Even seemingly minor collisions can cause hidden damage. This can seriously compromise safety should another collision occur in the future. This is why frame measuring is so important during collision repairs.

What Is Frame Measuring?

Before we explain frame measuring, we need to talk a bit about what happens during a collision. When cars collide, the vehicle’s frame absorbs the bulk of force in order to minimize the impact inside the cabin. This can cause the frame to bend out of alignment, sometimes in areas away from the point of impact.

Frame measuring is a way of measuring the degree, if any, that the frame is out of alignment after a collision. Doug’s Auto Collision Center uses a computerized frame measuring system that includes lasers, ultrasound technology, and other high-speed electronics for pinpoint accuracy. The frame measurement process determines whether a frame can be bent back in shape or if the car needs a replacement frame. If the latter, data from the system determines the precise measurement for the replacement frame. Continue Reading →

Auto paint is more fragile than most people realize. Here’s a surprising list of everyday items that can damage car paint. You’ll notice that this list contains seemingly benign materials; but each of them can erode paint.

1. Coffee and Soda

Do you make morning coffee runs at your local Starbucks? Don’t set the drink on the hood of your car while you fiddle with your keys. A spill is detrimental to the paint. Coffee and soda are highly acidic, which means that these drinks can burn away the outer coating. The sugar can also leave behind a sticky residue.

2. Shaving Cream

Spraying shaving cream on a car is a common prank. However, the prank isn’t as harmless as one might think. The cream leaves behind a resin that can leave a stain once it dries. If your car falls victim to this prank, then wash the cream off immediately with soapy water. Continue Reading →

The Bellevue area doesn’t always see snow, though snowfall does occasionally occur in winter. This can actually be hazardous for your vehicle. How so? We explain how snow damages cars and increases the likelihood of a collision.

How Does Snow Damage Cars?

During winter, city workers cover the road in salt to de-ice the surface. While beneficial for minimizing accidents, the salt mixes with the ice. When the snow melts, the salt and water create a chemical reaction that corrodes the exposed metal of your vehicle. It also destroys the auto paint. Even worse, it can cause functional damage if the snow gets into the undercarriage. Eventually, it slowly makes its way to exposed parts, such as the brakes and engine block.

Snow Increases Chances of Collisions

Snow, of course, makes roads more slippery, though the road salt does restore some of the traction. Snow can also freeze the windshield wipers, rendering them inoperable. Most motorists are unaware of this until they try to operate the wipers on the road. When the rain/snow obscures the windshield and the wipers don’t budge, you quickly lose visibility, increasing the odds of a collision. Always check the wipers before pulling out of the driveway. Continue Reading →

Everyone in Bellevue is gearing up for the holidays. Enjoying the festivities often entails alcohol, and some people who’ve been drinking make the horrific decision to get behind the wheel. To stay safe on the road, learn how to spot a drunk driver.

Signs of Drunken Driving

Some clients bring their cars to us for collision repairs after being in a fender bender with a drunk driver. Some require major restorative work to the frame, while others only require a dent repair or auto paint touchup.

Be especially careful this holiday to avoid falling victim to an impaired driver. Keep your distance from cars moving erratically. Continue Reading →

More insurance companies are expediting the claims process via instant insurance photo estimates. All you have to do is take a photo of the damage and submit it to the agency. A few weeks later, you get a check in the mail. Is this process reliable, or are you being low-balled?

The Truth About Insurance Photo Estimates

We don’t question that photo estimates are convenient and a time saver. This cuts down on a lot of logistics for both the insured driver and insurance agency. Some companies even have their own crash claim app.

You should definitely take photos of all collision damage, including minor dents and auto paint scratches. However, according to insurance data, two out of three claims are underpaid if claims are resolved within 48 hours. The odds increase with sole reliance on photo estimates. Continue Reading →

For a collision, or any other auto repair, you need to acquire a repair estimate. One of the questions we often receive is whether we charge for an estimate. The short answer is no. More accurately, though, it depends whether you want a preliminary estimate or an accurate estimate.

What Is a Preliminary Repair Estimate?

We provide a preliminary repair estimate free of charge. In fact, we suggest staying away from any collision shops that charge for this basic service.

For a preliminary estimate, bring your car to our shop. We will make note of the visible damages, determine labor cost, and factor additional work, such as auto paint restoration.

The process is free, but the estimate in the ballpark. Expect the actual cost to be plus or minus a few hundred or thousand dollars.

You can take your car to multiple collision shops for a preliminary repair estimate. Continue Reading →

Fall is here. For many tree species, this means the annual cycle of shedding their leaves in preparation for new growth. Leaves are light as a feather and may seem harmless. However, car damage from leaves is actually not uncommon.

How Do Leaves Damage Your Car?

The damage is mostly at the aesthetic level. Autumn leaves decompose wherever they land. As the natural decomposition process takes place, the leaves release sap, tannic acids, and other chemicals. If leaves remain on your vehicle for prolonged periods, they can degrade onto the surface and damage the auto paint. In some cases, it may also leave a fossil-like imprint on your car. While fall leaves obviously don’t cause dents, they can cause micro-abrasions and surface-level scratches.

Bothell and surrounding cities tend to have fairly humid fall weather. The moisture and fluctuation in warm and cool air expedites the deterioration process of the leaves and hastens damage to car surfaces.

Autumn leaves on the road can also indirectly damage your vehicle. Leaves obscure potholes, curbs, and dips in the road. Wet fall leaves can also create slippery surfaces and increase odds of a collision. Continue Reading →

While not too common, wildlife occasionally wanders into the urban areas of cities like Bellevue. Spotting the occasional deer or raccoon is a beautiful sight. However, a collisions with an animal is also not uncommon. What exactly do you do if this occurs?

Does My Insurance Cover It?

Most comprehensive automobile insurance does cover damage from collisions with a large animal. Collision coverage, despite its name, usually does not cover damages from hitting an animal. The average collision repair cost for hitting a deer, by the way, is around $3,200.

I Had a Collision With an Animal; What Do I Do?

Do not flee the scene. This constitutes a hit-and-run and may incur stiff penalties. First, pull over and activate your emergency lights. Make sure everyone is okay and call the police. We also highly recommend taking pictures of the damage. The documentation will be helpful when filing an insurance claim. Continue Reading →

Here’s a fun fact for curious motorists: modern cars contain a large number of plastic parts. Parts, such as the interior bumper, door panels, and equipment housing, contain mainly plastic material. With this in mind, collision repair centers need to be well versed in car body plastic repairs.

Why so Much Plastic?

People unfairly demonize plastic as being a cheap and low-quality material. This is far from the truth. Plastic reduces a car’s weight and improves fuel efficiency. Plastic is also more resistant to corrosion. Once the car is headed for the junkyard, the plastic is also easier to recycle than the steel and aluminum. Continue Reading →

In modern vehicles, the computer controls safety technologies, such as lane departure warning and blind spot detection. These features save lives on the road. However, a collision—even a minor fender bender—can throw these systems out of balance. As part of collision repairs, a technician must also perform electronic recalibration.

Why Electronic Recalibration Is Necessary

Collision repair isn’t just about restoring the frame and crumple zone. Modern cars have multiple computers, sensors, and radar, all of which are ultra-sensitive. A collision can knock these installations out of alignment. This may result in an air bag’s failure to deploy or another safety feature’s failure to activate. Likewise, an alert on your dashboard may fail to light up. This places driver and passengers at serious risk. Even minor impacts causing only a small dent can result in decalibration. Continue Reading →