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.

4 Reasons You May Need Auto Body Repair

Is there anything sadder than a dent in your ride? There are many reasons why you may need to go visit your local auto body shop for a repair, with some more common than the other. Having a reliable auto body shop on your side is essential as a car owner. Not only can auto body work keep your car looking great, it can also offer preventative measures should you notice small scratches or spots of rust. What are some of the most common reasons you might need the services of an auto body shop?

1) You've been in a fender bender.

Probably the number one reason people seek out auto body repair is due to an accident they've had. This can either be serious, or just a minor ding. While it may be tempting to try to put off any repairs, even minor scratches from an accident can eventually turn in to larger scale problems, like rust or corrosion.

2) You've noticed some post-winter problems.

The winter can really take its toll on your car's paint job and body work. There's corrosion from salt and scratches from that essential gravel that's everywhere around. Getting your car a yearly check-up is important after a particularly tough winter, so take the time to look everywhere for potential problems. Failing to act on even a tiny scratch can be a serious rust repair later on down the road.

3) Your car just isn't what it used to be.

Have you fallen out of love with the look of your car? Have the dents, dings and fading paint made it difficult for you to want to give it the same love and attention you used to when you first bought it? Auto body repair shops can offer a whole range of solutions to rev up the look of your car, from buffering out scratches to a whole new paint job. Speak to your auto body repair shop to find out what's available, and what it can do to improve your car's looks.

4) You're restoring an old car.

Many people across the country love the look and style of old cars, and fixing up that old piece of junk has become a much-loved hobby. However, there are some elements to professional car restoration that should be left to a professional. Dents and dings in the body work, as well as other elements to the body of your car, will generally always come out better if left to the pros. After all, you want all that work to mean something, right?

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

5 Car Restoration Upgrades that Breathe Life Into Your Vehicle

Whether it’s that old beater that you just can’t seem to get rid of or a classic car that you still lovingly care for, an older vehicle requires a little extra TLC to keep it running smoothly and looking great. While some restoration projects are more expensive than others, they can extend your car’s looks and pep, thus keeping you in love with it a little longer. As buying a new car is usually more expensive than a few cosmetic and engine changes, restoring your car can actually help to keep more money in your pocket.

1) Paint Job

As cars age, their paintwork can fade, look rusty or even appear bleached by the sun. Alternatively, you may not have even liked the color to begin with, particularly if you bought the car used. A custom paint job can have your car glowing and looking like new in a matter of hours, and the cost is surprisingly affordable.

2) Seat Covers & Rugs

Few things see more wear and tear in your vehicle than the upholstery and rugs. Spills, stains, burns and just general wear can make you feel like you’re driving a garbage truck rather than a nice-looking car. There are many internet-based companies that can offer you replacement kits for your carpets and seat covers that are custom-fitted to specific makes and models.

3) Wheels & Tires

Anyone who’s ever watched one of the numerous car shows on television knows that the range of wheels and tires on the market is flashier and better than ever before. A new set of wheels can dramatically improve the look of your car, as well as make it look a lot more expensive. Getting a good set of tires can also increase your car’s drivability, giving you a smoother and oftentimes better ride.

4) Bolt-On Turbocharger

If you find yourself jealously watching other, newer vehicles overtake you on the highway, then improving your car’s engine is a must. While this is one of the more expensive restoration options, it can deliver in the speed and drivability stakes. A bolt-on turbocharger can add up to 90 horsepower or more to your sad, lacking car engine,. As this can be a major selling point for later on, be sure you keep the receipt as proof that the work was done. Turbochargers are also a good idea for those looking to get their classic cars restored.

5) Car Detailing

It’s a fact: a dirty car is an ugly car, and an ugly car is an embarrassing one. A professional detailing session can get your car shiny and smelling like new in no time at all, and usually for under $100, depending on what you want done. You can also easily do this yourself with just a quick visit to a car care store.

When you find yourself disliking your car’s looks and general performance, your first thought might be to go new. However, a great paint job and other cosmetic improvements can go a long way to getting you to fall in love with your car again. You don’t even have to bring it flowers afterwards.

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

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

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