10 Steps to a Fully Repaired Automobile

Step 1

During the estimate process, your vehicle is inspected and relevant data is entered into our CCC estimating computer system. This data is compiled into an estimate that determines the cost of repairs and what parts are required. However, there is often hidden damage that cannot be seen until after the vehicle is disassembled.

Step 2: Insurance Approval

Once the estimate is completed, the insurance company will review it. There may be some negotiations on the price and procedures required to repair the vehicle. The insurance company will determine if the vehicle is even repairable. Once this process is completed, the vehicle begins the actual repair process.

Step 3: Disassembly

During disassembly, hidden damage is often found, and inner structure repairs are determined. Many times, this will require scheduling insurance re-inspection and ordering additional parts.

Step 4: Order Parts

Parts availability is checked and the required parts for your vehicle are ordered. If a part needs to be special ordered, the order will be placed as soon as possible. Although many parts may arrive very quickly, the repair process cannot begin until Ultimate Collision Center receives all of the required structural parts.

Step 5: Structure Repair

In the structure repair area, the unitized body is returned to the factory OEM specifications. Our technicians use a Chief Velocity Measuring System that employs a sophisticated laser to monitor all repair phases in this area. Your vehicle will be set up on our American Freedom Frame Machine straightening equipment and we'll use our computer-based measurement system to analyze the frame of your vehicle. This system ensures an absolute accurate repair.

Step 6: Body Repair

In our body repair department, our technician replaces exterior panels and performs all metal finishing that may be required. Your vehicle begins to come back to life as sheet metal is installed and aligned. From here, the vehicle will go to the paint preparations department where it will be washed, taped up, bagged, and made ready for the paint refinishing process.

Step 7: Paint

Proper paint preparation is the most critical step in the refinishing process. All panels are prepared for paint, then primed and sealed to assure good adhesion. We apply an in-house Spies-Hecker Automotive finishes computer-mixed basecoat to ensure a guaranteed color match to your existing vehicle. Next, we apply the final coats of clear urethane and bake your paint finish at 140 degrees in our state-of-the-art temperature-controlled spray booth. This high-tech finish protects your vehicle's finish for many years to come.

Step 8: Reassembly

After a cooling down period, your vehicle is inspected for minor imperfections, color sanded, and machine buffed to a high gloss finish. Final moldings and detail pieces are reinstalled on your vehicle in the reassembly area. All the vehicle's systems are checked during this process. Your vehicle is almost complete and ready for delivery when it is in this stage.

Step 9: Detailing

During the repair process, the vehicle accumulates dust from the repairs. Your vehicle will have the interior vacumed, exterior washed, road tested and systems checked to ensure that everything is working properly. A final inspection will ensure that your vehicle meets our stringent quality control procedures and is restored to its pre-accident condition.

REMEMBER - If your vehicle has been repaired by a professional, you should not be able to tell that it was ever involved in an accident. That is our ULTIMATE GOAL!!

Step 10: Completed

Delivery is the last step in the repair process. When you arrive to pick up your vehicle, the bill will be explained, and the final paperwork will be completed. You will drive away in a vehicle that has been restored to its pre-accident condition by the highly skilled technicians at Ultimate Collision Center.