Certified Collision Center

Many people assume that all dents on cars are repaired in the same manner by an autobody repair shop. However, this is not the case. There are different types of techniques that are used to repair dents. One method involves filling the dents in with a filler or compound, sanding the compound down and then painting the area to match the rest of the car. Another method is called filler-free dent repair, a technique that is also sometimes referred to as dent pulling. Here is more information about this type of dent repair. 

What is Filler-Free Dent Repair?

Filler-free dent repair is a technique where a filler or compound is not used to fill in the dent that is present on the body of your vehicle. Instead, the dent is either pulled or pounded out. Suction is used to pull a dent out, helping to pull the indented metal on the body of your car back out, instead of being inverted. If suction does not work, a technician may be able to use a rubber mallet to pound the dent out from the backside of the metal body part, helping to flatten the dent. 

What Are the Benefits of Filler-Free Dent Repair? 

The number one benefit associated with filler-free dent repair is that the vehicle does not need to be repaired once the dent is pulled or pounded out. This helps to reduce the cost associated with having a dent removed and helps to make the process faster. Pounding or pulling a dent out of  a car also involves fewer steps, which also helps reduce the time the repair takes and helps to keep costs lower. 

How Do You Know If Filler-Free Dent Repair is Right For Your Vehicle? 

Unfortunately, there is no way for you to know if filler-free dent repair is right for your vehicle until you take it to a professional autobody repair shop. A professional can tell you whether filler-free dent repair may be ideal for your vehicle, based on the number of dings or dents present, the type of automobile you have, and the location and size of the dings or dents. It is also important to note that some dings or dents are more stubborn than others, and despite a technician’s best efforts, a ding or dent may not pull or pound out. If this happens, filler or compound will need to be used to repair the dent. 

Does your vehicle have an unsightly ding or dent on it? When you need autobody repair, Certified Collision Center is here to help you. We currently have eight convenient locations throughout Northern California, including Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Oakdale, Modesto, South Sacramento, Lodi and Galt. Schedule an appointment to have us inspect your vehicle and provide you with an estimate to remove that ding or dent from your car. 

If you notice water is leaking into your convertible when the top is up and there are holes on the top, you know that it is time to replace your convertible top. However, there are a number of other issues that may also be indicative of a worn or aging top that you may be unaware of. Read on to learn about some of the lesser known signs that your convertible top needs to be replaced. 

Your Convertible Top is Sagging or Ill-Fitting

Think about your favorite shirt for a minute. As it is washed, exposed to sunlight and worn, it stretches out and losses its shape. The same can happen with a convertible top. Your top can start to sag or becoming ill-fitting as it is exposed to outdoor elements, including sunlight, extreme temperatures and moisture. If you notice your top is not tight fitting or is starting to sag, it may be time for a replacement. 

Mold or Mildew is Growing on the Top

It is important to routinely check your convertible top for mold or mildew. If you notice a small amount of mold or mildew growing on your convertible top, you need to use a mildew or mold-killing product to clean the growth from your vehicle and prevent it from coming back. However, if you have failed to do this and notice a large amount of mildew or mold, it may be time to replace the top. Large amounts of either mildew or mold can stain the top and weaken the fibers, which can easily lead to a rip or hole in the future. 

The Top is Discolored

Most people want their convertible top to do more than just protect the inside of the car from the elements. They want the top to compliment the rest of the car and add to the overall look of the car. A convertible top can start to fade or become discolored in as little as three to six years, depending on the material it is made from, how it is cared for and the weather elements it is exposed to. If yours has begun to fade, replacing it can provide your car with a much needed face lift. 

There is Excessive Sound or Wind When Driving With the Top Up

The final sign that your convertible top may need to be replaced is hearing excessive sound or wind while you are driving with the top up. Convertibles are not quiet, but you are likely accustomed to what yours sounds like. If it sounds louder than normal, the top may be ill-fitting or the material may be wearing thin due to age. Both are signs that replacement is likely needed. 

If your convertible top is showing any of these signs, you need to bring your convertible to an autobody repair shop to have the top inspected and likely replaced. Here at Certified Collision Center, with locations in Tracy, Manteca, Stockton, Oakdale, Modesto, South Sacramento, Lodi and Galt, California, we handle all of your autobody repair needs and more, including replacing convertible tops. Schedule your appointments with on of our convenient locations today. 

The 4th of July is known for barbeques and fireworks. If you are planning on lighting off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, you should always take precautions. Fireworks can cause damage to many surfaces, including your automobile. Now is great time to learn how fireworks damage your car, how you can prevent that damage and how that damage can be repaired can help you learn what precautions you need to take when it comes to your automobiles and fireworks. 

What Type of Damage Can Fireworks Do To Your Car?

The number one cause of damage to cars from fireworks has to do with the ash. As fireworks go off, they release ash. When hot ash lands on your car, it can actually leave behind small burn marks or scorch marks on your car. Worse, when water interacts with dry ash on your car, chemicals in the ash are released which can eat away at the paint on your car. 

How Can You Protect Your Car From Firework Damage?

The best way to protect your vehicle from firework damage is to park your car in the garage on the 4th of July. If that is not an option, consider investing in a car cover. Find a car cover that fits your car nice and snug for the maximum protection possible. If placing your car in a garage or using a cover are not an option, consider waxing your car prior to the 4th of July. The wax coats your paint, which can also help to protect it from ash damage. 

How Do You Remove Ash on Your Vehicle?

If you were not able to protect your car during fireworks, you will want to remove ash from your vehicle as quickly as possible. Start by lightly sweeping off as much as you can using either your hand or a microfiber cloth. Do not use any type of brush, as the bristles can scratch your car. From there, you will want to spray down your car from the top of the car down to the bottom. Ash released chemicals that can eat away at your paint once wet. As such, you want to spray from the top to the bottom in a fast, yet efficient manner to ensure you wash all ash away. From there, wash your car as you normally would.  

How Can a Professional Can Repair Firework Damage?

If you notice that the paint on your vehicle is has small burn marks, it bubbling or peeling, or is fading, firework damage may have occurred to your vehicle. There are many ways that a professional can repair this damage. If the damage is limited to a small spot, touch-up painting may be done. If the damage is extensive, your entire vehicle may need to be stripped and re-painted to get your car looking its best. 

At Certified Collision Center Auto Body Repair, with locations throughout the Central California Valley, out autobody repair shop can help you with everything from minor exterior paint damage to major auto body damage. Call us today to schedule your appointment and let us get your car looking good as new again. 

The sun and heat can be brutal on your car. The sun and heat can both cause your car’s paint to fade, chip, crack or bubble, cause the interior fabric in your car to fade, damage the steering wheel or even cause the dashboard to peel or crack. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help protect both the interior and exterior of your car from the sun and heat. 

Try to Park In the Shade or Under a Cover When Possible

Most cars are sitting longer than they are actually being driven. One of the best ways to protect your automobile from the hot summer sun is to try to park your car in the shade or under a cover when possible. The shade or cover helps to shield your car from sunlight and protects it from the damage that the sun does. If this is not an option, consider using a car cover that blocks the sun’s UV light, or a windshield sun protection cover to protect the interior of your vehicle. 

Use Products to Protect the Interior of Your Car From Sun Damage

Another way to protect the interior of your car from sun damage is to use products that protect the interior of your vehicle. You can use a steering wheel cover, a dashboard cover and car seat covers. This adds a new layer of protection between the sun and these fixtures in your car. Best of all, if the sun does cause a cover to crack or fade, you can simply remove it and replace it easily. 

Wax or Coat the Exterior of Your Car to Protect the Paint

The final tip for protecting the exterior of your automobile is to either wax or coat the exterior of your car to help protect the paint against fading, cracking, chipping or bubbling. Coating your car involves having it coated in a clear coat of paint that helps to protect your car. This option can be pricey, but it offers the best protection against many types of exterior damage, including sun damage and scratches. Waxing your car is a process that is done after washing your car. A thin layer of wax is placed on your car every two to six weeks, which helps to protect the paint on your car against sun damage. Wax must be reapplied routinely or it will not fully protect your vehicle.

Trying to park in the shade or in a covered spot when possible, using products to help protect the interior of your car and waxing or coating the exterior of your car are some of the best ways to protect your vehicle from sun and heat damage. However, if the damage is already done, you will want to bring your vehicle to an autobody repair shop to have it repaired before the issue worsens. At Certified Collision Center Auto Body Repair, we can help to repair both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Bring your car to one of our convenient central California locations to begin the process of fixing your car. 

There are numerous benefits associated with tinting your auto windows. Tinting your windows can help to keep your car cooler in the summer months, can help reduce sunlight glare, can help to prevent thieves from seeing into your vehicle and can help to reduce fading and heat damage to the interior of your car caused by the sun’s heat. Both an autobody repair shop and window tinting shop can tint your windows, but you must first select the type of tint you want installed. Here are a few of the factors that you should consider when selecting auto window tint. 

The Type of Auto Tint

One of the factors that you need to consider when you are selecting auto window tint is the type of auto tint. Many people do not realize that there are different types of materials that can be used to tint your windows. Some of the most common materials for tinting automobile windows includes dyed window tint, metalized window tint, hybrid window tint, ceramic tint, and carbon tinting film. Each type of window tinting materials has its own unique benefits, so it is important to research the various options when deciding which one may be ideal for your automobile. 

The Features of the Auto Tint

Another important factor to consider as you go about selecting auto tint for your vehicle are the features of the specific auto tint you are looking at. Various types of auto tint have different features, including the color of the tint, the clarity of the tint, the solar control of the tint and the heat control of the tint. As you consider these features, also keep in mind any legal rules and laws in regards to window tint in the state that you reside in. California has rules that regulate how much light the tint must allow in. The percentage of light that is allowed in varies based on where the tint will be applied, such as the windshield, auto windows or back windows. 

The Lifespan and Warranty of the Window Tint

The last factor that you need to consider as you select window tint for your vehicle is the estimated lifespan of the window tint and any warranty that the window tint may come with. The brand of window tint can affect the estimated lifespan, as well as the length of the warranty that is offered with the tint. A knowledgeable installer can explain the lifespan of various window tints to you based on the driving and weather conditions where you frequently drive. 

At Certified Collision Center, with offices conveniently located throughout the Central Valley area, we offer many types of services beyond just autobody repair. One of the other services we offer is window tinting services. If you are looking to have your windows tinted, our experts can help you to select the right tint for your vehicle and then install it. Call us today to book your appointment. 

If you have been involved in an accident, you will want to bring your vehicle to an autobody repair shop. Once at the shop, a representative from the insurance company will likely meet with an auto body shop employee to complete an estimate for damages. This estimate is then used to determine if the repairs should be made or if the insurance company is better off totaling your car, based on the estimated costs for repair. If you have never had an estimate done before, you may be wondering what you can expect. Here is what you can expect when you are having an estimate completed at an auto body repair shop. 

Getting a Statement of the Accident Details

When you first bring your vehicle to an auto body repair shop for an estimate, an employee of the company will meet with you to discuss the details of the accident. They will want to hear your version of what happened. It is important to be detailed about what happened, as the details affect what part of the car may have been damaged in the accident and what type of damage may be pre-existing. The employee will then walk around your car with you and have you point out the damage that you feel was caused during the accident. 

An Exterior Inspection of Your Vehicle

After leaving your vehicle with an auto body repair shop, they will complete what is known as a shell estimate. They will take a look at the exterior of your vehicle and determine what types of damage they think may be present based on what they can see. They will not be able to see everything that is damaged until they begin to remove parts from the vehicle. They will then have the insurance company approve the work based on the shell estimate. 

A Thorough, More Complete Estimate

Once the insurance company, or you, if you are paying out of pocket, have approved the shell estimate, an auto body repair shop will complete a more in-depth estimate. They are know able to do this as they pull off panels or remove damaged parts from the car. A repair shop can then detail exactly what is damaged on the car that may have been hidden and exactly how much repairs to the vehicle will be to get the car back to its pre-existing accident state. 

If you have been involved in an accident, you are allowed to bring your vehicle for autobody repair to any auto body repair shop that is licensed in your area. At Certified Collision Center, with offices conveniently located throughout the Central Valley area, we are here to help you with everything from minor dings and dents to major auto body damage. Contact your insurance company to tell them you want to bring your vehicle to us, and then schedule an appointment with us to take a look at your car.