Your Right to Choose

You have the right as a consumer to choose any auto body shop for your repairs; however, insurance companies have their approved shops that they prefer.   Insurance companies work with only select few “approved” shops. These particular shops are known for excellent service, craftsmanship and customer service.  The insurance companies are very particular as to who they allow to be approved shops working with their customers. The reason for this is that your insurance company has staked their reputation on these shops, so if the mechanics working at our shops don’t do a good job of repairing your car, then that reflects badly on your insurance company AND us.  We definitely don’t want that to happen, so we do it right.  This is the reason nearly all the top insurance companies out there recommend Grand Sport as their approved auto body shop.

We offer lifetime guarantee on all our collision repairs.  By selecting our shop that your insurance company recommends, you’ll have not only OUR guarantee but your insurance company’s guarantee as well.   That’s a double whamy!

Working Hand-in-Hand with Your Insurance Company

Something else you’ll want to think about with a preferred auto body shop is that your insurance agent will be the one to talk with the shop throughout the repair process rather than you having to take time out of your busy day to come down to our shop or having to call us.  You can rest easy while all of that is handled by us and your insurance company.

Rental Car

Something else to keep in mind with a preferred auto body shop is that your insurance company should provide you with a rental vehicle while yours is in the shop, granting that the delays in repairs aren’t your fault. One example of the delay being your fault is if you don’t allow the mechanics to start working on your damaged automobile.  We take the liberty at setting your rental car up for you so when you bring your car in to get the repairs done,  you’ll leave in a rental.  It’s just one of the things we do to go above and beyond for our customers.

Grand Sport Auto Body works with some of the biggest names in the insurance industry. Give us a call to see if we’re a preferred shop through your insurance company!

866-472-4727

Some damage that your car sustains is either too negligible or too expensive for you to do anything about it. As long as the car can get you where you need to be without any problem, you might not see much use in spending any money on the repairs. If you happen to get into a serious car accident, you might think about getting the previous damage repaired by your auto body shop along with the new damage and seeing if your insurance company will foot the bill for everything.

The Old and the New 

The truth is that if you try to claim that the old damage on your car is part of the new damage it will be considered as insurance fraud. Your insurance company will take a close look at the damage and they’ll be able to tell what damage is part of your accident and what damage is from a previous incident. You have to realize that insurance companies have been doing this for a while and know that some of their customers try to get one over on them, so they’ll examine the damage and your insurance claim with the utmost level of scrutiny. You’d be better off not trying to falsify your claim and outright ask the insurance adjuster if there’s any way they can pay for the old damage. The worst thing they can say is no and the best is yes, there’s no harm in trying. Your next viable option is for you to simply go ahead and pay for the old damage yourself while your car is in the auto body shop.

Pre-Existing Damage 

Even if your insurance adjuster isn’t able to tell that the old damage wasn’t caused by your auto accident, a good auto mechanic and collision repair expert (like us at Grand Sport)  most likely will. So even if you think you’ve gotten one over on your insurance company in the beginning, there’s no guarantee the insurance company won’t find out later, because we work with the insurance company throughout the repair process and it’s our duty to let the insurance companies know if we think there is damage that we believe wasn’t part of the current incident . There’s even the possibility that your insurance company won’t pay as much as they originally offered for your new accident. Honesty truly is always the best policy for everyone.

In the event that the old damages and the new damages are in the same place, your insurance adjuster might say that you and your vehicle are no worse off than you were before. If this is the case, you might have to learn how to do some savvy negotiating in order to get any of the damage repaired.

When to Report an Accident

If you’re involved in a minor accident, you might be tempted to not call either the police or let your insurance company know. Maybe that’s how you sustained your pre-existing damage in the first place. If the total amount of the damage is less than $1,000, you don’t have to call the police, but keep in mind that that $1,000 limit includes the damage done to both cars. If anyone is injured in the accident, no matter how minor that accident is, it’s best if you call the police, even if the injury itself is minor. This is for your protection as much as it is for the injured person. You never know if they’ll want to come back and blame you for the constant crick in their neck and try to sue you. There’s also the chance that after you leave the other driver will call the police and you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, which is a serious conviction.

While you aren’t required to call the police if the damage is less than $1,000, you should still get in touch with your insurance company, even if that means your insurance rates will go up. It’s better that you know for a fact that your insurance rates will be higher instead of living each day with unease worrying about if your insurance company will somehow find out and penalize you.

You should always be honest with your auto insurance company, even if it means you have to spend more money. Spending extra money is always preferable to losing your insurance completely or being sued for thousands of dollars.  It’s best for your auto body shop doing the repair, your insurance company, and of course YOU!

It’s a common occurrence that an someone finds the perfect car, but can’t seem to find the right color paint to make it just what they wants.  At this point, many car owners will simply choose to change the paint, and start researching the auto painting process.  The first thing they often notice is that the process of applying new car paint is not something that should be done by just anybody.  In fact, in order to get a high quality job, it’s recommended that you have a reputable auto body shop with expertise in car paint and color matching to perform the color change for you.  Even finding a place big enough to paint a car can be difficult for the average car owner, while an auto body shop offers all the tools, equipment, dust free paint booth and space to provide a professional paint job to any car.  Grand Sport Auto Body offers professionally trained and certified painters. Be sure to stop in for your FREE estimate. Below are the basic steps of a car painting process.

Sanding

The first step in the painting process is sanding the car and removing the old paint.  A successful paint job requires dedication and the willingness to complete hard work.  Many amateur painters are so anxious about getting new paint on a car that they may not give the sanding process the time it needs to ensure that the car paint sticks well to the surface and appears smooth.  During the sanding process, it’s important to look and feel for imperfections in the surface that can be worn down.  This is something that an experienced professional would know.

Taping

Once the sanding is done, it’s time to tape or mask the parts of the car where you don’t want to apply new paint.  This includes windows, mirrors, and any glass on the car.  Special tape that is designed for this process should be used when painting a car, as regular masking tape may damage the finish on the car.

Safety

When painting a car a different color, chemicals are involved that can be harmful to the body if they are inhaled.  It’s essential to the safety of the painter and all those in the auto body shop that the right safety equipment is used when painting a car.  Some examples of safety equipment that is typically used when painting a car are:

• Disposable gloves
• Painter suit
• Eye goggles
• Respirator

Although damages from not using the correct safety procedures may not immediately be obvious, the long-term effects can be incredibly harmful to your health.  This can be bad for an inexperienced painter.

Priming

The priming process is another one that is extremely important, but the importance is often overlooked in the anxiousness to get the job done.  Primer should be applied directly over the bare metal of the car.  Any scratches or dings may be covered and filled in with epoxy during this process.  It is usually recommended that two coats of primer be applied before the actual paint is applied to the car.  If any imperfections are noticed after the primer is applied, a professional may choose to step back to the sanding process before the paint is applied.

Painting

Once the car is primed and ready to go, it is now time to choose the final color for your new paint job.  If the color has already been chosen, then the painting process can begin.  Paint is typically applied to a car with a professional spray gun, and using the gun is something that needs to be practiced before the first job is attempted.  Some professionals recommend spraying the car with an empty paint gun before applying the paint to get a feel for the gun.  The art of applying a perfect coat of paint with a paint gun is something that comes with many hours of practice.

The process of changing the top layer of paint on a car is not something that should be done in a short amount of time, or in the wrong place.  Applying paint to a car is similar to an art, and must be given the proper time and attention in order to ensure that the car’s new paint job looks like it came that way.  If you are considering getting a new paint job, it’s highly suggested you call a professional if you aren’t confident in doing it yourself with the proper tools needed.

Can Peeling Car Paint Be Repaired?

If you’ve noticed that the paint on your vehicle has started to chip, flake or peel, you might be wondering if there’s anything that you can do about it that doesn’t involve getting an entirely new and expensive paint job. Thankfully you do have a few options available to you before you have to start saving up money for a completely new paint job.

Why Car Paint Peels

Before you go through a car paint repair, it can help to know why it’s peeling in the first place so you can avoid future peeling. If you live in an area where the temperatures are constantly shifting, then that can damage the paint on your car. The reason for this is that the paint will start to contract and expand, which causes small cracks to work their way into the paint. Salt, harmful chemicals and moisture creep their way into these cracks, all of which cause your paint to rust and deteriorate.

If you’ve ever had someone leave you a nice message on your car with shaving cream or shoe polish, then you might have them to blame for you chipped paint. Not only can the two be all but impossible to remove, it can leave marks on your car. Living near a construction site or parking your car in an area where there’s construction going on will also damage your car. Wet concrete might land on the paint of your car and harden there, leaving stark marks in its wake once it’s scraped off. Bird droppings and eggs are another contributor to your chipped paint. Droppings and eggs contain harmful chemicals that degrade paint, so it’s important to wash the away as soon as you notice them.

Remedies for Chipped Paint

There’s a chance that your insurance company might take care of your car paint repair, depending on how it became chipped in the first place. If it was because of vandalism, damaging weather or an accident, then you’ll more than likely be covered by your insurance policy. You’ll want to make sure that you get pictures of the damage and stop into any of our 8 Grand Sport Auto Body locations to get a FREE quote for the cost of the repairs so that your insurance company will have something to work with.

If your insurance company won’t take care of the damage to your paint, then you can go to an automobile professional or an auto body shop that specializes in paint chip repair (that’s us!). The reason it’s so important for you to make sure you go to a professional is because professional auto painters have access to mixing formulas and paint colors for various car manufacturers and will have the best chance of matching your car’s original paint color. That’s what we do at Grand Sport.  We can make adjustments if your paint has become faded.   We use top of the line paint products manufactured by DuPont.

Alternatively, you do have the option of  handling your paint chip repairs on your own with the use of a repair kit. Most kits cost roughly $50, including the cost of shipping. The kit will use a paint match system, so you don’t have to worry about the color being off. While you might not get an absolutely perfect match, the color you get from a repair kit will come quite close, it just won’t be perfect like it would if you brought it in for us to do.

Chipped car paint doesn’t have to remain an eyesore every time that you see it. Explore your options and your bank account to see which is the best option for you and do everything you can to keep your paint from chipping again in the future.

Custom Paint job? Grand Sport Auto Body can match it!

Nobody likes to see their vehicle damaged in an automobile accident or by other causes.  For owners of cars with custom paint jobs, however, the experience can be especially excruciating.  If you have recently spent the money to give your car the custom paint job you have always wanted but now face having to find an auto body shop that can repair damage to that custom look, don’t despair.  With the right professionals by your side, your car can be completely restored to its original glory with good auto body painting.

Repairing a Custom Paint Job

When repairing a custom paint job, our auto body painting professionals have many tools and skills at their disposable to make your vehicle look like new.  Just as was done when the custom work was performed the first time ,auto body painting at our shops offers you custom mixed paint colors to create the exact color of your vehicle.  In addition, the panels can be expertly blended to create the perfect finish.  With a good quality repair to a custom paint job, you should never have to compromise on the beauty and quality of the finished product.

Choosing the Right Auto Body Shop 

One of the biggest factors in how pleased you will be with the quality of repairs is dependent upon your choosing the right professionals to do the work.  While a perfectly blended repair to a custom paint job is absolutely possible, it must be done by professionals with the right combination of skills and experience.  First and foremost, look for an auto body shop that has a reputation for quality workmanship.   Grand Sport Auto Body has been in business for over 30 years, serving clients from all over Chester and Montgomery Counties.  We take pride in having an excellent reputation.

Grand Sport offers FREE estimates on the spot for your convenience.  We will sit down with you and go over all the questions you have and results you can expect to receive.  Let us explain our process of custom mixing colors so that you can feel confident in our abilities.  In the end, you want to feel comfortable handing over the keys to your car and know it’s in good hands.  We use only the best quality paints on the market, partnering up with DuPont Paint products to give you the very best results.  Give us a call today for a free estimate!  866-472-4727

Hearing about quality craftsmanship from others is one thing, but seeing it with your own eyes is another.  Here at Grand Sport, we believe proof is in the pudding.  Check out this before and after shot of the collision repair work we just completed at our Parkesburg location!

I got a crack in my windshield, is it safe to drive?

It’s happened to most drivers.  You’re driving down the highway when an airborne rock missile strikes your windshield, leaving a dreaded crack across your line of sight.  While many people attempt to drive with the crack or chip blocking their view, they may be unaware of the potential hazards associated with driving with the obstruction.

Impaired Vision

Depending on the location of the crack, the driver may not be able to see clearly.  Also, a crack in the windshield can cause a distorted image in the glass.  When driving, the operator of the vehicle should have access to the entire windshield in order to see their full surroundings.  Window damage can cause a blind spot in the driver’s visual field.  Since the driver’s reaction time is critical when operating a vehicle, having a blind spot can result in an accident.

Structural Weakness

Windshields are designed to stabilize the car’s roof by fitting tightly into place.  When cracked, it can actually compromise the integrity of the structure of the car.  Both the rear window and the windshield are vital to the car’s safety equipment.  A cracked windshield is more likely to buckle under the stress of the vehicle if it is involved in an accident.  This may result in the weight of the car crashing, causing the roof to cave in on the driver’s side.

Airbags

When airbags deploy, the force of the airbags may expand up toward the windshield.  If the airbag hits a damaged windshield, it may send dangerous shards of glass flying within the vehicle.  Most windshields have a shatter protection mechanism; however, when they have a crack or chip, this mechanism can fail to work.  The driver and all of the passengers within the vehicle may be seriously injured by the flying glass.

Restraint

Although seat belts are primarily the most important restraint device in a vehicle, when involved in a horrible accident, the windshield can also act as a restraint device.  A damaged windshield may not hold up under pressure and allow the driver to be ejected out of the vehicle.  Having a structurally sound windshield may save your life, as well as the lives of your passengers.

What should you do?

As soon as you notice an unpleasant chip or crack in your windshield, you should have it repaired immediately.  Chips are often easier and more affordable to repair than cracks, so catching it quickly may save you some money.  The cost of a car windshield repair is often covered by your insurance policy.  Check with your insurance company to find out if you have a deductible on windshield repairs.

Make sure that you have your windshield repaired by a professional.  Proper installation will ensure that your windshield will keep you and your passengers safe.  Not to mention that it simply looks better to have a brand new windshield, and not one that is chipped or cracked.

Next time your car is pelted with flying debris from the road, don’t lose your cool.  Simply take it to a professional auto body shop to have it replaced or repaired.  Being able to see all of your surroundings will ensure that you are driving safe while on the road.

Many people are hesitant to take their car in for repairs because they are afraid of getting ripped off. Instead they try to complete the repairs themselves or the problems go unfixed. Either way, a small problem can easily become a large problem and end up costing even more money down the road. It is in your best interest to find a good body shop in West Chester, Pennsylvania to make repairs as soon as possible. You can do this in just five simple steps.

1. Ask for referrals.
Word of mouth referrals carry more weight than any form of advertising. Start by asking your friends, family and co-workers if they have had positive experiences with a particular body shop in West Chester. Social networking sites are also a good place to seek recommendations; just make sure that you limit your query to people who live in your local area. Even though 20 people recommend the same shop in West Chester, this obviously won’t help your search.

2. Do your research.
Once you have made a list of potential companies, take a few minutes to check the background of each body repair shop. The internet can make quick work of this step. You can check online for complaints with the Better Business Bureau that serves the Borough of West Chester. There are also a number of websites that offer unbiased third-party reviews of local businesses, including auto body shops. Some of these sites include:

• Yelp
• Angies List
• Auto Alliance
• Yahoo Business Listings

3. Obtain estimates.
A reputable body repair shop will give you a FREE estimate. Whether the damage is minor or more extensive, be sure that each estimate is broken down line by line so that you can see exactly what is included. You will also want to inquire if the company uses any special techniques to achieve better results. If one body shop in West Chester Pennsylvania is significantly higher or lower than the others without good reason, you probably want to cross them off of your list. Large body shops may have a higher overhead and therefore will charge you more for the same quality of labor that you can find elsewhere.  (Grand Sport Auto Body always offers FREE estimates)

4. Ask questions.
The time to ask questions is before leave your car for repairs. You will want to know things such as:

• Is there a written warranty? *
• If so, how long is the warranty and what is covered? *
• Does the shop use aftermarket or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts?
• How many coats of paint will be used?
• What are the paint matching techniques?
• Does the shop carry theft and fire insurance?
• Is the shop certified by Auto Body Industry Associations such as I-CAR and ASE?

*Grand Sport Auto Body offers a lifetime warranty on the repairs

While a reputable shop will never take advantage of a customer, your chances of feeling ripped off will decrease if you ask the right questions and make your final decision based on the right answers.

5. Trust your judgment.
Just because a particular company looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best choice. If you feel uncomfortable with one of the body repair shops for any reason, trust your judgment. Vehicles are a substantial investment. You want to protect that investment by hiring professionals that you trust.

Global news-Toyota, Honda and Nissan are now recalling over two million vehicles globally for passenger side airbags with inflators that may burst, sending pieces of plastic flying on impact. A spokesman of Takata Corp of Japan, airbag manufacturer, said that the recall affects other automakers as well, including non-Japanese manufacturers, and may reach as many as three million.  Honda is recalling 1.1 million vehicles, including more than 107,000 in Canada.  Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles, including some 580,000 in North America.

Honda Canada said airbag inflators in the affected vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator to rupture and cause possible injuries.  Toyota reported receiving five reports of airbag problems, three in the U.S. and two in Japan, but there have been no injuries.  Honda is aware of one crash attributed to the problem, but it is not aware of any injuries or deaths related to this issue.

In Canada, the recall covers 11,000 Acura 1.7 EL vehicles and almost 81,000 Honda Civics  from the 2001-2003 model years, 6,140 CR-V vehicles from 2002-2003 and almost 10,000 Odysseys from the 2002 model year.  About 270,000 Honda vehicles in Japan and 64,000 in Europe are also included in this recall.  The Toyota recall includes  490,000 vehicles in Europe and 320,000 in Japan . Affected models include the Lexus SC, Corolla, Tundra, all manufactured between November 2000 and March 2004.  Nissan globally recalled 480,000 vehicles, some 137,000 of them in Japan. The automaker said vehicles in North America and Europe are affected, but did not immediately have other details on its overseas recalls.  Also affected under this same recall were the  Mazda RX-8 and Mazda 6 at Mazda Motor Corp. The automaker said 45,000 vehicles were recalled, including 4,000 in Japan.

The cause of the default were caused by two human errors.  During production, parts were stored improperly which exposed them to humidity and another worker forgot to turn the switch of a production line system engaged specifically for weeding out defective products, according to Akemi Ando, Honda spokesperson.

Honda Canada says that all owners of the above mentioned affected vehicles are encouraged to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive a recall notification in the mail about the airbag recall, which will be mailed out starting late May.

Depending on the model, owners can call 888-9HONDA9 or 888-9ACURA9 to determine if their vehicles need repair.   Owners can also go on-line to check for recall announcements at the following links:  
Honda Recalls - http://owners.honda.com/service-maintenance/recalls 
Acura Recalls – http://owners.acura.com/service-maintenance/recalls.