When repairing something as small as a scratch it might be necessary to repaint the entire panel. When we do this we must remove any trim and/or parts that are on that panel (i.e. moldings, handles, and mirrors). Depending on where the scratch is on the panel, we might actually have to "blend" the paint into the adjacent panel to achieve a proper color match, again, having to remove any hardware on that adjacent panel. You may have heard about companies that can do small "spot" repairs for small scratches. We have found, however, that this type of repair doesn't last very long and you can start seeing the repair area after a year or two. If you are selling the car this might be an adequate solution to the problem, but not if you intend on keeping the car for a long time.
It is generally not possible to give estimates over the phone. There are far too many aspects to consider when we write an estimate. Everything from the year make and model to the slightest details such as power windows, transmission, and even memory seats. Today's modern vehicles have many different options which affect many of the repair parts and labor times when repairing them.
First of all, we are in the business of repairing cars. We don't "total" cars. Only insurance companies can do that. We write estimates in a very fair and honest manner. A Total Loss occurs when the repair costs outweigh the value if the vehicle. You might say, "my car is worth ten thousand dollars and the estimate is only nine thousand". The car is also worth something after the accident. Your wrecked ten thousand dollar car might be worth two thousand to a wrecking yard. The insurance company takes those numbers, the cost of repairs and the "salvage value", and adds them up. If it were more than the value of the car, in this case 11k vs. 10k, then the car would most likely be a Total Loss. Keep in mind that this has nothing to do with the mechanical condition of the vehicle. A perfectly running and restored '79 Honda Civic is still only worth a certain amount. A simple fender replacement could indeed "total" that car.
The VIN number tells us all about your car. You might think that something as simple as a headlight would be easy. We could call Joe The Parts Guy and say, "Hey Joe, send me a headlight for this car". However, it is not always as easy as this. There are many different options on cars today such as; halogen, xenon, built in fog-lites, and even self leveling headlights.
While we do not yet have the capability to do vehicle status online we are planning on doing so in the future. If your car is in the shop now then please call for an update.
We work on all makes and models. We do however specialize in European cars. Specifically, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Volvo, and Volkswagen. We provide the body work for Carlsen Porsche, Audi, and Volvo. We also do a lot of work on Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus, Lexus, and just about every other make and model.
Yes, we do restoration work. But only for one of the owners here who has a collection of antiques. Feel free to come by and see what we might be working on, or call us for a list of referrals to restoration shops.
Mr. Carlsen at one time owned all of it. In fact, Mr. Mathews was hired by Mr. Carlsen many years ago to run his body shop. Mr. Carlsen is now retired and sold the various dealerships and the body shop to the same people who had worked for him for many years. While we are now an independent shop, we still maintain a close family-like relationship with the dealerships and continue to do their work.
There are options for vehicle pickup. If you can't show up in person give us a call and we can work out other arrangements.
We are located behind Carlsen Audi in Palo Alto. Take Embarcadero Road heading East from 101. Then once you pass the Audi Dealer make a right turn on Faber Place. We are about half way down the block on the right hand side.
Call us and let us know it's here. We can advise you best over the phone on what to do next.
Think of it this way. A bottle of nail polish typically costs about five dollars. Try painting a car door with nail polish. How many of those five dollar bottles do you think you will need? Oh, and don't forget you have to prime the door first. Oh, and of course you need to apply a clear coat over that...
Typically, you can hand wash your car immediately after the repair. Avoid the "spinning brush" or "mop" type car washes, new paint or not, those just aren't nice to the finish of your car.
Typically you should wait about one month before waxing your car after new paint has been applied.
We do almost all repairs "in-house". Besides our bodymen and painters, we also have full time; mechanical, electrical, and detailers.
We do almost everything "in-house". Occasionally we send a car to the dealer to reset computer codes that have been triggered by airbags or dead batteries.
We don't do complete re-paints unless it's for an insurance claim (completely key scratched, vandalism, or some sort of chemical fallout). It is very expensive to change the color on a car and it is terribly time consuming. Stop to consider where all the color of your car is. Under the hood, around the engine, in the trunk, the inside door frames, and everywhere else you can imagine. To do a proper job we would have to remove body panels, moldings, interior, and even glass to ensure a quality job. There are some shops that specialize in complete re-paints. They have enabled their facility to handle that type of work flow. We major in collision repair.
Yes, we mix our own paint. We use Glasurit, which is a German brand of paint, widely used throughout Europe. It is a subsidiary of BASF. We have a large bank of toners and use a computer database to look up the proper formula for your car. The painters then spend some time spraying out test panels and ensuring a good match.
Estimates really should be done in person. It is nearly impossible to tell what sort of damage needs to be addressed over the phone. A bumper repair can be anywhere from $150.00 to $1,500.00.
Lacquer paints are no longer legal to use in this area because of the effect that they have on the air quality. The paint we use is a urethane based paint which is the industry standard for new cars.