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What to Do When Someone Hits Your Parked Car

You’re returning to your vehicle after a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant, and you find a large dent your rear bumper. Even worse, there’s no note or guilty driver in sight. What are your next steps?

If there is anyone nearby, ask if they saw who hit your car and take any information they can provide. Take down the witnesses’ information (name and phone number) if they were willing to provide it. You can also re-enter the restaurant/store/etc. and ask if they have security cameras that may have captured the accident.

Regardless of the extent to the damage to your car, you should visit a collision reporting center. Provide the representatives with the information you’ve gathered about the incident, and they will provide you with a report number. If you have collision coverage or uninsured motorist property damage, you’ll be covered by your car insurance policy (subject to your deductible). However, some insurance companies require that a hit and run incident be reported within 24 hours in order to receive coverage.

If you reside in the area, your insurance company will refer you to an auto body shop in Weatherford, TX to restore your vehicle to a beautiful and functional condition. The ideal body shop should have a range of fender or bumper repair options for your vehicle.

Defrosting Your Car the Safe Way

Paintless dent removal Weatherford TXMost people are familiar with the struggle of being late for work while your car is still covered in snow and ice. Here are some tricks for defrosting your car without doing any damage to the windshield or exterior.

Windshield & Windows
If you’re in a rush, you may consider it a good idea to toss hot water on your windshield to quickly melt the ice and/or snow. However, the sudden shift in temperature can cause a crack in the windshield. Instead, apply a mixture rubbing alcohol and water with a spray bottle. This solution is much more effective and won’t cause damage.

Door Locks
One of the most frustrating parts of an icy, chilly morning is ice buildup on your car’s doors locks. Rather than using your key to chip away at the ice, apply the rubbing alcohol/water mixture. You can also purchase a lock de-icer for additional lubrication and prevention. (Coating your key in petroleum jelly before inserting it can help, too.)

The Roof
If you’re in a hurry, you may neglect your car’s roof when clearing your vehicle of snow. However, this can be a hazard if the snow later falls to your windshield while driving. Snow/ice falloff at high speeds can crack or dent the cars of other drivers, as well. Using a telescoping snow broom is a quick and easy way to sweet snow off your car’s surfaces without damage.

If you’ve happened to notice a dent on your vehicle from troublesome winter conditions, contact our auto body shop today for paintless dent removal in Weatherford, TX.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Car

auto body shop Weatherford TXSome car manufacturers tend to have greater reputations over others when it comes to the durability or lifespan of the cars they produce. However, with proper care, virtually any car can be kept on the road for as long as the owner wants to keep it. Here are some tips on keeping your car running for as long as possible.

Follow the Maintenance Schedule
Refer to your owner’s manual consistently for items that need to be replaced based on time or mileage. Some items, such as timing belts are not cheap to replace, but the bill for a replacement will be far less than the damage it would cause if it breaks.

Address Issues Quickly
Be aware of any new noises, strange smells, or vibrations that just don’t feel right. Even little issues such as a slight hum when you turn on the air conditioning can become big ones when left unattended. Take care of these problems with a mechanic or auto body shop in Weatherford, TX as soon as possible to prevent damage to your car that could become costly.

Keep it Clean
Dust and debris in your interior isn’t just unsightly, but it can actually cause wear to your vehicle’s surfaces. Regularly wash and wax your car to avoid rust, cracked leather, scratched dashes, etc.

Drive Responsibly
While you may fantasize about tearing up the track, don’t operate your car like a NASCAR driver. Sudden stops and starts, high speeds, and sharp corners will put undue stress on all of your car’s parts.

What Really Affects Your Vehicle’s Trade-In Value?

auto body shop Weatherford TXWhen you sell your car, many factors can affect its resale value. If you stay informed, you should be able to achieve the maximum trade-in amount before buying a new one.

Mechanical Condition
It’s a no brainer that if your car runs great and you’ve kept a record of regular maintenance or repairs, this could increase the value of your used car.

Mileage
Fewer miles typically mean higher resale values. Even if your car has been well-maintained and is in great condition, don’t be surprised if fewer buyers are interested due to high mileage.

Aftermarket Accessories
Even if your add-ons were costly, things like custom rims and upgraded stereos could scare away buyers. They may become concerned with high upkeep costs, warranty coverage, or simply not be interested in a vehicle with these modifications – especially ones that have altered powertrain or safety equipment.

Interior Condition
If your car has an unpleasant odor or it appears you’ve been living in it, you’re going to have a hard time getting the value you want for your car. Consult a professional to detail the interior, and consider investing in a set of new floor mats.

Exterior Condition
A potential buyer or an inspector at a car dealership will significantly decrease your car’s resale value if you have dents, chipped paint, and other exterior problems that negatively affect your vehicle’s appearance. To ensure a higher resale value on your car down the line, address dings or dents at our auto body shop in Weatherford, TX as they occur.

What to Do When Your Vehicle Experiences Hail Damage

 auto body shop Fort Worth TXIt goes without saying that no one likes to wake up in the morning and find that their car has endured hail damage. However, you shouldn’t have to live with the unsightly dents on your car for long; Quality Paintless Dent Removal can come to you, which makes the process of repairing hail damage an easy one. If you’ve discovered hail damage on your vehicle, keep reading for the steps you should take.

Report it to your insurance company
As with all cases of vehicle damage, your insurance company should be contacted as soon as possible. You may be directed to their favorite body shop, but our shop does work with all insurance companies.

Learn about common dent removal techniques
Hail dent removal can be achieved by hammering and then painting your car’s sheet metal, or with the process of paintless dent removal. With the latter, tools are applied to the underside of your car in order to avoid damaging the paint’s finish. Dent removal by hammering and painting should be saved for especially large dents where paint has already been damaged.

Find a shop that meets your needs
Research auto body shops in Fort Worth, TX that offer hail damage repair. When you visit us for your hail damage repair, you can trust our experienced technicians to finish the job for a competitive rate.

Vehicle Maintenance Before Traveling for the Holidays

collision repair Fort Worth TXWith a tickets becoming increasingly expensive, more travelers are opting to drive for the holidays. When you’re supposed to be celebrating and enjoying time with family and friends, the last thing you’ll want to deal with is car trouble. Before setting out for your holiday travels, we want to remind you of the most important car maintenance services to have completed beforehand.

Brakes
Have your brakes been checked by a professional recently? They’re the most important safety feature on your vehicle, so be sure to have them checked before you leave.

Tires
As a servicer of collision repair in Fort Worth TX, we know that adverse weather causes most accidents to occur during the winter season. To ensure the safest ride as possible, it’s crucial to make sure your tire pressure is correct, your wheels are aligned, and that you have the necessary tread left on your tires. A tire inspection should always be part of your car maintenance before you hit the road for a long trip.

Oil Change
Clean and efficient motor oil is essential for helping your engine run properly. Waiting too long between oil changes can negatively affect your engine’s performance or cause damage that could result in an expensive repair.

How to Keep Your Paint Job Looking Fresh

auto body shop in Weatherford TXAs team members of the leading auto body shop in Weatherford TX, we want to help you keep your car or truck looking like new for longer. In order to help you maintain the appearance and value of your vehicle, we’ve compiled a list of necessary things to do to keep its finish protected for as long as possible.

Wash it By Hand
While it may be more convenient to take your car to the car wash, hand washing gives you the chance to make sure there are no scratches or dents. Also, be sure you’re using a cleaner specifically made for washing vehicles.

Use a Non-Acidic Tire Cleaner
Acidic solutions can damage the paint on your vehicle. Use a tire cleaner with no acid, and clean tires before washing your car so the tire cleaner is rinsed off the body.

Get It Waxed
While washing your car is a great way to keep it looking like new, a waxing will take it even further. It protects the paint from the elements and gives your car an extra shine.

Keep It Covered
Keep your car parked in a garage if possible. If your home doesn’t have one, consider investing in a carport if you have the outdoor space to allow it.

The Benefits of Paintless Dent Repair

auto body shop in Weatherford TXMany vehicle owners are still not aware of the option for paintless dent repair. As a revolutionary technique that saves time, money, and the value of your car, it’s no wonder that it has become a favorite method among auto body shops of fixing hail damage and door dings.

Saves Time
Paintless dent repair is a quick and painless process. There are fewer steps needed compared to traditional repair options, and there’s also no paint or primer that needs to dry. Some minor dents can be repaired in just a matter of hours, while a conventional repair could take a week.

Cost-Effective
While the nature of your dent determines the cost of your repair, paintless dent removal at an auto body shop in Weatherford, TX is more cost-effective than traditional dent repair services. This is especially true for dents that are around one inch deep and easy to access.

Maintains Your Vehicle’s Value
Because little to no alteration needs to happen during the paintless dent repair process, your vehicle will remain as close as possible to how it was before the dent occurred. This means you can benefit from paintless dent repair without worrying that your car will lose its value.

The Most Common Causes of Vehicle Dents

auto body shop Fort Worth TXIt can be very frustrating to approach your beautiful car only to find a newly acquired dent or scratch. Once you notice it, there’s no un-seeing it until your vehicle is brought to an auto body shop in Fort Worth, TX. If you’re finding new dents and scratches often, here are some of the most common culprits.

Car Doors
When vehicles are parked in close proximity, dents caused by the opening of adjacent car doors are all too common. Whether you’re in a busy parking lot or even your own multiple-car garage, be sure you’re parking an appropriate distance away from other vehicles.

Weather
If hail is strong or hits your car continually, it can leave several dents. If sheltered parking is not an option, invest in a car cover that protects from hail and other harmful elements.

Shopping Carts
Sadly, many shoppers fail to return their shopping carts to the cart corral. Store parking lots are then littered with unsecured carts that can roll into nearby vehicles. To avoid damage, park towards the back of the lot (or wherever is the least occupied).

Sporting Events & Concerts
The parking lots of sporting events and crowded concerts are popular places for tailgating. When alcohol is combined with activities like Frisbee or playing catch, accidents are bound to happen. Again, try parking in a less-occupied area if possible.

Are we missing anything? Feel free to leave a comment with a story on how your car was dented!