Month: August 2020

Do I Have A Say In How My Car Is Repaired?

Posted on by Cline Collision Center

There is nothing better than jumping into the 2004 Nissan Xterra you’ve had since high school graduation, and heading out to the beach, right? But, bummer, dude, you just got into a fender bender. Now the ocean is a distant dream and your trusted friend needs some love. Where do you go to make sure your car gets fixed right? Did you know that not all replacement parts are created equal? That some parts are of higher quality than others?

Not all people know that the type of parts that collision repair shops use makes a significant difference in the quality of repairs you get. If you want to make sure your Nissan will soon be looking good and get you back out to the surf, then catch this wave and read on.

What is OEM? Why Are These Parts Better?

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are made by the car’s original manufacturer. It is what was installed by the factory when your car rolled off the line. An aftermarket part is made by another company and designed to look and function like the original. Some companies focus on building exceptional quality aftermarket parts that they can sometimes be even better than the original. Unfortunately, for many other parts makers (and the shops that buy them), price is much more important than quality. These cheap knockoffs might not fit your car and definitely won’t last as long or be as safe.

How do I know if I’m getting OEM parts?

Do I Have A Say In How My Car Is Repaired

One way is to purchase an OEM endorsement, a clause in your insurance policy that guarantees the repair shop uses OEM parts. You pay extra for an OEM endorsement, but without this, insurance companies will try to steer you toward shops that use aftermarket parts. This works out well for insurers because these repairs cost them less. It’s not as good for you. Parts not made by the manufacturer may not look quite right. Worse, though, aftermarket parts can also fail and cause your vehicle to become unsafe.

Are there other ways to guarantee I am getting OEM repairs?

You can take your beloved Xterra or any other car or truck to Cline Collision Center. We are ASE-certified, with OEM certifications from Nissan, Infiniti, Fiat/Chrysler (FCA), Honda/Acura, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia. We have earned Gold Class status from I-CAR, a designation that lets you know that everyone who touches your car is highly trained understands new vehicle technologies and repairs. We will also help you navigate insurance. If integrity, honesty, safety, and craftsmanship are important to you, too, call 707-591-9909 or contact us online today!  

Just Asking: Questions for Your Auto Body Repair Shop

Posted on by Cline Collision Center
Just Asking Questions For Your Auto Body Repair Shop

You just surfaced from the initial stages of an accident. First, the sudden realization of impact. Then, if there was another party involved, the exchange of information. Next, notifying your insurance company.

Now, it’s time to pick an auto repair facility to bring your vehicle to. Where do you go? How do you determine the quality of work and customer care you’ll receive?

Though we can’t promise how other shops run their business, you can get a sense of their commitment to best practices by asking some simple questions. We love it when clients take the time to research how seriously we take our mission to provide high-quality workmanship in a timely manner with 100% client satisfaction. Here are some questions you can ask:

How long will the auto body repair take? 

This is probably the #1 question we are asked. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer because there are so many variables, especially the extent of the damage. Though the industry average is much higher, we take 3-7 days for the average repair. This is because we have built-in efficiencies with highly-trained technicians and advisors, fast parts procurement, and up-to-date tools and equipment.   

What kind of warranty comes with their auto body repair work? 

You need to feel confident the repair will last. For us, this is pretty simple. We warranty all repairs for as long as our customer owns the vehicle – anything less just won’t cut it!

How do I get around while my car is in the shop? 

We have a partnership with Enterprise to give our customers a discounted rate on rental cars.

Do you carry fire and theft insurance so that my car is covered by insurance while it is in your shop? 

Though not likely at our shop, you need coverage in case your vehicle is damaged, destroyed, or stolen while being repaired. We carry this coverage so you can rest assured.

Will the paint match the rest of my car? 

There is only one acceptable answer to this question—Yes! Our approach for color matching is to blend adjacent panels to the one that we’re repairing or replacing. Cars have a paint code that tells us the exact color of the carmaker’s paint, but there is an art to this, as well as science. We also have to account for fading and variations at the time of manufacture. At Cline, you will be 100% satisfied with your repair!

How soon can I wash my car after an auto body repair? 

Every auto body shop should return your car to you immaculately clean. But, you should be wary of a shop that tells you to hold off on washing it any time soon. We bake cure every vehicle that we refinish at 150 degrees, making it immediately ready for everyday use, including getting out the microfiber towels and giving it a good scrub.

Do you put everything in writing? 

Reputable shops provide an itemized written estimate for auto body repairs and, upon completion of repairs, a detailed invoice. The estimate and invoice must also identify all parts as new, used, aftermarket, reconditioned, or rebuilt. There should never be surprise charges for towing or storage services. We provide you with a detailed estimate before repairs and a detailed final bill once we complete repairs, including the written lifetime warranty.

Can I view repair updates online? 

Yes! We gladly supply our clients with ongoing information on demand at Check My Repair Status.

What is the payment policy? 

Reputable auto body repair shops post their payment policies. We accept credit and or cash from clients, as well as checks from insurance companies.

Conclusions

Of course, the recommendation of a trusted acquaintance or reviews can also help you make your decision. By any metric, we are sure you will find that we measure up. We bring a commitment to integrity, honesty, safety, and craftsmanship to our relationship with you. You are, after all, our friends and neighbors!

Understanding the Basics of Car Painting

Posted on by Cline Collision Center

The latest colors shining brightly—there’s no doubt that paint sells cars. Even though it is a big reason why you might like or dislike a car, very few clients know how cars are painted and how that affects collision repair.

Hopefully, the damage to your car is covered by insurance and isn’t costing you anything beyond the deductible and the time invested. Most people just want their car back in pre-collision condition, and don’t really care how that process plays out. Still,  having as much knowledge as possible is always helpful in understanding what your repair specialist is doing. The following are some paint basics—we won’t call it a primer because, as you will soon see, that might get confusing!

Eco-friendly Paint is Better Paint

In the last century, manufacturers used lacquer paint on vehicles. Painted on and then treated with a hardener to make it stick, this process was not environmentally friendly. Up to 85% of lacquer paint evaporated into the air, sending lead, chromium, and other heavy metals into the atmosphere, where it rained down on our homes, crops, and waterways.  

Understanding the Basics of Car Painting

Carmakers developed water-based enamels in the 1990s. Applied first, the primer creates a smooth surface by leveling it out. Primer protects the vehicle from corrosion and damage from rocks and other road debris. The base coat is next—it is what probably what you call “the paint,” giving your car the desired color. Sprayed over the top of the base coat, clearcoat is the final step. How glossy do you want it? Clearcoat  transforms the paint, changing the flat base coat into the shiny, rich color that gives new vehicles the allure car sellers and buyers want.

It turns out that waterborne paint is cleaner and brighter than the old-school stuff,  healthier for anyone who works around it, and better for the planet, too!

Match Game for Cars

If you only need a small portion of your vehicle touched up, we mix paint that matches so perfectly that the repair is undetectable. We have to take into account any fading that might have occurred from age and sunlight exposure, as well as any differences between the color listed by the carmaker and the actual color used. For highly complex paint, such as metallic or tri-coat peal finishes, we may have to paint a larger portion of the vehicle to ensure matching, such as the entire bumper, door, or hood. Plastic bumpers can be especially tricky since paint darkens at different rates on plastic vs. steel.

Of course, paint is just part of the job. The prep work is just as important. We take the time to remove existing layers of paint and fix all scratches, gouges, dent, pits, rust spots, or holes before painting. We may even have to remove interior components, including the dash, console, and even the seats. All of this takes time. Though we know how inconvenient it is to have your car in the shop, it is even worse to have your life disrupted and end up with second-rate repairs. We make sure the value of your vehicle remains the same, or is even increased by our high-quality work.

When you have autobody damage, go to the pros at Cline Collision Center. We are ASE-certified, have OEM certification from Infiniti, Nissan, Fiat/Chrysler (FCA), Honda/Acura, Ford, Hyundai, and Kia, and have earned Gold Class status from I-CAR. For top-quality workmanship and customer service, including help with navigating insurance challenges, call 707-591-9909 or contact us online today!