LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A/M Parts: Like, Kind and Quality?
I recently read a news story on your Web site [CAA Survey Questions Quality of CAPA-Certified Parts] and feel the need to comment. First, a little background on me. I’ve owned and operated a larger shop on the West Coast for almost 30 years and have experienced firsthand all of the different changes that have
CAPA Says Survey Questioning Quality of Its Parts Is False
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has warned California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that a survey released in September by the California Autobody Association (CAA) is based on faulty data and that its assertion that CAPA-certified auto body repair parts are not equivalent to OEM parts is false. In a letter to Schwarzenegger, CAPA Executive Director
CAA Survey Questions Quality of CAPA-Certified Parts
In a survey regarding the fit, function and finish of Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA)-Certified crash parts, roughly half of California Autobody Association (CAA) shops surveyed – 49 percent – said they found one in four CAPA parts to be OEM-equivalent, and 1.3 percent of surveyed shops reported that all CAPA parts were OEM-equivalent. Despite perceived inferiority
COVER STORY: Brand on the Brain
Want to get consumers thinking about your shop all the time? The key is to create a marketing plan that emphasizes repetition and consistency.
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Department of Justice recently released the final rules for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), created by a 1992 law to prevent title washing. The rules, which were effective April 1, require insurers to report vehicles that have been declared total losses under state law and by their own
Sherwin-Williams and Toyota Team Up for Revamped Estimating Class
The University of Toyota is continuing its partnership with Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC) to offer the “Estimating Solutions for Profit” class as part of its estimator certification program. “We are looking forward to another successful year working with Sherwin-Williams Automotive to supply our collision professionals with the skills needed to write better estimates and
Stuck On You
Repairers are bonding more with adhesives because, used properly with welding, they can lead to better repairs than welding or adhesives alone.
ASE and BodyShop Business Name Technician of the Year
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) honored 38 automotive professionals who were top performers on ASE certification tests at an awards banquet Nov. 19 in San Diego, Calif. James Zuege of Kewaunee, Wis. was named the BodyShop Business/ASE Automotive Technician of the Year at the event. Zuege is the production supervisor for Williams
Chrysler Approves DuPont Cromax Pro Waterborne Basecoat
Chrysler LLC has granted global approval of DuPont Cromax Pro waterborne basecoat, per the requirements of Chrysler LLC’s global paint refinish material and process certification. GM also recently approved the use of Cromax Pro. “The approval required us to complete a rigorous testing protocol, and we’re pleased to have met and exceeded those demanding requirements,”
No Baking Required
The HP process removes the need for baking to achieve a fast cure timeby using proprietary Air-Bake technology to cure at ambient (70-75°F) room temperatures, allowing for same-day repairs. This process has received numerous certifications from OEMs and uses high-quality primers, basecoats and urethane clearcoats that produce a finish that can be sanded and polished
