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Paint & Body Shops

When Touring a Paint & Body Shop, Look for the Following:

• A unibody measuring device for heavy frame work.
• A pulling system to ease metal back into shape.
• A metal inert gas (MIG) welder for the new, high-strength steel used on many newer vehicles.
• Up-to-date spray booths and a paint kitchen stocked with original equipment manufactured (OEM) quality paint so that paint can be accurately mixed for an exact color match.
• Ask about replacement parts. Does the shop use OEM parts, or does it use aftermarket parts, which are replacement parts manufactured by companies other than the car manufacturer.  Aftermarket parts may be more suitable for older vehicles since they cost considerably less. New car owners, however, may want to consider OEM parts. Although they may cost 20 to 30 percent more, the quality may be better.
• Look for certification from associations such as Automobile Service Excellence (ASE), Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair (I-Car), and the Houston Auto Body    Business Association.
• Ask the shop owner if he carries liability insurance in case your car is damaged further during repairs or during the test drive by the mechanic.
• Ask about the type of warranty offered. Be sure you understand the warranty including what you must do to maintain it.
• Request that any promise, oral agreement, guarantee, or warranty be put in writing.a     Request a copy of the repair order so that if there is a problem later, you can show that a particular item is covered by the shop’s guarantee or warranty.
• Keep in mind that in the end the vehicle owner is responsible for the payment to the collision repair shop. If the check from the insurance company is made out to both you and the lienholder, you are responsible for getting the lien holder to endorse the check.