Taking the Pain Out of Glass
These days, automotive glass serves a bigger purpose than simply keeping bugs out of a driver’s teeth. Some passenger-side airbags depend on the windshield to act as an integral part of the system. With such a critical repair at hand, proper glass replacement is of the utmost importance — but isn’t nearly as complex as you might think.
Made in Taiwan Part 3: Aftermarket Parts
We continue our look at Taiwanese aftermarket parts manufacturers. This month, we analyze the Tong Yang Group and Depo Auto Lamp and hear from industry members who’ve seen the operations firsthand
Along Came a Spyder: Mitsubishi
The 2001 Mitsubishi Spyder • What kind of person would drive this car? The manufacturer says it’s for "open-air thrillseekers." This may rule out Bob Newhart. • So what’s new? Compared to the 2000 Spyder, this model has a longer wheelbase, wider track, enhanced interior room and more trunk space. • You can leave your
The Tech, the Manager and the Entrepreneur
When Michael E. Gerber first introduced the world to the e-myth principles in his seminars, consulting services and books, it may have seemed odd to relate such ideas to the collision repair industry. But if you’ve had the opportunity to read — or listen to the audio version of — his updated, "The E-Myth Revisited:
Speak Up! Communication with Customers
It was all due to an unfortunate misunderstanding — three elderly ladies standing in front of my desk accusing me of overcharging for a repair and giving me an earful. (Not something I’d ever like to repeat.) But I could’ve avoided the situation entirely and saved my customer grief if only I’d communicated better.
The Heat Is On: Infrared Equipment
Since the average body shop paints an entire vehicle just 10 percent of the time, it makes sense to focus your energy — and that of your curing system — on only the areas refinished. How? Infrared equipment can be applied just where and when you need it, helping to increase your shop’s efficiency
Behind Closed Doors: CARA Collision & Glass Bankruptcy
Since CARA Collision & Glass filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, many in the industry are wondering what the heck is going on. Though the future is unclear, a few things are certain: Employees are out of jobs and former shop owners who took stock in the company are out of luck
Halfway Around the World in One Article
After BodyShop Business’ roving reporter Mike Lawrence returned from his two-day, 17-country whirlwind trip – in which he studied collision repair markets around the globe – he determined that while each country’s market is unique, it also sounds strangely familiar.
Fill In The Blanks: Correctly Using Fillers
Today, fewer panels are repaired and more are replaced. Likewise, gone are the days when shops used entire 5-gallon pails of body filler weekly to avoid doing metal work. While today’s fillers are used in smaller volumes, a wider variety of styles can provide just what you need — if you know how they work, which to choose and how to use them properly.