Whether it’s a fleet or a single car, every vehicle owner wants to drive away with a pristine ride. To do so, it’s essential to follow recommended dilution ratios for car wash shampoo.
Learn more about how these tips can help you maintain a spotless ride. For professional help, contact Kolby’s Auto Spa.
The process of paintless dent repair (PDR) removes minor dents and dings from vehicle panels without sanding, filling, and repainting. This allows you to retain your car’s original finish, which improves resale value and prolongs the life of your paint job. PDR is generally less expensive than traditional repairs, and it can often be completed faster. However, the exact cost of a paintless dent repair depends on many factors, including the type and severity of the damage and how difficult it is to access the area.
Minor dents that result from hail damage, shopping cart mishaps, or door dings are excellent candidates for paintless dent removal. This method can also be used to fix crease dents that are caused by a minor collision. In the past, these dents were nearly impossible to repair, but recent advancements in PDR have made them much easier.
There are some types of body damage that can’t be repaired using PDR, including rust and chipped paint. Additionally, the process won’t work on fiberglass or carbon fiber parts. Typically, only experienced technicians can determine whether or not this technique is appropriate for your specific situation.
In addition, the make and model of your car can affect repair costs. Luxury cars or those with unique materials require special care and equipment that can drive up the price of a repair. Regardless of the type of damage, it’s important to have your car looked at as soon as possible to prevent further damage or complications.
It’s also worth noting that repairing a ding or dent promptly can help prevent the metal from oxidizing, which can cause additional damage and lead to higher repair costs. In many cases, a small dent can be fixed for as little as $75.
Another way to protect your car’s paint is to install a protective coating, like clear bra or vinyl wrap. This protects the paint from chips, scratches, and other contaminants that can diminish its resale value.
Bumper repair
Aside from paintless dent repair, a trained technician at an auto spa can also fix dents and cracks in the vehicle’s plastic bumper. This is a less expensive option than replacing the entire bumper, and it can save drivers money on car insurance premiums. In addition to repairing damage, a professional can restore the original color and texture of the bumper.
Many cars have unsightly dings and scratches that don’t match the rest of the body. These marks can be repaired with plastic welding or a flexible filler to level the surface and restore its shape. This service can be done in a day or two and is more cost-effective than replacing the damaged bumper.
Often caused by sprinklers, water spots can be difficult to remove with regular washing. SPA technicians use a highly compressed air process that blows the sand off of the vehicle, especially Jeeps that are often driven on beaches. They can also clean the rims, removing dirt, oxidation and rust to leave them sparkling.
The SPA can also perform a clay treatment on the paint to remove stubborn dirt or grime that just won’t come off with normal cleaning. This is a service that is often included in a complete detailing, but many customers also get this as an add-on service between details. Light sap, mulch spores (little black tarry dots that shoot 20ft in the air from old mulch), mud, bird droppings and other sticky grime can be removed without damaging the paint.
Lastly, a lot of customers find themselves with tar stains that don’t wash off with regular washing or rinsing. This can be due to new paved roads or just general driving. Typically found on the fenders, rocker panels or rear of the car, SPA staff is trained to remove this in an environmentally safe manner that does not damage the painted surface.
Whether it’s from a minor fender bender or a parking lot scrape, a damaged bumper can be fixed with the help of an I-CAR Gold Class certified repair center. The team at Ideal Auto Body of College Point in Queens is trained to repair any damage, including dents and gouges, while keeping built-in sensors functional.
Windshield repair
The windshield is an essential component of your vehicle’s safety system. It protects the occupants in case of an airbag deployment and helps reduce the force exerted by road debris that would otherwise penetrate the cabin. It also plays a significant role in the structural integrity of the roof, particularly in helping to distribute the weight of the car over its surface. However, a single chip or crack can significantly diminish the effectiveness of your windshield. Fortunately, windshield repair is often covered by insurance and less costly than replacing the entire glass.
Long stretches of open highways are ideal for road trips, but they’re also prime territory for kicked-up gravel and construction materials that can damage your windshield. If you spend a lot of time driving, chances are you’ve experienced the heart-stopping moment when a rock flies across your line of sight, threatening to spider-web into an obstructive mess. Fortunately, preventative measures like applying protective film and other physical barriers can help you avoid expensive windshield replacement costs that may not be fully covered by your insurance.
During a repair, technicians use adhesives that need to be given enough time to set and cure. If you wash your car too soon, it could disrupt the seal and cause the new glass to shift or even break.
It’s best to wait 24 hours before washing your vehicle to give the adhesives sufficient time to fully cure. After that, rain or water from the hand-wash can be acceptable as long as you don’t spray high-pressure water directly on the repaired area. You should also leave the retention tape on until at least 24 hours after the repair, as this will prevent air pressure from pushing the adhesives off and causing leaks.
If you’re looking to take the risk out of future windshield repairs, consider adding windshield protection film from XPEL. The urethane-based material creates a defensive barrier that helps absorb the impact of small rocks or debris, protecting your windshield against the common causes of chips and cracks. It also blocks harmful UV rays that can degrade the interior of your vehicle.