What Is Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)?

In order to make the metal on your vehicle look new again, the technicians at Black and Black Automotive in Loganville, GA. use specialized tools and repair from the other side of the dent. We take off the inside panel or go in through the window to reach the dents and dings and get them out.

Many small dents and dings can be repaired without repainting. Our technicians can make the dent disappear using repair techniques they have been trained to do in these circumstances. It is a delicate process and as the technician repairs the dents they go away. The dent recedes as the technician works. Usually by this method the dents and dings will be gone.

Black and Black Automotive technicians use specialized tools to fix dents and dings from almost any area of a vehicle. We don’t usually have to sand, use body filler or paint. Since the auto manufacturers are using higher quality metals and paints when they build their cars now this has become a more efficient way to do body work than older methods.

How Much Time Does It Take?

The actual repairs take a shorter time frame and our customers like not having to wait days for their car back.

How Much Does It Cost?

It depends on how many dents and dings you have. We can give you an estimate.

What Can Be Fixed?

Paintless dent repair can be used to about all sizes of dents and dings. If the paint that has not been damaged and dings or dents are not near the edges of a panel it is a sure fix. You car will have a higher value if it has not been repainted and this is another reason to look at paintless car repair.

1. What is wrong with my auto? Whenever you take your car to Black and Black Automotive we will give you a thorough diagnosis on a written work order that details the repair and parts needed for the job. We may also bring some other issues to your attention that may need to be taken care of in the future.

2. Will I really need to have other issues taken care of? You can see which repair you can get done right away and which can wait awhile. Our tech will let you know what is needed at once and what is not. We recommend those repairs that are absolutely needed for your safety and your cars well being and resale value.

3. When Can I Get My Car back? If the parts are readily available, the repair time will be lessened. The time for the repair itself depend on what needs to be done. Your work order will have an estimated time that the work will be completed.

4. What Will It Cost Me? This will depend on the repairs needed and how much the parts cost. Again, Labor is charged per hour and an hourly estimate is given to each job. Each customer is given a copy of the estimate.

5. What About The Warranty? Each job is checked to see if it would be under a warranty. We will let you know about any warranty information on any parts used in your repair.

We want all our customers to be informed about every auto repair that’s done at Black and Black Automotive in Loganville, Georgia. Don’t hesitate to ask any question about your repair.

Resale value

There are three factors that affect a car’s resale value
1. Vehicle past history,
2. How the engine runs
3. Overall attractive appearance.
During resale, potential buyers usually examine these things before they decide to buy a used vehicle. In the same way, owners can make sure the car is serviced properly and in great condition to justify a price for car. Then the negotiation process goes on until they come up with a fair and final cost.

A vehicle history report serves as a written record of a used car. It provides information about previous maintenance done and when, repair jobs, inspection failures, and accidents. It also reveals odometer problems, as well as records of car salvage, theft, and recall. It helps buyers examine the car’s overall future reliability based on earlier maintenance records. This document makes it much easier to evaluate the car. Black and Black Automotive recommends that accurate records be maintained on your vehicle so when you want to sell it you can show proof of how well it was taken care of.

A well running engine will sound smooth and accelerate properly. Knocking will be non existent and there will be no leaks of oil or water. Making sure we get all the dings and dents repaired along with being spotlessly clean can greatly enhance the overall appearance and marketability of your car.

When answering automobile tire questions sometimes we at Black and Black Automotive in Loganville, Georgia are asked if damage to the outside of the tires means a new tire is needed. To provide a good answer our technicians examine it closely. Sidewall damage is not rare on the weakest part of the tire. Sidewalls are thinner and are not manufactured to take the constant abuse that the tread surface does. A deep chunk out of the sidewall will probably mean that a new tire is needed ASAP. We don’t want any of the fiber cords seen.

Most sources recommend that 4/32 of tread be remaining for the tire to be considered good. So we usually us that as a rule of thumb anything less than that would warrant that a new tire is needed. If you are in an area of the country that has a lot of wet weather, ice or snow then you might want to replace them even sooner.

Tire sidewall

It is the job of the tread to guide away rain water, ice and snow to provide direct contact with the road surface. Tires have tread wear indicators made into them. These are also called wear bars. When these wear bars show across the width of the tire it is really gone down beyond its capability to do an adequate job of guiding away water, ice and snow.

Besides the tread depth you should also check for bumps caused by breaks in the reinforcement cords. Nails might have been picked up from the road surface without knowing it. Roll the car forward a couple of inches and look again.

Things to consider about replacement tires

One of the most important things to consider is where you live. This along with the condition of the routes surfaces that you drive on shouldn’t be forgotten. Different brands and models will give you different levels of road traction and length of use. This will often be a person from your area who already knows what conditions you are faced with. We can check your tires when you bring in your car for the regular oil changes or other maintenance done by us.

Tailgating is a form of aggressive driving and a major contributor to crashes.To discourages a driver who tailgates simply slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and allow the vehicle to slow down until the tailgater gets impatient and goes around.

Fantastic music helps with the management of road rage. Choosing music that’s no more than 145 beats per minute and is soothing is a great idea. Soft classical comes to mind. Anything faster may have the reverse effect. Fast music can hype up your emotions and be extremely exciting, which could lead to you falling victim to anger at other drivers who irritate you.

Staying alert while driving and not letting your mind wander can prevent sudden stops or blind spots.

After a long day of work or refereeing the children’s shouting matches, it’s easy to get distracted. Never look at one thing for too long.

Keep your eyes moving and on the road ahead instead of looking at one thing for even a few seconds. Scanning the road is the best way to avoid a situation that can trigger road rage in the other drivers around you. Looking around at your surroundings and in all of your mirrors helps you see a deer on the side of the road, a car that might turn in front of you and even a trooper tucked under an overpass waiting to give you a speeding ticket.

Start your day with a clear mind. Many drivers say meditation also helps them brush off rude road hogs and pushy drivers who might cause your anger to flare. When not upset or very stressed before you get behind the wheel can help you to ignore or brush off a lot of things.

Try using the cruise control to manage your speed. Using cruise control is easier than getting frustrated and irritated about getting a ticket and paying those fines.

Chewing gum keeps drivers alert and awake and helps with getting sleepy Chewing keeps the mind going and the strong mint flavor helps to stay awake. Scientists say this trick really works to keep a driver alert. Several studies of aromas have demonstrated decreased levels of frustration, anxiety and fatigue when exposed to peppermint or cinnamon scents. The drivers were more awake and aware of their surroundings, too.

Bottom line, being aware, alert and calm can reduce any anger connected to driving on the road and keep your driving a pleasant experience.

Defensive driving is a good way to ensure that one is not involved in a serious accident. Here are some tips and techniques for defensive driving.

1. Always assume the worst. For example, expect that a vehicle indicating that it is about to turn will not turn. Also expect that a vehicle not indicating a turn will unexpectedly turn.

2. Assume that any red signals, or stop signs will be ignored.

3. Watch out for drivers speaking on cell phones while driving.

4. Assume that their vehicles have not been seen by any and every car on the road.

5. Keep an eye on any and every vehicle signals, indicators, and brake lights.

6. Keep road discipline and trained to avoid driving too close. While driving keep your line of sight clear.

7. Adjust their rear view mirrors as well as to avoid tinted window panes, keeping their windows transparent and clear.

8. Scan the road for any bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, potholes, and animals. Look for any objects on the road.

9. Don’t drive either too fast or too slow. Stay in the recommended speed limit.

10. Always look for an exit route, by keeping the space on both sides of your car free and also to drive on the outer lane when possible. This makes it easier to back out or stop quickly in case of any problem on the road.

Not only will these defensive driving tips help prevent serious accidents, they will make all our roads safer and more pleasant to drive on. We know that sometimes accidents happen and when they do Black and Black Automotive wants to be your automotive repair shop for Walton County Georgia.

The first thing to do is make sure everyone is safe.  Before you start asking for information or laying blame on anyone, you must assess the situation and call 9-1-1 if anyone is injured.  In most accidents, the cars will be more damaged than the drivers and passengers.  Once you and the other driver have determined that this is the case with your own fender bender, use the following checklist:

What to do in a minor accident:

1. Move off the road to a place you agree upon (i.e. the shoulder or the nearest parking lot).  If your car is drivable and conditions are safe, you should clear the lane for traffic.  Note the license plate number of the other car before you move (in case he decides to keep moving!).  If moving the vehicles is impossible or unsafe, use your four-way flashers and any flares you may have to prevent other cars from hitting the disabled vehicles.

2. Exit your vehicle and get the other driver’s contact information.

3. Write down the other driver’s vehicle information and a description of the visible damage to the vehicles.

4. Write down any conditions that may have affected the accident, such as fog, heavy rain, road construction, etc.

5. Most important to your information gathering is the other driver’s insurance and license information.  Write this down, including his or her policy number.  If it is determined that you are not responsible for the accident, you will need this information.

6. If there is contention about what went on in the accident, or if someone was in obvious violation of the law and this led to the accident, call the police to submit a report.  No matter who decides the police need to be called, the other driver must remain on the scene until they show up.

7. If you have a camera or cell phone with you, take photos of the damage, skid marks, and other “evidence” at the scene.

8. Do not admit fault.  Your insurance representatives will review your information, the vehicle damage, and any police reports to determine who is at fault.

9. When you get home, call your insurance agent to make a claim.  He or she will walk you through the claims process.

Some rules for the road:

Keep a notepad in your car – otherwise you will have no way to record any accident information!
Never leave the scene of an accident without gathering the required information for processing a claim.  If you hit a car you will almost certainly be frightened, but leaving the scene will only make things worse for you in the end.
Be honest with your insurance agent.  To do otherwise may cause delays in the payment of your claim.

This information is brought to you courtesy Black and Black Automotive in Walton County.

1) Check Your Air Filter

Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%.

Cost Savings: 40 cents a gallon (Cost estimates in this feature are based on $4-a-gal).

2) Tune Up

When was your last tune up? A properly maintained engine can improve mileage by up to 8%.

Cost Savings: 16 cents a gallon.

3) Straighten Up

Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder. Align your tires, and save up to 20%.

Cost Savings: 20 cents per gallon.

4) Pump ‘em Up

More than one-quarter of vehicles are driving on deflated tires. The average under-inflation of 7.5 pounds causes a loss of 4.8% in fuel efficiency.

Cost Savings: 12 cents per gallon.

5) Check Your Gas Cap

Believe it or not, it’s been estimated that nearly 17% of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps. What’s the big deal? Escaping fumes not only hurt fuel economy but release smog-causing compounds into the air. Avoid air pollution and improving fuel mileage is as easy as replacing a bad gas cap.

Cost Savings: 2 cent per gallon.

6) Slow Down

For every 5 mph you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 14%.

Cost Savings: 28 cents (by reducing speed from 70 mph to 65 mph).

7) Drive More Smoothly

Avoiding jack-rabbit starts and stops, and herky-jerky driving will improve fuel economy. Don’t believe it? Lousy driving on the highway can add as much as one-third to your gas bill.

Cost Savings: 1.32 cents a gallon.

8 ) Lay Off The Brakes

Riding with your foot on the brake pedal will not only wear out brake pads (which will cost you at the maintenance shop) but can also increase gas consumption by as much as 35%.

Cost Savings: 1.40 cents per gallon.

9) Lighten Up

For every 100 extra pounds carried around, your vehicle loses 1% to 2% in fuel efficiency. Don’t drive around with too much junk in the trunk.

Cost Savings: 6 cents per gallon (assuming 100 pounds of weight removed).

10) Don’t Idle

Besides causing pollution, idling wastes gas. If stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine, and don’t bother to "warm up" your car before driving — it is not necessary.

Cost Savings: 2 cent per gallon, for every three minutes you avoid idling.

With gas nearing $4.00 per/gal Black and Black Automotive in Loganville, Georgia wants all their customers to save money when driving their vehicle.

There are also different brands of shop manuals on the market, so the GM dealer would be using a different labor estimating guide than my shop and most independent shops would be using. Not only would these guides possibly give different replacement times, but they could also classify an auto tune up differently like in my example above.
So the shop that Tom found only charged him for the time they actually spent working on the car? So is that a better deal? Maybe not, if all they did was replace spark plugs and call it a car tune-up.

On a different note, as a shop owner I would want to know why you are requesting a car tune up in the first place. What I have found is that if the car runs poorly or differently than normal, the customer often automatically asks for a car tune up. Cars of today are very sophisticated and full of computers and sensors that can cause your car to act strangely. So a tune up might not fix the problem, and a proper diagnosis from the mechanic could be beneficial.

Black and Black Auto in Loganville Georgia gives a through price estimate as well and doing top quality workmanship.

We are well experienced and honest. Call us today for all your car repair and parts needs.

68% of people surveyed on AutoMD.com are planning to drive their vehicle past 150,000 miles.

I want to publish these 5 tips for maintaining older, high-mileage vehicles because let’s face it – many people are still feeling the effects of recession/depression/money famine. Entrepreneurs are certainly among them. I’ve not yet bought into the theory that most entrepreneurs are rolling in it. The reality is that most of us are learning the art of frugality wherever we can. And that means that we’re not trading in our still working older cars for shiny new ones anytime soon.

Here are AutoMD.com’s top 5 tips for keeping cars with 75,000+ miles running smoothly and getting the most out of it.

1. Keep Up With Service

Just because your vehicle is long in the tooth doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need on going TLC – in fact it needs it more than ever!  Be particularly rigorous about keeping it lubed and the filters clean, an older engine needs all the help it can get. Be sure to change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Continue to check the service required as delineated in your owner’s manual, with particular attention to tire and brake wear.

2. Looks Are Still Important

As your vehicle ages, the paint/ finish becomes more vulnerable to the elements, which could lead to rust, so, if you can, keep your vehicle in the garage to protect it from the elements or consider a cover if you don’t have a garage. And, to prolong the quality of its interior, remember the surgeon general’s warning: smoking is hazardous to your vehicle interior’s health and it will make your vehicle smell. Be sure to be vigilant about cleaning and treating your upholstery, and cleaning and protecting the carpet.

3. Timing Is Everything: Replace That Belt

It’s very important to replace your vehicles timing belt at the recommended interval (60,000 miles or more). A stretched timing belt affects engine performance, and a broken belt can leave you stranded.  If you have an interference engine, a broken belt will also cause engine damage!

4. Take It Easy When You Drive

Cars that are driven easy last longer. Avoid driving habits that put stress and strain on your vehicle, such as fast driving, hitting curbs, off-roading, and trailer towing.

5. Support Those Tires

Black and Black Auto in Loganville, Georgia knows that maintaining your tires is critical to how your vehicle rides and vehicle safety. If tires are unevenly worn or out of balance, your car may pull or shake when you drive, potentially damaging other components. Let us keep your tires properly inflated, rotated and balanced at every other oil change; we will routinely check for uneven wear. Be sure to keep them clean, and cover them if you leave your vehicle stored for long periods of time.