Chip repair occurs when windscreen of a vehicle suffers minor blows. It is always recommended for car owners to go an immediate repair so as to prevent the windscreen from continuous cracking which may endanger themselves and others.

However, budget and scheduling problems tend to be the reasons that held owners from doing so. Therefore, most owners will choose temporary solutions like the use of clear packing tape on the affected areas to keep away falling debris while reframing the car from being washed or kept in the cold at the moment.

In most incidences, depending on the level of damage that the windscreen had suffered, owners will have to choose regional repair or replacement of the entire screen. Whichever the solution, chip repair is not a long hour process and in most cases, it can be completed within a day. Moreover, as long as there is insurance coverage, chip repair will not add burden to one’s budget.

The where and when

Unfortunately, there is no way to preempt when a chip will take place. Widescreen can crack anytime and anywhere, be it on the road or in a carpark. Occasionally, widescreen damage can be man-made, such as collision or careless driving; other times, it can be the act of nature such as falling tree branches, hitting by road sides stones, or heavy snow.

Once the chip occurs, drivers will have to beware of the internal pressure. A damaged chip will result in higher internal pressure which may quicken the process of creating a larger crack. Sometimes, slight pushing of the chip or pasting of tape over the affected area will also aggravate the damage.

The how

Internet had rumoured to repair chips by mixing a solution of water, salt, bug repellant, and alcohol. However, do not attempt to do so as the excessive debris are not removed, so the widescreen will still succumb to further damage.

Widescreen chip repair will begin with the clearance of any glass fragmentations. This will ensure the surrounding area is clear for the next step, which is air suction. In this step, additional air trapped between the windscreen chip will be vacuum out. This is immediately followed by the application of liquid acrylic resin onto the damaged glass area. The resin will be cured via the use of ultra violet light which strengthens the glass itself and thus restoring it. After excessive resin is being removed, the repair is considered complete.

Remember chip repair is essential because widescreen provides 30% of the car’s structural strength and passenger airbag actually relies on the windscreen for support. Therefore, never delay and if unsure, always consult an expert.

As time goes and the car making industry advances, bumper turns into a complex part of the car, accounting more responsibility than just protection. Hence, repairing bumpers gradually became nightmares for some car owners.

What are we paying exactly when we ask for a bumper repair?

First of all, bumper repair is labour intensive, this is why getting it fixed is hurting our wallets. Modern bumpers are no longer a loose structure on vehicles but an integration to several parts including lights, trim, warning system, airbag sensor, and air intakes. Time and effort are needed to disconnect these parts before technicians can lay their hands on the bumper. After repair, technicians will need to install these pieces back to their original positions in an orderly manner. Assuming if the labour rate is being charged on per hour basis, the repair cost will soon be swelling.

To add to the work, certain parts like the lights and trim are tricky to be removed because of the complicated wiring and delicacy in the job. Therefore, such additional care will also turn into excuses for technicians to increase the repair price. Next, as the goal of bumper repair is to restore it back to its novel condition. Therefore, lots of different chemicals like hardener, sealer, and paint are employed during the process and all these accumulate to the over charges.

Of course, a collision seldom involves just one vehicle component. To fulfill the safety requirement, a car which had just been damaged will undergo thorough check again. Thus, a sole bumper replacement rarely takes place.

As a result of such addition of other charges, bumper repair always gives an illusion that repairing it is an expensive task. Nevertheless, make it a habit to check with your insurance company, most of the time, if bumper damage is covered in the policy, it may kill off part of the pain.

The first thing that most people will do after the incident occur is to run down to a part store for some emergency body filler and make sure a can of matching paint spray goes well with it. However, most of the bumpers today are hidden behind painted plastic, hence, getting a bumper repair may not be as troublesome as one can foresee.

When a bumper is damaged, it is likely that the protective plastic got the most hit first. Therefore, most bumper repairs nowadays revolve around cleaning the plastic layer and scuffing the damaged area. When the car is in the repair workshop, the first thing which needs to be done is the removal of bumper and its plastic cover for inspection and cleaning.

After the affected area is adequately cleanse, the surface will be thoroughly sanded with at least 80-grit paper. This will make way for an even surface when hardener and repair adhesive are being applied afterwards.

On top of front repair, often the back side of the fascia will also be examined for any tear or cut. If the damage to the back of the bumper plastic is big, additional tapes may be required to hold it to the anterior. A body filler squeegee will be employed while applying the hardener or adhesive. Once the first layer is finished, the second layer will run in 90-degree to the first to ensure all materials are fully fastened together.

Painting will take place after repair and this will begin with a layer of flexible part sealer. A layer of primer and paint will go after the sealer is dried. The whole process will approximately take place over day as primer is toxic and thus need to be handled with care. Moreover, several layers of paint are usually required and no layer shall be applied before the prior one is completely dry.

Light sanding will occur to conclude the entire repair. Bumper repair is not straightforward thus do run a check with your existing insurance company and also your workshop before trying to fix it on your own.

Indeed, the most obvious benefit of having your car re-painted will be value adding. Selling away their vehicles to trade for a new one will be one of the most common reasons to why one will like to spray paint their cars. Common sense tells us that if a car looks old, coming with rusty look, chipped surface, and damping metals, its potential market worth will never be high as a car which mimic brand new. As a result, if you are not thinking of a major revamp, car spray painting is always a good alternative to upgrade your drive.

Talking about major revamp will make us think of our budget. Cost effective is another benefit that car owners can enjoy when they opt for car spray painting. Sanding and giving your car a new layer of coast will definitely be more wallet friendly as compared to changing of parts. Moreover, the time required for a paint spray is shorter than other forms of rejuvenation.

Besides, the first thing that most car owners thought of, when their vehicles begin to turn old, is to sell them away. Not many actually reflect upon repainting them as engines and most car parts will not turn old as quickly as the exterior. Thus, car spray painting is always a good way to turn one’s vehicle brand new again.

Car spray painting is also valuable for the creative-minded as it offers them good opportunities to turn their vehicles in any fancy manner. Furthermore, car spray painting will allow one to change the outlook of their vehicle in a constant manner, therefore, one does not have to involve in the endless cycle of selling, seeking, and purchase of new cars to achieve different looks.

With the advance in technology, customers are also likely to prospect the looks of their cars after spray painting online via colour match services. Hence, this increases the demand for professional spray painting. Other than that, one can also indulge in the joy of painting their car all over.

Perhaps it is because of all the above benefits that car spray painting remains popular among different car owners.

Like all manual works, preparation is an important step to a successful finale. In car spray painting, it is essential to decide on an area which the process is to be carried out. If the spraying is to take place externally, ensure there are enough coverage at the bottom of the car, so that no region will be dirty by excessively paint. Clean the surface of the car thoroughly with the use of sandpapers. The best finish is to have the car surface that resembles bare metal so that the painting will be completed in the most even manner.

Always carry a clear idea on the areas to be painted. During painting, one can use newspapers or masking tapes to seal up places that you do not wish to be painted. If you are asking an expert’s help, do make sure that all details are communicated prior hand, it is best to have some form of drawn out plan, especially if complex designs or colours are involved. For the Do-It-Yourself souls, warrant yourself with sufficient space for even spraying and practice your skills. Embark on a layer of primer prior actual paint. Depending on the types of spraying guns that you use, it is best to hold it approximately 6 inches from the surface of the car.

Remember to mix the paint well according to the given instructions. Always start from the top of the vehicle, apply paint only when you are moving, or thicker spray will be formed on some but not other surfaces, resulting in paint drips. Ensure the first layer of paint is completely dry before applying the second layer. The amount of layers to be applied will depend on two factors – the condition of the paint and the kind of finish effect which one will like to achieve. Nevertheless, three to four layers are the average that one should expect.

Remember that car spray painting is time consuming. It may take at least two to three hours especially if you are a first timer. Professional help may shorten the time and guaranteed a satisfactory job. Therefore, always weigh the amount of the budget, effort, and time you will like to spare before considering a DIY or engaging in an expert.