Auto Collision Repair & Auto Body Paint Services – Service Body Shop Wichita Kansas

One of the most time-consuming and expensive projects you’ll ever perform on your automobile is to either paint it yourself or have it painted. Paint and bodywork have long been considered an art more than a mechanical procedure. A good paint job is certainly the result of many hours spent welding, sanding, and preparing the body for paint. In fact, rather than the common misconception that a “paint job” is a single step process, painting a car is really a multi-step process that leads up to the actual painting of the car.

Auto Body Repair Process

The first step to a great looking paint job that will last is having a solid, rust-free foundation to work from. Rust is a common term for the process of steel oxidizing and is normally caused by unprotected metal being exposed to water or water vapor. Adding salt to the process, as in salty roads in the winter or beach driving in the summer, only expedites the process and can quickly turn sheet metal into an ugly, flaking, rusty mess.

Auto Body Rust Repair

The best way to ensure that rust won’t return is to completely remove it from the car. This can be accomplished by removing the metal just in the rusty area and welding in patches, but extreme cases may require replacing the entire panel.

Auto Body Welding Process

Whether removing the metal due to a collision or due to rust, the methods are the same. Cut out the affected area, fabricate or purchase a patch panel, fit the panel, and weld it in place. The welding process can be a trick in itself as the heat created in thin, sheet metal panels can cause distortion, leading to additional time spent straightening the welded-in panels. Coating the panel with a heat-absorbing compound and stitch welding (welding short segments slowly) the panel are two ways to keep the panel from warping while being welded in place. An additional concern of welding is that moisture can be trapped inside any areas of porosity, leading to future rust problems. Priming the metal in a weld-through primer and sandblasting the area after being welded are two ways to ensure the area won’t rust in the future.

Auto Body Sanding and Paint Preparation

Block-sanding the vehicle is the critical step that makes the car’s panels look straight. The reason a block is used is to distribute the hand’s pressure evenly across the panel. Sanding without a block will leave finger grooves in the panel, which in turn will cause the panel to look wavy once painted. When choosing paint, a compromise must usually be reached between the quality desired and budgetary restraints. Most modern paints do a decent job of protecting the underlying metal, but cheaper paints can be less tolerant to sun, fading quickly if the car sits outside for any length of time.

Auto Body Painting

All new cars are painted in base/clear as it offers distinct advantages, such as protecting the pigment by adding ultraviolet blockers in the clear coat. Repairs of base/clear paint jobs can also be easier than single stage paint systems. The biggest advantage, however, of a base/clear paint job is the luster. By clear coating over the color, the paint job looks thicker and has a shinier appearance than most single stage paints. Also, rock chips and door dings are usually less apparent in base/clear paint jobs as the colored base coat is usually left intact. The actual process of painting is where experience pays off. An experienced painter knows how thick to apply the paint, and where areas prone to runs and fish eyes are and adjusts his technique appropriately. By following the instructions on the MSDS, an inexperienced painter can apply a good paint job, but experience is the key to consistent success.

Service Body Shop is proud to serve the following areas with the most professional Auto Body Paint and Auto Body Collision Repair Service in the metro area

Hail Damage Repair and Paint Less Auto Body Dent Repair

What kind of Auto Dents and Dings can be Fixed?

Many auto body dents and dings can now be repaired without a trace, keeping the original paint in place. This process is called paintless dent repair or “PDR.”

PDR technicians use specialized tools to push the metal back into its original shape from behind the dent. Depending on the location of the damage, the panel is accessed by removing trim pieces, through window openings or by removing inner panels. In a typical dent removal, the metal around the outside edge of the dent in slowly massaged back into its original position. The dent becomes progressively smaller as the technician works from the outside edge; eventually the dent becomes so small it blends with the texture of the paint and disappears completely. When considering Paintless Auto Body Dent repair always remember that it is very possible

to break the paint or leave hair line cracks in your paint that may go unnoticed to the common eye. These will be very costly in the future and that’s why we recommend your Hail Repair be done at an Auto Body Shop / Collision Center. This way the problem will be caught and repaired before any rust or chipping occurs. Beware, anyone can put up a hail repair sign but not everyone has certified paint, body and dent technicians.

Paintless dent repair is very effective for the following situations:

• From very small to large dents;
• Generally 1990 model year and newer vehicles;
• The paint has not been broken or cracked;
• The dent is not near the edge of a panel;
• The panel has not had previous body repair.

About Automotive Paintless Body Dent and Ding Repair

The most common methods of paintless dent repair utilize metal rods and body picks to push the dents out from the

under side

of the auto body panel. Additionally, glue and a specially designed tab may be used from the outside of the panel to pull the dents out. In either case, fine-tuning of the repair often involves “tapping” down the repair to remove small high

spots,

or shrink the metal, making the surface flat. Paintless Auto Body Dent Repair may be used on both aluminum and steel panels. If a technician pushes too hard when creating these high spots, the paint will split and the repair is ruined. Quality technicians can use these high spots that are barely visible to match the texture of the paint.

Fluorescent lighting, or in some cases a reflection board, is used to see the shadows created by the deformation of the dent. This is an important aspect of the repair process. Without a Paintless Auto Body Dent Repair board or reflector board, the fine detail of the process is unseen, and technicians cannot locate their tools specifically and cannot remove the damage accurately. The process of Paintless Auto Body Dent Repair requires a technician to specifically push exact locations of metal to a precise height, which can only be witnessed with use of a PDR reading

instrument

, such as a Paintless Auto Body Dent Repair reflector board or Paintless Dent Repair light.

Paintless dent removal takes

time

to learn; it is more of an art than a specific set of skills. The ability to successfully remove dents and dings is learned through trial and error. An untrained individual can actually damage a dent if attempting a repair without the correct skills and knowledge

Service Body Shop is proud to serve the following areas with the most professional Auto Body Paint and Auto Body Collision Repair Service in the metro area

Free Auto Towing & Wrecker Services

If you have been involved in a wreck and need a tow you qualify for “Free Towing.”

Service Body Shop offers:

• If you don’t have rental car coverage we have you covered with a FREE Loaner car
• Emergency 24-Hour Towing
• Mechanical Repair Towing
• Auto Body Repair Towing
• Auto Paint Towing
• Dependable Wrecker Service

We provide safe, prompt, professional towing and wrecker services at reasonable prices. Pick up service and free towing is always available to any our Wichita Kansas area locations.

We can Tow:

• Cars
• Trucks
• Vans
• SUVs
• Motorcycles
• ATVs
• and More

Mechanical repairs are different and usually cost $50.00 depending on your distance to the shop. 24 hour live help is always available and our service advisors will be alerted to your problem so when your car is brought in, our expert technicians will be ready to help get you back on the road as soon as possible.

For all auto towing and/or wrecker needs, let us help call: (316) 299-9238 or 316-260-5300

Your safety depends on the mechanical condition of your vehicle. That’s why we make it our #1 priority to provide you exceptional service, ASE-certified technicians with years of experience, the highest quality parts, and our own guarantee you’ll be satisfied with our work.

Did you know most of our body technicians are also certified mechanics? With front end automotive collision, most vehicles require replacing radiators, condensers, cooling fans and air conditioning components. Thus, a good body mechanic may be your best repair as they may do more of these types of repairs then your everyday oil changer. At Service Body Shop we know you will get the best automotive repair rates available.

Auto Service

• Oil Changes

• 4 Wheel Alignment

• Battery Replacement

• Engine Tuneup

• Transmission Service

• Electrical Repair

• Brake Replacement

• Summer Inspections

• Winter Inspections

• Tire Rotations

• Tire Replacements

• Water Pumps and Timing Belts

• Fluid Changes

• Belts and Hoses

• Air Conditioning Repair

• Exhaust Systems

• Drivelines

We’re proud to be the fastest growing automotive maintenance and car repair facility in Wichita Kansas servicing domestic and foreign vehicles for more than 3 generations.

Auto Maintenance Tips

Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, reducing friction and wear. It also helps to cool the engine, while cleaning dirt and sludge deposits. But remember, engine oil breaks down with time and should be replaced regularly for optimal effectiveness. Rest assured, at Service Body Shop we adhere to manufacturer’s and Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) guidelines, ensuring the right services for your vehicle at the right time.

Our mechanics can select the right oil for your vehicle, inspect your car’s air filter and check the levels of vital fluids for brakes, power steering, automatic transmission and coolant/antifreeze. And that’s important. Because taking care of your car’s oil, filter and fluid needs is one of the simplest, most effective and inexpensive ways to help keep it running smooth and strong.

Auto Collision Repair & Auto Body Paint Services – Service Body Shop Wichita Kansas

One of the most time-consuming and expensive projects you’ll ever perform on your automobile is to either paint it yourself or have it painted. Paint and bodywork have long been considered an art more than a mechanical procedure. A good paint job is certainly the result of many hours spent welding, sanding, and preparing the body for paint. In fact, rather than the common misconception that a “paint job” is a single step process, painting a car is really a multi-step process that leads up to the actual painting of the car.

Auto Body Repair Process

The first step to a great looking paint job that will last is having a solid, rust-free foundation to work from. Rust is a common term for the process of steel oxidizing and is normally caused by unprotected metal being exposed to water or water vapor. Adding salt to the process, as in salty roads in the winter or beach driving in the summer, only expedites the process and can quickly turn sheet metal into an ugly, flaking, rusty mess.

Auto Body Rust Repair

The best way to ensure that rust won’t return is to completely remove it from the car. This can be accomplished by removing the metal just in the rusty area and welding in patches, but extreme cases may require replacing the entire panel.

Auto Body Welding Process

Whether removing the metal due to a collision or due to rust, the methods are the same. Cut out the affected area, fabricate or purchase a patch panel, fit the panel, and weld it in place. The welding process can be a trick in itself as the heat created in thin, sheet metal panels can cause distortion, leading to additional time spent straightening the welded-in panels. Coating the panel with a heat-absorbing compound and stitch welding (welding short segments slowly) the panel are two ways to keep the panel from warping while being welded in place. An additional concern of welding is that moisture can be trapped inside any areas of porosity, leading to future rust problems. Priming the metal in a weld-through primer and sandblasting the area after being welded are two ways to ensure the area won’t rust in the future.

Auto Body Sanding and Paint Preparation

Block-sanding the vehicle is the critical step that makes the car’s panels look straight. The reason a block is used is to distribute the hand’s pressure evenly across the panel. Sanding without a block will leave finger grooves in the panel, which in turn will cause the panel to look wavy once painted. When choosing paint, a compromise must usually be reached between the quality desired and budgetary restraints. Most modern paints do a decent job of protecting the underlying metal, but cheaper paints can be less tolerant to sun, fading quickly if the car sits outside for any length of time.

Auto Body Painting

All new cars are painted in base/clear as it offers distinct advantages, such as protecting the pigment by adding ultraviolet blockers in the clear coat. Repairs of base/clear paint jobs can also be easier than single stage paint systems. The biggest advantage, however, of a base/clear paint job is the luster. By clear coating over the color, the paint job looks thicker and has a shinier appearance than most single stage paints. Also, rock chips and door dings are usually less apparent in base/clear paint jobs as the colored base coat is usually left intact. The actual process of painting is where experience pays off. An experienced painter knows how thick to apply the paint, and where areas prone to runs and fish eyes are and adjusts his technique appropriately. By following the instructions on the MSDS, an inexperienced painter can apply a good paint job, but experience is the key to consistent success.

Structural damage to your vehicle caused by a collision may require a car frame repair. Unfortunately, the process of straightening a car frame is not only difficult, but potentially dangerous. For this reason, experienced auto body technicians with the proper tools to get the job done should only handle such repairs. When dealing with a car frame repair, technicians may suggest one of the three following options.

Car Frame Straightening

Frame straightening serves at your best shot for restoring your car to the same condition it was in prior to the accident. However, bending metal back into alignment is no easy task. To ensure precise accuracy, auto shops employ computerized tools to determine proper alignment. Ultrasound technology is also required to measure the degree of damage, and lasers are then used to determine the necessary amount of alignment. If done correctly, then the vehicle can be restored to original condition.

Car Frame Welding

In some cases, traditional car frame straightening techniques are insufficient for proper repair. One possible alternative solution is to cut out the bent portions of the frame and weld in new straight metal pieces. However, it is important to note that welding can significantly reduce the structural integrity of the metal at the weld points. This can result in insufficient support if done incorrectly. However, a professional welder with significant experience should be able to provide adequate results in most cases.

If you have some welding experience and are considering doing the job yourself, you may want to think twice. Your frame is constantly under impact shock and other forces that make even a decent welding job inadequate. For the necessary results, choose the superior expertise of a professional welder.