Get Good Air
Your compressed air system is vital to most of the functions in your shop. That’s why ongoing, preventive maintenance is crucial to maintaining
performance and efficiency.
Legislative Lowdown
California – The California Autobody Association (CAA) announced that it supports the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) performing a survey of the automotive repair industry that would include labor rates. The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA), however, opposes the BAR’s inclusion of labor rates in its survey. The CRA opposes the survey because of
Illinois Shop Gives Gift of Refurbished Van to Needy Family
They moved to Springfield in June from Chicago for a safer, smaller environment for the children. Mom secured a part-time job soon after arriving, but Dad has been hampered in his job search by the lack of a vehicle. The job offers he has received have been in areas not serviced by bus routes. The
Michigan Shop Converts to Waterborne with Sherwin-Williams
Fresard Pontiac, a Detroit-area new car dealership and collision repair facility, has transitioned its shop to waterborne basecoat from solvent-based systems. The shop is now using the AWX Waterborne Basecoat System from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation (SWAFC), says Doug Fresard, dealer principal. SWAFC recently introduced AWX, a waterborne basecoat system using a proprietary resin technology
Collision Industry Conference Seeking Feedback on Industry Issues
The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) is inviting everyone in the collision repair industry to partcipate in a short online survey that will guide the direction of the CIC over the upcoming year. The online survey, which asks participants to detail the top three issues affecting their segment of the industry, is open to anyone,
Forget Silver – White Is Top Paint Choice Two Years Straight
Consumers are taking a "pallette-cleansing pause" when it comes to automotive paint colors, making white the most popular color in North America for the second straight year, the DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report says. Silver held the title for seven years before white took over as top color in 2007. White and white pearl hold
STRANGE BUT TRUE: Diving Deer Cause Highway Mishap
Five deer near Ft. Wayne, Ind., were acting more like lemmings when they leapt together off a 30-foot-high overpass onto a busy highway in November, smashing one windshield and startling drivers in the process. On the afternoon of Nov. 28, the deer jumped from a highway overpass onto an interstate below, with one smashing through
Hot Rods Make Cool Furniture in Body Shop’s Office
The office at Brasher’s Auto & Truck Collision Inc. could be mistaken for a showroom at first glance. Eye-catching custom desks made from the front ends of cars in the new office of the Wood Village, Ore., body shop speak to its reputation for quality craftsmanship, something its former office facility housed in a trailer
Crashless Cars and Driverless Vehicles Not Far Off, Say Experts
The subject of crashless cars and driverless vehicles once again took the spotlight in a recent Scientific American magazine article, with the observation that collision avoidance technology is beginning to migrate to lower-cost cars and trucks. The next development in this technology, the article says, is automated braking assistance, which many believe will be the
Florida Toyota Dealership Opens 34,000-Square-Foot Facility
While the National Automobile Dealers Association is predicting that 900 of the 20,770 new-car dealers in the United States will be out of business by the end of this year, one Florida dealership is hoping to boost business through its body shop. Legacy Toyota in Tallahassee, Fla., opened a new 34,000 square-foot collision center on
Assured Performance Selects Saint-Gobain as Preferred Vendor
Assured Performance Network announced that it has selected Saint-Gobain Abrasives, makers of Norton and Carborundum brand products, as a Preferred Vendor. Assured Performance Co-op members will now be eligible for special training, service, incentives and rebates on Norton and Carborundum products. Norton and Carborundum products are now part of a lineup of over 20
ASA Announces Renewing and New Associate Members
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced many associate members have renewed their memberships and several new companies have joined ASA as associate members. Associate members renewing their ASA membership during the third quarter of 2008 include: 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, Access Fleet, Airtex Products, American Impact Media Corp., Atlas Copco Compressors Inc., Auto Profit Masters,