Repairing your old car VS Replacing your old car

Repairing an old car can become very pricey. It can be expensive trying to keep up with the maintenance on an old vehicle. Sometimes simple oil changes can rack up hundreds of dollars because of the numerous other things that mechanics have found while changing your oil. After repeatedly paying these high repair bills, you start to think that you should just purchase a new car instead of pouring money into an older model car. But would you come out cheaper with a newer car, or will it be worth it to continue fixing your old car? Here are a few things you should ask yourself: 

Age and Mileage: What is the age and mileage of the older car? This is important because the age of the car and the mileage on the car would help determine how much and how often the car would need to be repaired.

Vehicle Maintenance: Have you kept the vehicle well-maintained? Have you kept up with oil changes, tune-ups, and replacing car parts as needed? This will also help determine your vehicle repairs.

Reliability of Make and Model: What is the make and model of the vehicle that you have? Some vehicles are more reliable than others and are able to reach 200,000 miles with no problem. A little research on the make and model of your vehicle and its reliability will help you determine whether you should purchase a car that will stand the test of time.

Repairs VS Market value: The repairs that are needed on your vehicle, do they exceed the market value for the car or does it make sense to get the repairs fixed on a vehicle that is worth the trouble.

Using these factors to determine whether you will repair your old car or buy a new one will help you get the most out of your money and your car.

More about D&I Body Shop
1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
www.dandibodyshopandglass.com

4 Signs Your Auto Repair Shop is Taking You for a Ride

It is not uncommon to get varying estimates from different auto repair shops. You might get a whole body repair for only $300, whereas another service provider offer you the same service package but for $2000.

But how do you spot which auto repair shop is worth your money and your trust? How do you know which car services provider is true to the tenets of customer service and is not after a quick buck at your expense?

There are many ways to tell whether an auto repair shop is taking you for a ride, but here are four sure signs to look for:

1. If an auto shop is a legitimate business and claims it has a team of certified car experts, then they will display all sorts of certifications and recognitions like ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) or AAA (America Automobile Association) certifications.
   
   A state license and a business permit should be on the wall of the establishment. Somewhere visible where you could immediately spot them the moment you enter the building. If the shop you are dealing with doesn’t have such parchments displayed on their wall, you better take your car somewhere else.
   
2. When an auto repair shop states that they are particularly popular in the area yet not one of your friends and relatives have provided a word-of-mouth testimony about their services and business, you might be better off looking somewhere else. Recommendations from people you know are good indications of a business’s reliability and good service. If the shop you are talking to is not getting the love from your peers and loved ones, then perhaps they don’t deserve any from you.
   
3. Never ever sign a blank authorization form with your name on it. Auto repair shops that sweet talk you into signing such documents are usually throwing you through a loop. Run away as soon as they do this. Legitimate auto shops provide a list of estimates as well as warranties that apply to the job required.
   
4. When a mechanic says he does not need any modern tools and equipment to have a good look at your car, do not be fooled. Modern cars now require modern technicians and they need more than just a trusty old monkey wrench.

These four signs are just the tip of the iceberg. Let your instinct and common sense guide you to pick a good auto shop that is worthy of your trust and money. Filter out those that prey on people who don’t know anything about the auto repair business.

More about D&I Body Shop
1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
www.dandibodyshopandglass.com

3 Things to Look for In an Auto Glass Repair Shop

In the city of Atlanta, there are countless auto glass repair shops for you to choose from, but which one is right for you?

Determining which auto glass repair shop suits your budget and your need is the first step you need to take. Because auto glass repairers are not regulated the same as mechanics are, that makes the importance of finding an auto glass repair shop with a solid reputation for quality and customer service all the more important.

Logic and common sense dictates that experience and longevity in the industry are immediate factors. Word of mouth recommendations are also good indicators. But when you look for an auto glass repair shop, be sure they meet these industry standards:

1. They should have a selection of OE glass (original equipment) and OEE glass (original equipment equivalent). Most auto glass repair shops do not take the time to explain to you what type of glass they will be using and in most cases, they use generic auto glasses. Generic ones are not as durable or shatter resistant compared to OE and OEE glasses.
2. They must also use top-notch urethane products that are approved by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Urethane is what holds your windshield in place so it needs to be high in quality. You might want to ask them if their business is certified by the urethane manufacturer.
3. Insurance and warranty should come together. A good auto glass repair shop should accept insurance as this will certainly help you with the bill. Warranty should also be provided by the auto glass repairers. Any ideal shop offer at least one year warranty on parts and labor. In most cases, warranty applies to defects in glass and leaks.

Repairing or replacing your windshield may be costly. But you have to be also aware that your windshield does more than protect you from the elements, which is why your car needs to fitted with the best auto glass out there. You just have to be extra careful when picking an auto glass repair shop to make sure you get your money’s worth and the protection you and your loved ones deserve.

 

How to Find a Custom Auto Body Paint Shop

Whether you are tired of your car’s look or you car has been in an accident and requires a  repainting job, you need a professional auto paint shop to give your car the look it needs.

There are numerous auto body paint shops in Atlanta, but how do you know which one to take your car to?

There are several things consumers should keep in mind when looking for the right body shop to restore or overhaul your car's paint job.

Seek Referrals & Read Reviews

Make sure you do your research ahead of time and ask for recommendations to people you trust who have firsthand experience with auto body painting shops. Also, be sure to check the company's reviews on local business listings like Google+, Yelp, and the like.

Now this does not mean you should take what other people tell you or what you read as gospel, but it should help you weigh your options. However, it will help you narrow your list down to a select few auto paint shops that you'd want to do business with.

Get Multiple Estimates

After you've narrowed down the list of shops you'd want to work with, start gathering up estimates from each of those body shops.

Just like any other major purchase you'd make, you should shop around and get multiple estimates for your custom paint job. Don't just settle for the first shop you find. A good estimate should entail the probable number of hours required to finish the job, how much your materials costs are for the automotive paint, and what the overall labor cost will be.

Make sure your estimate doesn't have any hidden fees that will surprise you at the end. And keep in mind, you shouldn't always go with the cheapest estimate. You get what you pay for!

Professionalism Matters

When you visit a shop that is messy, unorganized, and manned by people who do not know aren't helpful and friendly, that could be a reflection on the type of work you'll get from them.
Often times, the workplace is a reflection of the people who work there and the quality of work they do.

Make sure you're working with a body shop that has a professional, helpful, and friendly aura about them. Odds are, the quality of the paint job you'll get will be on par with your customer service experience!

More about D&I Body Shop
1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
www.dandibodyshopandglass.com

History of Automobile Headlights

In the late 1800s when automobiles started driving on the streets (or lack there of) of America, it revolutionized the way things were done in more ways than one. As you can imagine, driving during night time back then proved to be difficult and highly dangerous.

Still today, so many automotive accidents occur at night. It didn't take long before automobile manufacturers realized that headlights were necessity if cars were going to stay on the road after the sun went down.

The first headlights, also referred to as headlamps, were unveiled in 1898. Invented by the Electric Vehicle Company, these electric headlamps were first installed as an option for the Columbia Electric Car. However, the short service life of the light filaments, coupled with the harsh conditions environmental conditions of the outdoors, prevented the widespread use of electric headlamps on cars. In addition, there were technological hurdles that prevented the creation of a dynamo small enough to be installed on cars, yet powerful enough to provide sufficient lighting for night driving purposes.

By 1904 the technology had advanced, and acetylene headlights became the norm, with "Prest-O-Lite" becoming the brand of choice by many car manufacturers. Four years later, in 1908, Peerless started to delve into electric-powered headlamps. But it was the Cadillac Company that introduced the blueprint to modern headlight system. In 1912, Cadillac first installed a lightning system that was fully integrated with the car’s ignition mechanism.

This became the trend for the most part of the automotive history until in 1940, when technology allowed car manufacturers to produce sealed beam headlights. This system was incorporated by major car makers in North America, Japan, and Europe throughout the 1960s.

Modifications to the system were introduced, such as control and dips, but the technology wouldn't evolve much for another 50 years, until halogen bulbs came to the scene and reinvented automotive headlights.  However, most cars in the United States did not use halogen bulbs until 1978.

In 1991, the BMW 7-Series became the first roadster to debut xenon headlights. Xenon bulbs were not only brighter than halogen headlights, but also had a longer lifespan, lasting up to 2,000 hours compared to the 1,000 hours of service provided by halogen bulbs.

LED (short for light-emitting diode) technology debuted on the 2008 Lexus LS 600h hybrid for low-beam and side-marker lighting. LED is now the norm for all cars manufactured in this ear up until today. That said, LED lights are not yet fully used as primary headlights for most cars. Many car manufacturers install LED lights for use with turn signals, daytime running lights or brake lights.

While it is costlier than most forms of automotive lighting, it has lower power requirements, making it an ideal option for electric and hybrid vehicles.

There is still an on-going debate between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and several car makers on whether LED technology can be utilized as primary source of lighting for headlights. For now, NHTSA maintains that LED technology does not fit the requirements provided by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which disallows the use of headlights that which “shine in such a dynamic way.”

Regardless of their technology, headlights today start to fade and show signs of wear because of the harsh outdoor elements. At D&I Body Shop & Glass, we offer professional restoration services for headlights that will revitalize the look of your car, and restore their brightness.

For more information on headlight restoration, call us at (404) 885-9575 or visit our shop at 1779 Marietta Blvd NW Atlanta, GA 30318.

Different Types of Car Paints

Car paints began to surface in the late 1880s, shortly after the automobile was invented.

In those days, cars were still in its rudimentary stage, but advances in automotive technology paved the way for an evolution from earlier toxic automotive paints to safer and environmentally safe water-based car paints.

Nowadays, there are essentially four main types of car paints that are used in the automotive industry to paint our cars. Those types of car paints are: lacquers, enamels, urethanes and water-based.

At D&I, we utilize the highest-quality automotive paint for our painting services, auto body repair, and car restoration services. Each type of car paint that we've seen over the years has its own sets of pros and cons, which we'll go into below.

Lacquer car paint

Widely used during the mid-1920s to 1960s, lacquer automotive paints are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Lacquer car paints provide an excellent, glossy finish to the car, however, they are notorious for breaking down in face of heat, ultraviolet rays, and other weather elements causing the lacquer-based car paint to chip and fade.

With this in mind, lacquer paints aren't recommended for long-term use on vehicles.

Enamel car paint

Enamel-based auto paints can be used as a long-term paint because of its superior durability versus lacquer paints. Once the enamel-based paint dries, it forms as a durable, hard outer shell that does not break easily and can withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. The one downside to enamel paints, it their complex chemical structure that makes it more difficult to apply, and certain colors require a clear sealing coat as a finish. Because of this, most DIY car restoration types that want enamel auto paints have the car painted by a professional, rather than opt to do it on their own.

Urethane car paint

Urethane-based auto paints are kind of like a hybrid between enamel and lacquer. Urethanes apply easily like lacquer, but tout the durability of enamel. That said, they are more costly compared to their counterparts and preparation can be quite complicated.

In a urethane paint job, a thinner (or reducer) is needed as well as a drying agent to speed up the drying time. Once the materials are mixed, the paint must be used immediately and any unused paint should be discarded because of their high toxicity. Urethane-based automotive paints also require a clear coat.

Water-based car paint

The use of water-based auto paints has not yet become mainstream practice in the automotive painting industry. However, many small-scale auto shops recommend its use and industry analysts consider it the future of auto paints. Because of its relative “newness,” the color selection for water-based paints aren't as vast as its urethane and enamel counterparts, which has played a role in its delay as the go-to choice for auto paint and car restoration shops everywhere.

About D&I Body Shop
1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
www.dandibodyshopandglass.com

How Windshields Are Made

The windshield has a lone and very rich history, which stems from 1905 when it was discovered that glass can be heat tempered. Heat tempering is a treatment widely used back then to make glass resistant to shattering. Heat tempered glass became the windshield material of choice up until the middle of the 20th century, when lamination proved to be a better alternative to heat tempering.

Laminated glass consists of one plastic layer bounded by two sheets of glass. Laminated glass can bend upon impact, instead of shattering and breaking. This feature made laminated glass the dominant trend in most countries. In fact, many states in the United States requires auto manufacturers to install windshields made of laminated glass because they pose less risks to passengers compared to heat tempered windshields.

Windshields have very complex material structure. Raw materials needed to make windshield glass include silica, sodium oxide, and calcium oxide. These chemicals are often derived from sand, soda ash and lime. Other materials needed for auto glass and windshield manufacturing are magnesium oxide, feldspar, and potassium oxide. In some instances, cullet (broken waste glass) is included in the mix.

 

How are Windshields Made?: The Manufacturing Process

1. The raw materials mentioned above are weighed carefully and are prepared in appropriate amounts. Once this is done, the materials are mixed together with a small amount of water to prevent segregation.
2. After the batch is made, it is then placed in a large tank where it is melted. This is called the float process. In this phase, the glass material is melted at 1,835 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius). After which, it is placed onto a bath of melted tin. Once the glass floats, it then rolls out from the flat chamber to the oven. Otherwise known as the annealing lehr.
3. In the lehr or furnace, the glass is significantly cooled to about 395 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Once the glass comes out of the furnace, it is significantly stronger and clean of impurities. At this point, the glass is ready to be polished into an auto windshield.
4. Once the design and dimensions are finalized using a diamond scribe, the glass is then cut. Modern glass cutting technologies have made this process faster and easier. Once the glass is cut, it is then bent and fitted into a mold. The mold is heated, which makes the glass to sag according to the shape of the mold.
5. After the shaping phase, the glass material will be tempered in a furnace to about 1,565 degrees Fahrenheit (850 degrees Celsius). After which, the glass is cooled with blasts of cool air. This cooling process, also known as quenching, toughens the glass and makes it durable even during collisions and impacts.
6. Once the glass is tempered and cleaned, it is then laminated. The lamination process involves bonding two sheet of glass with a layer of plastic and takes place in a furnace where the materials are heated and pressed to form a single unit that is highly resistant to shattering.
7. Plastic moldings are then attached to the glass, which makes it ready for car installation. Any other modifications, such as glazing, are usually done by the automobile manufacturer.

About D&I Body Shop

1779 Marietta Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-9575
www.dandibodyshopandglass.com

The History of the Automobile Windshield

At D&I Body Shop and Glass, we're passionate about the history of the automotive industry. In this, the first post on our brand new blog, we dive into the history of the automobile windshield - an important safety component that people often don't think about until it's time to get the windshield replaced or repaired.

A Brief History Overview

Back in the early 19th century, early forms of windshields were made of ordinary glass and were mostly fitted in horseless carriages to protect the driver from the elements. However, it offered little protection from debris and instead posed a threat to the occupants.

Shards of broken glass could easily cause serious injuries to both driver and passenger. Getting bumped from behind could send the motorists flying headfirst through the glass and may result to grave complications and even death.

In the early 20th century, two scientists revolutionized the structure of the automobile windshield. French scientist Edouard Benedictus discovered a way to make glass shatter-resistant. According to automobile historians, Benedictus dropped a flask containing dried collodion film. He then saw that although the film cracked, it retained its original shape.

British scientist John C. Wood was also working on similar project and developed a way to laminate the windshield. After successful tests, he began producing the product under the brand Triplex. By 1927, Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motors, began incorporating Triplex windshields in their automobiles. One obvious downside of laminated windshields back then was that the celluloid layer in the middle discolors due to exposure to the elements.

By 1950s, windshield technology took another step forward. Most automobiles manufactured by this time were fitted with tempered glass for windshields and windows. Its main quality was its toughness and durability. Windshields made of tempered glass can withstand tremendous force and will shatter into smooth beads rather than large shards when broken.

The strength of tempered glass lies in the process of its production. During its manufacturing process, materials undergo a thermal “toughening” phase which further increases the strength of the glass.

During the course of time, technological innovations were introduced to maximize windshield protection and performance.  In the 1980s, Ford cars adapted a windshield technology used on airplanes to prevent ice from building up on the window and impede the pilot’s vision. This innovation was branded “Quickclear”, which enabled electric current to run throughout the glass via a conducting layer of tin (IV) oxide to generate heat to prevent ice and frost build up.

Other car manufacturers followed suit, installing a grid of micro-thin wires to conduct the heat throughout the windshield. Notable manufacturers that employed this technology were Jaguar and Porsche.

While the windshield is ultimately designed for driver and passenger safety, it wasn’t until the 1960s that standards were created to define the safety parameters in windshield construction and installation.

In 1970, the US government formed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the enforcing agency of traffic safety laws and policies in the country. NHTSA has made several provisions on windshield standards, including retention strength, transparency, and shatter-resistance among others.

If you're in metro Atlanta and you need your windshield replaced or repaired, give the experts at D&I a call for a quotation.