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.
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.
