Don't Wait: Auto Body Damage Grows Over Time

You’ve been in an accident and sustained body damage that is mostly cosmetic. Now what?

If your car is drivable, you may be tempted to forget about it until your financial situation is better.

Or maybe you’re wondering if you can simply take the insurance money and save the repairs for a later date.

However, there are disadvantages to both of these actions, and we recommend that you fix your car immediately.

 

Safety Comes First

Safety is probably the main concern here. The damage your car has suffered might not look that bad, but you don’t know for sure what’s happening under the hood. Your car might have suffered injury to the brakes or tires or engine that you can’t see. In this situation, a problem might manifest at any time while you’re on the road, making your chances of having another accident higher. And even if you aren’t hurt, which we hope is the case, you might still be inconvenienced in other ways.

If you continue to drive a car that hasn’t been looked at and fixed, you may also be exacerbating the problem. If there’s a mechanical issue, waiting to fix your car can make the problem worse. Your $100 problem might become a $1000 one instead. You’re driving a potentially unsafe car, and that’s not cool.

It’s Financially a Good Idea

Maybe it doesn’t feel like a better idea to fix your car right away. We get it; your money has about 50 other places to go. But think about this. If you’ve received money from your insurance company to pay for repairs, and you don’t have them done, you’ll see consequences.

For one thing, if you get in another accident, your insurance company will deduct for pre-existing damage in that future settlement. It won’t pay for the same accident twice. Also, in that case, you’ll have to prove that the damage occurred due to the accident. So, let’s say you got into an accident that messed up your front wheel assembly. Instead of using your insurance money to get collision repairs, you continued to drive your car. In doing so, you ruin the entire front end of your car. Good luck getting your insurance company to cover the additional repairs!

It’s The Smart Thing to Do

This is a decision that can cause definite problems later on. Don’t forget, not all damage isn’t going to be visible immediately. When you bring your car in for repairs, your Atlanta body shop mechanic may very well find additional problems that need fixing.

If that’s the case, and you’ve have the work done promptly, your insurance company may have no problem paying for extra repairs. On the other hand, if you don’t take your car in until months or years later, you’re giving the insurance company an opportunity to doubt that the original accident had anything to do with your problems.

Do the right thing, and don’t wait to get your vehicle repaired. In the long term, you’re taking the best action for you, your family, and your vehicle.

Weekend Road Trips: How Restoring Your Headline Can Save Your Life

Now that summer’s here, it’s a perfect time for taking road trips to visit the many interesting towns, tourist attractions, and great cities throughout the South.

We know you’re thinking about how to make sure your car is in good condition for travel, but we’re  guessing that you may not be considering one important element that can save your life during nighttime jaunts: your headlights.

As long as they’re working, you’re not going to worry, right? Well, perhaps you should investigate a bit further; headlight restoration can return your headlights to their full shine potential.

 

What Causes Staining and Cloudiness on My Headlights?

A coating designed to protect your headlights from UV rays eventually develops oxidation on its surface. This is caused by a combination of oil, salt, road grime, sunlight, humidity, and airborne contaminants being cooked into the lens from the heat provided by your lights. You encounter these elements on a daily basis as you drive. Over time, your headlights become stained and yellowed; the quality of light they send out gets hazy and indistinct.

Why Should I Have My Headlights Restored?

The fact is, most headlights are designed and tested only for five years of longevity in terms of clarity, and the U.S. government requires headlight lenses stay clear for just three years. Over time, your headlights will become less sharp, less bright, and less able to outline identifying characteristics on the road. This makes seeing at night harder, and definitely becomes a safety issue. You’ve gotten used to the amount of light beaming from your headlights, and as it decreases gradually you may not even realize how dangerous they have become.

What Headlight Restoration Service Entails

When you have your headlights restored at a place like D&I Auto Body Shop, we can do the job right, with quality service performed by a skilled technician. We make sure to protect your headlights with tape, because improper installation can cause scratches on your vehicle and light coverings. We have the right tools to resurface the exterior layer of your lens, apply polish, remove clouding and discoloration, get rid of minor scratches and swirl marks, get rid of staining and build-up from oxidation, and restore clarity.

You can purchase headlight restoration kits to do the job at home, but remember that restoring headlights does take time and patience. If it’s not properly executed, this type of work can further damage your car. We recommend peace of mind with trained experts working on your valuable automobile - when safety’s at stake, you don’t want to take any chances. Take to the streets this summer knowing that you’ve made your vehicle as safe and road-worthy as possible - and enjoy your trip!

How to Handle The Effects of Pollen on Your Paint Job

In spring especially, many of us feel the effects of pollen. But did you know that pollen can damage your car, too?

Pollen, which consists of tiny grains that originate from the male part of a flower, is transported by wind, insects, or other animals.

During certain parts of the year it can seem to be everywhere - including the exteriors (and interiors) of our cars. 


How Can Pollen Damage Your Vehicle


You’ve probably gotten some pollen on your vehicle at some point. You’ve dusted it off, or removed it with a towel if it was sticky - and you were satisfied when you could no longer see it on your paint. But this might not be enough.

Wiping pollen off with a non-abrasive cloth is helpful. However, pollen particles - while they may look powdery - actually come in a number of different shapes and sizes. Some have hooks or spikes; others look like they’re encased in tangled ropes.

These adaptations help pollen stick to other surfaces. And, if the pollen particles have abrasive bits, they can scratch your car. In addition, pollen can be slightly acidic. So, when it comes into contact with water, the water activates the pollen’s acidic properties, and can ruin or rust your paint.


Easy Ways to Preventing Pollen Damage


When pollen season comes around, you can mitigate the effects of pollen by being mindful of conditions outside. When you go out, make sure to park your car in covered areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle under trees, though, or near areas that have pollen floating around. Keep your windows up, so pollen doesn’t get into the car. When using your car’s air conditioning, set the air to recirculate to minimize the amount of pollen particles that will enter the car.



Ways to Protect Your Car From Pollen

There are also actions you can take to actively protect your car from pollen damage. For one thing, wash your car and apply a coat of wax; this adds a protective layer that makes it harder for pollen to stick or latch onto paint. Have your cabin air filter checked, or do it yourself. If your cabin air filter is clean, less pollen can get into your car. Make sure to keep up with maintenance on your vehicle, as this can also help reduce pollen damage.

Have your car professionally detailed to remove any pollen that has breached the interior. 

If you do end up with damage to your paint job, we can help - but hopefully, it won’t get to that point. Being mindful of the potentially bad effects of pollen on your paint job is the first step - then, you can institute some easy methods of minimizing damage.

How to Avoid Aftermarket Body Parts

Following a collision, your car may need replacement parts in order to be restored by an auto body shop to working order. If your car is relatively new, you'll want OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts. This is because OEM parts, made by the original manufacturer or a subcontractor, are designed to work in your vehicle. They will work exactly as well as the part being replaced, and are often warrantied. Aftermarket parts are not made by the car's manufacturer or its subcontractors, so quality is variable at best. But how can you make sure you get the OEM parts?

Don't Go By Price Alone 

When choosing the auto body shop to repair damage to your vehicle, you may be tempted to simply choose the company that can fix your car for the least amount of money. However, don't make this your only criteria. The cheapest estimates are sometimes so cheap because shops don't use quality parts or they have ways of getting around the regular expenses of buying OEM parts. In choosing an auto body shop, going with company that you can trust - one that has good word-of-mouth and that has been in service for a long time - can be infinitely better than depending on the projected amount of the bill. See how D&I autobody shop makes sure to quote you fair, competitve rates to assure you are satisfied with their services.

Ask Questions About Your Estimate 

In most states, repair facilities are required by law to disclose in their estimates that they will use aftermarket parts. If that is not true of your state, you should ask questions and make sure you are satisfied with the answers. Find out exactly what parts will be used, if they are new or used, and if the parts have been previously repaired. Also, be alert for the terminology that the body shop uses. For example, aftermarket parts can also be "imitation," "third party," or "white box" brands.

 

Advocate For Yourself 

Most importantly, make sure to use your own judgment and don't get sidetracked by a body shop's promises that you'll pay reduced rates, get guaranteed insurance coverage, or save your deductible. This usually means that they have other ways of cutting costs. Don't stick to auto body shops "preferred" by your insurance company, because these two often work out deals that result in corner-cutting for consumers. Use the same strategies you would use in choosing any business over another, and don't let your lack of knowledge make you easily manipulated. You may not always need OEM parts, but the ones provided by the manufacturer or a licensed agent may be the most dependable and long-lasting regardless of the age and condition of the vehicle. Protect yourself and make sure you know how to get what you want. D&I Auto Body has a variety of services ranging from paint touch-ups to full body repair. Check out their services and rest assured that they will ethically take care of all your restorative needs.


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