Auto Body Repair Shop Orlando, FL

Auto Body Shops Orlando Working with Insurance Companies

2009-10-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

An auto body shop owner in Orlando provides information to consumers about working with insurance companies. Minor collisions resulting in small dents and scratches often cost more than your insurance deductible to have repaired at a traditional auto body shop. If the accident is your fault, then be prepared to pay the deductible.

Auto insurance companies contract with auto body shops for a pre-negotiated rate for common auto body repairs. Some insurance companies require auto body shops to pay low hourly labor rates. Some will force the auto body shop to pay for a rental car if repairs are not completed timely. These practices will tempt the auto body shop to cut corners, using lower quality materials or neglecting to complete certain steps required for proper repair.

When can you expect your auto body and paint repairs to be completed? Quite often, not when promised. Auto body shops often take on more than they can handle and then use excuses like a delay in parts delivery. Check out the shop you are using to see if there have been multiple complaints about repairs being completed on time.

Car rentals can be costly and your insurance company might not cover the cost of the type of vehicle you need. Your policy might limit your reimbursement on a small car when you need a minivan or a truck.

Some insurance companies require auto body shops to use generic or salvage replacement parts to save money. This is fine for some repairs, but original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are always designed to match perfectly and in some cases may be safer. If you are in an accident and you are determined to be at fault then your insurance policy might require you to use lower quality parts or pay the difference for OEM replacement parts. If you are not at fault, be sure to tell the shop to use only OEM parts.

Many foreign made cars require special equipment and a high degree of precision to perform repairs properly. If you drive a foreign car then make sure the auto body shop you choose is certified by the manufacturer to do the work. Your insurance company will not be likely to recommend these shops because they charge higher rates; however, they should be willing to pay to repair your vehicle to its original condition.

Does your insurance company provide a parts and service warranty? If so, it’s useless! The auto body shop’s guarantee is the one that is important to you; most body shops guarantee their work and the parts manufacturers guarantee the parts.

Insurance companies have negotiated so many discounts with auto body shops that in order for the shop to stay in business they do lower quality repair work. Check with the Better Business Bureau, Vehicle Information Services or other agencies that monitor the quality of work done by auto body shops to be sure you are getting good service.

Mark Orchard owns Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop serving consumers in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Auto Body Repair Shops in Orlando, FL: About Mobile Auto Body Shops

2009-10-26T12:32:00.001-07:00

Auto Body Repair Shop Advice: No matter how hard you try to protect your vehicle, dents and scratches happen. Dent and scratch repair is crucial for protecting your auto body and paint job. People often neglect to have necessary auto body repairs done due to the inconvenience of doing business with auto body shops.

• Dropping your vehicle off at the auto body shop
• Arranging for alternate transportation, loaner car, rental car
• Waiting a few days for repairs to be completed
• Waiting a few more days because, “parts weren’t delivered timely”
• Return alternate transportation
• Pick up your vehicle

Neglecting dent and scratch repair will increase the rate of rust and corrosion caused by auto paint damage and exposed metal. Traditional auto body shops often keep your car longer than necessary because they place greater priority on the larger collision repair jobs that pay the most money.

Mobile Auto Body Shops

A mobile auto body repair shop comes to you to repair dents and scratches and paint your car while you work in the office or take care of business at home. By the end of your work day, your auto body repairs are complete and you can drive your car home or out to run errands.

There are many benefits to doing business with a mobile auto body shop for minor dent and scratch repair:

• No need to be without your car for days at a time
• Repairs are done on-site, same-day
• No rental cars or loaner vehicle
• No long wait for repairs to be complete; they can often be done in ½ a day or less

More benefits include:

• Mobile auto body shops have less overhead costs; no building & equipment lease, heat & electricity, taxes & insurance, and all the expenses that go with a building and land
• These costs are passed on to the customer in substantially lower fees than those charged by a traditional auto body shop
• Total cost is often less than your insurance deductible, so you won’t have to file a claim
• Mobile auto body shops do professional, quality work, just like a traditional auto body shop
• Advanced technology allows for their van to be equipped with everything they need provide minor collision repairs, auto paint repair, and dent and scratch repair on site and in any weather condition

Mobile auto body shops are quickly gaining popularity with consumers who need dents and scratches repaired. Mobile auto body shops can complete minor collision repairs and auto paint repairs in one day or less. They come to your home or workplace to perform these repairs while you are not using your vehicle. By the end of your work day, the repairs are done and you can go about your business.

Mark Orchard owns Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop serving consumers in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Auto Body Shops - Orange County: Bumper Repair and Bumper Replacement

2009-09-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

Today’s vehicles are made with many different types of lightweight alloys and plastics. It is critical that the auto body repair technician be aware of the different materials and the techniques used for repairing them.

Auto body repair shops refer to manuals for instructions on repairing bumpers. The different material types require various finish materials, removal and installation procedures.

In many cases cracked or damaged bumpers can be repaired to look like new; therefore, replacement isn’t necessary. Traditional auto body shops often replace bumpers because they lack the skills to repair them or they think they are saving time by replacing them. They certainly are not saving the consumer any money and they are not helping the accumulating waste at our landfills.

Bumper Repairs

It is not difficult to repair plastic bumpers with cracks or small holes to restore them to like new condition. Replacing a bumper with minor abrasions is wasteful and expensive. A good, eco-friendly auto body shop will only replace the bumper if the damage is so severe that repair time would be considered unreasonable and quality of results would be unsatisfactory.

The cost of repairing small abrasions, cracks and holes in plastic bumpers is often much cheaper than replacing the part. Of course, many collision repair technicians would rather replace the part and charge a fee for their labor plus mark-up on the price of the part because they lack in cosmetic repair skills and it is easier to warranty the work.

Working with Plastics

The first step to repairing plastic bumpers is to identify the material in order to choose the method of repair. Auto body shops use ISO codes on the parts to identify the various families of plastics. They cross-reference the codes with charts from the suppliers or by accessing reference materials on the internet.
It is important that the collision repair technician determine the type of plastic they are working with so they know the proper welding procedure to use to avoid damage to the part.

Adhesive Repairs

The bumper repair technician must identify the type of plastic they are working with in order to be successful with adhesive repairs and to avoid adhesion problems.

Flexibility

Some repair materials are designed for either flexible or rigid plastics. Using the wrong material can cause cracking when the part is flexed or it may not provide adequate strength for the repair area.

Cleaning and Prep

Proper cleaning and prep is critical to ensure proper adhesion and finish. Whether the technician is repairing or replacing the bumper, the part will need to be cleaned. The bumper being repaired is likely to be dirty from the road; the new replacement part can have contamination on it from the manufacturing process.

Auto body repair professionals should use a low-VOC surface cleaner or a special plastics parts cleaner to help prevent solvents from going too deep into the plastic. If solvents are too harsh, they go deep into the plastic and cause adhesion problems after repairs are done.

This is an overview of the process of working with plastics. Time is money in the auto body industry; therefore, many collision repair technicians choose to replace rather than repair plastic bumpers and other parts.

Technology allows us to repair many items that are often replaced. As resources become scarce and landfills become over-full, we really should consider repairing rather than replacing when possible.

Mark Orchard, owner of Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body repair shop, always repairs plastic bumpers when possible. Technicians who work for Collision on Wheels are skilled in all minor auto collision repairs, including dent and scratch repair, auto paint, bumpers and fenders. You cannot beat the convenience of an auto body repair shop that comes to you at your home or workplace to perform cosmetic auto body repair work. Mark Orchard serves consumers and businesses in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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About Auto Paint Contamination - Tips from an Auto Body Paint Repair Technician in Orlando, Florida

2009-09-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

When you run you hand over the surface of your car, does the surface feel gritty? If so, it is most likely auto paint contamination, which includes industrial fallout and tiny metal shavings form brake dust and railroad dust. Auto paint contamination can cause serious damage to your car’s finish and it cannot be removed by washing, waxing or polishing. Paint contamination leads to rust and corrosion if neglected.

Causes of Paint Contamination

Rail Dust: Rail dust is produced from the friction of a train’s wheels against railroad tracks. Since many new cars are shipped to dealerships by train, the new car’s finish can be contaminated before it gets to the dealership. If you live near a railroad track or your daily route to work takes you past the tracks your car is subject to rail dust contamination.

Brake Dust: Brake dust is produced from the friction of brake pads rubbing against the rotor; particles are dispensed into the air on the highway where they come into contact with other cars.

Industrial fallout is another type of pollution; it is a byproduct of our modern industrial age.

How to Remove Paint Contamination

Using rubbing compounds to remove the contamination can be abrasive and will eventually remove the top, clear coat finish from your car. The best way to safely remove paint contamination is with a clay bar, because it is non-abrasive. Poly Clay bars are the best product to use because they do not dry with age or decompose with repeated applications. They are non-abrasive and clear coat safe, and they leave little residue making clean-up easy.

Wash and dry the car before using a clay bar to prevent dirt from scratching the surface. Follow directions and use a clay lubricant to reduce friction between the clay bar the paint surface.

The process takes time as you work in sections, applying a light mist of lubricant. Gently glide the clay bar across the area until the finish is smooth and the contaminants are removed. Wipe with a clean, dry microfiber towel and continue working in sections until the entire vehicle has been treated.

As the clay bar becomes soiled, pull, stretch and refold to expose a new area. When it is completely soiled throw it out. A 2 oz clay bar should last through 5 to 7 treatments, as long as you don’t drop it on the ground. If you drop it in the dirt, you might as well throw it out and get a new one.

Clay bars only remove contamination; they do not remove scratches or restore the gloss. Polish or wax the car after removing paint contamination to restore the shine and protect the paint.

Mark Orchard owns and operates Collision on Wheels, a convenient alternative to traditional auto body repair shops. Collision on Wheels provides professional minor collision repair, dent repair, scratch repair and auto paint repair at your home or workplace. Gone are the days of leaving your car at an auto body shop for days at a time for cosmetic auto body repairs. Mark Orchard serves consumers and business owners, including dealerships and limousine companies in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Mobile Auto Body Shop in Orlando, FL – Advanced Trend in Auto Body Collision Repair

2009-08-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Imagine an auto body repair service that comes to your home or work place to perform collision repair, dent repair, scratch repair and auto paint repair in one day or less. The concept of the mobile auto body shop is a great convenience and money saver for consumers.

Most people cannot take the time to drop their vehicle off at a body shop and leave it for a week just to have minor cosmetic repairs done. This is why the mobile auto body shop is so convenient.

The Mobile Auto Body Shop

Now people can have their auto body repairs done while they go about their normal routine at home or at work. Repairs are often completed in one day or less, so your car is ready when you leave the office to go home.

A mobile auto body shop is a van specially equipped for the service technician to repair minor dents and scratches in your driveway or at the work place. They can fix football-sized dents, scratches and abrasions while you go about your day. What a great convenience; you don’t have to be without your vehicle for days at a time; no need to rent a car or borrow a car while yours is in the body shop.

What about Quality Repairs with a Mobile Auto Body Shop?

Many people are concerned with the quality of repair that the mobile auto body shop is capable of doing. They worry that the new paint will not match or that repairs will be visible. A mobile auto body shop uses advanced technology so there is no reason to sacrifice quality for convenience. Everything an auto body shop needs is in the van; they are a totally portable operation. In addition, they work under a tent so they do not disrupt others or damage nearby property.

Convenience offered by a Mobile Auto Body Shop

Most repairs are done in one day or less; some in only a couple hours. The reason these simple repairs take longer with a traditional body shop is that they focus on the bigger, more expensive jobs while the minor repairs are put off. Therefore, you have to rent a car and be without your vehicle while it sits in the body shop’s yard for several days, waiting for repairs that only take a few hours to complete.

Mobile Auto Body Shop Cost of Service

A mobile auto body shop has a lot less overhead costs than a traditional auto body shop. They don’t have to lease a building and expensive equipment. They don’t have to pay for utility bills, building insurance and other costs associated with a building. They are totally portable with everything they need in their vehicle.

A mobile auto body shop cost less to operate, so they are able to pass the savings onto the customer. Repairs done by a mobile auto body shop are often less than an insurance deductible, so people can pay out of pocket rather than file a claim and have their premiums increased.

Saving time and money is a consumer demand today. Mobile auto body shops offer a great convenience to consumers who cannot be without their car for several days when repairs can be completed within hours. The mobile auto body shop makes great sense for minor collision repairs.

Mark Orchard owns Collision on Wheels in Central Florida, a mobile auto body shop that provides all the benefits listed in this article. In the event that there is an insurance claim, Collision on Wheels is approved by insurance carriers to perform auto body repairs. Mark Orchard serves consumers and businesses in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Auto Body Shops - Orlando, FL: Environmental Impact of Waste Water

2009-08-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

Few people are concerned with auto body shops and water pollution control; however, they are not a waterless operation. Body shops wash cars before and after body work is performed; they also use water for wet sanding. They must follow rules and regulations for disposing of wastewater.

Regulatory inspectors are most concerned with floor drains in auto body shops. The fact that they have a floor drain means something is being washed down it. If the drain does not lead to the city sewer system or a holding tank then the Department of Environmental Management recommends that it be sealed.

Auto body shops should use floor drains that are connected to the sewer system; otherwise, they will be monitored with regular sampling under the rules of DEM’s Underground Injection Control Program. This insures that wastewater discharges to the underground by way of dry well or septic system do not pollute the soil and ground water.

By law, sanding/metallic dust or other auto body shop waste may not be washed down open floor drains; it must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

Auto body shops should use a commercial car wash for washing the vehicles they work on. Many commercial car washes have in-ground systems to catch and recycle waste water to prevent pollution, reduce waste water and conserve clean water usage.

Mark Orchard owns Collision on Wheels in Central Florida; Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop takes pride in using green products and technology to preserve the environment and conserve energy. Mark Orchard serves consumers and businesses in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Auto Paint Maintenance: Orlando Expert Recommends Waxing your Car to Maintain Finish

2009-07-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Waxing your car helps to maintain the natural shine and protect it from the harsh environment. Sun beating on the car causes the paint to fade; salt from the roads causes corrosion.

Wax provides a shield to protect the paint and cover minor scratches, stone ships and other damages, making them less visible and slowing down the corrosion process. Waxing your car periodically provides a seal to prevent water from coming into contact with bare metal exposed by deep scratches.

You should wax your car every three months to protect the paint and maintain the color and shine. Some products claim to last much longer, but this is a myth; you should wax your car regularly for best results.

Wash the car and allow it to dry completely and park it in a shady spot as most products work better when the surface is cool to the touch. Use a good quality wax with no abrasives and a soft sponge or clean cloth to apply the wax. Work in sections, spreading the product on evenly. Allow a couple minutes for the wax to haze then buff it with a soft towel using circular motions to restore the shine.

Be careful not to touch areas like rubber door seals and black window trim as the wax will leave white stains on them. If this happens, window spray works well for cleaning these areas.

Regular washing and waxing keeps your auto paint looking new and shiny as it protects the car from fading in the sun. A clean car dries quicker as dirt and dust hold moisture, speeding up the corrosion process.

If you have neglected to wax you car for a long time you may want to take it to a detailing shop to be buffed with polishing compound to remove scratches and abrasions.

Better yet, have the body shop come to you! There are companies known as mobile auto body shops. They can often repair minor dents and scratches in just a few hours so you don’t have the inconvenience of leaving your car at the body shop for a few days.

A mobile auto body shop that comes to you is often much cheaper and the quality of work is just as good, if not better, than the traditional body shop that keeps your car while you have to pay for a rental or arrange other transportation.

Mark Orchard, owner of Collision on Wheels in Central Florida, provides a convenient alternative to traditional body shops. CW provides professional minor collision repair, scratch and dent repair and auto painting with computer color matching to restore your vehicle to like new condition. Most repairs are completed in a day or less, saving you time and money.

Mark Orchard serves consumers and businesses in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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Auto Body Maintenance Tips from Auto Paint Repair Expert in Orlando, Florida

2009-07-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Proper maintenance prolongs the quality of your car’s paint job and prevents rust and corrosion. In addition to mechanical maintenance, keeping your car looking like new helps a lot when you go to sell or trade in your car. Here are some tips for maintaining your vehicle:

Wash the Car Regularly

Washing the car at least once a month removes dirt, salt, dust, bird droppings and bugs that leave permanent stains and cause rust and corrosion over time. Dirt holds moisture which causes damage to the paint job. When a car is clean moisture dries quickly. Pressure washing your car removes the dirt from difficult to reach areas like behind moldings, under the bumper and inside the wheel wells. Take care not to hold the pressure wash jet too close or too long in one area.

Pressure washing the under-body is particularly helpful during and after the winter season to remove salt build-up which is very corrosive to your vehicle. Pay extra attention to the windshield to remove debris caught by the wiper blades which can scratch the glass when wipers are operating.

Wax the Car

Waxing your car regularly maintains a shiny look and helps to shield the paint from the hot sun and harsh environment. A good quality car wax will protect the car for three to four months. Don’t be fooled by products that claim to last longer; a car should be waxed 3 to 4 times a year to protect and maintain the quality of the paint.

Undercoating and Rust Proofing

If you live in an area where the climate is very humid or where salt is used on the roads in the wintertime, undercoating and rust-proofing helps prevent rust and corrosion. This is not only important maintenance for the paint, but for other areas like the brake system and steering parts that we can take for granted. Excessive rust can cause deterioration of brake parts causing brake lines to burst. Undercoating and rust-proofing prolongs the life of all the different steering parts as well including tie-rods, ball joints, control arm bushings, etc…

Repairing Stone Chips, Small Dents and Scratches

Stone chips and scratches can cause corrosion if they are not repaired quickly. You can order touch-up paint from the dealership to fill in small scratches and stone chips.

Some abrasions will require ultra-fine, waterproof sandpaper, polishing compound containing a mild abrasive and a good car wax. Being careful to avoid damage to the clear coat, gently sand the marks with wet sandpaper until they are gone. Use the polishing compound to restore the shine then buff the area with car wax.

Minor scratches can be removed the same way. First, use the polishing compound; be sure to choose the one with the finest abrasive. Using a circular motion, buff the area until the scratch disappears. Now, apply a think coat of liquid wax onto the area; allow it to haze, then buff with a soft towel.

Professional Auto-Paint Restoration

No matter how hard you work at it, you may not be completely satisfied with the results you get when you attempt to repair scratches or abrasion on your vehicle, but whatever you do will be better than neglecting the damage and allowing it to get worse. Eventually, you will want to have a professional paint restoration job done at the body shop…or will you?

A Better Option

What if you could have the body shop come to you and fix your car right in your driveway or in the parking lot of your work place? How convenient would that be? New trends in the auto body collision repair business include a mobile auto body shop that completes these repairs in just a few hours. Gone are the days of having to leave your car at the body shop for a few days just for minor repairs.

Mark Orchard, owner of Collision on Wheels in Central Florida, provides a convenient alternative to traditional body shops. CW provides professional minor collision repair, scratch and dent repair and auto painting with computer color matching to restore your vehicle to like new condition. Most repairs are completed in a day or less, saving you time and money.

Mark Orchard serves consumers and businesses in Central Florida, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Clermont, Kissimmee, Maitland, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Bithlo, Sanford and neighboring cities and communities.

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