3rd
June
2008
You’re out shopping, and you return to find that your car has a dent. Awful isn’t it? What every car owner dreads is a dent in their vehicle, more so if it’s the first dent in their car. Somehow a dent in a vehicle just takes away the fun in the vehicle. No matter what anyone says, people care about how their vehicles look or appear. A dent spoils the show. However, a relatively new technique known as Paintless dent repair, can now take away the dent from your vehicle, without requiring to repaint. As the name suggests, it’s a paintless job, which means it’s a lot quicker than the traditional method of repairing a dent.With the traditional method of dent repair, a paint job was necessary, this meant that it would take a longer time to get your vehicle back. What’s more the end result was nothing to talk about, not to mention pretty heavy on the pocket. However a paintless dent repair job, promises all the things that a traditional dent repair job did not. You must note here, that it does keep it’s promise. Yes, with a paintless dent repair process – you’ll have your vehicle back in no time, less cost and without paint.Still not convinced? Then step into an experienced technician’s garage who handless these paintless dent repair jobs on a regular basis. You’ll probably get to see proof first hand, while they are doing the job, or they’ll show you some before and after pictures of vehicles. The before picture illustrating where the dent was, the extent of the dent etc. The after picture, is a dentless car…all thanks to paintless dent repair.Since this paintless dent repair process has high success rates, more and more people are getting aware of this. This has lead to an increase in the number of people opting for this procedure. There are many skilled and experienced people who perform these paintless dent repair jobs. Most of them have gone in for specialized training, since the task needs to be done by a skilled person, and not anyone can do it just as per their whim or fancy. Specially fabricated tools are also required to do the job. But don’t think that if you can get hold of these tools, you’ll be able to do it yourself. Nope, you definitely need a professionally trained person, to make sure that the job is done right.Local dealers as well as insurance companies are also advocating this process of paintless dent repair.There are a few exceptions to this paintless dent repair work. So, what can be worked on, you may ask. Here is a brief list.large to small dents,-
paint that has not been cracked or broken,-
a- panel that has not had any previous repair work done,
a dent that has- located near to the edge of the panel,
mostly the newer models of vehicles,- pretty much any vehicle manufactured from 1990 onwardsSo, it does hold true, that not everything can be taken care of by paintless dent repair procedure, but those dents which can be taken care of, is definitely worth using this process as the results are pretty astounding.
posted in Auto Repair |
3rd
June
2008
You must have opened your car door in a space that was tighter than you expected and your hit the car next to you. It was a gentle hit, but your car door now has a small dent in the side. You also noticed on the other side, that someone was careless with a shopping car and you have what looks like a small gash in the middle of your door. This is a fairly new car. You don’t want to spend a lot of money to have it repainted, especially for such a small mistake. What can you do? The easiest way to fix this is with paintless dent repair.What it is: Paintless dent repair is the system of manipulating the metal of a vehicle when it is dinged or dented, so that the original metal returns to its regular state of being. This can be done without causing damage to the paint job. The process is done using tools that were made specifically by this industry. This dent repair process will anywhere, between 30 and 60 minutes, which is less time than other methods.Where to find it: Paintless dent repair has traditionally been used by used car dealers or insurance companies to prepare a vehicle for resale. It is an inexpensive option and one that isn’t time consuming. Many body shops and franchises are providing this service as an extra product. There are also a variety of “do it yourself” kits on the market, and websites to tell you what to do.Types of situations that can be fixed: Generally, small to large dings or dents can be fixed. It is easiest if the care is a 1990 or older car. When the dent is easy to get too, it’s easier to repair. Usually hail damage, small dings made by shopping carts or small dents made by the door hitting another vehicle, are good candidates for this type of repair.Positives and negatives of this repair: Generally speaking this is a very fast repair. With paintless dent repair, you won’t be at the shop all day. You won’t have to have your car repainted and the integrity of the car stays in tact, because you don’t have to change the look of the car. The few minor drawbacks are they don’t address the scratches or small chips in the paint that may also be a part of the damage. Some areas like the bumpers may not be able to be fixed by this technique because they are plastic. Check with your shop to see whether they can repair your type of damage.Training: According to many experts, Paintless Dent Repair is becoming a strong business within the automobile industry. People are looking for inexpensive ways to make their vehicles look good after they have had this type of damage. To keep with the demand, many businesses have added training to their list of services. There are a variety of training schools and it will depend on your learning style which one you choose. There are online and email courses if you are someone who learns quickly and doesn’t need hands on instruction. Check the Internet for training.
posted in Auto Repair |
3rd
June
2008
Paintless dent repair is a process of removing small dents and dings from an automobile. This method is an efficient method of dent repair which is also inexpensive. In paintless dent repair method, the dents can be repaired for less money and can be performed at the user’s house or automobile repair shops. A skilled technician is required for performing paintless dent repair. Minor dents in the body of a vehicle are scrubbed off with the help of a metal rod or pick. This work is performed from the inner panel of the vehicle. The process is faster and on an average it takes only 10-20 minutes for a repair.The dent can be accessed by several methods in paintless dent repair which depends on the location of the dent. If the dent happened at the door of a vehicle it can be accessed through the window ledge opening by rolling down the window. There is a manufacturing opening in all vehicles at the door jam area and the dent can be accessed through that place for doing paintless dent repair. Another method to repair a dent at the door is to access the dent through the door panel. Yet another option is to drill a hole at the door jam location and after performing the repair close the hole with a silicon plug. Thus depending upon the location of dents occurred at the door area different methods exist in paintless dent repair for accessing the dent. If the location of the dent is at the rear panel any one of the following options can be used to access the dent. One can access the dent through the opening at the rear door jam area or via the manufacture’s opening for paintless dent repair. Accessing via the trunk which may some time require the need the removal of inner time is another option. Back light assembly area is another place where you can access the dents at the rear area. Inner wheel shell can be removed partially and the dent can be accessed through the wheel well. If the dent is seen at the front area of the vehicle it is easy to access the dents. The dents can be accessed for paintless dent repair through the engine area. Another way is through the assemble area of headlights.The possibility of paintless dent repair depends upon the efficiency and skill of the technician. Nearly eighty to ninety percentage of dents found in vehicles can be repaired through paintless dent repair method. Most of the dents which can’t be repaired completely can be improved by minimizing the visual effect of the dent through paintless dent repair. The advantage of paintless dent repair is that original paint remains unchanged which helps to maintain the look of the vehicle and there by increasing the resale market value of the vehicle. The paint works and sanding needed in the traditional dent removing system is completely eliminated via this new system. Dents can be repaired quickly with this method. Paintless dent repair system can’t be done to dents occurring in parts which are not accessible. Dents occurring to plastic bumper can’t be fixed by paintless dent repair method since plastic materials can’t be fixed with this technique.
posted in Auto Repair |
27th
May
2008
Undercoating stops and prevents rust and keeps your car looking great. It’s recommended for those planning on keeping their vehicle more than a couple of years It is a thrifty job in two ways.You save the cost of having it done, and leave the body from rusting away.Undercoating is an extra dollar that an auto dealership often tries to load onto you when you buy a new car. But you need not dig into your pocket for this extra. You can do the job yourself at a total cost that is a portion of what an auto repair shop will charge you.Undercoating has two advantages. First and foremost, it will protect a card by preventing the rust that eats through a fender and through a car body. Secondly, sprayed or brushed into metal to metal cracks and crevices the black asphalt material will forestall many a squeak and rattle.Most people think of undercoating in connection with strictly a new car. However it is usually a job that pays dividends on a vehicle of any age. In fact it offers a means of curbing automobile metal rust that may have gained considerable headway on any used car or vehicle.If you decide to undercoat your car, do so before washing and polishing since some spillage may occur.First: Remove the Rust. Whether the car is new or old, all rust must be removed and the metal cleaned off before the undercoating goes in. Rust left under the coating would go right ahead with its damaging work. Work on the metal until it shines.Cleaning comes first. Getting the grime off can be the most difficult part of the procedure.Steam cleaning is probably the best way to prepare the car. If you can have this done. It will save you much effort and heartache. If not TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) can be used to loosen up the grease. A wire brush can be utilized. TSP is an inexpensive crystalline salt available at most hardware stores such as Home Depot or Rona. Mix the TSP degreaser with hot water and daub it on grease areas with a sponge or cloth.In doing this job it is important to know what to coat and what not to coat. Keep the material off moving parts, oil pan, brake lines, muffler, tail pipe, drive shaft etc etc. Apply it liberally, however under the fender and sills of the frame and under the floor. Under the fenders work it right out to the edge.To get under the fenders you will have to remove the wheels. Unless the support is very stable, remove only one wheel at a time. It never hurts to play it safe.Some undercoaters are inflammable, while wet. So work with good ventilation - and avoid smoking and open flames of course.Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or many tons of salt in this case.
posted in Auto Repair |
24th
May
2008
You must have opened your car door in a space that was tighter than you expected and your hit the car next to you. It was a gentle hit, but your car door now has a small dent in the side. You also noticed on the other side, that someone was careless with a shopping car and you have what looks like a small gash in the middle of your door. This is a fairly new car. You don’t want to spend a lot of money to have it repainted, especially for such a small mistake. What can you do? The easiest way to fix this is with paintless dent repair.
What it is: Paintless dent repair is the system of manipulating the metal of a vehicle when it is dinged or dented, so that the original metal returns to its regular state of being. This can be done without causing damage to the paint job. The process is done using tools that were made specifically by this industry. This dent repair process will anywhere, between 30 and 60 minutes, which is less time than other methods.
Where to find it: Paintless dent repair has traditionally been used by used car dealers or insurance companies to prepare a vehicle for resale. It is an inexpensive option and one that isn’t time consuming. Many body shops and franchises are providing this service as an extra product. There are also a variety of “do it yourself” kits on the market, and websites to tell you what to do.Types of situations that can be fixed: Generally, small to large dings or dents can be fixed. It is easiest if the care is a 1990 or older car. When the dent is easy to get too, it’s easier to repair. Usually hail damage, small dings made by shopping carts or small dents made by the door hitting another vehicle, are good candidates for this type of repair.Positives and negatives of this repair: Generally speaking this is a very fast repair. With paintless dent repair, you won’t be at the shop all day. You won’t have to have your car repainted and the integrity of the car stays in tact, because you don’t have to change the look of the car. The few minor drawbacks are they don’t address the scratches or small chips in the paint that may also be a part of the damage. Some areas like the bumpers may not be able to be fixed by this technique because they are plastic. Check with your shop to see whether they can repair your type of damage.Training: According to many experts, Paintless Dent Repair is becoming a strong business within the automobile industry. People are looking for inexpensive ways to make their vehicles look good after they have had this type of damage. To keep with the demand, many businesses have added training to their list of services. There are a variety of training schools and it will depend on your learning style which one you choose. There are online and email courses if you are someone who learns quickly and doesn’t need hands on instruction. Check the Internet for training.
posted in Auto Repair |
24th
May
2008
Paintless dent repair is a process of removing small dents and dings from an automobile. This method is an efficient method of dent repair which is also inexpensive. In paintless dent repair method, the dents can be repaired for less money and can be performed at the user’s house or automobile repair shops. A skilled technician is required for performing paintless dent repair. Minor dents in the body of a vehicle are scrubbed off with the help of a metal rod or pick. This work is performed from the inner panel of the vehicle. The process is faster and on an average it takes only 10-20 minutes for a repair.The dent can be accessed by several methods in paintless dent repair which depends on the location of the dent. If the dent happened at the door of a vehicle it can be accessed through the window ledge opening by rolling down the window. There is a manufacturing opening in all vehicles at the door jam area and the dent can be accessed through that place for doing paintless dent repair. Another method to repair a dent at the door is to access the dent through the door panel. Yet another option is to drill a hole at the door jam location and after performing the repair close the hole with a silicon plug. Thus depending upon the location of dents occurred at the door area different methods exist in paintless dent repair for accessing the dent. If the location of the dent is at the rear panel any one of the following options can be used to access the dent. One can access the dent through the opening at the rear door jam area or via the manufacture’s opening for paintless dent repair. Accessing via the trunk which may some time require the need the removal of inner time is another option. Back light assembly area is another place where you can access the dents at the rear area. Inner wheel shell can be removed partially and the dent can be accessed through the wheel well. If the dent is seen at the front area of the vehicle it is easy to access the dents. The dents can be accessed for paintless dent repair through the engine area. Another way is through the assemble area of headlights.The possibility of paintless dent repair depends upon the efficiency and skill of the technician. Nearly eighty to ninety percentage of dents found in vehicles can be repaired through paintless dent repair method. Most of the dents which can’t be repaired completely can be improved by minimizing the visual effect of the dent through paintless dent repair. The advantage of paintless dent repair is that original paint remains unchanged which helps to maintain the look of the vehicle and there by increasing the resale market value of the vehicle. The paint works and sanding needed in the traditional dent removing system is completely eliminated via this new system. Dents can be repaired quickly with this method. Paintless dent repair system can’t be done to dents occurring in parts which are not accessible. Dents occurring to plastic bumper can’t be fixed by paintless dent repair method since plastic materials can’t be fixed with this technique.
posted in Auto Repair |
21st
May
2008
Your out shopping, and you return to find that your car has a dent. Awful isn’t it? What every car owner dreads is a dent in their vehicle, more so if it’s the first dent in their car. Somehow a dent in a vehicle just takes away the fun in the vehicle. No matter what anyone says, people care about how their vehicles look or appear. A dent spoils the show. However, a relatively new technique known as Paintless dent repair, can now take away the dent from your vehicle, without requiring to repaint. As the name suggests, it’s a paintless job, which means it’s a lot quicker than the traditional method of repairing a dent.With the traditional method of dent repair, a paint job was necessary, this meant that it would take a longer time to get your vehicle back. What’s more the end result was nothing to talk about, not to mention pretty heavy on the pocket. However a paintless dent repair job, promises all the things that a traditional dent repair job did not. You must note here, that it does keep it’s promise. Yes, with a paintless dent repair process – you’ll have your vehicle back in no time, less cost and without paint.Still not convinced? Then step into an experienced technician’s garage who handless these paintless dent repair jobs on a regular basis. You’ll probably get to see proof first hand, while they are doing the job, or they’ll show you some before and after pictures of vehicles. The before picture illustrating where the dent was, the extent of the dent etc. The after picture, is a dentless car…all thanks to paintless dent repair.Since this paintless dent repair process has high success rates, more and more people are getting aware of this. This has lead to an increase in the number of people opting for this procedure. There are many skilled and experienced people who perform these paintless dent repair jobs. Most of them have gone in for specialized training, since the task needs to be done by a skilled person, and not anyone can do it just as per their whim or fancy. Specially fabricated tools are also required to do the job. But don’t think that if you can get hold of these tools, you’ll be able to do it yourself. Nope, you definitely need a professionally trained person, to make sure that the job is done right.Local dealers as well as insurance companies are also advocating this process of paintless dent repair.There are a few exceptions to this paintless dent repair work. So, what can be worked on, you may ask. Here is a brief list.large to small dents,-
paint that has not been cracked or broken,-
a- panel that has not had any previous repair work done,
a dent that has- located near to the edge of the panel,
mostly the newer models of vehicles,- pretty much any vehicle manufactured from 1990 onwardsSo, it does hold true, that not everything can be taken care of by paintless dent repair procedure, but those dents which can be taken care of, is definitely worth using this process as the results are pretty astounding.
posted in Auto Repair |
21st
May
2008
Paintless dent repair is a process of removing small dents and dings from an automobile. This method is an efficient method of dent repair which is also inexpensive. In paintless dent repair method, the dents can be repaired for less money and can be performed at the user’s house or automobile repair shops. A skilled technician is required for performing paintless dent repair. Minor dents in the body of a vehicle are scrubbed off with the help of a metal rod or pick. This work is performed from the inner panel of the vehicle. The process is faster and on an average it takes only 10-20 minutes for a repair.The dent can be accessed by several methods in paintless dent repair which depends on the location of the dent. If the dent happened at the door of a vehicle it can be accessed through the window ledge opening by rolling down the window. There is a manufacturing opening in all vehicles at the door jam area and the dent can be accessed through that place for doing paintless dent repair. Another method to repair a dent at the door is to access the dent through the door panel. Yet another option is to drill a hole at the door jam location and after performing the repair close the hole with a silicon plug. Thus depending upon the location of dents occurred at the door area different methods exist in paintless dent repair for accessing the dent. If the location of the dent is at the rear panel any one of the following options can be used to access the dent. One can access the dent through the opening at the rear door jam area or via the manufacture’s opening for paintless dent repair. Accessing via the trunk which may some time require the need the removal of inner time is another option. Back light assembly area is another place where you can access the dents at the rear area. Inner wheel shell can be removed partially and the dent can be accessed through the wheel well. If the dent is seen at the front area of the vehicle it is easy to access the dents. The dents can be accessed for paintless dent repair through the engine area. Another way is through the assemble area of headlights.The possibility of paintless dent repair depends upon the efficiency and skill of the technician. Nearly eighty to ninety percentage of dents found in vehicles can be repaired through paintless dent repair method. Most of the dents which can’t be repaired completely can be improved by minimizing the visual effect of the dent through paintless dent repair. The advantage of paintless dent repair is that original paint remains unchanged which helps to maintain the look of the vehicle and there by increasing the resale market value of the vehicle. The paint works and sanding needed in the traditional dent removing system is completely eliminated via this new system. Dents can be repaired quickly with this method. Paintless dent repair system can’t be done to dents occurring in parts which are not accessible. Dents occurring to plastic bumper can’t be fixed by paintless dent repair method since plastic materials can’t be fixed with this technique.
posted in Auto Repair |
14th
May
2008
The next time you are in need of tires for your vehicle, you may want to consider buying them online. This is a relatively new way to shop for tires, but it is catching on quickly as people learn about the option. Online tires can definitely save you money!It is quite easy to find the exact tires you need for your car, truck, van or SUV. There are several tire dealers who have an online presence, and a web search will ferret them out for you. Once you have chosen a dealer, go to their site and choose your vehicle by inputting the make and year, model and option. Then, you will choose the type of tire you would like to buy. You can choose from passenger tires, performance tires, truck and SUV tires, or tires manufactured especially for winter driving. You can also specify the tire brands you are most interested in.Once this is done, you will be taken to a page of tire choices that will work on your vehicle. You are normally given quite a lot of detail about these tires, too. Things that are important, but that you might not think of when purchasing tires, such as traction, ride comfort, and whether or not a certain tire will give you a quiet ride are all covered for each brand of tire your search found.Better Deal When Buying A Whole SetWhen you have decided on the type of tire you want, click on an icon to add the tires to your shopping cart. It is possible to purchase just one tire, but you get the best deal when buying 4 tires at a time. At this time, you are also usually given the option of purchasing some sort of replacement plan for your tires, which varies depending on the dealer.The best part of buying tires online is that there are usually no shipping charges. Normally, there is a small charge for balancing, valve stems, tire disposal fees and so on, but mounting and an alignment check for your tires is usually on the house.Tire DisposalYou may be wondering about that tire disposal fee and how it works when buying tires online. The tires are not shipped directly to you, but to a dealer who will contact you when they arrive. You then take your car in to have the tires put on. Simply give the online dealer your Zip code at the time you order your tires, and they will automatically be shipped to the closest location to you. It just doesn’t get any easier than this!If by chance you own a vehicle that takes an odd sized tire that you have had trouble finding locally, online tires can save you a lot of time and trouble. It is easy for an online vendor to have access to a large number of different tire brands and sizes, so you are almost sure to have no problem finding the tires you need. This option for purchasing tires is sure to save you both time and money!
posted in Auto Repair |
7th
May
2008
Choosing the right set of wheels and tires is more than just making your vehicle look cool. More importantly, they help in improving the performance of your vehicle. And although you might not appreciate that fact during your normal everyday driving, you will when you drive your car out in extreme conditions.This article will help you decide on which wheels and tires to choose for your particular driving condition. Again, it’s all about helping your vehicle achieve its maximum performance. So read on and be informed!1. If you wish to replace your vehicle’s set of wheels, you have two options. One, there’s the trusty old steel wheels and then there’s the alloy wheels. Steel wheels are the cheaper because they are easier manufactured than alloy wheels. But the heftier price tag of alloy wheels is due to the fact that they help your car perform better since they are lighter and far stronger than steel ones.2. Another thing you should consider when buying a set of wheels is the size. Most cars come in with 15″ wheels. It is your choice, however, if you wish to stick with it or go for larger ones like 16″ and 17″ wheels.Larger wheels are preferred by aftermarket parts enthusiasts because they look better. But more than that, larger wheels provide more traction to your vehicle when cornering. The downside, however, is that larger wheels can be easily damaged in rough roads compared to smaller ones.3. As for the tires, the size of your tire will depend of course on the size of your wheel. But more than the issue of size, there are other things that you need to consider when buying a tire for your vehicle.At the top of the list of your consideration should be on what kind of condition you are planning to drive your vehicle. There are wheels that are designed for particular weather conditions like winter and those in heavy rain. It would help if you know the typical weather conditions in your area so that it will be easier to find the right set of tires for your particular needs.4. Tire manufacturers would advice you to rotate your tires every so often so that your tires will wear out evenly. Somewhere between 3,000 to 5,000 miles would be a good distance travelled before you rotate your tires.For vehicles with tires that all have the same size, there’s what’s called four-wheel and five-wheel rotation patterns, wherein the latter also includes the spare tire in the rotation. Evenly-worn tires help your vehicle’s performance a lot especially in terms of traction.All in all, it’s more than just the looks you need to consider when it comes to buying the right wheels and tires for your vehicle. Keep in mind that getting the right wheels is all about improving your vehicle’s performance.
posted in Auto Repair |