Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Getting involved in any kind of car on car accident, either big or small, is a disconcerting experience if not downright terrifying! But once the initial shock has worn off and if you are basically uninjured, it’s absolutely essential to keep your wits about you and follow a few basic steps in order to protect your interests and make sure all your bases are covered.
- Tend to any passengers immediately. Everything else can wait. If there are injuries, be sure to call the police and an ambulance right away.
- If the accident is a minor one, move both cars out of moving traffic for your safety.
- Make sure you get the names and contact information for any witnesses to the event. In many cases, people do not have time to stick around for the police but they are willing to be contacted later either by the authorities or by the insurance companies. Even if you think the fault is obvious, and even if both drivers agree, someone may change his story later: so witnesses are extremely important.
- Often police will not come if the accident is a minor one. If this is the case, be sure to get all the information you will need for an insurance claim, including:
- Driver’s name, home phone number, insurance card, policy information, agent of contact
- Make, model, color and year of other car as well as license plate number
- Time and exact location of accident
- Write down your version of what happened
- Contact your own local insurance agent right away: he may even come to the scene to ascertain the events for himself and offer support.
- After these immediate post-accident steps are completed, drive your vehicle (if possible) or have it towed to a good Utah auto body repair shop like Shine Collision to get an estimate. Remember that even seemingly minor collisions may result in underlying damage that can put your safety at risk; so it’s wise to have your car checked out by a professional.
Accidents are scary — there’s no doubt about it! But keeping a cool head and following all the proper steps will can make a bad situation better.
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Oh no! You’ve been involved in an accident and your car has been mangled to one degree or another. A normal human reaction is to worry most about how the car “looks:” the bumpers are crushed perhaps or the front end is crumpled. Worst of all (horrors!) that beautiful paint job and those racing stripes you were so proud of are history.
Actually, fixing any exterior auto body damage such as this is pretty straight forward and is the least of your concerns. Of course, you want to have the chassis and paint restored to their original conditions by top professionals so that they look great again: but the real worry lies in what’s happening on the INSIDE. The quality of repairs done to the frame and related areas will make all the difference in terms of excellent vehicle performance as well as safety should you — God forbid — ever get in another accident. For example, getting wheels properly aligned again is crucial: here’s some straight talk on why this step is so important.
What Does Proper Alignment Do?
When you’re driving along on a straight road and let go of the steering wheel momentarily, does your car still go straight or does it drift to the left or right? If it drifts, chances are good that your alignment is out of whack. When a car is in alignment it simply means that the wheels are set into the chassis at the correct angles relative to each other and to the car body as specified by the manufacturer. Alignment will:
- Allow your car to handle properly, optimizing the safety of both you and your passengers
- Promote even wear of your tires resulting in longer life and increased performance
The most common reasons for alignment problems are hitting something hard (such as a pothole or a curb) and being involved in an accident. That’s why it’s essential to visit an excellent Utah auto body repair shop like Shine Collision and have your car’s inner workings checked out after any kind of accident: even if the exterior damage seems minor.
How Can An Auto Body Repair Specialist Help?
A skilled technician will adjust all primary and secondary angles including camber, caster and toe to make sure that your vehicle’s alignment is returned to its pre-accident condition according to factory specifications for that particular make and model.
Remember: as with many things, it’s what’s inside that counts most. Experienced Utah auto body repair professionals at Shine Collision are committed to addressing all facets of frame and undercarriage repair (like alignment) before moving on and expertly fixing that killer paint job: after all, your safety is what matters most.
Monday, May 24th, 2010
If your car is getting a little long in the tooth but still runs great, you can help it to look as terrific as it feels by having it professionally repainted. The reasons for repainting are numerous, but some of the main ones include:
- The body is faded from the elements and shows signs of cracking and peeling
- The body is starting to show signs of rust
- Your vehicle doesn’t “shine up” like it used to, even after waxing
- You’re been involved in a collision
- You are planning on selling your car soon and want to maximize resale value
- You want to sell your car quicker and help it stand out from the competition
- Your car’s been damaged by a particularly vicious storm
- You just feel like driving around in a different color!
Having a car professionally repainted can represent a significant investment depending on the make and model, so you want to be sure you choose the right body shop to do the job.
What to Look For in an Auto Body Painting Service
Insist on using a quality auto body shop that is backed up by a great reputation, that has extensive experience, and whose professional technicians know what they’re talking about.
–Get a written quote.
–Get clear time estimates for how long the job will take.
–Ask for a tour of their facility: if they refuse then they may have something to hide; time to go elsewhere!
–The facility should have all the trappings of a quality painting operation: paint booth, fans, heat lamps, paint guns, etc. It should also be a clean and dust-free environment.
–Ask about the credentials of their technicians: are they experienced, friendly and knowledgeable?
–Remember: cheaper is not necessarily better. When it comes to something as important as your paint job, it’s worth paying a little more to have it look top-notch.
When it’s time to repaint your buddy on wheels, trust a quality Utah auto body shop like Shine Collision. We are seasoned vehicle painting specialists who know how to do it right the first time and will give your car that just-off-the-lot shine you’re looking for at a reasonable price.
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
At Shine Collision, we’re sticklers for providing outstanding auto frame repair services. If you don’t know a whole lot about cars, you may mistakenly assume that Utah auto body repair mainly involves rectifying cosmetic damage after an accident. But the truth is looks aren’t everything: and we are professionals who understand that your car isn’t really repaired properly until the frame has been returned as closely to factory specifications as possible.
Here are some problems that might occur if your vehicle’s auto frame is not repaired correctly:
- Misaligned wheels
- Poor mechanical function
- Problems with airbag deployment
- Seat belts may not work as designed
- Body repair that becomes obvious over time
Most seriously, if your auto frame is not sound you have a greater chance of being seriously injured should you ever be involved in another accident. Interestingly, some of the most common damage to an auto frame happens away from the point of impact; this is called a “ripple effect” and it is nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye. We are a Utah auto body shop that takes a team approach to frame repair to make sure we don’t miss a thing. Having lots of trained technicians reach a consensus on the type of work that needs to be done instead of relying on just one opinion makes great sense: and you can be sure that your vehicle is in great hands.
Because all auto frames are not the same, we have the exact factory specifications for all makes and models: and our seasoned professionals use the latest technologies such as a laser measuring system to get your car’s “skeleton” put back together right. Of course, once your frame is back in tip top shape, we’ll make the outside of your car look spectacular too. But remember that great auto body repair starts from the inside out.
Friday, February 12th, 2010
If you’ve been in an accident, you know there are many stressors pressing down upon you as you attempt to pick up the pieces, both figuratively and literally. The last thing you need is for some auto body repair shop to rip you off, charging too much for doing a shoddy job. When it comes to Utah auto body, you want someone whom you know you can trust when you are at your most vulnerable. As you embark on your search for the right Utah auto body shop, here are some things to look for:
Look for a shop that maintains a state-of-the-art facility, with all of the latest manufacturer-approved tools that will help their skilled technicians restore your car exactly as it was before. Today’s cars have special auto body repair needs: make sure the shop you choose can handle your specific vehicle.
The quality of the auto body work will vary from shop to shop. Make sure yours has a reputation for honesty, integrity, and craftsmanship in all that they do. It should be standard procedure to not just fix the “outsides,” but to also disassemble your vehicle to search for any hidden damage that might cause trouble later.
Estimates should always be free, and the ideal Utah auto body shop will also offer a free loaner car while yours is being repaired, so you never have to miss out on work or your favorite activities after your accident.
The shop should offer all the services you need to get your car back to its old self again: towing, auto frame repair, body work, suspension, professional repainting, and so forth. You should never have to take your car from one place to another to another.
There are differences in Utah auto body repair shops: you’ve been through enough already without feeling like you’ve been in another accident after getting your car back: choose wisely.
