Frequently Asked Questions about Windshield Replacement

The windshield is an essential part of your car regarding visibility on the road and safety. A sturdy windshield is critical to maintaining a vehicle’s integrity, while a cracked or damaged one could put the driver, other passengers, and road users at more significant risks. In accidents, the windshield absorbs the impacts, preventing the car’s occupants from being thrown out. However, a damaged windshield cannot sustain the pressure, leaving the car occupants at risk of injuries and even death. Nevertheless, the following are some of the frequently asked questions about windshield replacement. 

How Can I Know When to Replace My Car’s Windshield?

Most people usually have difficulties deciding whether to repair or replace their windshields. However, you can make the right decision by performing the quarter test on your windshield. Take a quarter and place it on the damaged sections of the windshield. Any dents more minor than the coin qualifies for repair, which ensures a quick turnaround time. However, cracks and dents that peak out and are more extensive than 1.25 inches will need replacement. 

What Differentiates OEM Windshield from OEE Windshield?

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windshield is an auto glass manufactured by the same company as your car’s original windshield. On the other hand, an Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) has similar standards to the original car glass, but a different company manufactures them. You can use either of them when replacing your car’s windshield but, OEM parts are usually the best since they carry a warranty. 

How Long Does Replacing a Windshield Take?

A typical windshield repair usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes but, a replacement can be lengthy, ranging between 45 minutes to one hour. Besides, windshield replacement requires a waiting period of at least a few hours for the adhesives to cure and bond with the frame perfectly. 

Although the ones discussed above are fundamental questions regarding windshield replacement, you may still want to make additional inquiries with your car service provider. That will offer you better insights into the common issues about windshield replacement and the steps involved in the process.

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Dangers of DIY Auto Body Repair

Owner of Dent Dawg, Chris Coker shares with us some of the tips to look out for out there in the auto dent world. Dent Dawg is the #1 San Antonio paintless dent repair shop and offers a great service to its fellow Texans. Chris says it’s easy to think DIY auto body repair will save you money. That’s because you can easily search for tips and tutorials on how to fix different auto body damages. But DIY auto body repair is not always the right way to go. Modern vehicles are more complex. Some auto body repair processes may seem simple, but they take hours or even days.

What’s more, some of these jobs require specialized tools, equipment, and skills. Even worse, a DIY auto body repair project can backfire on you. Here are some of the dangers of DIY auto body repair.

It Can Go Wrong

DIY auto body repair involves several risks, especially when you’re not conversant with what you are doing. For instance, a rust removal or painting job may look straightforward. However, the following can happen:

• You can lose the original polished look of your vehicle
• You can damage your car further
• You can expose yourself to health risks due to the chemicals you will breathe when painting your car.

Even after spending money and time on a DIY auto body repair job, you might not achieve your desired results. In some cases, you can extend the damage to your vehicle and end up spending more on its repair.

You Don’t Have the Right Skills

Most auto body repair jobs require the expertise of technicians at an auto body repair shop. If you try to do these jobs, you might damage your vehicle further because you don’t have the right expertise. That’s why you should leave your auto body repair to reputable auto body repair shops.

You Don’t Have the Right Equipment and Supplies

Every auto body repair job requires specific equipment and supplies. Without the right equipment and supplies, you will do a shoddy job. For instance, you need the following equipment for a car paint repair job:

• Gloves
• Coveralls
• Eye protection
• Approved respirator

It would help if you also had supplies like the right auto paint. These cost money, and you can’t do a good job without them.

You risk damaging your vehicle further if you opt to engage in a DIY auto body repair project. Take your car to a reputable shop to have the most qualified experts repair it for you.

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How Paint Matching is done at an Auto Body Repair Shop

 Most people expect auto body shops to paint vehicles after accidents and restore their external appearance. It’s, therefore, not surprising that paint jobs are some of the most popular services offered at auto body repair shops. But, what does an auto body shop use to match the new paint with the old paint of a vehicle? Here is what you should know about auto paint matching.  

How Auto Body Repair Shops Create a New Layer 

A question that might be lingering in your mind is how an auto body shop ensures that the new paint layer looks like the old one. Well, knowledge, experience, equipment, and the right paint play a role in ensuring that the new finish looks like the original one. Repairing a car after a collision might be easy. However, the major concern for a vehicle owner is that the new paint job might not look like the previous finish. 

Professional auto body repair shops have invested in modern technology that enables them to match the new paint with the old one. Modern paint matching is done using computerized equipment. This equipment makes matching the paint finish easier. As such, you should take your vehicle to a professional auto body repair shop to have the paint matching job done using the right technologies and methods. 

Proper Preparation 

Proper preparation is very important when it comes to ensuring that the vehicle ends up with an excellent look. Essentially, proper preparation plays a major role in ensuring that the auto body repair shop ends up with seamless results. 

The preparation work should be done using innovative, high-quality equipment. It should also be done by technicians that know what they are doing. The best auto body repair shops have state-of-the-art equipment that they use to prepare vehicles for painting. What’s more, they use the best equipment for paint matching to achieve identical results. 

Paint Drying 

Proper paint drying is also very important. If the drying process is extended, the vehicle paint looks darker. What’s more, the paint type used can also affect the final look. Nevertheless, professional auto body shops know how to choose the right paint and match the finish properly. 

The most important thing is making sure that your paint job is done by the most qualified specialists. Therefore, take your vehicle for quality auto paint matching and application.

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Things You Might Not Know About Paintless Dent Repair

Dents are serious auto body imperfections that should always be fixed properly as soon as they are noticed. Paintless dent repair is swiftly becoming the ideal remedial procedure for car dents. The following are some of the most important things that you may not know about paintless dent removal. 

The Procedure Does Not Require Repainting 

Paintless dent repair removes dents, creases, and dings from the exterior of the car. It does so without causing any impact on the car’s factory finish. As a result, you will not need to repaint the car after the removal of the dents. 

PDR relies on the Car’s Shape Memory 

Car manufacturers usually design and create them in unique shapes, which should remain in their original forms. Paintless dent repair uses the shape memory of the particular car, carefully applying pressure to smooth out the imperfections. That revives the original shape of the car. 

Paintless Dent Removal is Cost-Effective 

Other common forms of dent repair are usually expensive, costing between $60 and $100 or even more depending on the impact. Paintless dent repair is quite affordable, costing up to 60% less than conventional dent repair alternatives. 

Paintless Dent Repair Preserves the Value of Your Car 

Paintless dent repair is considered to be the best option by auto experts because it not only revives the appeal of the car but, also enhances its value. Unlike conventional dent repair alternatives, PDR brings back the original shape and look of the car before it got the dents, which preserves its overall value. 

Paintless Dent Repair Takes Less Time 

Most traditional auto body repair shops could take several days to fix dents on your car mainly because of the numerous procedures involved. Paintless dent repair, on the other hand, usually takes just a few hours. That ensures greater convenience. 

Paintless dent repair is proven to properly fix all auto body imperfections but, you should engage a professional to get the best results in your car. 

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Must You Use the Auto Body Repair Shop Recommended by the Insurer?

Most people often think that whenever their cars need repair, they must take them to the auto body repair shops recommended by their car insurance companies. But, that is far from the truth. You do not have to rely on the repair shop recommended by the insurer and, the decision entirely lies with the car owner. Legally, the car owner has a choice on where to have their cars repaired in case of an accident. 

Insurance Companies Have Contracts with Some Auto Body Repair Shops 

Today, many car insurance companies have contracts with auto body repair shops in various areas where they operate. The contracts enable the shops to do auto body repairs at lower pre-negotiated rates for the labor and replacement parts. That means the shops meet the expertise and equipment requirements set by the insurance companies. Besides, the shops are also mandated to issue a lifetime warranty. As a result, it could be more cost-effective to use the auto body repair shops recommended by your insurance company. 

Insurance claims adjusters are usually given specific targets by their employers, which require that at least 40% of the claims are directly handled by their approved repair shops. Thus, they will try to persuade you saying that your claims would not be handled efficiently if you choose a different auto body repair shop. Some may even threaten you that the insurer cannot promise the repairs if you do not go to their recommended shops. 

The Choice is Yours! 

No insurance company should force you into having your car repaired by their recommended auto body repair shops. Reputable auto body repair dealerships offer a lifetime warranty to all clients regardless of who is paying for the services. Whether your insurer has recommended an auto body repair shop or you have a different one in mind, the most important thing is to choose a shop that can be trusted to deliver quality work. 

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Auto Paint Maintenance- Simple Ways to Protect the Paint of Your Car

Every vehicle owner wants to maintain the cosmetic appearance of their automotive. This is the first thing people notice when they see your vehicle. But, how do you keep your auto paint gleaming the way a mirror does? Here are simple ways you can do this. 

Avoid Writing on the Vehicle with Fingers 

Laying hands on a car that looks dirty might be fun for some people. However, you should not drag fingers on this dirt because you can leave the body of your vehicle with scratch marks. Fingers have the same effect sandpaper can have when it grinds on a dirty auto body. So, to protect your auto paint job, avoid running fingers on a dirty body of your vehicle. 

Wash Regularly

Ensuring that your vehicle is washed regularly is a great way of protecting its paint job. However, you need to avoid dish detergents when washing your car. That’s because these can hurt your vehicle’s paint job. Instead, use high-quality car wash products. Alternatively, take your car to professionals at a local car wash. But even then, make sure that they use quality car wash products. 

Use Paint Sealant 

Apply quality paint sealant at least once every year. This protects auto paint with the creation of a protective layer. The sealant should be applied in a circular motion and rubbed with a soft towel if the texture changes. 

Wax up Your Vehicle 

You should apply wax after applying a paint sealant.  Also, use it after a week or month, especially if you prefer liquid or spray versions. Paste wax can last longer without requiring frequent applications. 

Synthetic Coating 

Apply a polymer or ceramic coating once to protect your auto paint for over 6 months. But, the synthetic coating might not give the desirable mirror-like shine the way a quality wax does. However, it is more efficient when it comes to preventing things from sticking to auto paint. 

If you want to keep your auto paint in perfect condition, talk to experts at a reputable auto body shop. These will guide you on the best technique to use depending on the make, model, or type of your vehicle. 

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