a service contract provides repair and/or maintenance for a specific period. But warranties are included in the price of a product, while service contracts cost extra and are sold separately.

So let's say you would like to take your car to a private service shop rather than your dealership for some work you need. Most companies will first need to approve that the item is actually covered under the terms of the agreement, and that the maintenance is carried out and documented by an ASE approved mechanic. This will usually be the main checklist for getting it approved. Many drivers have common questions when it comes to warranties, especially with the topic of billing. For example:

Do I have to pay upfront for the work or the part being done?

No, you will not have to pay upfront for the costs. If there is a cost upfront, it could be a deductible if applicable. Usually, auto warranty contracts pay the repair shop directly. Usually, the repair shop will contact those responsible for the warranty coverage for authorization to repair the part.

Will all claims be paid in the future too?

The key to knowing how much coverage you have or could have depends on the strength of the warranty you have. Some auto warranties are limited; others extend out but for less time. Knowing how much your vehicle is covered is important to know in order to be prepared for any repairs that may be necessary. Claims are handled individually, and again, will be paid to the repair shop you choose - but be sure to check to see if it is approved by your car company.

Factory warranties can be great for the beginning life of your automobile, but not many last into the later years of your car's life. Factory warranties usually tend to cover specific things, and can be called different names. Bumper-to-bumper warranties are found on almost all new cars. This warranty is called bumper-to-bumper because it tends to cover almost the entire car in some way, with exception to specific wear items. Wear items will normally include the tires, oil, oil filter, and brake components, and sometimes even the battery, though many manufacturers are starting to give a 3 year warranty on batteries as well. It should be noted that for most claims, especially those involving the power train, will only be covered if the vehicle has been regularly serviced as per the manufacturer's specifications. In most cases, the factory car warranty plan is limited, meaning it only covers problems caused by manufacturing errors or defect.

Due to federal government requirements, most exhaust components are covered by a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty against corrosion. In addition, an 8year/80,000mile warranty is required for the catalytic converter and any on board diagnostic devices equipped on the vehicle. These warranties cover the ability to pass emissions testing as well as any design or defect issues. Also required by federal law, all seat belts, restraints and air bag related components must be covered by a 5year/50,000 mile warranty against defect or malfunction.

Most manufacturers offer at least a 5year/unlimited mileage corrosion warranty that deals with any problems caused by corrosion to the body panels or chassis, specifically perforation rust.

As explained on the website autos.com, "what a warranty is then, a promise by the manufacturer to stand behind its product in the case of any manufacturing or design defects. Damage due to the driver, accidents, severe weather and disasters are not normally covered unless it can be demonstrated the damage was caused by some manner of design issue. In this case, a factory recall may be started in order to correct the problem at the manufacturer's expense."

Extended warranties are also a popular solution for vehicles whose bumper-to-bumper coverage has run out. It is recommended to do some major research before purchasing this coverage, if you think it is right for you. The extended warranty company will base the coverage on what they see as the condition of the car. If you have some warranty coverage still left, it would not yet be necessary to consider this. But it will work basically the same as the original coverage. As autos.com explains, "buying an extended warranty can make sense, for then you still have coverage for items that can break or wear out and can, without insurance, cost you a lot to repair. For these types of vehicles, extended warranty companies offer what they call "stated component" extended warranties. The extended warranty policy states exactly what components are covered. These may include the engine, transmission, suspension, drive train, ignition, radiator, and electrical system."

Warranty coverage can seem confusing and at times, intimidating. Being knowledgeable and prepared will help to relieve some of the worries you have. Choose a repair shop you are comfortable will, and they, not just your dealership, should contact the warranty coverage representatives to get authorization if that is what you desire. Know what coverage you have and for how long, and communicate with those involved. Cars can be expensive without warranties, but unfortunately, so can not knowing anything about your car's warranty and what you are allowed to do with it.

Understanding Windshield Chip Repair

Introduction

For most automobile owners, changing oil and doing routine maintenance checks are important aspects of keeping the vehicle healthy. When the car manifests signs of problems, the driver would usually make sure it is corrected immediately to avoid more costly repairs later. But one thing most car owners neglect, but should not, is the windshield. Although the windshield does not belong with the 'mysterious' underhood components and seems to be transparent in its use, its importance cannot be understated. As with any car component problems, windshield damage should be repaired immediately.

Many people doubt the value of a chip repair. Paying fifty bucks for a chip repair that is barely the size of a nickel seems unreasonable. However, most do not realize that the windshield is very fragile to internal stress. It may look impenetrable, but when subjected to road and temperature stress, the chip can easily become a crack. Searching recent forums, an Acura owner's tolerance of "an annoying little rock chip [had] finally become a long streak across the middle of [his] windshield." (1)

Your Windshield

As with all things, let's begin with the basics.

Windshield glass is a type of laminated glass. It consists of two layers of special composite glass with a laminate in between the layers. The laminate usually is made from a form of vinyl plastic, which is in simple terms, a very strong plastic. The laminate acts as a sticking board for the inner and outer layer of glass, which serves to hold both layers together and provides a surface in the event of shattering for glass fragments to adhere to.

A black frame, referred as the 'frit', lines the outer edges of the windshield, commonly 2-3 inches wide and even wider on top. The frit protects the urethane molding (generally speaking, glue that bonds windshield to car) of the windshield from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Without the frit, the urethane would melt and cease to hold the windshield to the body frame. This is what happens with rear-view mirrors that are incorrectly installed; they fall off the windshield after the adhesives melt in the sun's heat.

Functions of Your Windshield

Windshields play essential roles in vehicle safety and drivability. First and the most apparent function of the windshield is blocking wind and airborne debris from you and providing a clear perspective of road conditions. This is more of a drivability issue. The next two functions are safety-related, especially during an accident. In a frontal collision, two safety features of the car minimize impact damage to the driver and passenger: SRS Airbag and seat belts. In order for the airbag to deploy properly, the windshield needs to be in place. It stops the airbag from deploying upwards and redirects the direction of inflation toward the driver. In a rollover, windshield serves dually to prevent the roof of the car from collapsing and the passenger from having any body parts hanging outside the car. This issue is more pertinent with side windows, where loose body parts will dramatically increase fatality rates.

An improperly installed or cracked windshield will jeopardize your safety. One, the windshield may crack up and eventually lose integrity and shatter. Two, during an accident, the windshield will fly apart on airbag deployment with shards of glass spewing all over the place. And the airbag will be less effective. Third, on a rollover, compression stress will first stretch the crack from end to end and then finally break the windshield. Flying glass shards are very sharp and dangerous.

How Your Windshield is Installed

Ok, are you still following me? In the above sections, I have mentioned windshield structure and function. This section will cover windshield installation. The next section will tell you about windshield stress areas that dictate how likely a chip or crack is going to develop further.

Windshield placement is a highly robotic and computer-controlled process in the assembly line of automobile manufacturing. Computerized alignment and placement procedures ensure that both molding and windshield are accurately fitted. Preparation of the car frame provides a clean surface to which the windshield could bond. Furthermore, there is ample time between windshield installation and the end of the production line for the molding to cure. Because of these exacting processes, the quality that comes out the factory is the best.

For aftermarket windshield installation, getting rid of the original windshield properly is foremost to a good replacement. The correct installation techniques require removal of the old molding and lower windshield cowl panel. Subsequently the glass is cut out, leaving around 1/16" of urethane bedding. The channel area, where the urethane adhesives bond, should be primed to inhibit rust formation. Rust formation will eventually weaken the bonding of the windshield to the car. After placement of the windshield, the car should be given from 1-24 hours to cure, depending on the adhesives used.

Some unethical replacement practices include shortcuts, such as close-cutting, flush-cutting and jumping-the-cowl. These will not be covered here, but if you are interested, you may read about these shortcuts in brief in the second link in References.

Stresses the Windshield Endures

Whether your car is parked, speeding east on Highway 60 or turtle-ing in the morning rush hour on I-10, your windshield endures many abuses: temperature changes (most notably night cooling and day heating,) road vibrations and car body frame shears, and road debris.

Because glass expands and shrinks at a slower rate than the metal body frame it is located in, during temperature changes, for example a rise in ambient temperature, the expanding metal pushes in on the sides of the windshield; conversely, a decrease in the ambient temperature exerts a pulling force on the edges of the windshield.

Now imagine, in addition to temperature stress, the constant pulling and pushing of the windshield from the body frame absorbing road impact. A stress gradient exists within the windshield. The highest stress occurs around the edges and lessens gradually approaching the center point of the windshield.

So far so good...Then a rock hits the windshield and creates an opening. Usually the windshield could distribute temperature and vibrational stress to its neighboring glass molecule. Now, however, tension would accumulate along the edge of the crack until it travels down to the border of intact and separated glass. The extra tension causes the borderline intact glass to separate, since it is the next weakest point and would continue until something is done about it.

Stress gradients correlate directly to the likelihood of a chip or crack developing further. A stone break in a high stress area, i.e. the sides, is more likely to evolve into a crack. Cracks that start from the edges usually travel to the center of less stress, just as water flows from high pressure to low pressure. Depending on shearing forces the car body exerts on the windshield, the crack may actually travel in different directions.

Value Windshield Chip Repair Services

After you read this article, we hope that you have a deeper appreciation of the value of the windshield chip and crack repair that our service sector provides to you. By repairing stone breaks and cracks when repairable, we save you time and expense and give you quality. Cars retain their originally fitted windshield, which is ever more important in new models where windshield design have reached the stage that correct replacement is paramount to ensure a snug fit and prevent stress cracks from developing. (Stress crack can occur even without external damage, especially if the windshield is not designed to fit on certain car models.)

Properly done repairs will enhance the strength of the windshield, reduce optical distraction, restrict damage area and maintain a smooth surface for wiper operation.

Visit [http://www.gooberswindshieldrepair.com]/> for the complete article with extra information.

References

1 Acura Owner
http://cl.acurazine.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-174634.html
2 Windshield Replacement Shortcuts
http://www.ican2000.com/news/article_detail.asp?article=37