G&R Body Shop

Your car or truck may run like a dream and look clean as a whistle under the hood. But if your paint is peeling, your undercarriage corroded, your bumpers banged up, the value of your vehicle is diminished—to say nothing of your pride of ownership.

Whether you just drove a new vehicle off the dealer lot or you recently invested in a high-quality refinish job, the steps you take to protect your vehicle’s finish can go a long way to extend the life and the value of your ride.

• Wash: Your vehicle’s exterior finish bears the brunt of the elements. Wind blasts your paint with abrasive sand and gravel; salt air and dampness create rust and corrosion. According to the Car Care Council, some one-third of vehicle owners use dish soap, household cleaners and scratchy cleansing pads and brushes that can strip away wax and may damage your vehicle’s finish. The best way to keep your vehicle finish smooth and shining is to wash it frequently, in a shaded area, using soap and a mitt or soft brush specifically made for washing cars.
• Rinse: Remove the spray nozzle from your hose and rinse frequently. Don’t allow soap to dry or remain on your vehicle finish.


Use proper car washing materials to protect your vehicle's paint.

• Dry: Don’t just let it drip! Dry surfaces thoroughly after washing, using a chamois or soft, lint-free cloth. Drying your vehicle protects from water spots and rust.
• Wax: Wax exterior surfaces monthly, or at least several times a year. A good quality paste car wax creates a protective surface that repels water and dirt, making it easier to keep your vehicle clean and shiny. Apply wax to a small section of the vehicle, rubbing wax on with a soft cloth and circular motion. Allow wax to dry, then buff until no visible paste remains. Do not leave wax on too long before buffing, or the result can be dried white paste that is tough to remove—thus don’t apply wax to too large an area at a time!
• Shelter: Park in a garage or carport if you have one. If you must leave your car uncovered under our hot California sun, try to park in shaded areas whenever possible. Like wind, rain and sea salt, sun will bake and fade your paint job. If you must park outdoors, consider purchasing a car cover.
• Repair: The steel used to make cars and truck is one of the strongest substances on earth, but a dent or scratch can still leave it vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Cover chips with touch-up paint as soon as possible. Clear nail polish applied to a chip or scratch can provide temporary protection, or you can find do-it-yourself scratch repair kits at your local car wash or big-box discount store. Or better yet, take your vehicle to a qualified auto body and paint shop for professional color matching and a factory-quality finish.
• Undercarriage: Don’t forget to keep wheel wells and undercarriage clean and free of debris, especially if you travel in snowy areas where salt and abrasive materials such as sand or cinders may be used for road maintenance. Cars from states with cold winter climates are notorious for rusting out after a few years. Consider having your vehicle professionally undercoated. Look for rubberized spray-on protectants for wheel wells.
• Protect: Consider rust-proofing your car and protecting your paint job with a professionally applied sealant. Most manufacturers provide a five-year warranty against rust perforation. But don’t wait until year six to think about a sealant; prevention is key, and you might be too late. A 1999 Minneapolis Star Tribune article recommends having a sealant applied to a new car if you plan to keep it longer than five years, or to a used car that is more than three years old.


Road salt and chemicals can damage your car's undercarriage

Many of our customers at our Sacramento body shop pamper their cars; that’s one of the reasons they come to us for quality repairs and service. But caring for your vehicle properly not only keeps it looking great and you feeling proud; it’s an expenditure of time, labor and sometimes a little cash that will protect one of your largest investments—your vehicle—in the long-run.

Don’t hesistate to give us a call for any of your autobody maintenance or repair needs–916-731-8203, or e-mail info@grbodyshop.com.

With consumer confidence still waivering, a lot of car-buyers are shopping good-condition used vehicles rather than the dealer showrooms. A recent article on Edmunds.com speculates that customers who may hesitate to buy the high-priced new model they really want new may look for the same model at the used-car lot rather than settle for a new, lower-cost model.

If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, you’re probably already kicking tires and having your mechanic take a look at the engine. But it’s also important to check out the structural integrity of the used vehicle as well: Has it been wrecked? Have body repairs been properly done? Is there evidence of flood damage? It doesn’t save money to buy a pre-owned vehicle only to find out you’ve purchased someone else’s problems!

Here is a checklist of things to look for when you’re shopping for a used car or truck. For a complete list and other information about purchasing or financing used vehicles, visit the California Bureau of Automotive Repairs website.

• Body Condition—Check the body carefully for signs the car may have been wrecked and repainted. Look for rust or “blisters” on fenders, bumpers and around lights, on splash panels, under doors, in wheel wells and under the carpeting in the trunk. Look for mismatched paint, cracks, dents and loose bumpers—all potentially pointing to a past accident.
• Tires—Unevenly worn tires can point to bad alignment or suspension damage.
• Doors, Windows, Trunk, Hood—Make sure all doors, windows, trunk lid and hood open and close easily and smoothly and don’t show any gaps when closed. A misalignment may mean the vehicle has been in a crash.
• Window Glass, Headlights, Tail Lights—Check for cracks and holes.
• Seats and Upholstery—Check for interior wear and tear, and don’t forgot to look under floor mats and seat covers.
• Steering—Unlocked and with the engine off, steering wheel should have no more than 2 inches of “play.”
• Odometer—A used car showing low mileage but with heavy wear visible on the driver’s seat, brake or accelerator pedal may be a sign the odometer has been tampered with.
• Smell—A musty smell inside the vehicle may indicate the car has had water damage or that windows/doors do not seal properly to keep out rain.

Source: California Bureau of Automotive Repairs

And remember, California’s Lemon Law only applies to vehicles still covered under the original manufacturers’ warranty, which means most used vehicles are exempt from this consumer protection.

Another thing to keep in mind about the recent boom in used car sales is that it may drive up the resale or trade-in value of the vehicle you’re driving right now. That makes it even more important to maintain your vehicle in peak condition and to do business with a professional, high-quality auto body repair provider for your body work, paint and collision repair services. To learn more about how G&R Body & Paint does business, visit http://grbodyshop.com or give us a call at 916-731-8203.