Early drivers had an ordinary pane of glass to protect them from the wind. Since it was ordinary glass, it was prone to shattering when struck by an object. These days, auto manufacturers understand the importance of protecting drivers and passengers from shattered glass in the event of a car collision, and so they install shatterproof windshields. Shatterproof glass is made by placing a thin sheet of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between the two layers of glass. When the glass is broken, it sticks to the PVB layer instead of shattering and coming loose. This protects the driver and occupants, but the car will still need attention from a body shop.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance policies include windshield repair and replacement as part of their comprehensive coverage option. Review your policy or call your insurance agent to double-check. Then, get a quote from the body shop for the windshield replacement. If you have a high deductible, it might not be worth it to file a claim if doing so would result in a higher premium. Take a few minutes to think it over before deciding.

Preparation Process

Windshield replacement can be a tricky job, so be sure to choose a repair shop with highly trained technicians. The first step in the preparation process is to remove the trim. The trim is what holds the windshield in position. Then, the technician can fasten very large, strong suction cups with handles to the windshield. These suction cups aid in lifting out the windshield safely and efficiently. Next, the technician inspects the pinch weld. The pinch weld is a little gap that pinches the windshield’s edges. Gunk can build up in this gap over time, and interfere with a proper seal. The technician will clean it out to ensure a good fit for the new windshield.

Installation Process

Next, the technician applies urethane to the pinch weld. The new windshield, which is held with the large, handled suction cups, is positioned over the car. It’s held in place within the pinch weld for several minutes to allow the urethane to set. Then, the suction cups can be taken off.

Windshield replacement is one of the many expert services we offer here at B&L Automotive. We are a certified collision center proudly serving Chicago residents since 1978. If you’ve been in a car collision, call us right away at (773) 463-1622.

After a minor fender bender, the body shop may only need to replace the bumper skin to get rid of the signs of damage. Bumper skins are found on newer models of vehicles. They are made of flexible plastic, and fit over a piece of shock-absorbing foam attached to the structure of the bumper. First, the auto paint shop may paint the new bumper skin and let it dry before taking the old skin off.

Next, the technician needs to remove or pry up the fasteners, which are located all around the bumper skin. Any molded-in lights that are present must also be disconnected. Next, the technician will unhook the bumper skin from each wheel well before sliding it off. In some cases, the shock-absorbing foam must be replaced before the new bumper skin can be securely fastened into place.

Professional bumper repair services in Chicago are available at B&L Automotive—the trusted source for car collision repairs. Reach our team at (773) 463-1622 to request an estimate.

Any time you’re involved in a car accident, whether it’s a major wreck or a minor fender bender, a collision repair professional needs to give it a full evaluation. Some people are willing to ignore a few dents here and there, especially if they own an older model car. The problem with this is that car crashes often cause damage you can’t see. Hidden auto damage can shorten the lifespan of your vehicle, decrease its resale value, and jeopardize your safety.

Hidden Damage Consequences

There are a few financial and safety risks to be aware of. Hidden auto damage might not cause mechanical problems right away. But if it isn’t fixed, it’s only likely to grow worse. This might mean that the car’s occupants are at a higher risk of injuries in the event of another crash, or that the car will break down and leave you stranded. The car’s value will decrease. And if you try to fix the hidden damage long after the crash, the insurance carrier probably won’t cover it.

Complete Inspection

At the auto body shop, the technician may need to disassemble some parts in order to thoroughly inspect the car. A full inspection includes a check of these components:

• Frame
• Brackets
• Suspension
• Wiring
• Electrical systems
• Engine parts and mounts

Common Auto Body Problems

Any part of the car may sustain damage in a collision, even at low speeds. One common type of hidden damage occurs in the bumper. Your bumper may have little more than a scratch or two, but the technician can remove the bumper skin to verify its integrity. It’s possible that the shock-absorbing structure underneath the bumper skin has been deformed. If this is the case, the bumper won’t be able to absorb the shock from another collision. It’s the same reason why parents replace car seats after a crash, and why motorcyclists replace their helmets. Other types of hidden damage can affect these vehicular components and systems:

• Frame
• Alignment
• Air bag deployment
• Suspension
• Steering system
• Drivetrain
• Brakes
• Cooling system
• Tubing

No matter what sort of damage your vehicle has, the collision repair experts at B&L Automotive can handle it. Our body repair shop in Chicago consists of highly trained technicians who will take care of your car as if it was their own. You can reach our shop at (773) 463-1622.

Once your collision repairs are complete, it’s time to think about painting your car. Auto paint shops use special techniques to seamlessly blend metallic paint. You can see a demonstration of this when you watch the accompanying video. It features an auto paint pro who is applying multiple coats of silver metallic paint to a Nissan.

Pay particular attention to the explanation of the “wet bed.” This refers to the application of an orientation coat. This is a clear coat that allows the metallic paint to land wet. It’s significant because otherwise, the metallic paint would quickly dry at the edges, creating an undesirable halo effect.

B&L Automotive offers comprehensive car collision repairs in Chicago, including computerized paint matching and professional car paint jobs. Get in touch today at (773) 463-1622, and let us know how we can help you get back on the road.

A misaligned frame may be a bigger deal than you realize, so talk to your car repair pros about getting it fixed. This kind of damage can happen for a few different reasons, but it’s often due to car collisions. There may be more to the damage than you can see, so double check with the body shop and read on for the answers to your questions about frame straightening.

How does frame damage happen?

A car needs frame straightening when the frame becomes misaligned from the rest of the vehicle, and this often happens because of car accidents. No matter what angle the collision happens at, the force could be enough to throw off the frame. Sometimes this is obvious just by looking at the car, but you should see your mechanic even after minor accidents.

Is frame damage just an aesthetic problem?

If your vehicle gets banged up in a collision, your car repair specialist might recommend frame straightening. Sometimes you can tell when a car’s frame isn’t perfectly straight, and sometimes you can’t. Either way, it can have an effect on your alignment. It throws your alignment off when your frame isn’t straight, and this means your vehicle will stray to one side of the road or your steering wheel won’t be perfectly aligned with your wheels. Frame straightening aims to reverse this problem so you maintain full control over your vehicle.

What can I do to fix my frame?

The best way to fix your frame is to visit your car repair shop. The mechanics at the auto body shop use the latest and best technology to restore your vehicle and keep you safe on the road. Your car repair specialist will likely use a computer-assisted machine to make sure the frame straightening procedure goes absolutely perfectly.

You can always call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 if you have questions about our frame straightening process or if you’re in need of car repair in Chicago. You can trust us with car dent removal and auto paint supplies as well, so check out our website today.

A misaligned frame may be a bigger deal than you realize, so talk to your car repair pros about getting it fixed. This kind of damage can happen for a few different reasons, but it’s often due to car collisions. There may be more to the damage than you can see, so double check with the body shop and read on for the answers to your questions about frame straightening.

How does frame damage happen?

A car needs frame straightening when the frame becomes misaligned from the rest of the vehicle, and this often happens because of car accidents. No matter what angle the collision happens at, the force could be enough to throw off the frame. Sometimes this is obvious just by looking at the car, but you should see your mechanic even after minor accidents.

Is frame damage just an aesthetic problem?

If your vehicle gets banged up in a collision, your car repair specialist might recommend frame straightening. Sometimes you can tell when a car’s frame isn’t perfectly straight, and sometimes you can’t. Either way, it can have an effect on your alignment. It throws your alignment off when your frame isn’t straight, and this means your vehicle will stray to one side of the road or your steering wheel won’t be perfectly aligned with your wheels. Frame straightening aims to reverse this problem so you maintain full control over your vehicle.

What can I do to fix my frame?

The best way to fix your frame is to visit your car repair shop. The mechanics at the auto body shop use the latest and best technology to restore your vehicle and keep you safe on the road. Your car repair specialist will likely use a computer assisted machine to make sure the frame straightening procedure goes absolutely perfectly.

You can always call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 if you have questions about our frame straightening process or if you’re in need of car repair in Chicago. You can trust us with car dent removal and auto paint supplies as well, so check out our website today.

A misaligned frame may be a bigger deal than you realize, so talk to your car repair pros about getting it fixed. This kind of damage can happen for a few different reasons, but it’s often due to car collisions. There may be more to the damage than you can see, so double check with the body shop and read on for the answers to your questions about frame straightening.

How does frame damage happen?

A car needs frame straightening when the frame becomes misaligned from the rest of the vehicle, and this often happens because of car accidents. No matter what angle the collision happens at, the force could be enough to throw off the frame. Sometimes this is obvious just by looking at the car, but you should see your mechanic even after minor accidents.

Is frame damage just an aesthetic problem?

If your vehicle gets banged up in a collision, your car repair specialist might recommend frame straightening. Sometimes you can tell when a car’s frame isn’t perfectly straight, and sometimes you can’t. Either way, it can have an effect on your alignment. It throws your alignment off when your frame isn’t straight, and this means your vehicle will stray to one side of the road or your steering wheel won’t be perfectly aligned with your wheels. Frame straightening aims to reverse this problem so you maintain full control over your vehicle.

What can I do to fix my frame?

The best way to fix your frame is to visit your car repair shop. The mechanics at the auto body shop use the latest and best technology to restore your vehicle and keep you safe on the road. Your car repair specialist will likely use a computer assisted machine to make sure the frame straightening procedure goes absolutely perfectly.

You can always call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 if you have questions about our frame straightening process or if you’re in need of car repair in Chicago. You can trust us with car dent removal and auto paint supplies as well, so check out our website today.

The auto paint shop pros will go through a couple of steps while they get ready to paint your car. Sanding prepares the surface so the color matches and the paint sticks, leaving you with a great result. Watch this video on the preparation process for automotive painting.

When your auto body expert starts sanding, the first round will use a coarse grit to flatten the panel. For a solid color paint job, the mechanic will use progressively smoother grits of sandpaper up to 400 grit. In order to create a metallic effect, the sanding will continue through 500 grit, perhaps even using wet sand.

Bring your car to the auto paint shop in Chicago if you’ve been in a car collision and need to get your paint touched up. B&L Automotive is an auto paint shop that can give you a professional paint job. To learn more, call us at (773) 463-1622.

A misaligned frame may be a bigger deal than you realize, so talk to your car repair pros about getting it fixed. This kind of damage can happen for a few different reasons, but it’s often due to car collisions. There may be more to the damage than you can see, so double check with the body shop and read on for the answers to your questions about frame straightening.

How does frame damage happen?

A car needs frame straightening when the frame becomes misaligned from the rest of the vehicle, and this often happens because of car accidents. No matter what angle the collision happens at, the force could be enough to throw off the frame. Sometimes this is obvious just by looking at the car, but you should see your mechanic even after minor accidents.

Is frame damage just an aesthetic problem?

If your vehicle gets banged up in a collision, your car repair specialist might recommend frame straightening. Sometimes you can tell when a car’s frame isn’t perfectly straight, and sometimes you can’t. Either way, it can have an effect on your alignment. It throws your alignment off when your frame isn’t straight, and this means your vehicle will stray to one side of the road or your steering wheel won’t be perfectly aligned with your wheels. Frame straightening aims to reverse this problem so you maintain full control over your vehicle.

What can I do to fix my frame?

The best way to fix your frame is to visit your car repair shop. The mechanics at the auto body shop use the latest and best technology to restore your vehicle and keep you safe on the road. Your car repair specialist will likely use a computer-assisted machine to make sure the frame straightening procedure goes absolutely perfectly.

You can always call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 if you have questions about our frame straightening process or if you’re in need of car repair in Chicago. You can trust us with car dent removal and auto paint supplies as well, so check out our website today.

Not everyone is prone to road rage, but no one is exactly immune to it either. When road rage leads to collisions, one or both drivers may be in need of car repair. Take care of your mind and body, leave enough time to get where you’re going, and stay focused on the road. If you’re an aggressive driver, here’s how to avoid accidents.

Mind Your Health

People are much more likely to snap when they’re already in a bad mood. You can avoid road rage and live a less stressful life overall by taking care of your physical and mental well-being. Eat a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, and remember to exercise so you have the energy you need to carry you through the day. You can also try meditation and yoga to help you relax—these mental exercises will keep you calm and allow you to control your impulses.

Don’t Race the Clock

If you have somewhere to be, make sure you leave yourself enough time to get there. Many people end up succumbing to road rage because they’re stressed about getting to their destination on time, and they react strongly when someone cuts them off or otherwise makes a mistake on the road. If you know you’re an aggressive driver, save yourself and others the stress by leaving the house with plenty of time to spare.

Pay Attention

Sometimes people get road rage even when the incident on the road was their own fault. The more alert and aware you are, the easier it is to follow the flow of traffic. Put down the cell phone, leave your hair alone, and turn down the music so you can pay attention to your surroundings. Additionally, get enough sleep each night so you wake up rested.

Regardless of whose fault the car collision may have been, call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 so we can get you fixed up. Car repair in Chicago is our specialty, and our website can help you get to know our business.

If you’re not accustomed to driving in inclement weather, you should know about some obstacles that you’ll want to stay away from. All it takes is one patch of black ice to end up in a collision, and you’ll have to pay the auto body repair shop a visit afterwards. Here’s what you need to know about black ice.

Hitting a patch of ice on the road can be scary, but you can usually see it well enough to avoid it. Black ice is tricky because it’s completely clear, so it’s difficult to notice it until you’re already skidding out. You’re more likely to encounter black ice when it’s raining and the air is at or below the freezing point. Precipitation can freeze as it hits the ground, or runoff from snow can refreeze and also cause black ice. Leave extra space between yourself and other vehicles in bad weather to avoid an accident.

Black ice is the cause of many accidents, but our auto body repair shop in Chicago can be the solution. Come to B&L Automotive if you’ve been in a car collision and need auto body repair. Call our office at (773) 463-1622 to learn more about us.

It’s not easy to experience a car collision. On top of recovering from any physical injuries you sustained during the accident, you’ll have to deal with your insurance company as well as find collision repair services to restore your vehicle. It’s easier to stick to your plan when you’re kept in the loop, and Carwise can help.

Banging up your car in an accident is frustrating enough in itself and wondering what the vehicle’s condition is only adds to the stress. When you use Carwise, you can follow along with your collision repair progress. This way you’ll know when your vehicle is ready for use again, which is even more important if you don’t have another car or truck to use in the meantime. You can even look at photographs of your vehicle as it goes through the repair process, and all you need to access them is your phone number.

Getting on top of collision repair near Chicago makes your vehicle safer and prevents additional problems from building up, so call B&L Automotive at (773) 463-1622 to get your car or truck in working order again. If you’ve been in a recent car collision, see our services on our website.