Certified Collision Center

The frame of your automobile is basically the structure that makes up the structural parts of your vehicle, or the foundation that supports all of the mechanical and cosmetic parts of the car. Structural damage to a car typically only occurs after a car accident. Unfortunately, it is often costly to repair because all of the other parts of the car have to be stripped away in order to fix the damage. If you were involved in an automobile accident, you may be wondering if you have frame damage. Here are a few of the most common signs of frame damage following a car accident. 

Noticeable Bending to the Frame

While the frame of your automobile is typically covered by various body panel pieces, most people can still notice potential bending to the frame. If you were involved in a serious accident and you notice creases, ridges, waves, lumps or deep dents to your car, the frame of the vehicle was likely affected. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to remove the panels from your car and look directly at the frame, so eyeballing your car alone is not enough to find frame damage. 

Improper Car Alignment 

Another sign of frame damage to an automobile is improper car alignment. When you are driving, your car should drive in a straight line. If the alignment is off, your vehicle will pull to the right or the left. Your tires and struts may also wear unevenly. If your car is not properly aligned after an accident, it may be because your vehicle suffered frame damage which threw the alignment off. 

Strange Sounds While Driving

One of the lesser-known signs of frame damage is strange or unusual noises while you are driving. If the frame of your car is bent or damaged, it may be rubbing on or hitting parts of the car it shouldn’t. As such, you may hear anything from squealing or screeching to grinding to creaking. If your car has been in an accident and you hear anything unusual while driving it, you should get it checked out. 

Your Doors or Windows Not Shutting As They Should

The final sign of frame damage is your car doors or windows not opening or shutting like they should. Think about the foundation of your home. When the foundation is damaged, your homes’ doors or windows may not open or shut properly. The same is true with your car. If the doors or windows won’t budge, or you notice they seem to be a lot harder to open or close, you could have frame damage. 

If you have, or suspect you have, frame damage to your automobile, you need an autobody repair shop who has experience fixing this type of damage. Here at Certified Collision Center, with locations in Tracey, Manteca, Stockton, Galt, South Sacramento, Oakdale, Modesto and Lodi, our trained autobody repair technicians can help you with diagnosing and repairing frame damage. Reach out to our office today to schedule an appointment. 

At Certified Collision Center, we utilize state of the art technology to ensure your auto body repairs are completed as precisely as possible. One of the types of technology that we utilize is computerized color matching technology. This type of technology allows a computer to determine the exact color of your vehicle, and then mix paint up so that it will perfectly blend in when applied to the repaired portion of your car. Read on to learn why this is important and beneficial. 

Manufacturers Don’t Release Their Paints to Auto Repair Shops

One of the reasons why computerized color matching technology is beneficial if you are having auto body repair work done is because it helps to ensure that the paint color matches the paint on your car. Most people assume that matching paint is an easy process. But, what you may not realize is that manufacturers do not typically release their paints to auto body repair shops. As such, matching the specific type of paint and color that the manufacturer has on your car is a lot more challenging than you may realize. Computerize color matching technology helps to determine the exact color makeup of the paint on your automobile and match it completely. 

Paint Colors Change Over Time

Another reason why computerized color matching technology is so beneficial when a technician is looking to paint a repaired area on your car is because paint colors change over time. Two people can have the exact same automobile, down to the initial color. However, over time, one person’s car may be darker or richer in color based on the car care products they used or because they parked their car in the garage, while another person’s paint may have faded due to the weather where they live or how much sun exposure their car has gotten. Computerized color matching technology takes into account the exact color of your car at the time you bring it in for repair, helping to ensure that the paint matches the exact color of your car. You do not want the repaired portion of your car to stand out, and color matching technology helps to prevent that. 

Are you looking to hire an autobody repair shop to help you with your autobody repair needs? At Certified Collision Center, with multiple locations throughout the Central Valley in California, our trained auto body professionals can help you fix everything from minor to major auto body problems. Contact us today to obtain an estimate or to schedule an appointment to begin repairs to your vehicle. 

Collision repair is shrouded in mystery, half-truths and even bald-faced lies.  If you are uncertain what to believe about autobody repair, don’t feel bad.  Our team is here to separate fact from fiction on your behalf.  Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the top collision repair myths.

Myth #1: It is Best to Take the Vehicle to the Dealership for Repairs

Though the dealership might have the personnel and tools necessary to perform some autobody repairs, it is better to lean on a proven autobody repair shop to get the job done right on the first try.  The bottom line is car dealerships do not specialize in autobody repair.  Furthermore, repairs performed at dealerships tend to cost an egregious sum of money.  Instead of going to the dealership for repairs, let our team work on your vehicle and you will rest easy knowing the job is done right at an affordable rate.

Myth #2: Numerous Estimates are Necessary Before the Insurance Company Will Pay

A single estimate is almost always enough.  Though obtaining several estimates has the potential to save you some money, your insurance provider probably won’t require more than one in order to provide compensation.  In fact, the insurer will conduct its own estimate after you select the autobody repair shop.

Myth #3: You can Only use an Autobody Repair Shop Recommended by the Insurance Company

Though the insurance provider might suggest one or several autobody repair shops, they cannot legally mandate that you use a certain repair shop.  You have the legal right to select the autobody repair shop for the repair.

Myth #4: The Insurance Company Will Recover the Entirety of the Cost to Repair Your Vehicle

The insurance company might not cover the full cost of the repair.  There is a good chance the insurer will cover a portion of the repair.  The specific level of reimbursement is determined by your unique auto insurance policy.  If your auto insurance policy has collision coverage, take a close look at it to determine the nuances of your particular policy’s coverage.

Myth #5: The Insurance Provider’s Estimate is Guaranteed to be 100% Accurate

There is no guarantee the insurance company’s estimate is completely correct.  Furthermore, there is also a chance the insurer will provide more money than indicated in the initial estimate.  It is quite possible the insurer will end up negotiating the price of the repair with the autobody repair shop.  The overarching aim is an affordable and effective repair that proves safe.  The bottom line is the insurance company will have to pay in accordance with the language of your unique auto insurance policy.

Certified Collision Center is Here to Help

If you need autobody repair of any type, let us do the work for you.  Our autobody repair shop will address the damage and get your car back to normal in surprisingly little time.  You can contact our autobody repair specialists by dialing (209) 836-4893.  If you would like to contact us online, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.

The last thing you want is for your brand new car to end up with a ding.  However, there is a chance exactly that will occur the moment you drive the vehicle off the lot.  From hail to wayward shopping carts, auto collisions and beyond, there are countless causes of dings.  Even the most careful of drivers has the potential to end up with a nasty ding that looks terrible and immediately reduces the vehicle’s value.  However, our autobody repair specialists are here to help.  Here’s a quick look at what you can do to prevent those pesky dings on your new car.

Open Your Door Slowly

Even if you are in a rush, you should be mindful to open your door in a slow and gradual manner.  Remain in full control of your door as you open it and you will be able to quickly pull it back inward should you spot something near your vehicle. 

Between shopping carts, other vehicles, posts, poles, gas pumps and pedestrians, all sorts of things can get in the way of your door as you open it.  Go slowly, be aware of your surroundings and you will have done your part to avoid a completely preventable door ding.

Park far Away From Other Vehicles

Though it is certainly inconvenient to walk several minutes to reach a store’s doors or the entrance of another destination, it is in your interest to do so.  Parking far away from other vehicles greatly reduces the chances of a ding.  Furthermore, most of us can benefit from a lengthy walk as the average lives a sedentary life with excessive sitting in front of computer, TV and gaming screens.

Teach Your Kids to be Careful

You can do everything in your own power to prevent dings and have all of your hard work ruined by your child, tween or teen.  Make it perfectly clear your vehicle is of the utmost importance.  Teach your kids to play far away from your car.  Kids who are aware of the objects in their vicinity will maintain a safe distance from vehicles when playing outside.  Furthermore, kids who understand the importance of protecting automobile doors will exercise caution when opening car doors in parking lots.

Covered Parking

If the weather looks like it is about to turn or if the forecast calls for storms, do not park in an open air setting.  Park in a garage or beneath a roof and your vehicle will be shielded from hail, sleet and other potentially harmful precipitation. 

However, some homes lack garages.  If this is the case at your property, consider adding a high-quality vehicle cover to your automobile.  Some such covers are capable of absorbing the impact of upwards of 10 baseball-sized hail stones.

Certified Collision Center is at Your Service

Our collision specialists are here to help after your vehicle is damaged.  Reach out to our auto body repair shop and we will get your automobile back in tip-top shape without busting your budget.  Give us a call today to learn more about our autobody repair services.  You can reach us by dialing (209) 836-4893.  If you prefer to contact us online, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.

If your vehicle is involved in a rear-end collision or even a minor fender bender, you might be tempted to overlook the minimal damage and continue driving.  However, even a seemingly harmless rear-end collision has the potential to cause significant problems down the road.  Let’s take a quick look at the top issues caused by rear-end collisions.

Rear-end Collisions can Compromise the Transmission

The engine transmission absorbs the impact of the collision, putting unnecessary pressure on its internal parts.  Rear-wheel drive automobiles are dependent on the transmission to operate as designed in order to power the vehicle.  If the rear-end collision compromises the transmission, the problem might not be immediately noticeable.  However, the transmission’s internal issues will eventually manifest, necessitating a potentially costly repair.

Alignment Problems

Rear-end collisions have the potential to cause considerable alignment problems.  However, it will be difficult to observe alignment issues with the naked eye.  Rather, you will eventually feel the vehicle veering to the left or the right while driving.  Alignment problems must be addressed in a timely manner to ensure you can steer properly, remain in your lane and guarantee even tire tread wear.

Rear-end Collisions can Negatively Impact the Braking System

A rear-end collision is likely to cause you to slam the brakes in an attempt to slow the vehicle.  This additional pressure to the brakes has the potential to wear down the brake pads, discs and rotors.  Furthermore, slamming the brakes can wear down the tire tread to boot.  It is quite possible a rear-end collision will compromise your tires’ ability to properly grip the road and come to a complete stop in a timely manner.  In fact, there is even the possibility that the vehicle will end up with a brake fluid leak that you might not notice for weeks or even months to come.

Frame and Internal Issues

Though the exterior of the back part of your vehicle might have minimal damage, there is the potential for considerable internal damage stemming from the rear-end collision.  Furthermore, the frame of the vehicle might be compromised.  If the frame is compromised, the rest of the vehicle’s systems might be at risk.  This is precisely why your vehicle should be closely examined at a certified auto body shop after a rear-end collision.

Rear-end Collisions are a Direct Threat to Your Well-being

Rear-end collisions have the potential to cause significant physical injury to you as well as others in your vehicle.  The impact of the collision is likely to thrust you and other vehicle occupants back and forth in quite the violent manner, possibly causing whiplash or another problem.  If you are involved in a rear-end collision, be sure to obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.  Though you can always replace a damaged vehicle, it might not be possible to fully recuperate from a physical injury.  So be sure to reach out to the emergency medical care providers as soon as possible for a health evaluation, medical treatment and a plan of action to help you rebuild your health moving forward.

Certified Collision Center Auto Body is at Your Service

If you are involved in a rear-end collision or any other collision, do not assume your vehicle can be driven without a problem.  It is better to be safe than sorry by nipping potential problems in the bud in the immediate aftermath of the accident.  Our team is here to help.  Reach out to us today at (209) 836-4893 to schedule an appointment at our collision center. You can also reach out to us through our convenient online contact form.

If your vehicle stands the test of time, it will eventually develop at least one rust spot.  In fact, those who neglect their vehicle will find multiple rust spots form much sooner than expected.  It is a mistake to ignore these rust spots, assuming they are harmless.  Rust spots pose a number of serious problems aside from being unsightly.

Rust Reduces Vehicle Resale Value

Rust certainly looks ugly yet it is also problematic in the sense that it reduces vehicle resale value.  After all, you will not own your car, truck or SUV forever.  The day will eventually come when you turn in the vehicle at the end of its lease, sell it for cash or trade it in toward a new vehicle.  You will receive significantly less money if the vehicle has rust.  In fact, rust can reduce the value of the vehicle by several thousand dollars.

Rust Causes Vehicle Corrosion

If you do not address your vehicle’s rust right away, it will begin corroding the body panels as well as the vehicle’s structural components.  This corrosion will eventually compromise the vehicle’s functionality.  Furthermore, corrosion caused by rust will prove quite expensive to repair compared to addressing the rust in a timely manner prior to the point at which it leads to corrosion.

Rust Weakens the Vehicle

Rust occurs when metal is subjected to moisture.  The resulting chemical reaction corrodes metal to the point that it becomes weak.  This means a vehicle weakened by rust will reduce your safety as well as the safety of other vehicle occupants. Rely on our autobody repair shop to address the rust damage as soon as possible and you will rest easy knowing your vehicle is in a condition that keeps you and fellow occupants safe.

Rust Ruins Your Vehicle’s Aesthetic

Most people take pride in the look of their vehicle.  After all, plenty of people will judge you based on your automobile’s aesthetic.  If you are looking to impress a potential flame, make a good impression when meeting someone new or simply look good when driving through town, it is imperative you address your vehicle’s rust right away.  It merely takes a diminutive rust spot or “bubbles” of rust that form in a series along the surface of your vehicle to compromise its aesthetic.  Even if you are not concerned with your vehicle’s exterior aesthetic, auto dealerships, private buyers and others in the market for your vehicle will think twice before floating out an offer if there is rust.  Spend the little bit of money necessary to eliminate rust and you will make the money back and then some when the time comes to sell or trade in your vehicle.

Certified Collision Center is on Your Side

Our autobody repair shop is here to help with those pesky rust spots and other problems.  If your vehicle has been in an accident, has unsightly rust spots or any other problem, reach out to us today.  You can contact our autobody repair shop by dialing (209) 836-4893.  If you prefer to reach us on the web, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.