Avoiding A Deer Disaster

During October, November, and December, deer-related accidents make up a large amount of the auto body repair work we perform at CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO.

Accidents involving deer are usually more severe than the majority of vehicle accident, and unlike many auto body repair jobs, deer collision repair requires substantial structural repair that affects your vehicle’s safety systems. Accordingly, it is even more important than usual to research who you will use to repair the collision damage caused by a deer.

Why is Deer Collision Repair Different?

Many automobile accidents are minor, involving just bumpers or light cosmetic damage. While it is still necessary to use a high quality auto body shop for this sort of collision repair, the consequences of a poor repair are usually limited to unpleasant appearance and diminished vehicle value.

Deer-related accidents, however, often include structural or unibody damage, cause airbags to deploy, and require repair or replacement of several panels. The paint refinishing needed in this kind of collision repair is also more complex, involving blending the paint on adjacent panels to ensure an invisible repair. Vital vehicle systems, such as the engine, transmission, cooling, and electrical systems may also be impacted.

Get Your Collision Repair Job Done Right the First Time

Much of the repair work on a deer-related accident is invisible when the car or truck is fixed, so it's difficult to tell if the repair was done correctly. The only way you'll find out if your vehicle’s structure and safety systems were properly repaired is if you are involved in another accident in the Metro St. Louis area. That is definitely not how you'll want to test the quality of the auto body repair on your car!

Find An Auto Body Shop Now

Make time to pick an auto body shop before you have a major accident. A little groundwork ahead of time can save you plenty of stress and money if your automobile needs collision repair. Search for an auto body shop that has I-CAR and ASE certified technicians and uses up-to-date equipment. Check out the auto body shop’s reputation online too.

If you reside in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, or Jefferson County, MO, CARSTAR Arnold welcomes you to consider them as the best auto body shop for your next repair. Proper collision repair will protect you and your family’s safety, plus preserve the resale value and appearance of your car or truck.

Driving In Dangerous Floodwaters

With record-setting rain all across the Metro East St. Louis, MO area, standing water and flooding is undoubtedly an issue for drivers. Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body offers these crucial tips:

Don’t Drown Your Car – High Water Dangers:

Heavy rains are producing enough water to flood area roads. The depth of standing water during a storm may be misleading. Vehicle operators should never drive through standing water at any depth. Should you be driving on the road and come across standing water, your most secure course of action is always to simply just turn the automobile around and avoid it completely. Regardless of how familiar you may be with the road, never drive through standing water—at any depth—as it could cause serious damage to your car or truck. If a car is driven through standing water, a motorist risks flooding the engine, warping brake rotors, loss of power steering, or a short in the electric components of the vehicle, all of which can be costly to repair.

Four Fast Flood Facts

1. Just one foot of water can “float” most cars.
2. Two feet of running water can sweep away most vehicles—including sports utility vehicles and pick-ups.
3. Repair costs for damage brought on by driving through standing water may range from a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars.
4. Never try to start a car or truck which is underwater.

How to proceed if your vehicle does become submerged:

- Before attempting to start up a flood-damaged car or truck, contact a trusted auto technician like Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body in Arnold, MO and make an appointment to have them examine all readily accessible mechanical and electrical elements, and systems that contain fluids, for water contamination.
- Drain floodwater from corrupted components and systems, flush with clean water or a proper solvent, and refill with new clean fluids of the proper type.
- Check out, clean, and dry electrical system parts and connections.

Get A Grip – An Arnold, Missouri Self-Help Guide To Wet Weather Techniques

Safe driving during heavy rain begins with good tire tread, firm brakes, and streak-free wipers. Wet weather driving strategies will help motorists deal with diminished visibility and traction, steering, braking, and skid control.

- The best way to stop on a slippery surface if your car or truck does not have antilock brakes is to utilize threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and utilize the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal to the “threshold” of locking your brakes.

- Utilize your defroster to keep front and back windshields clear. On a cold day, move the heat control to “hot” and let the engine warm up prior to turning on the defrosters and blowers. This will prevent moisture from gathering on the inside of the glass. If the glass becomes foggy, open a window slightly and turn the defroster fan to a greater speed. Use your air conditioner to lessen humidity.
- When you drive on wet streets, mud and dirt splash on your headlights, decreasing illumination by as much as 90 percent. Stop occasionally on a long trip to clean your headlights.

- When visibility is so limited that you can’t see the edges of the road or other cars at a safe distance, it is time to pull off and wait for rain to let up. It’s best to stop at a rest area or leave the freeway and go to a protected area. If the roadside is your sole option, pull off the road as far as you're able, preferably past the end of a guardrail. Cars and trucks parked at the side of the road tend to be struck by other drivers. Appreciate the limitations of diminished visibility and turn headlights off and emergency flashes on to warn other drivers.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body, serving Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO, wants to ensure that you are safe when you need to travel in possibly dangerous conditions. If your vehicle’s been submerged in floodwater, or if you just have other questions about safe driving, contact Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body at 636-464-6080.

Buying A Car With Hail Damage?

Hail damaged cars and trucks offered for thousands under book value, “Steep discounts”. Could investing in a hail damaged automobile actually be a bargain for you? Possibly. But there’s a couple of things that Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair would like to let you know before you decide to drive away. This article could help you save thousands and much headache down the road.

You are getting the inside scoop here, simply because car sales people tell stuff to us, the paintless dent experts, they would never say to you or in public. “I love a hail sale!” This we heard many years ago from a salesperson at a car dealership. We asked him why. “Because people think they’re getting a great buy, so I sell more cars. There is more commission on each unit, so I knock ‘em dead!”

Does this suggest there aren't any great deals at a hail sale? Not necessarily. But you do need to be aware why that vehicle is being sold with hail on it to begin with. Let’s cover the reasons, then dig a little deeper.

Why dealers sell damaged cars

•   Car couldn't be repaired paintless
•   Price of repair was too high
•   Car needed combination repair, or painting combined with PDR

First, the vehicle couldn't be repaired using paintless dent repair. This is the situation with countless cars from Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO. We can guarantee you this, each and every vehicle that can be repaired with paintless or PDR before sale, will be fixed.

Dents can be repaired by paintless up to a certain point of damage. Too big, too deep, too severely stretched or even worse, cracked paint, all are reasons paintless repair was not utilized. PDR works great for dents inside the range of what's repairable, after that the only appropriate repair is with conventional auto body shop and paint. Paint damage and traditional repairs are very pricey and time-consuming. Car dealers know it is preferable to sell a vehicle as is than let it go to the auto body shop.

The last reason for a dealer not to fix a hail car pre-sale is the price was too high. The vehicles perhaps could have been fixed using PDR or paintless repair, but they didn't want to pay what it took to get it done. If a car isn't fixed and is being sold with hail on it, caveat emptor, or consumer beware.

How can you keep from getting ripped off on a hail damaged automobile acquisition?

•   Get an estimate beforehand from a credible PDR business such as Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair.
•   Keep in mind pictures do not tell the true story of hail damage. Just the worst type of dents will show up. If you notice it in a photo, its much worse in person.
•   Be prepared to walk away if you smell a rat. If your tummy is tingling, most likely not a great buy.
•   Should you still want the automobile, make certain you have the money on hand to repair it.
•   Oh, and take what the sales agent told you the repairs would cost and multiply it by four.

Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair in Arnold, MO is proud to offer you these guidelines to ensure that you're in the know whenever you buy your next vehicle. If you choose to purchase a car or truck with hail damage, consider taking it to Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair for expert dent elimination at an inexpensive price.

Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Winter is the harshest season for cars, thanks to salted highways, harsh temperature shifts, potholes, ice, and neglect. Seeing that spring is here, CARSTAR Arnold in Arnold, MO is here to let you know that it’s time to wash away the grime and make your vehicle look like new.

Clean Out The Trash

When you are cleaning any car, much less a winter-weather-beaten one, begin with removing all the junk you've been neglecting. Have a garbage bag and a "keep" box handy, because you will want to hold on to some of the items. Be thorough: Get below and beside the seats and in the trunk.

Vacuum the Inside

You will want to work from the top down, simply because gravity dictates that stuff stirred up works its way floorward. Additionally, yank out the salt-caked floor mats for a quick pass with the vacuum cleaner. Then employ a house or shop vac and a rigid tool like a screwdriver to work dirt out from the creases.

Scrub Carpet and Upholstery

This step is optional but worth the gratifying results. Grab a spray bottle of automotive-upholstery-and-carpet cleaner and a sturdy scrub brush to wash the soft parts of the interior. Spray the seats or anything cloth covered; scrub, then wipe down. Repeat at least one more time, moving to the carpet for the same job. Being comprehensive with the carpet is necessary, since it can act like a filthy, salty, damp rag that increases rusting. When you are finished, pull the drain plugs beneath the floor and let things air out for a few days. You'll certainly be astonished at how much better the automobile smells.

Power-Wash the Floor Mats

The floor mats are undeniably the parts of the interior that take winter abuse the worst. If you have got all-rubber floor mats, they will not take very long to clean, but carpeted mats will likely take two passes with a power washer in order to get all of the salt and dirt out. Without having a power washer, CARSTAR Arnold recommends that you utilize one at a self service car wash. Let the mats dry out thoroughly before placing them back into the vehicle or you will be begging for mold growth in the carpet.

Tip: Old Tool, New Trick

Whenever cleaning out door and body drain holes, we have discovered that the best method is to repurpose a plug-installation tool utilized in tire repair. Cut up an old shop rag or sock and place it into the slot of the tool exactly the way you would a tire plug. The setup will make dragging out dirt and plant matter very easy, and the fabric scrap is quite easily swapped out when it gets grimy.

Ditch Winter Windshield Wipers

Wipers get beaten up pretty bad in winter, and torn-up old wipers in a summer downpour will leave you blind.

Lube the Hinges

Hit each and every door, trunk, and hood hinge with white lithium grease to prevent squeaks and rapid wear.

Clean the Windows

Ever notice how your windows fog up really bad during wet spring weather? A part of that is because of how filthy the interior of your windshield is, but you are able to take steps to avoid this. First, wash your windows with a good car-window cleaner; the ammonia in household stuff will make the clouding even worse. Fog has a much harder time clinging to a clean surface, and you can go one step further by wiping down the interior of the glass with an antifogging agent.

Wash the Vehicle

This would seem clear, but there are several subtleties. Just like the interior, you should wash the automobile from the top down, rinsing often. Do not begin at the rocker panels and proceed to the roof—it drags dirt around and scrapes the clear coat. Whenever the body is clean, invest a few bucks at your neighborhood automatic car wash and get the underbody flushed. This will dislodge the road salt that is doing its best to transform the underbody into Swiss cheese.

Switch out the Cabin Air Filter

This filter keeps dirt, pollen, and plant matter from penetrating the ventilation system. It gets dirtiest during fall, when falling leaves work their way into the cabin-intake system.

Do Not Forget the Trunk

Add a bag of sand, gravel, or kitty litter to the trunk as ballast to improve traction in slippery conditions and to have something to throw underneath the tires when the car or truck's stuck in the winter. But come spring, get rid of the bag and other winter gear to improve fuel economy and free up space.

Wipe Down the Entry

Scrub door sills to keep your pants clean, and dust off any nooks overlooked during a car wash. Rub door seals with mineral oil or utilize silicone spray to keep them supple.

The qualified technicians at CARSTAR Arnold can give a detailed “spring cleaning” plan for any car or truck in Arnold, Imperial, Oakville, and Jefferson County, Missouri, incorporating paint touch-up, dent and scratch repair, and much more, all at reasonable prices.

Hail Damage FAQ

Warm weather tornadoes, floods and hail storms are working their way across the nation, leaving wrecked, soaked, dinged up and damaged vehicles in their wake.

 The experts at CARSTAR Arnold are ready to help.  During spring storms, they see countless vehicles damaged by falling trees, debris, wind, water, and hail. They provide the following advice to help car owners deal with spring storms – before and after.

Examine Your Coverage

The time to check out your car insurance policy is not when the weatherman is delivering bad news that storms are on the way.  Check out your policy now to understand what is protected, what the insurance deductibles are, if you've got rental coverage and how to handle it when the storm hits.

Complete coverage shields against most damage from disasters.  Two other choices to consider are gap coverage – which pays the difference between what you owe on your loan and what the vehicle is worth -- and rental reimbursement.

One warning – if you submitted an earlier damage claim and got a check from your insurance company, but didn’t have the car fixed – the insurance company will deduct this amount from your estimate for the weather damage, and charge an extra deductible, as well.

Protect Your Car

When you know that a storm is en route, get your motor vehicle to higher ground or under cover.  For hail storms, cover the car in an old blanket and a car cover from your local automotive retailer – prior to when the storm hits.  This will give you some protection for your hood, roof, and rear decklid. If a storm comes up quickly, try to find an awning at a gas station, the drive-through at the bank or self-serve car wash to get underneath for fast protection. On the freeway, seek out cover under a bridge or viaduct.

Should you fall victim to a hail storm, take a peek at these frequently asked questions about handling hail damage:

1.   Exactly how much Time Must I allow for a Hail estimation?
A typical hail estimate necessitates 30-45 minutes. During this time, the estimator follows a systematic structure of distinguishing severity and quantity of dents on all panels. On top of that, the estimator communicates with you to answer all questions you have about the repair and obtains all accurate vehicle information.

2.   Why is a clean car important?
A clean car allows the estimator to observe clearly the damage. Dust and dirt can often mask damage, creating incorrect estimates and delays in the repair process.

3.   What goes on during the estimate process?
During the estimate process, your estimator will greet you and then will drive your vehicle into the estimating bay. Then, they evaluate the car, taking record of the scope of the hail damage as well as the extent and amount of dents. The estimate is then finished and examined with you, and you will be given a printed copy of the estimation.

4.   So what does pre-loss condition indicate?
Throughout the hail estimation procedure, any non-hail damage will be noted. The condition of the vehicle, including this damage, is considered the pre-loss condition of the automobile. Any damage that isn't hail-related will not be covered on the repair.

During the time of the estimate, pictures will be taken of the vehicle and any of these conditions will be mentioned in the estimate.

5.   How do I schedule my vehicle for repair?
In the course of your estimation, you will be asked when you would like to schedule your automobile for repairs. During a typical hail storm, a huge number of cars sustain damages, thus, it may possibly be several weeks before your scheduled visit. CARSTAR Arnold of Arnold, MO will work with you to find out the ideal repair time following your estimate.

6.   What is a supplement?
Supplements are added operations or parts required to complete the repair of the motor vehicle that exceed the primary estimate. In some circumstances, the original estimate is inadequate to perform the repairs. When a vehicle is dropped off for repairs, an additional inspection is done to determine if all the damage was documented for repair. If all the damage was found and written on the original estimate, no supplement is needed. However, if some damage was neglected on the original estimate a “supplement” is needed to document the necessary operations or parts needed to effectively repair the vehicle.

If a supplement is required, it may extend the period of time required to repair your vehicle. The supplement will be explained to you and an altered pick up date will be given.

7.   What's Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)?
Paintless Dent Repair is a specialized and meticulous process for returning dents to their initial shape without having to paint any part of the automobile. The primary process for PDR necessitates the technician to push and massage every dent in an extremely technical and precise fashion. For this, each dent is worked back to its original shape with different metal rods ranging in shape and size. The dents are worked from the underside of the metal using access points on every panel. It's a extremely specialized and precise method that requires the finished metal to look like it came from the original factory.

8.   What is conventional auto body repair?
Traditional body repair often replaces the panels on an automobile and needs painting to match the factory finish. In many cases, hail damage is so severe that conventional body shop methods are needed to repair specific panels. If there are too many dents or too many big dents, a panel might not be capable of being repaired with PDR.

9.   What does R and I mean?
R and I is an phrase that is short for Remove and Install. Whenever a car begins the repair procedure, an R and I technician loosens, and often removes, the interior panels and parts to allow for access to the underside of the metal panel. When the PDR repairs get finished, this technician replaces the parts and re-installs the interior panels (such as the headliner and hood liner). CARSTAR Arnold has a quality assurance system to ensure that all parts are replaced properly so that your automobile is returned to you in the same condition that we received it, without dents, of course.

While the car is in the shop, it’s a great time to have other dents and dings fixed.  It will be more affordable and your motor vehicle will ultimately benefit.

For even more tips on handling an accident or having your automobile fixed after a crash, visit www.auto-body-arnold-mo.com. CARSTAR Arnold, serving Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO offers high-quality, trustworthy repair service all over the USA and Canada.

Nationwide Warranty? You Bet!

You can trust your car repair to CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair, and know that we stand behind our work with a CARSTAR Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty* on eligible repairs – everywhere you and the vehicle go. If you move from the Arnold, MO area to a different city or happen to be traveling, you're protected and if perchance there's not a CARSTAR close by, we will locate a convenient location to honor the warranty.

Your fixed car or truck may also be insured by a Lifetime Warranty. If you accepted a Lifetime Warranty from CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair whenever they repaired the automobile and you experience any problems with the repairs during normal vehicle use, you can return it to our CARSTAR location.

CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair is devoted to making certain that you get all the tools that you need to keep on the road. With offers like our Limited Five Year Nationwide Warranty and our Lifetime Warranty our company is trying to make sure that you know how proud we are of the work that we perform and how dedicated we are to ensuring that you return to CARSTAR Arnold Auto Body Repair for all of your automobile repair needs in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO.

*Please make reference to the official CARSTAR Warranty Document for specific coverage and excluded items.

Top Ten FAQ - Part Two

Last time we looked into several of Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair's most commonly asked questions as leadership in the automotive repair industry:

1.   Things you should do in the event of a vehicle accident
2.   Your Customer Rights
3.   How to pick a Automotive Body Shop
4.   Regarding the Repair Process
5.   All About Your Estimate

Now we will go on with these frequently asked questions in another installment to Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair's Top 10 FAQs:

6.   Information about Your Deductible
7.   What Constitutes a Quality Repair
8.   Warranty Information
9.   What to Do in Case of Storm Damage
10.   Car Care Tips

6. Information about Your Deductible

If your insured automobile sustains bodily damage due to a collision with some other automobile or fixed object in the Arnold, MO area or your vehicle sustains damage associated with some kind of protected comprehensive danger (fire, theft, malicious mischief, vandalism, windstorm, hail, etc) your automobile policy declaration pages will indicate the appropriate insurance deductible. It is always necessary to double-check the consistency of your insurance policy information together with your insurance company both before and after a loss. Your insurance deductible is due after you collect the car or truck after repairs are finished. Find a body shop that has financing for deductibles if you don’t choose to pay this out-of-pocket.

7. What Constitutes a Quality Repair

A superior quality auto body collision repair begins with a complete assessment to totally evaluate the damage and repairs necessary to the motor vehicle. A well designed repair procedure should be used to make sure the maintenance meets the motor vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. A thorough repair should always be performed by experts with I-CAR and ASA certifications, and training in the most up-to-date car materials and technologies and utilizes the highest quality components and products must certainly be used to restore your motor vehicle to pre-accident condition. Before the vehicle is given back to you, an extensive interior and exterior inspection, a test drive and an extensive detail must certainly be done to guarantee the repair satisfies your needs.

8. Warranty Information

Look at the fine print to understand if their warranty is offered across the country and the length of time your motor vehicle is going to be covered. If your motor vehicle is yet beneath a manufacturer’s warranty, it doesn’t mean it must be fixed at a car dealership. The majority of dealers do not possess their own individual crash repair facility and outsource their motor vehicles for repair. Your car's warranty is with your car's maker, not with the dealership. When choosing a crash repair facility, get a body shop which provides a countrywide warranty that'll be honored at any of their locations.

9. What to Do in the event of Storm Damage

In the event the automobile has been in a violent storm, call your insurance broker first off to report the damage. Take pictures of the car where it had been battered, including any branches, water damage, mud or other elements. If your car has been submersed in water, you shouldn't drive it as mechanical and electrical elements may have been damaged. Trust your ride just to a tried-and-true body shop business operating in Arnold, MO before the storm. Stay away from fly-by-night operators trying to make an easy buck off of the situation.

10. Car Care Tips

As soon as your car or truck has been fixed, there are numerous car care tips to observe to help keep your automobile looking its very best outside as well as in. Follow this link to see CAR CARE TIPS from Steve's CARSTAR Auto Body Repair for people living in Arnold, Oakville, Imperial, and Jefferson County, MO.